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RFYNOLDS HISTORICAL <5ENEALC^Y COLLECTION
ifM i«Mri99MMT PUBLIC LIBRARY
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HISTORY OF
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AND THEIR COUNTIE^
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AJSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKhTCHES
VOL. il
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Prefatory Note,
The thanks of the compilers and publishers of this volimic arc cordially rendered to the large number of [irominent citizens, in all three of the counties v.-ith which it deals, for their invaluable aid and co-operation in the dilhcult labor of collecting, for the first time. t!ie annals of the region about the Falls of the Ohio. That section of the book relating to the precincts of Jefferson county has been prepared l^y Mr. Cole, of Cincinnati ; the Floyd county work was done by Mr. N. N. Hill, Jr., of Newark, Ohio; that for Clark county by Mr. M. L. Bevis, of Preston, IlasniUon county, Ohio, e.Kcept tlic Jeffersonville chapters, wh.irh weie prepared by Messrs. A. R. Wildnian and AValter Buell, of Cleveland, Ohio. The General History of the Indiana counties was chiefly written by the compilers in general charge of the work. The biographical work is by various hands. It is hoped that all parts will prove satisfac lo- ry, in the points of accuracy, fullness, and mechanical execution, to the generous patrons of the enterprise.
C[.EVEi,.A.\ii, Ohio, May 27, 18S2.
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Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofohiofal21lawi
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CONTEiNnTS,
H I S T
OR
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PRECINCTS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY.
PAGE S'jalonvillc ...... 9
I-'iiir-nount ..... 13
\U-ndow Lawn ..... 16
Two Mile ..... 16
Jcft'Tsontown ...... p2
^'idd^■:to\^■n
SS'nrdine
Anchorage
SpiinrdKlc
Cane P.ini
Fisherviile
fl-irrod'.-; ("reck
Spring Gnrdfu
Shively
Jolin.^town
GDin.^.u'.s
O'Bannon
rtosion
N'aliey
Woods
' 'r.iss Roacli
GENERAL HISTORY OF CLARK .\ND ILO^ COUNTIES, INDIANA.
liAl'TKK. P.
I. — Gcol.-'gv of Clark and floyd Counties II.— Old G..-.>s'raphicaI I)esignauon?-Tlie Claik (jrant — Congi'ess Land.s . 111. — Organization of Floyd County IV'. — Organi/atioM of Ciark County . V. — Militarv Record of Clark and Flovd Coun-
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NEW ALBANY AND FLOYD COUNTY.
CII.\PTi:i VI. VII,-
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XX.
XXI.
XXII.
xxni.
XXIV.
XXV.
XX\!.
XX\'il.
XXVllI,
XXIX.
XXX,
XXXI.
XXXII.
XXXIII,
XXXIV.
XXXV,
XXXVI.
City of Xe-.v .Albany— '^'^ii^Tal Hi'-tory -New Albany — Ferrie.-; and btcaniboits -Tiduoation in Now .Albany . -The Pro'? of Xew Albany -.\e\v Albany— The Churches -N'eu- Albany- -P.eiiel! and Bar . --.V-jw .-\ibany— Conuiiercial Interi^.sis -Notes of New .Mbany . -.%"■.,'■.> .Vlbanv T:-.\ii5l'ip -riinkiin Tc
ties
—Gjorgetown T<.v, iisi'.'.p — Gr.-cnville Township — I.afavelte Toua-'hlp
*.RK COUNTY ANO jLVFLK^ONVI LI. R -t'f thltlieivi T , i\:u,)i;p — L'an- Touriship
- Ch.ir'.esionn Tuwnsliip '". — .\Ionioe I\>wii«;hip -Oreg-in Toun^hip . . ■ r~ -
^Owen Toivnslr.p .
— Silver Creek Township
- l.t'C;!. To\.ns'-.i(i --\V.i-ihin;;ton Townb'-iif . •
--Wood 'I'oivnship • .
- Jer'rersonville — Civil lii.^iory — Je"ffersoiiville — ."^ocial and Religious — Jcft'ersonville — Industrial — jelTersonville- -Biographical . — N'jtices of leffersoMville — Clarksville .--Union Township . — Miscellaneous Biographies
—Clark County Settlement Notes — Floyd t'lounly Settlement Notes
Apperdi.v ....
139
173 170 1S6
4:! 2 -ir-S
.(Oo
498
503 512
523
553
BIOGRAPHICAL.
.Mdersou. !'.. 5. .Anistrcn-. Wliii.nn G. .■.r.Ti.-.trong, <..'olonel jchn "riiiham. R. S., M. D. Ilarn-tt. Allen . i.'.irtv. right. Colonel No.'.h l.-r.ivo. Frank S
PACK. 60
Utvvei n 3.i4 ami j,;j 61
Dorscy, F,li.xs I )i."=e> , I.eaven 1-. iJel'auw, W. C. Dailey. Reuben Daily. Hon. IJ.ivid \V. I.^e.in. .Arges. . Dicker, k.v. 'ohTl .V!.
67 230 4S3 514 517 5 '7
CONTENTS.
I-'icld, l>r. Nathuniel . Ferguson, Dr. H. H. l-"ogg, \Vi!li;\in H. C;an, John F. (larr, S. L.
Gale, Robevl H., M. D. liwiii, Josiah . Herr, A. G. Hobbs. I'.ihvaid D. Hoke, Andrew Howard, Captain James HoiineuE, Frederick H. C". Kfigwin, William
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Moorman, Manson |
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Ornisby Colonel Stephi n |
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Kedma'i, Robert 1.. |
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Read, James G. |
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Roach, Edmund |
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Spvague, Joseph \V. |
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Shelby Family . |
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Sands, William |
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Thonison, James W. . |
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Warder. Luther V. |
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Wliioher, C:aptain James |
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Zuh-.uf, John |
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facing 232 473 5'5 ■+73 • ■ 47^ 522 . .-,.482
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ILLUSTRATIONS.
^UX.(i^l'^^^
M;i[) of ]rffei.-.on county, Keiiluckv . "The Tiincls"— Rfiideiice of 'riionias
iiedy ResidctiLe of Frank S. Dravo I'ortrait of Colonel Stephen Oimsby Residence o'' Hon. E. D. Ilobbs . Portraits of L. L. Dorsey and wife Residence of L. L. Dorsey Portraits of B. S. Alderson and wife Portrait of S. L. Gaar Portrait of John F. (iarr Portrait of John Herr Portrait of A. G. Herr . Residence of A. G. Herr Portrait of Klias Doraev Portrait of Andrew Hoke Portrait of Alanson Moorman and wif< Map of Clark and Floyd counties, Ind
ana .... Portrait of J. \V. Goslee . Portrait of Mrs. J. \V. Goslee .
fAGF..
Frontispiece >. Kcn-
• . facing 17
f.;ciii£ 24
facing 29
uwir.fi 33
between 48 and 49
Iwtween 48 and 49
facin;; 60
between 62 and 63
between 62 and 63
between 64 and 65
between 64 and 6 ^
between 64 and 65
between 66 and 67
between 66 and 67
between 68 and 69
between 70 and -fi between 80 and 81 between 80 and 81
Residence of late Captain |. \V. Gusie. I'ortrait of W. C. De l'au\* Portrait of Rot-.ert L. Redtnan Portrait of .Allen Rarnett Portrait of George Schwartz Portrait of John Zul.iu*' Portrait of Joseph W. Sprip.iie Portrait of Janice; Howard Portiail of Dr. Naihaiiiel Field Portrait of James G. Read Portrait of Governor Lsa.'.c Shciiiv Portrait of L. F. W^irdei Portrait of ]. W. 1 homson Portrait of Reuben Dailey Portrait of H. H. Ferguson, ^^. D. Portrait of William G. Armstrong Portrait of R. H. Gale, M. D. Portrait of F. H. C. Honneu.c . Portrait of David W. Daily Portrait of Rev. Rezin Hammond Portrait of Edm.und Roach
rAr;F-:. ; between 84 and 85 facing 230 facing 232 facing 345 facing 396 facing 459 facing 463 f.icing f6q facing 471 facing .}73 facing 476 facing 478 facing 482 facing 483 facing 486 'facing 488 facing 512 facing 513 facing 514 betwi en 516 and ^17 between 516 and 517
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History of the Ohio Falls Counties.
PRECINCTS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY,
SEATONVILLE PRECINCT.
The land in this precinct is poor in sections, the country very uneven, hills and ravines predominating. The roads are also very irregu- lar, and generally take the covuse of the creeks, the bed of which constitutes the high- way. Now and then some road angles across the country, and through the wood land, but in many places, especially in the southern part, there are none save some bridle-paths, leading to and from the neighbors' houses.
The original mistake made m grantnig patents to possession of lands on merely paying a fee of ten dollars, with the privilege of as much land in lieu of same as the speculator would map out, has always caused much trouble.
With such liberties it is easy to see how ambi- tious speculators would seek out this land, blaze a few trees, as indices to the boundary lines, no mattrr how irregular that might be, and then have the same recorded properly in the archives of the State. The numerous surveys, the irregu- larity of laid out farms frequently led to serious trouble. Claims would overlap each other until as many as twelve or fifteen owners could be found for one dry spot of earth. No sooner would some stranger from another State secure his possessions with a snug cottage than would come along an owner of some parcel of his ground with a right prior to his.
These things were tolerated at first with a patience characteristic of a m.an a. lys wonting to be at peace with his neighbor, but \e pest of I'rior claims was not removed until the s \oi gun *'as called into requisition, and it became a serious matter for any one to saddle a good
price on his right of priority and claim land or money.
The early settlers of this precinct left but lit- tle record of themselves save mere threads of traditionary events. They usually, as was the case always at first, settled aloiig the water courses, or near j^crennial streams of water. In an early day attraction.s were probably as great in this section of the country as wete found any- where in the county. Louisville had abundance of water, but good land was found at Sealonville, and as for the metropolis of the State, there was as much likelihood of the latter place being that city as the former in the minds of the first set- tlers.
One of the first settlers of this precinct was a Mr. Mills, of Virginia, v/ho came in a very early day, riding an old gray mare, for which he was offered ten acres of land, now the ceniral portion of Louisville city. One of his sons, Isaac by name, born in 1796, was an early settler of this part of the country, also.
The Funks — John, Peter, and Joseph — were early settlers ii'i this precinct. John and Peter owned a mill near Seatonville, probably the first in the county. Of this family of brothers, John and Joe had no cliildrtfn, but Peter has de- scendants living at the present time.
George Seaton, was born near Seatonville, April 3, 17S1, and died July 6, 1835, and from him the village of this precinct takes its name. They were a family of marked characteristics, and h.ivc descendants living at the present time, and did much to advance the interests of the new settle- ments. George Seaton was one of the first magistrates of the precinct.
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HISTORY Ol'THE OHIO FA1,LS COUNTIES.
Fielding Wigginton, at tliirtecn years of age, came here in 1S03, but finally settled in Bullitt county, wlierc he- died. A name to be levered as among tlie early settlers was a Rev. W/illiam P. liarnctt, a minister of the liaptist church for oyer fi^rty years.' He was married twice, his sec- ond wife being the mother of John ^^'igginton's wife.
The Rridwells were also very early settlers. Mr. Jolin W'igginton's, mother was one of this family.
Hezekiah Pound came I'rom New Jersey in an early day, and settled upon a tract of land a little southeast of Seatonville, where J. M. Pound now lives.
At that time there was a sentinel station where Mr. George \\'elsh now lives. His son John Pound was born in this precinct July 31, 17S4, and died August 26, 1S51. He married a Miss Paulina Boycr November iS, iSoS, and had eight children. The grandfather was in the Rev- olution, and several of his children were in the War of 1812,
In the southern part of the precinct, on Broad river, Mr. George Markwell settled in a very early day. He was a native of Wales, and after com- ing here entered three or four hundred acres of land. The stone at the head of his grave on the old homestead, owned now by John B. Mark- well, gives his birth date as 1751. He died in December, 182S. Jane, his wife, died at the age of seventy-two, and lies by his side. His sons, born in the lySo's, are also buried in this yard.
A prominent man of this precinct, from whom also prominent families have descended, was a Mr. Wish, who settled near Seatonville at a very early day.
FIRST MILL.
The first mill built in this precinct was by a Mr. Mundell, on Floyd's fork, one-half mile be- low Seatonville. This was probably before the year 1800. Mr. Mundell operated by the water power gained by this stream botli a saw-mill and a grist-mill. The Funks finally purchased this property more than sixty years ago, and operated these nrills for a number of years The new mill was built as early as in 1S32.
Mr. Isaac Mills worked th.ere as a stone mason. The mill was in successful or,eration as late as in the year 1S76. when it sU)[ii)ed.
Mr. Mills built in the year 1866, a Eav\--mill, and in 1S70 attached to it a grist-mill, both of which are in good condition. The saw-mill has a capacity of three thousand feet. The grist- mill runs two huhr of stones — one for corn and the other for wheat.
The fust church in this precinct was the Old- school Baiuist church on Chenoweth run. This church was in successful operation by that de- nomination up to the year 1820.
Rev. John G. Johnson, an old Baptist preacher, ministered to the jjeople in an early day. The building was a sim[)le log stiucture, probal)ly thirty by forty feet, and stood where the graveyard now is. Among the very early preach- ers might be mentioned the names of \Villiam Hub, Zaccheus Carpenter, Rev. Mr. (Sarrett, the \\'allers, Rev. Andrew Jackson, Rev. A. Moble\-, and Richard Nash. I'he church built in 18-p) or 1850, is a frame, thirty-five by fifty. The membership at the present time is about one hundred and sixty. Elder Clif- ton Allen is at present the preacher to this congregation. The elders of the church are Jeff Young, (George \V. Welsh, and H. C. Mill.-,; Kenner Mills, su]jerintendent of the Sabbath- school.
BIOGR.-\PHIC.\L NOTKS.
Radham Seaton, the first of that family in Kentucky, and grandfather of Charles A. and W. Chesley Seaton, came to Jefferson county from Yirginia. Soon after his arrival he married Mary Curry, daughter of Thomas Curry, a native of X'irginia, by wliom he had four childien : Sarah, Thomas C, Elizabeth, and Kenner, who was born April 17, 1797. Radham Seaton had four- teen brothers and two sisters. His wife's mother was Sarah M'Carthy, whose sister, Margaret Chen- oweth, was scalped by the Indians at her home near Finn Station, in tiie noted Chenoweth mas- sacre. Radham Seaton died when about forty years old, from injuries received while logging. His son Kenner lived on the home place and was a farmer. He was married Se[)tember 26, 1833, and had seven cliildren, of whom four are living. He died in the room in which he was born on the 26th of August, 1S72. C. A. Seaton was born January 8, 1S36, ami W. Chesley, October 22, 1847. These tirothers were educated in the common schools, and ha\e until recently been farmers. In 1872 the elder of these brothers
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HISTORY OF TFli: OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
erected a building and engaged in general nier- cliandiae lui.siness. The brother afterwards be- ranie a i)aitner. The viil.rge ot' Seatonville was foundc;d l>y tlicm, and the [)recinct recci\ed ihcir name. C. A. Sealon is now serving a second term as magistrate of iliis precinct, besides servmg as de[)iUy marshal of the county, an office to which lie was .elected last August. January 24, 1S56, he married Mary K. Kelly, a native of Jefferson county, and daughter of Captain Samuel Kelly, an officer in the \\'ar of 181 2. She has borne him seven children, of whom one boy and three girls are living. \V. Chesley, in August of 187S, was elected deputy sheriff of Jefferson county, and is now otTiciating as such. On November 4, 186S, he was married to Sally Johnson, a native of the county and ' daughter of George Johnson. They have but one child. Dr. John S., son of Kenner Seaton, was born July 16, 1S13, and ilied August 19, 1S79.
Henry C. Mills, a twin brother of Mrs. Mary Johnson, was born May 7, iSr;. He is a son of 'Squire Isaac Mills, a nati\e of Virginia, who was one ol the pioneers of Kentucky, a stone mason by trade, a farmer by occupation, and long known by the title of 'aquire, having held the oflice of magistrate. He came to this county when about si.xteen years of age, and afterwards married Sarah Wilch. He died November i.^th, 1859, and she on February 26, 1S75. Heiny W. Mills married, during No- vember, 1853, Elizabeth Seaton, daughter of Kenner Seaton. 'I'his marriage resulted in ten children, of whom eight are living. She died November 19, iSSo. His occupation has always been the same as. was his father's. In 1S66, he built a dam at Seatonville and erected a saw-mill, to which, in 1870, he added a grist-mill, which he has since operated in addition to his farm. .- J. W. Jean was born in Henry county, Ken- tucky, April ID, 1821. His father came to this county at a very early day, where, in about 1S14, he was married, and then moved to Henry coun- ty, and tuLii to Crawford county, Illinois, where iie died in 1S2S. The mother of J. W. Jean was ' illi-uiiie M\crs, who was born in Jefferson '■•Jiinty, Kentucky, :March 13. 179S. When eight years of age he came to Jefferson county, where f^e hp.s since resided. He learned the saddler's '•aile, beginning when si.xteen and finishing when
twenty, and carried on a shop at Jeffersontown for thirty years. Some eight years ago he moved upon his farm a half-mile southeast of Seaton- ville, and has sinct- engaged in farming. On February it, 1847, he married Sarah Seaton, who was bom in this county .March 3, iS.^S, by whom he has had eleven children, of whom eight are living. Fler father, Kenner Seaton, was born April 23, 17S1; married February 3, 1863, and died July 6, 1S35. Her mother was born February 20, 17S3, and died December 14, 1S63.
A. H. Funk, a son of Peter Funl:, was born Oclobci 7, 1S22. Peter I'unk was of German descent and was born at Poonsboro, Maryland, August 14, 1782. He early came to Jefferson county, and married Harriet Hitc, a native of this county. They had seven girls and five I boys. A. H. F'unk was married June 4, 1S49, to Ellen A. 'Taylor, a native of S[)encer county, by whom he had nine children, of whom two bo^s and fi\e girls are living. He was regularly apjjrenticcd to leain the miller's trade, serving some five years. For thirty years he worked at his trade in a mill on the old homestead — one that has been in e.^istence over a century. He and his fiimily are memliers of the Christian church.
James T. Reid is of F^nglish descent, and is the oldest child of John Reid, a native of Mary- land. John Reid emigrated to this county when seventeen years old. He married Esther Gil- liland, who was born in county Down, Ireland, in 1825. He was a tailor by trade, but devoted the greater part of his life to farming. James 1'. Reid was born March 25, 1826. On Febru- ary 24, 1S4S, he married Rebecca H. Beard, who was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, May 4, 1S33. They have had thirteen children, of whom three boys and seven girls are living. Mr. Reid's life long occupation has been that of a farmer, and he is one of the largest tarmers of the eastern [)art of the county. He is a reading and a thinking man; was a few vears since elected magistrate, but resigned after serving two years.
J. W. Omcr was born in Jefferson county on February 13, 1S36. He is the seventh of twelve children of Jacob Omcr, who was born in Penn- syUania in 1795, and when one year old his father emigrated to Kentucky, and preempted
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HISTORY OF THK OHIO 1'ALLS COUN'TIES.
the land on ,i part of whicli J. W. now lives, The records show that this faim was taken up by — Hauler. This name was spelled according to the way it was pronounced, and it becanie Ainer, and then Omer. Jacob Omcr married Persilla Curry in 1S23. Slic was born May 5, 1804, and died February 10, 18S0. They had twelve children. J, W. has always been a farmer and is a member of the Christian church. On December 12, 1869, he married Rebecca Har- rison, of Jefferson county, Kentucky. She died September 12, 187S, leaving si.x children. On October 8, 1S79, he married Alwetta Bruce, of Gallatin county, Kentucky.
J. M. Markwell was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, on February 15, 1826. He is the seventh of eight children of William Markwell, who was also a native of the same county. Mis grandfather was one of the first settlers. Kis mother was Rhoda Pound, who was born in Nel- son county, in 1793, but came to Jefferson county when quite young. J. M. Markwell is a farmer by occupation. On September 20, 1855, he was married to Catharine \V. Markwell, who was born in Shelby county, January 7, 1839. They have seven children, four boys and three girls. He is a member of the Baptist church.
Fred Pound was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, April 7, 18 17. His father, John Pound, was born in New Jersey, July 31, 17S9; his father coming from Scotland. John Pound came to this county when a boy, perhaps a dozen years old, and always was a farmer. On November 10, 1808, he married Mary Boycr, of Jefferson county, who was born March 11, 17S3. Five of their children lived to maturity. Fred Pound has followed his father's occupation. On October 7, 1S3S, he married Elizabeth C- Taylor. She was born in Spencer county, Kentucky, January 27, 1820. She bore eight children, of whom six are living — two boys and four girls. Dr. T. P. D. Pound, the second son, was born May 28, 18.44. He attended McCowan's Forest FIill academy, and graduated at the Louisville Medical college in 1S75, and is practicing near the homestead, in Seatonville precinct. He married Alice btoul, of tiie same county, November 27, 1S73. R. M. J. Pound was born June 28, 1841. He was educated in the same school as was his brother, and in 1S60 graduated at the Fouisville Law school, and
practiced for five years in that city. Since 1861 he has been, save the time spent in Louisville, en- gaged in teaching. Since 1870 he has been man- aging a farm in Seatonville precinct. On April 10, 1870, he married .Apphia M. Seaton, of Hall, Morgan county, Indiana. She is the daughter of Allen Seaton, a native of Kentucky.
J. W. Wiggington was born in Bullitt county, Kentucky, August 18, 1827. He was the fourth of nine children of F. Wigginton, who was born in 1787 in Virginia, and came to Ken- tucky when about nine years old. He mar- ried Jane Bridwell, a Virginian, then of Nel- son county. J. W. Wigginton came to Jef- ferson county in 1848, where he remained (or five years, and then removed to Spencer county, and remained several years in this and five years in Bullitt, and then returned to Jefferson county, where he is engaged in farming, which has been his lifelong occujjalion. In December, 1848, he married Elizabeth J. Barnett, who was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, March 23, 1833. She is the daughter of Rev. W. P. Barnett, who was a native of V.'ashington county. His wife was Sraah. H. Royer, a native of Old- ham county. J. W. Wigginton is the father of eight children — three boys and five girls. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
'Squire J. W. James is a native of Spencer county, Kentucky. He was born September 15, 1S39, and is the second of three children of W. James, who was born in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1804. AV. James married Eliza- beth Markwell, in 1830. She was born in Jef- ferson county, in 1810. The James were pio- neers from Maryland, and the Markwells from Virginia. Mr. W. James was a farmer, as is his son J. ^V'. 'Squire J. W. James was educated in the public schools. In 1S64 he came to Jeffer- son county, and began farming in this precinct. He is now changing his farm into a fruit farm. In 1 85 7 he married Ellen Reasor, daughter of James A. Reasor, of Spencer county, v.ho was formerly a resident of this county, and author of a valuable work on the treatment and cure of hogs. In 1874 and 1S78 J. W. James was elected magistrate, and has served with credit in that capacity. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
Major Simpson Seaton Reynolds was born in Jefferson county, at Middletown, August 29,
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HiSTOkY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
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1 84 2. He is the oldest son of Thomas ^L S. Reynolds, who was hoin in Granite county, Vir- ginia, February 22, 1S18, and wab a farmer by occupation. He came to Kentucky in 1S40, and settled at Middletown. On July 28, 1S41, he niariied Elizabeth H. Seaton, daugluei of Judge (Jcorge Seaton, of Jefferson comity. She was born July 13, 1823, in Seatonville precinct. This marriage was blessed with thirteen children, of whom all are living, save William Wallace. The wife and mother died April 22, 1880. The fam- ily, in March of i860, moved to Saline county, Missouri, where they resided for ilfteen years, when they removed to Nebraska, and settled near Lincoln, where Mr. Reynolds is conducting a large stock farm. ALajor Reynolds was edu- cated in the common schools of Kentucky and Missouri, but was prevented from taking a con- templated college course by the breaking out of the war. He enlisted in General Marmaduke's escort, with the rank of caiitain, and was after- wards promoted to the rank of brevet major. On October 16, 1S64, lie married Adah T. Guthrie, daughter of D. T. Guthrie, then of Missouri, but a native of Virginia. His present wife's name is Harriet, a daughter of Colonel Brown, of Virginia. At present >Lajor Re\ nolds is engaged in s:ock raising, being a partner of Lieutenant Governor Cams, of Seward, Ne- braska.
FAIRMOUNT PRECINCT.
This section of the county contains some good land, an abundance of water, and has the advan- tages of the Bardstown pike, which highway runs through it from north to south. It has also many good orchards, and all kinds of fruits are thoroughly cultivated. The yield of fruits and berries forms one of the staple products and con- stitutes one of the industries of the people. Lands once rich in alluvial soil have for a period of one hundred years been cultivated in corn and wheat, and other agricultural products, without 'est or recuperation of the soil, and in some localities the exhaustion has been great. Other kinds have been rested, crops of different kinds made to alternate in such a way that what was taken out by one kind of grain was, in part at 't'-Tst, restored in nourishment by the substitu- tion of some other kind. These natural ad-
vantages were, however, a detriment during the late war. Soldiers of either army were fre- quently on these grounds, not in battle array, but in camp. The citizens were between the two forces, and from the circumstances were com- [)clled to supi-HUt bntii. Food was abundant, and the art of cooking well understood, and it was not unusual for a squad of men, or an entire company, to march up to a house and make de- mands for subsistence. To refuse these requests was but to submit finally under terms more humili- ating. Raids upon orchards, whiskey, and horses, were of frequent occurrence, and tlie oft- reijcatcd story will be handed down by tradition in time to come.
THE KIRST STORE
in this precinct was probably built in 1840 by .-\. C. Hays and his brother Chailes It was built at Hays' Springs, sixteen miles from Louis- ville. The partnership of these brothers contin- ued until 1 060, their business flounsliing dur- ing the time. At this time one of the brothers went out, and the business was continued by the other until 1S70. Since that time dil'fereni ones have had possession.
The post-office was for many years at Hays' Springs, for the accommodation of the public in tins precinct. It is now Fairmount.
The first mill was built by John Smith on Cedar creek. He came to the county as early as 1780, bought a thousand acres of land, but afterwards went to Indiana, where he died in 1S30. At the time this mill was in successful op- eration there was but one store and a bakery in Louisville, and Mr. Smith supjilied the town with flour. He had an overshot wheel, plenty of water at that time (since then the stream has almost dried up), two run of stones — one for corn and the other for wheat, and a good patronage for many miles around. The city of Louisville needed but two sacks of fiour each week for con- sumption at that time, which was usually supplied by strapping a bag of flour on a horse, mount- ing a boy on top of that, and sending through the thickets to the village. By starting early he could usually find his way there and back by nightfall. Mr. J. B. Smith, when 0 mere lad ten years of age, performed this journey twice a week and carried fiour to Louisville for seveial
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
years. There was attached to this grist-mill a good sawmill. The millwright, a Mr. Kirkpatrick, who was by the way, a good one, also attended 10 the saw-niiil. The mill was finall}- purchased by Mr. Jacob Shacffei', who run it very success- fully; but after he turned it over to his son in- law, a Mr. John Berne, for some reason it went down.
Mr. J. B. Smith erected a grist-mill on Cedar creek in 185 r, and two or three years afterwards a saw-mill. The business was good, but the troublesome times of the war came on and the mills were both burned. In 1859 he again built both mills, putting in an engine and running by steam this time. But in 1S67 the [iropcrty suf- fered by fire the second time. Mr. Smith has been importuned many times by his neighbors to rebuild, but having suffered twice the results of incendiarism, at a cost of several thousand dollars, he declined to do so.
Mr. J. B. Smith married a Miss Nancy Bell, daugliter of Robert Btll, who was one of the first shoemakers in the precinct. He had no shop, but would take his awl and last and go from place to place seeking work.
The old Chenoweth Run Baptist church, es- tablished as early as 1792, was the original place of meeting in an early day for religious worship. The Revs. Waller, Gupton, and Jackson were some of the first preachers.
About 1S20 the Reformed church was substi- tuted, and that church has n;)w become the Christian church. The division that t'ollowed, however, caused a new building to be erected in this precinct on Cedar creek, and to which there have Been additions and a growing membership up to this time. It now aggregates ninety-tive members. Rev. Columbus Vanarsdall is their pastor; J. T. Bates, Sabbath-school superintend- ent; Vanarsdall, moderator: J. W. Maddox. clerk. Mr. Maddox has been clerk of this church for over twenty years. The deacons are: John T. Bates, \V. \'. Hall. Trustees are: R. W. Hawk- ins, W. V. Hall, J. W, Maddox. The old build- ing was erected some fuvty years agn. Mrs. Maddo.x, mother of J. W. Maddox, now dead, was an untiring Christian worker, both in and out of church work. She was a member of many years standing in this church.
The Presbyterian church is an old organization also, having ■ a histor)- that readies back to iSoo, when Rev. James ^'ance, one of the first i^reachers, mini>lered to tiiis people. The Revs. James Marshall, Har\ey Logan, James Hawthorne, \\'illiaiii King, William Rice, and others since that lime have preached here. The new building was erected in 1870. Rev. S. S. Tay- lor is the pastor in charge. The elders are: Wil liam Morrison, W. Johnson, Peter Baker, and J oseph Becker; the deacons are : Moses Johnson, Thomas Moore, Clarence Sprowl. William Mor- rison is the superintendent of the Sabbath- school. The membership is about seventy. This church has suffered in the bitter contest be- tween the North and the South, and the division caused in its membership then still continues to exist.
The Northern church still continues to hold services in the same house occasionally. A Rev. Ml. McDonald is their jircacher. The elders are: Noah Cartwright, William P'crry, and Jef- ferson Rush.
lUOGi; APmC.\L NOTES.
Francis Maddox was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, July 14, iSii. His father, John Maddox, came with his family to Shelby county, Kentucky, in 1816, where he remained until his death. He married Mary M. Suther- land, a Virginian. Francis was the fourth of six children, four boys and two girls. He received only a limited education in the subscription schools, and has always worked at farming. It was nearly thirty-two years ago that he moved to his present farm in Fairmount precinct, Jefferson county, Kentucky. In 1S36 he married Harriet N. Craley, by whom he had ten children, three boys and tliree gii;ls now living. John, the oldest of the boys, is now managing his farm as a fruit farm. John W. on October 7, 1S62, married Lucretia J. Shaw," daughter of Robert W. Shaw, of, Jefferson county. They have four children. Mr. John .Maddox is one of the teachers of the county. He began teaching when nineteen, and has taught more or less since. He was born December 27, 1840, and his wife October 13,
1 84 5.
L. T. Bates was born in Jeflerson county on June iS, 1843. His father, a farmer, was born in the same county July 19, 1S06. He married Rebecca Wells, a native of Bullitt county, by
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IS
whom he had seven children, five sons and two daughters. L. T. l^ates is a farmer, at whicli he has ahvays been en<;aged in Fairmount precinct. On October 3, 1S68, he married Sarah M. Jolin- son; she was born Octolier 13. 1S.1S. Her father, Jacob Johnson, was born on the White river, Indiana, August 6, 1S09. He was a bhacksmilh by trade, but durmg later life was a farmer and nurseryman. Jacob Johnson died in 1S75. ^^^ married February 21, 1S23, Sarah Guthrie, who was born in Jefferson county May 4, 1805; she was the youngest daughter of James Guthrie, a native of Delaware. James Guthrie came to Kentucky in 17S1. After residing a few years in Kentucky he returned to the Ea-t and married a Miss Welch, who lived but a short time. He, about 17S6, married Eunice Paul, nee Cooper, a Jersey woman. They had nine children. She died in 1850.
J. B. Smith was born in Shelby county, Ken- tucky, on April 3, 1810, but was reared in Jeffer- son county. He is the oldest of thirteen chil- dren of Adam Smith, .who was born at Lynn station. The father of Adam, John Smith, came from. Pennsylvania, and was one of the first settleis of Jefferson county. Adam aided his father to erect and run a mill on Cedar creek. Adam married Sally Ballard in 1809. J. B. Smith, like his father, is a miller by trade, but has not milled any since his mills burned some fourteen years ago. On July 26, 1835, ^^ "''''^''" ried Nancy Bell, a native of Jefferson county, and daughter of Thomas Bell, of Virginia, who was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Smith died March 1 1, 18S0.
Frank O. Carrithers was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, December 25, 1835. When about two years of age his father moved to Bullitt county, Kentucky. His father, Charles T. Carithers was born March 12, 1S09, in Spen- cer countv, Kentucky. He married Elizabeth Dunbar, who was born in that county, January 30, 18 10, and died February 19, 1881. There were five cliildren: John A., Frank O , Nancy J., Mary E., and Andrew T. Frank O. was edu- cated in the home schools and academies and has followed the calling of his father — farming. He moved to Fairmount precinct about sixteen years ago, where he has since managed a large stock and grain farm. On January 8, 1858, he married Sidney Ann Mills. She was born April
22, JS37, and was a daughter of Isaac Mills. Their children arc — Charles I., William T., Al- fre'd, George E., Adam Clay, Sarah E., Robert F., and Marv J. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and his wife of the Re- formed.
Dr. .\. R. Grove was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, June 5, 1S35. He is the eighth of nine children of Isaac Grove, who was born August 7, 1796. )n 1S16 he married Celia Pierpoint. In 1826 they moved from Culpeper county, Virginia, to Kentucky. When quite young the medical profession presented attrac- tions to the doctor, and after receiving a first- rate academical education he began the study of medicine, meanwhile siiending considerable time in teaching. His instructor was Dr. J. S. Seaton, of Jeffcrsontown ])recinct, with whom he re- mained two years, until 1857, attending lectures at the Kentucky Scliool of Medicine, and gradu- ating in the spring ot'' 1S57. Immediately after, he was elected resideiu graduate of tlic city hos- pital, which position he held two years. In iSt9 he began to practice medicine in Jefferson- town precinct, Jefferson county, Kentucky, where he remained until 1861, when he removed to Hay's Spring, in the precinct where he yet re- sides and is still engaged in professional duties. Besides his practice he is one of the largest farmeis of the county. On August 26, 1843, was born Frances Hays, whom he manied De- cember 3, 1 86 1. This marriage has been blest with four children, three of whom are living — Mary E., Charles I., and Lillie Belle.
R. W. Hawkins was born in Franklin county, Kentucky, March 10, 1822. His father, Moses B. Hawkins, was born in Orange county, Vir- ginia, in 1 79 1, and when eighteen, moved to Franklin county, Kentucky. He, in 1816, married Lucinda Hawkins, by whom he had two children. In about two years she died, and in 1820 he married Pamelia .A.lsop, a native of Cul- peper county, Virginia. By this wife he had twelve children, R. W. being the second. When R. W. was a small boy his father removed into the woods near Memphis, where they remained for some time. When he was about of age he re- turned to his native county and attended the Kentucky Military institute. During tliese years he was engaged at teaching also. After leaving the institute and while teaching he began read-
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ing law, but the business he was then eiigncjed upon did not^pcrmit him to finish this profession. He after this was engaged in trade at Bridgeport, and afterwards founded the town Consolation. In 1852 he came to Jefferson county and has since been engaged as a fruit grower and farmer. On December 24, 1850, he was inarried to Martha T. Porter, daughter of Dr. James Porter, of Fair- mount. Stie was born June 13, 1S26. Theyliave had eight children — four boys and tiirec girls liv- ing. Mr. Hawkins is of English descent, being a descendant of Sir John Hawkins, whojwas admiral of the British navy during Queen Elizabeth's reign. His ancestors were among the first ac- cessions to the colonies of Newport and James- town.
H. H, Tyler was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, August 20, 185 ^. He is the second child of Answell Tyler, who was born in Indiana in about 1815, and died iji 1S65. He was ap- | prenticed to learn the wheelwright's trade, but ran j away and came to Kentucky when about fifteen. ! He was a wheelwright and cooper by trade | but worked principally at the first and at farming, j He married Mary, daughter of Robert Welch, | on May 9,1850, and was the father of four boys, ' of whom three are living. H. H. 'Pyler married ' Rosa Funk, daughter of A. Funk, of Seatonville, \ on December 23, 1875. She was born February | 25, 1855. They have two boys and one girl. Both are members of the Christian church.
MEADOW LAWN PRECINCT.
The general supposition has been that that portion of Jefferson county lying above Louis- ville is far more healthy and fertile than this por- tion. For want of drainage it' has not been so conducive to health, but since the country has been undergoing a marked change in the way of improvement, the malarial and other noisome vapors are disapi)earmg. the land is increasing in fertility and value, and the former peat bogs and swamp have become well cultivated farms that now bespeak prosperity.
The soil, generally medium or fair, can still be improved by drainage and many of the advan- tages are yet undeveloped. The precinct is very irregular in shape, has a breadth in one place of some eight miles and at the extreme or southern
end of this political division is but about a mile ill width.
One hundred and fifty voles are polled here. The schools — of which there are some good ones — are patronized by a floating attendance of one hundred and fifteen scholars.
Mill creek flows through the northeastern por- tion of the precinct, but Pond stream, -with its numerous little tributaiies, drains most of its soil. It has also good highways, the Salt River road being the jirincipal one. A branch of the Louis- ville, Nashville & Cincinnati Southern railroad traverses its entire length from north to south, affording good opportunities for reaching the city.
Some farms under a good state of cultiva- tion are found here and tJiere; that of Alanson Moorman is very large, consisting of som.e twelve hundred acres. He also, as do some others, pays considerable attention to the cultivation of fruit.
The citizens of this precinct have ever been zealous of their spiritual welfare and have had organizations of a religious character since a time out of mind. The eldest religious society is probably the Methodist. This society has a building near Valley Station, erected some forty years ago. The membership is large, con- sisting of some eighty persons.
The Baptist society is not so old, the organi- zation having been effected only about fifteen years ago. Rev. Mr. Powers is yet, and proba- bly was their first minister. The membership is about one hundred and fifty. They have a good and handsome church building.
There is also a Campbellite church in the pre- cinct.
TWO MILE TOWN.
One of the most promment and useful of the early settlers of this part of the county was Mr. George Hickes. Probably no man of Jefferson county did more for his part of the section of country, or was more public-spirited, than was this man. The history of Two Mile Town is, to a great extent, the history of his life. The first saw-mill, the first gristmill, the first carding- machine and fulling-mill, as well as the first church organization, were established principally by his energy and perseverance. He it was who
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAI.LR COUNTIES.
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first saw the necessity of cultivating; and encour- aging, all varieties of the choicest fruits, and he early took the oj.iportunity of visiting Pennsyl- vania to secure plants and trees for this pur- pose. He had a like desire to encourage the raising of the best of stock, and accordinglv tnok measures in this direction, which to-day have reached results that [loint to the noble spirit manifested by a sclf-sacrilicing man.
The people of 'I'wo .Mile 'I'own revere the name of tins man. He was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1762; was without resources to gain a livelihood save his own hands; married in the course of time, and he and his wife Paulina moved to Ohio, where he afterwards purchased a farm, and after putting the same under rejiair sold it at a good round figure — such is the re- .ward of industry — and moved to Kentucky and settled upon a four hundred acre tract of land, the homestead being where Mrs. Hickes now resides. He came to this region about 1790. The In- dians had been troublesome, but the block and station-houses of so frequent use previous to this time were less resorted to by the inhabitants. Buffaloes were still numerous and roved be- tween the cane brake and the prairie, but they all disappeared before the year 1817. Eears were plentiful, and as they made visits up and down Bear Grass creek, would occasionally pounce upon a hog. Wildcats and panthers often e.\- hibited their fondness for young pigs, and it was difficult to pre'^erve sheep from their ravages.
'I'he division of land in this part of the county, the same as in all Kentucky, was irregular and always located with reference to the wish ot the proprietor regardless of regularity or of the shape or form of other tracts adjoining. This not only occasioned crooked roads and ill-shaped tract.s, but, owing to confusion of titles, much trouble. This was a matter of so much conse- quence that it deterred or retarded emigration rather more than the fertility of the soil hastened it for a time.
Mr. Hickes having purchased his land, built a stone house about the year 1796, the first of the kind in the county. It was built of stone taken from the creek and quarry near by, and was so substantially built as to withstand the storms of nearly a century of time, and is still standing as a monument to the enterprise and industry of that day. In later years an addition
I was built to this structure, increasing its size: I The first business enterprise was a carding and I fulIiiMnnacl'iine. The mill was built on Bear Grass I creek, on land now owned by E. J. Hickes, Esq. j Previous to this time this whole region of Ken- I tucky, and iirobably the State itself, had not the advantages afforded by siicli a mill. Thecommon ' hand-card was used, the spinning-wheel, and I hand-loom. ■ Hax was raised, each family raising j a hall-acre or an acre, as family necessity re- quired, the same pulled in season, then bleached, afterwards broke, hackeled, and the tow and flax I separated — bags, pants, and coarse cloth made of one, while the more delicate, stringy fibers of the other were woven into bolts, out of 'which a finer quality of goods was made for sheets, shirt- ing, etc. This addifional enterprise not only benefited the early settlers of this immediate neighborhood, but brought custom from other portions of the State.
The early settlers were also in much need of some device for grinding their corn and wheat. Previously the hand-mill was used. This con- sisted of many devices --any process in which sufficient friction could be brought to bear on the grain to pulverize or grind it was in use. Some would own a pair of stones, and by a singular device would have one fastened to one end of a pole, the other end being so fastened into the crack of the wall or ceiling as to allow suffi cient motion for the upper stone to be revolved upon the lower. Sometimes a pestle attached to a swinging pole, was made to descend in a mortar made of a stone or stump, and sometimes the corn was parched, then eaten. Wheat was fre- quently boiled; in short, various were the methods devised to reduce the raw niaterial to a palatable state. No greater im[irovement was needed at that time than that of a grist-mill, and Mr. George Hikes with his usual foresight erected a building on the south branch of the Bear Grass for this purpose. I This mill was patronized by citizens of the I whole country — and yet in that early day the : settlements were so sparse it was not kept busy. To economize time and at the same time further the interests of the new settlement in another ; and much needeii direction a saw-mill was at- I tached, being likewise the first of the kind in the j country. j Previous to the erection of this mill, huts or
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houses weie made of hewed !o,c;s or logs un- dressed and as they came from ihe forest. The ciac.ks, if filled at all, were chinked witli blocks of wood or chips, then daubed with mortar made of mud. The window spaces were rather longer than broad— -there being the sj'are of one log nearly the length of the house left for a series of glass, fitted in one continuous chain of window j sash. Beds were improvised by the use of one , forked stick at suitable distances from the sides ! of the room and from the corner, into the forks ' of which the ends of the railing and end board or stick were laid, with the other ends mortised into the side walls of the cabin. Upon these was laid a net work of wood, and upoti the latter beds of such material as they then had to make.
The saw-mill furnished lioards out of which not only frame houses were in part constructed, but all kinds of furnitures-tables, chairs, benches, floors, etc. — assumed a neater, more tasteful form, and many were the uses made of lumber.
George Hikes had four sons: Jacob, John, George, and Andrew; and three daughters. Jacob, the eldest son, married and settled just northwest of tlie homestead, and received as a part of his patrimony the fulling machine; George, the grist-mill; John, the carding machine; and Andrew, land, it being part of the homestead place.
TAN-V.\RD.
No attempt was made in early days to dress and cure hides or skins, but in the course of time William Brown started a tan-yard near Jef- fersonville — the first probably in Kentucky. This yard was also of great use and marked an important event in the improvement of the age.
■ BRE\Vl-RV.
From the day Noah got drunk the people of every clime have tip[)led at the glass. \Miether or no, the sons of Kentucky would make no excep- tion to this rule. If they drank much whiskey, however, they said it was pure and would do no harm, besides there was no market for corn, save as it was made into liquor and that was made for drink. Their beverages were unadul- terated, and a tonic just before breakfast was a good incentive to rise early and work till 8 o'clock, and then it became a good ajipctizcr for the morning meal when taken at that hour.
Colonel Doup, seeing the need of a brewery,
erected one on the Bardstown road, between 'Squire Hikes' and the city. Barley and hops unadulterated were used for making beer. In the course of time -civilization advanced--the inventive genius of man made rapid progress in the fine art of murder; why not improvement in the manufacturing of beverages? Conse- quently corn or oats was found to serve just as well, provided beech shavings were used to fur- nish the color. Corn and oats were not as good as hops or barley, but they were cheaper, and the eve was so pleasantly deceived by the appear- ance of the article that the excuse was substi- tuted for the taste. Colonel Doup was not successful, however, and the enterprise in all its purity went down. His beer was not intoxicating enough to supply the demands of the frenzied trade.
In later years George Hikes established a dis- tillery, but that also failed, for some cause or other, and since that time Louisville has been taxed for the miserable little quantity con- sumed in this precinct. It were better by far thai breweries and distilleries such as were estab- lished by these men, had succeeded. There would have been less crime committed than there is now, in consequence of there being no poisonous beverages to indulge in. The pure whiskey then was used extensively and mixed with herbs and roots as an antidote to malaria, and the treatment was efficacious.
MAG1STR.\CV.
Each precinct of Jefferson county is under the otificial jurisdiction of two justices of the peace. It has ever seemed necessary to a true condition of peace that force be at hand. The one is the complement to the other, and can be used in enforcing obedierice to the other.
The early records belonging to this depart- ment of county government have been lost, but tradition points to George Hikes as one of the first justices of the peace in the precinct. He held the office for a time, and it is probably needless to remark that during his magistracy the people ever found a true friend in the inter- ests of right and justice. Colonel Doup filled this position also for a number of years under the old constitution, and each of these men be- came sheriff of the county, that ofiice always being filled by the oldest representative of the
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
19
niagisteiial court composed of the justices of the several precincts.
When the old constitution was changed and the judges of all the courts were elected h)' the people, Geoige W. Hikes, the son of George Hikes and father of the present' Squire Edward J. Hikes, was the fust justice of the peace of Two Mile Town, and served in that capacity twelve to sixteen years. He diedin June, iS4<;. His father, George Hikes, died in the year 1S32.
AX IXCIDENT.
The peace of Two Mile Town has had but little cause for complaint outside of a few cases, the people having been usually the friends of law and order; but previous to the war there crept into the precinct a pest that was short- ly abated. One Paschal Craddock settled near where the present George Hikes now resides. His nature was bold and aggressive, but his workings were effected through accom- plices, he himself never participating directly. The greatest fault this man possessed seems to have been that of an inordinate desire to steal and drive off stock of all kinds. The citizens would miss a hog, a sheep, or a steer from their drove or flock and the country would be scoured after the missing animals, but always with no success — and sometimes not only one animal would be gone but he would enter premises after night and frequently take his pick from droves. As usual, every fault finds the man out, nor was this an exception. The thefts were so enormous that they seemed like the operations of band- its, and the neighbors took steps towards sup- pressing the evil. The act of driving sixteen hogs from a neighbor's sty into his own, preparatory to an early killing on the next morning, was the last grand theft suthcient to arouse the vengeance of the precinct. A meeting of the citizens was held and Mr. Craddock and two of his accomplices received timely warning that they must leave the neighborhood within the space of six months. In view of his property they also accompanied this order with an offer to buy him out, the people offering to give him a good price for his land. This money was raised by subscri[)tion.
The two accomplices took the hint and left the country, but Craddock, with a stubbornness equal to his meanness, failed to comply, and ere he lived out his six months a little stray ven-
geance overtook him, and Paschal Craddock was no more.
COI.ORKD CITIZENS.
The negroes, in number about the same as previous to the war, are making some advance- ment over their foimer condition. The emanci- pation act found this a people who took no care of themselves — no thought of the morrow — and were without parallel imprudent and improvi- dent. They had been accustomed during their servitude to have their wants attended to by others; their sick were visited by hands com- petent to administer, and nurses were supplied by their superiors. A due regard was had for clothing that always kept them comfortable and warm. Such was their condition before the war, and after that event their want of a dci)enuence found them almost helpless.
The negroes, as a general thing, had been friends to their masters in this precinct. Masters who regarded them property by right of in- heritance, and speculated but little in negro traffic, and who did for these ignorant people many acts of kindnesses, are remembered even to this day. This people have made some progress, and under leadership of a few who are above the average, are advancing rapidly. They built themselves a comfortable church building in 1S70, receiving much help financially from the white citizens. This building cost about four hundred dollars, and is situated on the Xewburg road. Their first preacher was a colored man, formerly a slave for Mr. Kellar. He had been taught to read by Mrs. Hikes. He was named after Mr. Kellar (Mrs. Hikes' father), who was .". friend to the colored people. Harry King, now ninety years of age, bought by Mr. Hikes, when he was thirty years old, is at present their pastor. He has been now sixty years in Mr. Hikes' employ. The membership of this church is about one hundred.
The first church in the precinct was built by the Baptist society about the time George Hikes came to tlie county, Re%'. .\Ir. Walker being one of the first pastors in charge. The question of close communion was one which gave the organization some trouble, and was the real cause of the final overthrow latci on. The first building was a stone structure erected about the year 179S-99, on the noitii bank of Bear Grass, on the 'I'aylors- ville pike. The attendance upon service at this
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poinl ncccssilatcd tlic iniinl)t.isliiii coinin.2; so far thai when the country !;ot oMur tht? con^'ie-' gation di\idcd up, foimini^ outofthis one church three new societies, one of wliich still retains the name of Bear Grass, and is located at the original site.
Jeffersontown and Newburg are the localities at whicli are situated the other branches.
A c:oiN(iiir,\ei,.
A remarkable coincidence worthy of record is found in the history of two women of this [ire- cinct. 'I'heir history in brief is this : Mrs. Ilcck- embush and Mrs. I'.aminer, strangers to each other, left (Jerniany, their native country, at the same time, sailed over in the same vessel, each sold her passage way from New Orleans to Louis- ville, both coming to this precinct; both joined the Methodist Episcopal church the same day, and were married the same day. Ivach had one son, and both died on the same day.
SCHOOIS.
The school system of Kentucky needs some improvement before the State can have as good schools as are found in some of her sister States. There have been good teachers who always, in spite of any legislation, succeeded in working up an educational interest in this direc- tion, and such has been the case here.
The first school of this i)recinct, of which the oldest representative has any recollection, was taught abouf the year 179:; by Professor Jones. The building, a rude affair, was built where the Eardstown pike makes a turn near the toll-gate, or where George W. Hikes now lives. The win- dows were generally long and made by leav- ing out one log. A big ten-plate stove that would take wood three feet long, and desks made of slabs laid on pins put in the wall.
School generally began about seven o'clock in the morning and was kept up till late in the even- ■ ing. There was no school law, but each parent paid a subscription tax in proportion to his finan- cial ability. Teachers generally boarded "round," and in this way one good turn was made to serve another.
The books in use then were Webster's spelling book, Pike's arithmetic, Kirkam's grammar, no geograpliies or readers, but some history, or probably the life of Washington, was used as a substitute for a reader. Afterwards the New and
the Old I'cstaments were used for advanced scholars.
The original methods foi' instructing pupils were ([uitc severe, it generally being conceded that what could not be taken in by close applica- tion of the mind should be "strapped on the back." This method of applying knowledge, however, worked in other ways than in the right. An aged citi/en, in sjjeaking of the schocjls, says that the fear that attended the pupils, especially those quite young, was was so great that in consequence many egregious blunders were made that otherwise would not have been. In reading a passage in Webster's spelling book which reads: "The farmers were plowing up the field," he made a blun- der by saying "the farmers were blowing up the field," the mistake made being due to the con- stant dread at the time that he would receive a blow from his teacher's ferrule did he make a mistake, but like the orator who wished to say "he bursted his boiler," got it "he biled his burster."
After the district schools were established, in 1S41 or 1842, more rapid progress was made in the cause of education. Mr. Games Yorston taught at this time, for a period of seven yeais. His methods of instruction were different, as was also his system of government. The col- ored people have a school in the precinct also.
The land in this precinct grows the bestof grass. Advantage has been taken of this fact, and many of the fields turned into pasture lands for cows. There are one-half dozen good dairies in Two Mile Town alone. There are also good orchards, and some attention is paid to the raising of all kinds of fruits, the same as vegetables. The market fur- nished at Louisville is of great advantage to gar- deners. Early in the season produce is shipped I North ; but as the southern crop is exhausted i first, later in the season products can be shipped j South. This is particularly true as regards small j fruits and vegetables.
' BIOGR.VPHIC.AL NOTE.S.
Edward J. Hikes was born April 29, 1S17, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, and has ever resided upon the old homestead with the e.xception of four years in Illinois. His father, George Hikes, came from Pennsylvania in 1790. Mr. Hikes was married in iS.^S to Miss Paulina
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Kellar, of Moultrie county, Illinois, dauyhter of A. H. Kellar, of Oldham county, Kentucky. This union has been blessed with ten cbildien, only seven of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. >likes are mcmbeis of the Chiistian church, as are also their childien. Mr. Hikes is magis- trate at the present time and is highly esteemed by his fellow citizens.
W. W. Goldsmith, M. I)., was born in liiis State July ^, 1823. \Vhen nine years of age he went to New York city whcie he lived till he was twcnty-stven, then came to Kentuck)- and located in Jefferson county. Mr. Goldsmith studied medicine in New York and gradu;jled in 18.^4. He was married in 1846 to Miss EUenor Godman, of Baltimore, Maryland, daughter of John D. Godman, of I'liiladelphiii. 1 hey have have had five children. Mr. Goldsmith's father, Dr. Alban (Goldsmith, taught the fiist class in medicine in l^ouisville, and was well known in medical circles. The place where Mr. Gold- smith now lives was once used as a block-house by the old settlers when in danger of the Indians.
\Villiam H. Fredrick was born March 16, 1820, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, and ever has been a resident of this State. His father, Samuel Fredrick, was a native of Jefferson county. His grandfather, August Fredrick, came from Germany in an early year, and settled in Jeffcrsontown precinct and was one of the pio- neers of this part of the State. His mother was a daughter of Abijah Swearinger, who was one of the early settlers on Floyd's fork. Mr. Fredrick was married, September 24, 1S43, ^^ ^^i"*- -'^• Voel, v/idow of Samuel A. Voel, of Jefferson county. Her maiden name was Chrisler, being a daughter of F'ielding Chrisler, a brother of Jesse Chrisler, of Harrods Creek. Mrs. Fredrick has had a family of eight children, si.x of whom are living. Mr. Fredrick is a Free Mason. He has represented the county in the Legislature two sessions, and is now Senator from Jefferson county. The district in which he was elected is composed of Jefferson county and the first and second wards of Louisville.
Mathew Meddis, one of the old residents of Jefferson county, was born June 5, 1804, on Hoyd's fork, and has ever resided in tlie county. His father, Godl'rey Meddis, came from Mary- land in an early day. He died in Xew Orleans in 1S15. ^•I''. Meddis, the subject of this sketch,
was married July 28, 1S36, to Miss Effa Seaton, of Jefferson county. 'I'hey have six children all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Meddis are members of the Chri.->lian church; also two of the cliikhen.
William O. Armstrong was born February 23, 1845, in Louisville, and resided in the city till 1874, when he moved into the country where we now find him most pleasantly situated on a farm of one hundred acres of good land. His house is located on the highest point of land between Louisville and Ijardstown. Mr. Armstrong was married November 10, 1870, to Miss Sally Womack, of Middletown precinct. They have four children; Bessie L., Georgie V., AVillie Y., and Mary E. Mrs. Armstrong is a member of the Christian church.
Robert Ayars was born May 22, 1804, in Salem county. New Jersey. He remained here till 1 82 2, when he went to Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in some iron works till 1829, when he came to Louisville, and was m business about three years. Fie then bought a farm upon which we nov,- find him. It contains three hundred and twenty-five acres. He was married June 14, 1S32, to Miss Elizabeth Hikes, of Jefferson county. They have had eight children, five of whom are living. Mr. Ayars was formerly a' Free Mason, and has served as magistrate nearly thirty years.
Edward B. Ayars was born July 9, 1843, in Jefferson county, Kentucky. His father, Robert Ayars, resides but a short distance from him. Mr. Ayars was married April 24, 1873, to Miss Georgie B. Hikes, an adopted daughter of George Hikes. They have three children. Mrs. Ayars is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Ayars is a Free Mason. He served four years m the Federal army in the Second Kentucky regiment.
Paul Disher was born June 7, 1816, in Baden, Germany, and emigrated to America in 1835, and at once came to Kentucky, and settled near Louisville, where he resided several years, then moved into the country where his widow and family now live. He was married April 19, 1845, to Miss Teresia Huber, of Germany. They have nine children. Mr. Disher died August 17, 1872. He was a member of the Catholic church.
Charles ^Vetstein was born July 23, 1844, in Jefferson, county, Kentucky. His father, Jacob
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Wetstein, came from S'.vit/crland in a!)out 1S25, and settled in Kentueky.where he li\ed till 1S77, when he went to Switzerland on a visit and died in his native country. Mr. ^\■etstein was mar- ried in 1 87 1 to Miss Carrie Bannger, of Jeffer- son county, daughter of John K. I'aringer. They have had two children. One is living. Mr. and Mrs. ^^'etstein are members of the Methodist church. He is also a Knight of Honor.
Frederick Baringer was born August S, 1S18, in Jefferson county, and has ever resided in the State. His father, Jacob Baringer, was a native of Germany, and came to America in 1S17, and was one of the old settlers. Mr. Barincjcr has a farm of seventy-three acres of e.xxellent land. He was married in 1843 to Miss Catlierinc I'aslcr, of Louisville. They had four children. He was married the second time in 1859 to Miss Sophia Edinger, of Pennsylvania, daughter of George Edinger. They had five children by this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Baringer are mem- bers of the Methodist church.
JEFFERSONTOWN PRECIXCT.
The history of the earliest or original settlers of this section is but traditionary. It wDuld be gratifying always to know who first spied out the land, afterwards moved to the place; how and from whence he came; where he settled, and in order take up each of the new comers and treat of their arrivals similarly, but the remoteness of these events precludes such mention. A\'e can only reach the times of the Revolution, and learn something in regard to the settlers in general.
Probably as early, and certainly not long after the survey made by Captain Thom.is Bul- litt, agent for Mary and William Cdl'ege, in 1773, the Tylers settled in this [jrerinct luar Jeffersontown. There wore three o! tiicj-e mci — Moses, Robert and Xtd. I'hey experienced hardships common to all early settlers, and to Indian warfare.
Nelson Tyler, son of .Moses, was lu.rn in 1790; and died in 1S74 ^.t the advanced .i-..' .jf li-hty- four years. One descendant oi the 1 ylcrs ni.ir- ried a Shaw, and afterwards, while hunting
horses eaily one morning, was himself v;ith a negro servant, captured by the Indians and mur- dered. His wife was taken prisoner; was treated very well, and afterwards taken to Canada, where under the British she received worse treatment than at the hands of the Indians.
James Guthrie, an old settler in the southern part of this jJiecincl, was born in 1749. , His father, William Ckithrie, was a native of Ireland. James Guthrie caivie to Kentucky in 17S0; was an Indian fighter, and as was the custom in those days, had recourse to his block-house to defend himself against their wily attacks. He built a stone house at Fern creek — still standing — in
1794, which in 1812 was badly shaken by an earthquake, and after many years became unsafe in consequence.
William Goose, Sr., was also an early settler, coming to Jeffersontown about 1790, from Pennsylvania. The Blankenbakers, a large family, came about the same time. Mr. Goose was a wagon-maker. The Zilharts were also very early settlers. Phillip and George erected a wagon-shop, the lirst of the kind in Jefferson- town. Mr. Goose had a lamily of eight children. The late William (]oose was the first wheel- wright in the village, and made spinning-wheels, also chairs, and did cabinet work. Jacob Hoke was also an early settler, coming here as early as
1795. He purchased of Colonel Frederick Geiger four hundred acres of land and erected a stone house, now the property of William O. Ragland, in 1799. This house is still standing. At that time there was a block-house on Colonel Anderson's tract of land, at Lynn Station, which had been of service to the early settlers, but the last raid of the Indians was made about this time, when seeking some horses, after which the Settlers lived without being disturbed. Colonel Geiger came from Maryland about the year 1796-97. He was colonel in the War of 1812, and fought at the battle of Tippecanoe. His regiment was made up of men around Louisville. He sold here and moved down where Wash Davis now lives, where he had between three and four hundred acres of land. He was of some kin to the- Funk family, and married the second time, his last wit'c being Margaret Venawine, who was also related to A. Hoke's wife. William Shasv, who was killed, bought one hundred acres ot land off the Sturges farm, and settled on
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Clienoweth run, just above Andrew Hoke. His son ^\'illianl was laken prisoner- when a man, Init ■escaped, carne home and later participated in ■ the battle of Tippecanoe, where he was shot and afterwards died from the effects of tlie wound. George Pomeroy came in 1791-92. He ' was also chased by the Indians but not captured. He settled near Mr. Hoke's place, on the run. 1 ■' His son, James Pomeroy, was a distinguished ' I' teacher in the Jcffersontown school for many ' years. 1
Major Abner Field settled here about 1790, a ., mile and a half west of Jeffersontown. His ; sons, Alexander and John, became distinguished ,, men in the dovernmcnt employ. i
The Funks were very early and settled at the , , Forks of Bear Grass. The son of John Funk [ „ (Peter) was major of the horse at the battle of ! Tippecanoe. Joe Funk was a captain at that time and afterwards a colonel in that war.
James H. Sturgescame as e^ily as 1776. He then owned the place now in the possession of ; A. Poke. Flis name was cut in the bark of a , tree with the date of 1776. His sons became eminent men. William H. Pope married his daughter, and was afterward one of the clerks of the county court.
Martin Stucky, Philip Zilhort, Dr. Ross, and the Warwicks, were all early settlers in this pre- cinct.
MILLS.
Funk's Mill on Ployd's fork below Seatonville, was the oldest one, and was patronized exten- sively until Augustie Frederick built one just below Jeffersontown about the year iSoo. He . had also a saw-mill near Jeffersontown. The stream now is hardly strong enough to turn a grindstone, such having been the effect of clear- ing the lands on the creeks and rivulets.
CHURCHES.
In a very early day the German Reformed __\ society built a small log church, very plain in style, which they used some few years. Rev. c"''^Mi\_ZinJ<4_a Lutheran, preached to this people for several years. Sometimes other preachers would call this .way. The old church was torn down and a union church was built by all the denom- inations in iSib. This was made of brick. The walls were not built solidly owing to the brick not having been burnt as they should
have been, and in a few years the building was worthless, an<l a stone churcli was built by the same denominations about the year 1820, and soon after this, the Lutheian denomination, feel- ing able of tliemselves, built a church. The present pastor of this church is Rev. J. E. Lerch. The church has a membership of about seventy- eight.
The German Reformed established in 1S09, is still in a llourisliing condition. The Lutherans, established befoie iSoo, is the church that is 7!c>/t est.
The Methodist Episcopal society built a large brick church building just before the war, and the society was a flourishing one for a number of years.
The New-school Baptists bought their church occupancy in the Masonic hall from the Presby- terians about ten years ago.
The Presbyterians, who were originally strong, have about lost their identity.
The Christian church has just put up a large new building. Their first building was erected about 1S56, but the organization dates farther back than that.
The colored people have two churches, a Bap- tist and a Methodist, both of which are flour- ishing.
AGR1CULTUR.\L SOCIETV.
The Farmers' and Fruit Growers' association was established in iSSo. The society put up a shed two hundred feet long at Fern City, on grounds in all comprising fifteen acres of land, and fenced the whole. The officers of this asso- ciation for the present are: President, John Decker; vice president, E. J. Hikes; secretary, Bryant ^\■illiams ; . treasurer, Moses Johnson. There is also a board of twelve directors. The success of this enterprise was guaranteed to the people of Jeffersontown last year, when the most sanguine expectations were realized. Fruits, vegetables, and everything, in fact, raised and manufactured by farmers and their wives, graced the tables at this fair, and much en- couragement was given to agriculturists in at- tendance.
ORIGINAL PRICKS.
In early days the people of this part of the county paid for calico fifty cents per yard, corn twenty to twenty-five cents per bushel, wheat fifty to seventy-five cents per bushel, oats twenty
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to twenty-five cents per bushel, rye fifty cents per bushel. Hired help could be had for six or seven dollars per month, and other articles in proi)ortinn.
THF. I.OriSVII.LK .\NI) TAVI.OKSVII.I.i: PIKE
was commenced in 1849. Mr. Andrew Hoke was one of the original directors, and still serves in that capacity. Mr. Ed. Erisco is president of the cornpiiny. Dr. Stout is secretary. There is also a board of directors.
JEKKKKSONTOWN
now has a population of three hundred and fifty. It was laid out in 1805 by Mr. Bruner, and at first called Brunersville. One of the first settlers of this town was George ^Volf He afterwards moved to Indiana, and his sons became distin- guished men in politics.
THE W.\R OF 181 2.
There were many men who volunteered from this precinct for that war. It would be impossi- ble to give, with data at hand, a complete list of those who did go. -A company of men was raised round about JcTfersontown. Captain Ouiry, who raised this company, paid his men for enlisting, a bounty of fifty cents. A number of the citizens also participated in the Mexican war.
r.lOGRAPHIC.A.L X0TK3.
J. A. Winand, son of Jacob Winand, was born in Jefferson county January 20, 1S36. Jacob was the son of Phillip, who was a Pennsylvanian and was born in 179S in Jefferson county. He married in 1S24 Christiana Hoke, daughter of Adam Hoke. John .A. Winand was educated in the common schools and has always been a farmer. January 20, 1S57, he married Sarah Briscoe, daughter of 'Squire Jacob Briscoe, of Jcffersontown precinct, in which precinct they live. They have six children — William A., J. Edward, Blanche, MoUie, Anna, and Lillie P.
William L. Hawes is of German descent and was born October 25, 1815. His father, Jacob Hawes, went to Jefferson county from Bourbon county, Kentucky, when WiUiam was six years old. Jacob Hawes, in 181 2, married Fannie, daughter of David Omer. William was educated in the common schools, and his occupation from boyhood to the present time has been that of a farmer. In 1851 he married Matilda, daughter of John Nett, long a resident of tiic
county. She was born in Jefferson county in 1825.- They have five children, two boys and three girls. He is a member in good standing of the JSaptist church.
]'"ranklin Garr was horn in Jefferson county, Kentucky, November 21, 1836. He is the ■ seventh son and eleventh child of twelve chil- dren of Benjamin Garr, who was born in Virginia in 1789. He married Nancy Smith, a native of that State, January 8, 1815. In 1828 they came to Jefferson county. Franklin Garr was educated in the common schools. His occupation is that of farming. In 1859 he married Mary Cheno- with, daughter of Steven O. Chenowith. She was born in 1S3S. They had but one child, Charley, born July 29, 1863. Mrs. Garr departed this life in 1S67. Mr. Garr resides upon and manages his farm in Jeffersontown precinct.
Jacob Wells was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, March 23, 181 7. His father was John H. Wells, a native of Virginia, and a sol- dier of the War of 1S12. He married, in 1813, Amelia Fox, who was born in South Carolina luly 8, 1793. They had eleven children, of whom eight grew to maturity. When Jacob was eleven years old his father moved near Mount Washington, Bullitt county, at which place he received his education. He learned the stone- mason's trade of his father, and worked at this for many years. For ten years prior to the war he and his brother, N. P. Wells, carried on a tombstone establishment in Jeffersontown. At this time Jacob Wells retired from business. N. P. Wells was born at Mount Washington December 17, 1S29. He learned the stone- cutter's trade, and has been in that business since 1S50, and now has a shop at Jeffersontown. Fle married Elizabeth Leatherman, daughter of Joseph Leatherman, of Jefferson county. She was born April 15, 1842.
A. E. Tucker was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, July 10, 1848. He is the third child of Hazel Tucker, an old timer of the county and precinct. Hazel Tucker was born in Spencer county in May, 1796. He was a farmer by oc- cupation, and married Nancy Cooper, by whom he had six children. He was a member of the Baptist church. He died May 23, 1S75. Al- bert was educated in the Jeffersontown college, and like his father is a farmer. On March 12, 1874, he married Mary Jones, who was born in
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HISTORY OF TIIE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
25
November, 184S. They have three children — William, Thomas, and Mabel.
John Nelson Tyler was born in Jefferson pre- cinct, Jefferson county, on September 28, 1S25. He is the fifth of eight children of Allen Tyler, a native of the same county. The f;rther of Allen was Moses Tykr, who, with his brothers, William and Edward,, inimiL^rated into the saiiie county during Indian times from Virginia. William was for a time a captive of the natives. Allen married Phcebc Blankenbaker, daughter of Henry Blankenbaker, of Virginia. Allen Tyler was born February 28, 1794, and died Novem- ber 30, 1874. Phoibe was born November 13, 1792, and died December 8, 1S57. John Nel- son Tyler was educated in the common schools, and is a farmer by occupation. He married Rhoda Ann Quisenberry, a native of Jefferson county, by whom he has five children — Lucy Ann Beard, Malissie Alice, William Thomas, Jane, and Minnie Belle.
William Goose is of German descent, and was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, December 8, 1804. He is the third son and sixth child of William Goose, who was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and who came to Kentucky about 1796. Before leaving Pennsylvania he married Catha- rine Yenawine. He was a wagon-maker by trade, and built many of the farmers' wagons formerly used in Jeffersontown precmct, but was also a farmer. He was the father of eight children. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, and when fifteen was appren- ticed to learn the wheelwright's (spinning wheel) and chair bottoming trades. He served four years at Jeffersontown, and then engaged in these businesses in the same place for about six years. He then began /arming on the place where he now resides in Jeffersontown i)recinct, and was a farmer during the days of flax growing and hand-spinning. In 1827, he married Fanny Willard, who was born in Jefferson countv, De- cember 22, 1801, and by whom he has nine liv- ing children — Preston, Harrison, Anderson, Luther, Rufus, James, Adaline, Amanda, and Mary Ann. William Goose has been a member of the Lutheran church for over sixty years. James M. Goose was born Marrh 28, 1S3S; was educated in the common schools, and is a lamier by occupation. In 1S61 he married Mary, daughter of Henry Willard, of Jefferson county
'Sqnire A. G. Watts, son of Peter ^Vatts, a Revolutionary hero who came into Kentucky in 1779, was born in Boyle county, Kentucky, December 16, 1802. The 'squire's education was received in the common schools and at the Transylvania college. Fie has lived in various parts of \Voodford and Shelby counties engaged at farming, and at Louisville managing hotels, and at one time was engaged in trade at Cin- cinnati. Fie vvas proprietor of the Beers house, Fifth street, Louisville, and then of the Oakland house, at Oakland. He was deputy United States maishal under Blackburn, and continued for six years under him and Lane. In .1849 '^^ moved tu Miduletown, where he was postmaster and proprietor of the Brigman house, and where he remained for six years. He then came to Jeffersontown, where he has acted as magistrate and police judge. In Shelby and Jefferson counties he has served as magistrate for thirty- four years. On May 15, 1822, he married Judith Ann Ayers, of Woodford county, and in Novem- ber of the same year his wife died. In June, 1S25, he married a Virginia lady, Lucy Robin- son by name, by whom he had seven children, one living to maturity. He and his wife are honored members of the Methodist church.
George W. McCroeklin was born in S[)encer county, .\pril 23, 1S45. ^^^ '^ a son of Alfred McCroeklin, a native of Nelson county, and his mother was of the same county. Her name was Maria Smith, daughter of John Smith. George was reared upon a farm and received his- education in the district schools. His occupation has been that of a farmer and stock dealer. March, 1875, he began farming in Jeffersontown precinct of Jefferson county,' and two years after- ward became the isuperintendent of the alms house. In February, 1870, he married Susan Maretta, a native of Spencer county, by whom he has four children: Marin, Agnes, Alfred, and John. In religion he is a Catholic.
William Cleary was born near Londonderry-* county Donegal, Ireland, November 18, 1S18. He received a classical and mathematical educa- tion, and was a graduate of the Royal high school of Raphce, his native town. \\"hcn twenty-two he came to Philadelphia. He spent the winter of 1S40-41 in teaching at Hydestown, New York, and in the spring of 1S41 came to Louisville. During the ne.xt few years he was
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HISTORY OF THI' OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
professor of mathematics in St. Mary's college, in Marion county, and taught piivate school in Cape Girardeau, and afterwards was an in- structor in St. Vincent's college and picpara- tory theological seminary, of Missouri, then under Bishop Kendrick's ch:irge. In 1S48, while sojourning in Shelljy county, Kentucky, he was licensed to practice h\\\ but was en- gaged in this profession for only a short time — some four years. In 1S49 he married Mrs. John Kennedy, /ur Fannie Thomas, a native of Spencer county, by whom he had two sons — William Grcrry and James. She was born May 12, 1S12. In 18.19 ^c bought the farm where he now lives, in Jeffersontown precinct, where he has since resided, lie conducts his farm as a grain farm, and makes a specialty of blooded horses. He has, among other fine horses, a* Hamiltonian stallion, half brother of Maud S., called Lee Boo, and Desmond, a run- ning horse.
Frederick Stucky was born in Jefferson count", Kentucky, November 13, iSoi. He is tiie sixth of nine children of John Stucky, a native of Germany, a resident of Maryland, and one of the pioneers of Kentucky. His mother was Mary Meridith, a native of Kentucky. When quite small his parents moved to Gibson county, .Indiana, where they remained until their death. This was when Mr. Stucky was about nine years of age. When twelve he was apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade in Vincennes, Indiana, serving seven years. He then returned to Kentuckv, his sole wealth bein^ contained within a bundle carried m a handkerchief. He for the next eighteen years worked at his trade in Jefler- sontown. His health failing, he moved upon the farm where he now lives, and where he has resided for over forty years. This farm is the same that his father and grandfather lived on, to which he has added other farms, and he is now even beyond "well-to-do." He married Louisa H. Myers, a daughter of Jacob Myers. She was born in Jefferson county, April 26, iSoS, and died April 30, iSSo. They had twelve children, of whom there are three daughters and four sons living. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist church.
Captain C. L. Easum was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, December 30, 1S32. He is the second son of Harinan Easum, who was
born in the same county October 11, 1805. Harman Easum was a carpenter by trade and worked at this in connection with farming. On July 14, iSi'S, he married Sarah B. Sliain, anative of Bullitt county, but reared in Pleasant Hill, Mercer county, Kentucky. They had four chil- dren : John W., Charles L., Sarah J., and Eliza- beth Ellen. The father was killed October 12, 1875, by a railroad accident in Rockland county, New York. C. L. Easum was educated in the common schools and graduated from the law de- partment of the Louisville university. He prac- ticed law in Louisville until 1S61. In September of this year he enlisted in company E, Fifteenth regiment Kentucky volunteers, and at the organi- zation of the company was elected second lieuten- ant. He served in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ala- bama, and Georgia, and was mustered out in January of 1865. During this time he was pro- moted to the captaincy of the regiment (1S63). Since the close of the war he has been upon the old homestead farm, whicli he manages as a fruit farm. On June 21, 1871, he married Isabella F. Collins, of Orange county, Indiana. Her father was Thomas H. Collins, a captain in the com missal y department of the Army of the Potomac. This marriage was blessed with six children: Mary L., John W., Harman, Julia C, ' Roberta T., and Ida P. He, though a Repub- lican, was elected magistrate in 1875, and again in August of 1878 — serves till 18S3. In 1870 he was theRepublican candidate for county at- torney against Albert I. Willis.
A. R. Kennedy was born in Jefferson county, September 15, 1841. He is the third of five children of John Kennedy, a pioneer of Ken- tucky from Maryland. He was a farmer by oc- cupation and after coming to the State married Fanny Thomas, of Spencer county. He died in 1S47. His widow afterwards married William Cleary, of Jeffersontown precinct. A. R. Ken- nedy was educated in the common schools and at Oldham academy. He is a farmer; one also interested in fine cattle, having a small but choice herd of Jersey cattle. On May 4, 1862, he married Josephine Seabold, a native of the county. She was born July i, 1S44. L. E. Kennedy is next younger than A. R., and was born November 8, 1S44. He was educated in the common schools and at the Notre Dame university, South Bend, Indiana, and is a farmer.
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HISTORY OI' THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIP:S.
27
Dr. S. N. Marshall was born in Spencer county, K(nUicky, October 14, 1830. His father was a pioneer of Si)cncer county, and a farmer. Before emigrating from ^L^ryb^ld he married Hrusilla Jenkins. The doctor was the youngest of six children, three sons and three daughters. S. N. Marshall was educated in the Shelby county academy and the St. Mary's col- lege, Spencer county, finishing his course in 1847. He then read medicine with Dr. A. C. Wood, then of Shelby, but now of Davis county, Kentucky. He finished his medical education at the old Louisville university, receiving his diploma in 1851. He located at Wilsonville, on Plum creek, Shelby county, where he remained for fifteen years. He then removed to Jcffcrsontown, where he has since resided, and practiced his profession. On May 17, 1855, he married Drusilla Carpenter, a native of Shelby county, and a daughter of Calvin Carpenter, a farmer. This union resulted in five children, of whom four are living — Mollie D., Willie, Thomas T., and Calvin. The doctor is a member of the Presbyterian church, and his wife of the Chris- tian.
Samuel Hart was born in Louisville, Ken- tucky, October 26, 180S. He is the seventh of nine children of William Hart, who came to Louisville from Maryland prior to iSoo. His father was both a tanner and a marble-cutter. He resided at Louisville till his death, whi( h oc- curred when Samuel was a small child. \\'illiam Hart was married in Pennsylvania to Elizabeth Hinklc, of that State. Her father John Hinkle, Peter Yenawine, and others, came down the Ohio in a flat boat at the same time. He crossed the mountains with a one-horse cart. After ar- riving at Louisville, he was offered the Gault house property for his one old horse, when he declared to the would-be trader that he "wouldn't
give 'old Bob' for the whole d n town!"
Elizabeth Hinkle Llart married John Miller, and died at Jcffcrsontown. Samuel Hart was appren- ticed to learn the tinner's trade, and after fin- ishing his trade, carried on a shop at Jtfferson- town for a number of years. He built the Jeffer- i'on house at that place, and conducted this liou^e and a grocery until 1S55, when he sold out and moved upon the farm where he now re- sides. In 1834 he married Rebecca Frederic, born November i, 18 17, a native of the county,
and daughter of Joseph Frederic, who was killed by A. Churchill: By this marriage he had two children, of whom George is living. In 1837 he married Sarah Finky, by whom he liad four children. On November 27, 1S50, he married Carthage Swope, by whom he had fifteen chil- dren, of whom eight are living. He went to school in the first court-house erected in Louis- ville. He was an old-line ^^'hig, but never a Democrat.
J. C. Walker was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, October 29, 1S30. He is the second of nine children of Thomas \\'alker, who was born in the same county in 1796. He married Lucy C.arr, whose father's name was Nicholas, and who came from Virginia in 1810. J. C. Walker was educated in the common schools and is a farmer. On May 18, 1865, he married Elizabeth lilankenbaker, daughter of Levi Blank- enbaker. They have four children, three of whom are now living — \\'illiam L., Charley M., and 'I'homas W.
Mrs. C. Snyder was born July 8, 1834, on the ocean when her parents were coming to this country. John Rechtold, her father, was born in Kurhessen, Germany. After emigrating to America he settled' in Maryland, and in 1S38 came to Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained but a year, when he removed upon the farm in i Jeffersontown precinct, where his daughter now j resides. He was a shoemaker by trade, but I worked at farming after coming to Kentucky. { Catharine was the second of seven children. In 1 85 1 she married Fred Snyder, a native of Hesse I Darmstadt, Germany. He was born in 1S18, and came to America in 1844. He first settled in Indiana, where he remained until his mar- riage. Here he worked at farming. The union of Fred and Catharine Snyder was blessed with six children — Mary E., John W., Emma, Charles, Martha, and Gussie. Mr. Snyder died in 1873. , Both himself and wife were members ot the j Methodist Episcopal church. I \\'illiam Gray was born in Shelby county, March 1 4, 1799. Flis father, Robert Gray, was born near j Dublin, Ireland, and came to this country when ' about eighteen years old, remaining in Pennsyl- I vania for a time. In that State he married Miss i Furney, and then came to Jefferson county I and settled on the Bear Grass, near the work- house; but on account of the unhealthiness of
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HISTORY OF Till' OHIO KaLLS COUN'TIES.
the place he remained there but two years, when he removed to Shelby county, where be died some forty-five years ago at the a^^e of nintty- five. While residing near Pittsburgh he married Mary Yabo, by whom he had eleven children. AVilliam Cray was reared and educated in Shelby county, where, also, he spent the greater part of his life as a farmer. About thirty years ago he sold out and removed to Jefferson county. When a few days less than nineteen he married Sarah Allen, by whom he had thirteen children, of whom A. J., Amanda, and Matilda are now liv- ing. The wife died September S, 1S79. He has been a member of the Baptist church for fifty-eight yeais.
In 1865 E. Walter Raleigh was married to Amanda Gray. She was born April 23, 1S41, and he March 30, 1833. Mr. Raleigh was edu- cated in the Asbury university, Greencastle, In- diana. He is a carpenter by trade, and served a three years' apprenticeship. He has engaged in the mercantile business considerably, at one time in Louisville. He served two years in company F, Thirty-first Indiana. After the war he waS for four years superintendent of the alms-house in Jeflerson county. During late years he has been engaged in farming.
Mrs. J. Landram, daughter of John Barr, was born in Jffferson county January 4, 1822. Her father was also a native of the county. He mar- ried Ellen Tyler, daughter of William Tyler and sister of Sarah Tyler. They had but one child, and dying in 1S22, their child was reared by its grandparents. She was married to J. Landram in 1842. He v,-as a native of Spottsyl- vania, Virginia, and came to Kentucky about 1839, when about twenty-one years of age. He was a graduate of Louisville Medical college, and practiced in Harrison county, Indiana, until -the time of his death, December 31, 1S53. They had three children — Joseph, Miiry Francis, and Letitia Alice.
C. K. Sprowl was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, October 5, 1850. He is the third child of Dr. R. C. S[)rowl, who was born at Charlestown, Clarke county, Indiana, on January 8, 1820. His father was a prominent farmer of that county. Dr. Sprowl received a liberal edu- cation and was a graduate of the Louisville Medical university. When quite young h.e settled in Utica, Indiana, remaining but a short time.
He then located at Middletown, where he prac- ticed medicine till 1869, when he removed to the farm where his son now resides, in Jefferson- town precinct. On March 30, 1S45, he married Mary R. Vance, who was born in Jefferson coun- ty, Januury 3 1, 1S35. She was the daughter of Dr. Robert G. \'ance, an old-time practitioner of Middletown, also largely engaged in farming. They had four children : Robert \'ance, William Henry, C. K., and Edwin R. C. K. was edu- cated in B. H. McGown's academy, at Anchorage, and at Forest Home. His occupation is that of a farmer and fruit grower. On November 29, 1S76, he married l^ula E. Finley, daughter of George Finley, a well known teacher of the county. They have two children: Edgar Vance, and Clarence Irwin. Dr. Sprowl was justice of the peace for ten years, and a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he was an elder. He died July 23, i8;6, and his wife in 1859.
A. J. Vf)gt was born in Gcimany, in the year 1S49. '^^ '•'i'^" ''.^e of thirteen he came to Amer- ica with his father, John Vogt, with whom he resided till his death, which occurred in 1864. They settled in Louisville, where A. J. Vogt was engaged in tanning. In 1881 he purchased a stock of groceries and began merchandising on the Taylorville pike, si.\ miles from the city. In 1S74 he married Kate Schuler, by whom he has three children.
Morris Stephens was born in Baden, P2urope, May 10, 1822. His father immigrated to this country wiien Morris was about si.\ years old, and settled in Jackson county, Pennsylvania, and then went to Indiana. His name was John Stephens. Morris Stephens served an appren- ticeship at the bakery and confectionery business at Philadelphia, commencing when seven years old and serving seven years. He ran away on ac- count of difficulty about wages. When sixteen he came to Kentucky and worked at his trade for two years; then for twelve years followed the river, and was employed in the Louisville house for three years. In 1S4S he began business for himself and built the Bakers' hall at Louisville, which he managed himself for two years. He then sold out and moved upon the farm where he now lives, in JelTersontown precinct. In 1841 he married Sarah Seabolt, daughter of George S. Seabolt, of Jcft"erson county. Morris Stephens is a member of the Baptisl church.
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HISTORY or THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
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Byron Williams was boiii in Jefferson county, April 20, 1S39. Moses Williams, his father, was born in (icori^ia, and knew not liis age, his early life having been spent with the Cherokee In- dians. When probably twelve he came to this county, and when quite a young man enlisted in the War of 1S12 under Captain Kelly. In 1815 he was married to Elizabeth Bi.shop, who was
' born in Bullitt county, August 26, 179S. They
had nine children, four boys and five girls. After
■ obtaining his education Byron Williams erected a
saw-mill, which he run for about twelve vears.
'■■ About eight years ago he sold out this business and bought a store near his home in Jefferson-
" town precinct, since which time he has been engaged in nieichandising, and managing his farm. On June 25, 1S63, he married Mary A. Coe, of Bullitt county, by whom he has had five children, of whom one boy and two girls are liv- ing. This wife died September 20, 1S7S. On February 5, iSSo, he married Nora Johnson, who was born in tliis county November 9, 1S50. He has been postmaster since entering tiade.
Noah Cartwright was born in Pike countv, Ohio, March 14, 1833. He was the eighth of nine children of Rev. William II. Cartwright, who was born in Maryland, but who was brought
'• to Shelby county, Kentucky, when an infant.
"i' William H. Cartwright was married in 1S14 to
■' Sarah Stillwell, a native of Shelby county. He was a soldier in the War of 1S12. Noah Cart- wright graduated in 1S58 from the Miami uni-
' versity. He then began teaching in Jefferson county, Kentucky. In i860 lie took charge of
^ the Columbus Masonic seminary, remaining in charge one year, when he let"t and raised and armed company E, Fifteenth regiment, of which he was appointed captain. Afterwards he was promoted to the office of major. He resigned on account of ill-heahh, since which time he has been an active and efficient worker in the com- mon schools. Since 1865, save a brief interim, he has b;en county e.^aminir. Since iSSo he has not taught on account of heart disease. In 1S69 li<i married July T. Rush, who was born in Jefferson county, February 25, 1839. She is a daughter of J()se[)h Ru>li. They have five boys and two girls living. Mr. Cartwright is the largest fruit grower of the vicinity. For twenty-si.\ years he has been a member of the Presbyterian church.
MIDDLETOWN PRECINCT.
The most remarkable feature in regard to the history of this precinct is that it is the oldest one in the county — at one time the largest — it being originally very large, and also the center of commercial activity for this jxirt of the State, and having the oldest post-office in the State.
Indeed, the citizens of this locality will readi- ly remind you that in the days of 1800 and during the War of 1812 the people of Louisville came here to buy goods and do business; that commercial products for trade were shipped to the mouth of Harrod's creek, there reloaded and transported to Middletown, where dealers in wares, goods, or produce from Louisville and other little towns could come and buy at retail or wholesale rates as they chose.
All was activity then. A number of wholesale and retail establishments were doing a large busi- ness. There were manufactures of \arious kinds in leather, wood, and cloth; merchants, whole- sale and retail; grocers, blacksmiths, hatters, milliners, shoemakers, carpenters, etc., and the country was thickly settled, which, with the com- ing in of the farmers to tlie town, would lend a smile to the venders of merchandise that must have seemed, financially, quite significant.
The town is not in an unhealtliy locality, al- though in the low valley of the h.eadwaters .of Bear Grass. It was laid out originally by old Billy White, a prominent pioneer of that locality, and who sold out the lots for the erection, of business houses. This little place' — once twice the populati(;n it is to-day — increased in size and importance until tl;e natural advantages of Louis- ville attracted some attention, and the business men began to .center there. Then it was that Middletown, in spite of the fact that ii was the most healthy locality of the two places, began to decline. This'new era of the rise of Louisville and fall of Middletown began about the year 1820, and by 1S40 the full destruction of this commercial emporium, as such, was completed. This was i'orty )ea:s ago, and the place still wears the grim visage it did then.
'1 he liule village wiih its two hundred and fifty population still has pleasing reminiscences, it be- ing on the oldest ]jike in the State, and near the scene of Floyd's massacre (see general history), and in a locality where stirring events of an
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HISTORY OK THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
early day occurred. Since tlie building of this. pi-ke (1820) the stage roach, tlic herald of progress, always l.'rouglit its full share of news. The stranger found in his host the jjcrson of Martin Brengnian, a native of the town, who kept the tavern many years, lirengman and his son John Brengman supplied the traveler with bed and board, and a good dtink, puie and in- vigorating, for a i)eriod of nearly fifty years, be- ginning about iSoo. There was an excuse then for drinking whiskey, as the making of corn into whiskey was a necessity to get rid of the corn, and there was no other way of getting rid of the whiskey but to drink it. Then it was pure. People then were not so much civilized as now, and did not know how to adulterate the beverage. The regular stage route lay from Louisville through Middletown to Frankfort and other points east, and one line of coaches not being ade(]uate for the business, com- petitive lines were run, but after the advent of the railroad this mode of travel lost its usefulness and was discontinued, since which time there has been no attempt to renew the industries of the place, save in the building of a turn- pike a few years ago, connecting this-])oint with the town of Anchorage, in \\hich work the placing of the cobble and gra\el was successful, but in face of all travel tlie weeds and grass peep up here and there between the pebbles that seem to contest their right, by usage and com- mon custom, to the place. ^
The Chenoweth fomily were residents of this precinct, likewise the Williamsons. One son, John Williamson, now living at the advanced age of ninety years, run the gauntlet at one time. This occurred near the present residence of Dr. Fry. The two walnut trees near the house mark the stalling and terminating points of the race in this contest, distant fifty paces.
The first physicians of the place were Drs. Wood and Collins, who practiced here previous to the year 1S05, and were followed by Drs. Chew and Glass, who staid until 1S30 and 1S32, when Dr. Glass died and Dr. Chew moved to Connecticut. Drs. Young and Yance practiced from that time until about 1^40, then Dr. Demis and Dr. Fry until 1S52, when they gave p.lace 10 Drs. Witherbee and Goldsmith, who were again followed by Drs. S. O. Wiiherliee and Fry.
The Methodist Episcopal church was built
here about 1800, and was, for a pioneer society, in a flourishing condition. The oldest resident pastor of this congregation was Rev. James V\'ard, who had served the church for fiill fifty years when he died in 1S54, eighty years of age. The society is still in existence, Rev. Alexarider Gross being the minister in charge, but since the building up of the Methodist societies at .Anchor- age and other places the church is not so strong as formerly.
The Old Presbyterian church was established here also in an early day, and flourished until the society was organized in Anchorage, when their interests were transferred to that place.
The Christian society have had a representation here for many years, and have a church building and an organized society.
Among the prominent citizens of the place may be mentioned Drs. Fry and Witherbee.
Abraham Fry came from Maryland and settled here as early as 1795, purchasing ^t that time two hundred acres. He came with his wife's people. Her name was Miss Mary Smizer. He ir.arried again in 1814, his second wife being Miss Susan Whips.
Dr. William Fry, A. M., M. D., was born in 1S19 ; was educated at the Ttansylvania univer- sit)', graduating from the literary course and in medicine in 1834 ; was two years in the city hosintal of Louisville as its resident physician. He came here in 1840, practiced medicine six- teen years, thtm went to Louisiana where he practiced medicine eleven years, then returned and has since resided in Middletown. He was married in 1842 to Miss Margaret Brengman, who died in, June, 1872, and has a family of four daughters now living.
Dr. Silas Witherbee, M. D., born November 23, 1S46, in Northern New York State, was ed- ucated at the St. Lawrence university and came to Kentucky in 1S65, and has since controlled the practice of medicine in the Middletown pre- cinct, and ib well fitted in point of ability and experience to successfully carry out the calling of this profession. He was married in 1874 to Miss Mary Deywroth, daughter of Judge Bey- wroth of Mississippi. Dr. Witherbee has been for the past four years a magistrate of Middle- town precinct. He purchased his pro[)erty in Middletown in 1S76, and has since made exten- sive repairs upon it.
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HISTORY OF TIU'. OHIO FA1,],S COUNTIES.
31
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
Hamillon Ormshy was bom in Jefferson county September 17, 1832. }{is grandfather, Stephen Ormsby, n native of Ireland, was among the first settlers in the county ; was the first circuit judge in this district, also represented the district in Congress in the time of Clav. Mis son Steplien, the fathci of Hamilton Oimsby, was a prominent citizen. He was in the Mexican war, serving 'as colonel. He died in April, 1S69, aged about sixty-five years. Hamilton Ormsby owns four hundred and fifty acres, and does a large farming business. He married, in 1S52, Miss Edmonia Taylor, of this county. They have six children — Edward, ^\"Illiam T., Nannie, wife of Robert W. Herr; Stephen S., J. Lewis, and Edmonia. The family belong to the Chris- tian church.
Abraham Fry came to this county from Mary- land about the year 1795, and settled at Fry's Hill, on Goose creek. His wife, Susan (Whipps) Fry, bore him a large family of children, only three of whom are now living, viz: John, Nancy, and William. The names of those livmg at the time of Abraham Fry's death in 1S21 were: John, Sally, Nancy, Abraham, Elizabeth, Mary, and William. Dr. William Fry was born in 1819. He was educated at Lexington, Ken- tucky. Hs was physician to the Louisville hos- pital two years, commencing in 1S3S. He prac- ticed in Louisiana eleven years; the remainder of the time he has been practicing in Jefferson county, where- he is widely known and respected.
L. L. Dorsey, Jr., an old and highly respected citizen, was born in Middletown precinct Febru- ary 17, 1818. He married Miss Lydia Phillips. They have six children living, viz: Rosa, Nannie, Clark, Mattie, Robert, and Lydia. Mr. Dorsey has a fine farm and a beau- tiful home. His farm consisted originally of three hundred acres, afterwards of over one thousand acres, a part of which he has disposed of. He has done a large business for many years, raising high-bred trotting horses. He is one of the leading fanners of the county, and socially stands high. His father, l-'.lias Dorsey, came from Maryland when a boy. The farm of Mr. Dorsey has been in possession of the family about one hundred years.
Dr. Silas O. Witherbee was born in St. Law- rence county. New York, in 1846. He was
educated at the St. Lawrence university. Canton, New York, and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city. He came to Middle- town in 1867, and has since practiced here with good success. He practices in quite an extensive territory, and is highly esteemed as a man and a physician. Dr. ^^'itherbce is a memb<ir of the Episcopal church. He holds at present the ofike of magistrate.
Joseph Abel came to this county very early. He mariied Catherine Hartley, a native of Mary- land. They had fourteen children, ten of whom grew up, and but two of whom are now living — Mrs. Ann Pull, widow of William Pull.; and .Mrs. Margaret Kane, widow of Charles Kane. Mr. Abel was a prominent farmer and a worthy man. He died in 1843, in the ninety-fourth year of his age. Mrs. Abel died in 1S22, at the age of fifty-one.
P. F. Morse was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in 1S09, and was brought up in Ashtabula county, Ohio. He came to Jefferson county in 1836; kept store several years, and has since been engaged in farming. Mn .Morse has four hundred acres of good land, well im- proved. He has about two thousand trees in his orchard.s. He raises stock and grain princi- pally— usually keeps thirty to forty head of cattle, one hundred and twenty-five sheep, and six or more horses. Mr. Morse is one of our most thrifty farmers, as well as a respected and worthy citizen.
Mrs. Ruth W. Tarbell was born in Dover, New Hampshire, in 1810. She was the daughter of Obadiah and Sarah Whittier, her father being an uncle to the poet, John Greenleaf Whittier. Ruth Whittier married for her first husband Dr. S. .\. Shute, of New Hampshire. Her second husband was Mr. A. Tarbell, a leading and ac- tive citizen of this county — to which he came from New York State about the year 1S41. For many years he was extensively engaged in stock- buying here, and was highly honored as a man of business enterprise and social worth. Mr. Tarbell died in 1868, aged sixty-four years. Mrs. Tarbell resides at Middletown, which has now been her home for twenty years. Only two of her children are now living — Maria .A. Tarbell, and Mrs. Ruth A. Plankenbaker.
Stephen M. Woodsmall was born in Jeflerson county, in 1826. His father. Captain John
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
\\"ood^.niall, came hoic from Spencer county, in iSi6. ■ He rcaicd seven cliildrcn, five of whom are living. S. M. Woodsninil is the youngest son. He marncd Miss Cynthia A. l^aird, of Spencer counlv, in 1S4S. They have five chil- dren— Sally M., James \V., Molly .\., Sahina, Mattie M. Mr. Woodsmall and fiinily belong to the Christian church. He held the oftice of magistrate four years; was census enumerator in i860 and 1S80.
John Downey was born in Jefferson county, Virginia, in 1810, and came to Jefferson county, Kentucky, in 1834. He settled on Harrods creek, where he resided until 1S53, when he moved to his iiresent residence near Middletown. Mr. Downey has three hundred and fifteen acres in two tiacls, and does a good farming business. He was married in 1834 to Miss Ruth Owens, of this county. They had twelve children, four of whom are living— Li;^zie, Charles John, Edward Hobbs, and Mary Louisa. Mr. Downey and family belong to the Methodist church. He has been a .Mason many years. He held the office of magistrate two terms.
ANCHORAGE
is a small election precinri set ajiart a few years since, without any magisterial jirerogatives, for the convenience of its citizens when voting for county. State, or other officers. The municipal town of this precinct is the village of Anchorage,
SHARDINE PRECINXT.
This precinct ])resents the form of a regular tri- angle, having its a[>e.\ within ilie city limits of Louisville, and bounded on the ea^,t and west by the two railroads that run southerly. Its early history is more traditional than that of any other political division in the county, the early settlers having all left, and the once marshy, boggy lands being afterwards taken up by the thrifty, well to do German po[)ulation who now have highly cultivated farms and live in a flourishing condition. They have settled in this portion of the county quite recently, comparatively, and will in couise of time have their lands all drained and their farms fertile and rich.
formerly Hobbs' Station, upon the Louisville, Cincinnati 1!^ Lexington Short Line railroad, twelve miles from Louisville. It is a beautiful little village and has a few good dwelling-houses, two churchts, the Rellwood seminary, and the Kentucky Normal school.
This station was formerly called Hobb.s, but- after the advent of Captain Sosle, in honor of his ser\ices as a captain of a boat it was named Anchorage. It has the advantages af- forded by seven daily passenger .trains each way from Louisville, three from Cincinnati, two from Lexington, together with freight and express facilities equally advantageous to all points.
For history of early settlements and prominent citizens of this precinct see biographies.
We give below a history of its schools, churches, and of the Central Kentucky Lunatic asylum.
This last named institution had its origin in a house of refuge, founded in 1870. The author- ities of the State appointed a committee consist- ing of Dr. Vallandingham, R. C. Hudson, and S. L. Garr, who erected the main building — sixty by thirty-four feet, at a cost of fifty thousand dollars.
The (ew cases for disciphne, and the increased demand for suitable accommodations for the unfoitunate persons who became bereft of reason, iiiduced the State to transform the house of refuge into an asylum, and the wisdom of that act has been verified in the number of inmates it has since i.ceived and treated success- fully. This change was made in the year 1872. .•\ board of commissioners appointed a medical superintendent, and erected additional buildings from time to time, until its capacity is suffi- cient to accommodate the present number of five hundred and fifty inmates.
The main building, 60 x 134 t'eet, was erected in 1S70, at a cost of about fifiy thousand dollars. After being used a short time for the Home for tiie Friendless it was convened into an asyluih in 1 87 2, and run as it was at that time, until 1875, when the wings were erected, each one being 120 X36, and each having a capacity for holding about seventy patients, but owing to th.e crowded condition the superintendent has been under the necessity of j)!aciug in each wing about one himdred patients.
The main building with the two principal
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
33
wings, are in good repair, also the cast and west buildings which are sejiarate slrucliircs, entirely disconnected from tlie main buildin;^ and its wings. I'he west building has been of late years entirely remodelled, and is a convenient and comfortable building, probably the most so of any a!>out the place, and has a capacity for fifty pa- tients.
Just north of tliis west building some one hun- dren and fifty feet, stands a temporary wooden building, where some seventy-five persons are confined, and are as well cared for as possible by competent attendants. This house is not a suit- able place for epileptics and idiots, it bemg a hot tinder-box in the summer time, and ex- tremely cold in winter.
The constant watch and care exercised over these poor, helpless, unfortunate creatures by Dr. (Jale and his assistants, obviates this disadvan- tage to a degree. Probably no man could be easily found who has a warmer heart and would watch over the inmates as constantly with a singleness of purpose in alleviating their wants, than the present sujierintendent. A visit to the asylum will convince the most skeptical that in point of cleanliness, diet, cheerfulness, and kind- ness on the part of the officers towards the in- mates, and the zealous care exercised over them to contribute to their happiness and com- fort, that there is no better^institution in the land.
It is worthy of remark that Dr. Gale is not only eminently fitted in [loint of ability to fill the responsible position he holds, but that his warm heart toward these unfortunate beings commends his unceasing labors in their behalf to every friend of the institution in the State.
There is also another temporary building of a smiilar character, built of the same kind of ma- terial, and heated in the same manner, wherein are confined all the colored patients of every class. Thfs is situated some two hundred and fifty yards further north. These buildings are o( wood, and heated bv steam, which makes of them perfect tinder-boxes; and if by accident a fire should get started therein no power on earth could prevent the loss of human life among these imbeciles.
The slaughter-house is west of the main build- ing, covered with a tin roof, well jjainted, and with a smoke-stack fortv feet hi^h. It lias three
rooms — the slaughter-^room proper and all neces- sary appliances for handling any kind of animal; a hide room, where all the liides are preserved, and a soap-room, with a well constructed furnace and kettles, in which all the tallow is rendered and soft-soap made. Thorough ventilation is secured through properly constructed fiues con- nected with the stack. Chutes and garbage platforms, from which all tlie offal from butcher- ing and the kitchen garage are consumed, which entirely frees the building and surround- ings from all tiad odors. The capacity of this building is ample for all the wants of the in- stitution.
The spring house was made out of a cave, just north of the main building. This cave was still further excavated and a brick and cement sewer made, some one hundred and .seventy feet long, through which the water supply for the reservoir comes, and in which an excellent milk-houses fourteen by twenty feet, was constructed, having a natural stone ceiling. The floor was divided with walks and troughs of brick and cement, filled with water, ten inches deep, at a uniform temperature of sixty-five Fahrenheit, in which one hiuidred and twenty gallon-jars or cans can be placed daily, and the milk kept sweet and fresh throughout the year. The entire floor out- side the milk-house is paved with brick, and a brick wall, with a cut-stone coping, mounted with a neat iron, extends across the mouth of the cave. This, with the natural stone walls, cov- ered with overhanging vines and moss, make this one of the most attractive places about the premises. The institution has also other buildings which we need barely mention. An excellent wooden ice-house, built upon the most approved plan, with a capacity of four hundred tons; a wood-house, 20 x 40 feet ; a carpenter-shop that was formerly used for storing straw, with a shed of ample dimensions for storing lumber; a cow-house, with a capac- ity for forty cowsj; this house has been rendered perfectly dry and comfortable by placing a six- teen-inch concrete floor, covered with two-inch cvpress boards and a brick pavement, laid in ce- ment mortar, around on the outside, three feet wide, which carries off all surface water. There are other buildings, such as stables, corn-cribs, ice-houses, sbiops, etc.
The reservoir has been lately added, and in
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34
HISTORY OF THE OHIO 1 AI.I.S COUNTIES.
addition the fire service added, as a precaution- ary measure for the protection of property and patients.
The cost of these buildings up to the present time aggregates the sum of $300,000.
The farm upon which these buildings are lo- cated consists of three hundred and seventy-nine acres. The original farm of two hundred and thirty acres cost $20,000. The grounds in fiont are very well improved and in good repair. Those in the rear are rough, owing to their natural conformation, as well as to the rubbish strewn over them. The convalescents are doing some work leveling down these rough places, making macadamized roads, etc., and in time, with the two hundred evergreens and forest trees which are growing vigorously, will look beautiful. These trees came from the nurseries of President S. L. Garr, and Commissioner James W. Walker- -a handsome donation, from these liberal gentlemen.
CJood picket and tight plank fences enclose and partition off the grounds.
'I'he conifort and good general condition of the inmates and institution are due largely to the efficiency and ever watchful care and atten- tion of the medical superintendent, Dr. R. H. Gale, whose management the board highly en- dorses. Many improvements have been added by him that are worthy of a visit to the asylum to see. His new and improved coffee apparatus, in which can be made, in thirty minutes, one hundred and twenty gallons of the very best quality of coffee at a cost of less than ten cents per gallon; his system of heating halls, protec- tion against epileptics and idiots getting burned; his wire cribs, etc., etc.; all of which give en- tire satisfaction, and provide much comfort and usefulness to the institution.
The officers of Central Kentucky Lunatic asylum for iSSi are: Board of commissioners — S. L. Garr, president ; James Bridgford, K. K. White, A Barnett, C. B. Blackburn, G. A. Owen, Wesley Whipps, A. G. Plerr, C. Kremaker. Medical superintendent — R. H. Gale, M. D.; as- sistant physician, G. T. Erwin, M. 1).; second as- sistant physician and druggist, F. T. Riley; stew- ard, R. C. Hudson; matron, Miss Mary B. Gale; secretary, U'illiam Terry; treasurer, R. S. Veech.
The following table shows the proportion of
white and colored persons who have been in- mates of the asvlum :
|
E 5 |
0 11 |
r, 5 o- |
5 ^ |
0 a. |
|
|
N'ovenibcr isl, 1880— |
2 8 76 |
4 157 161 I 49 |
6 |
||
|
29 |
49 |
456 |
|||
|
Total |
29 |
49 |
462 9 141 |
||
|
Received up to November ist, i83i. |
|||||
|
Non-paying ji.ilicnts |
8 |
8 |
|||
|
Total |
81 I 23 |
50 |
8 |
8 |
i5«5 |
|
Discharged recovered — |
|||||
|
Kon-p.^ying patients |
10 |
2 |
2 |
37 |
|
|
Tot.'il |
2-t 21 257 264 |
10 I 12 13 4 i8^ 188 |
2 |
2 |
38 3 35 38 |
|
Died— Paying patients |
|||||
|
2 2 |
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|
Total.. . |
|||||
|
Remaining November ist, 1R81 — |
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|
Non-paying patients Total |
35 35 |
49 49 |
525 536 |
.METHODIST EI'iSCOP.^L CHL'RCH.
The Methodist people of Anchorage precinct worshiped at Middletown until in 1876, when Mr. Hobbs started an enterprise which gave the members of this society in Anchorage' one of the most beautiful church buildings in the State, there being nothing like it in the coun- try. It is a gothic structure covered with slate, having stained glass windows, and furnished with the highest WTOught black walnut furniture. The frescoing was done by Z. M. Shirley, deceased, a donation made by him just before he died, and a work worthy of a lasting remembrance of this man. He never lived to enjoy the first ser- vices in a building in which he took so much interest.
This building, the Memorial Chapel, should be seen to be appreciated. It furnishes an ever- lasting monument to the persons who erected it. The grounds and the principal donation in money was made by Mr. E. D. Hobbs. Mr. Hughes and Mr. S. !>. Garr also contributed largely.
Rev. Gross Alexander is the pastor at this time. Rev. Mr. Overton was tlie first minister who officiated in the new building, and was succeeded by Rev. G. ^V. Lyon. The trustees are: Mr. \\'. T. Lewis, S. J. Hobbs, Ed. D. Hobbs, S.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
35
L. Garr, and William Hughes; Stewards: E. D. Hobbs, S. L. Garr.
THli HEIXWOOD SKMIXAKY
was originally a school established by Dr. W. W. Hill about the year i860. Dr. Hill run this institution about ten years under the chartered name of the Louisville Presbyterian Orphanage Asylum, erected the main building- and school- house at a cost of about fifteen thousand dollars, but transferred his interest to another party in 1870, who sold it in turn to the Presbyterians, who changed the name, added some improve- ments, employed an able corps of teachers, with Professor R. C. Morrison as principal and presi- dent of the faculty, and have been successful in building up an institution worthy of the name it bears. They have at the present time ninety- six boarding pupils, and in all an attendance of one hundred and twenty-five this term. There are also one or two other private schools in this precinct.
The following comprise the faculty and officers of the Bellwood Seminary: Professor R. C. Morrison, principal and i)resident of faculty, Latin and mathematics; Mrs. Daniel P. Young, lady principal and business manager; Rev. E. W. Bedinger, chaplain and teacher of moral science and evidences of Christianity; Miss Emily C. Kibbe, history and astronomy; Professor T. W. Tobin, natural science; Miss Lottie Cox, normal teacher; Miss Lavinia Stone, literature, composi- tion and elocution; Miss Annie Frierson, instru- mental music; Miss L. J. P. Smith, instructor in vocal music; Miss Julia Stone, German, French, painting, and drawing; Mrs. Mary Kibbe, pri- mary department; Mrs. Eliza Scott, matron; Miss Sue Metcalfe, assistant matron; \V. M. Holt, M. D., attendant physician; Bennett H. Young, Louisville, Kentucky, regent. Rev. Stu- art Robinson, D. D., R. S. Veech, Y.sq., Hon. H. W. Bruce, W. N. Haldeman, Esq., George C. Norton, Esq., and Bennett H. Young consti- tute the board of trustees.
THE PRESBVTEK1.\N CHURCH
of Anchorage is a fine brick structure erected about the year 1S60, under an enterprise carried out by Dr. W. W. Hill, at a cost of about nine thousand dollars. The society have from time to time made additions to the building that has increased the cost to about fifteen thousand dol-
lars, and has a membership of about one hun- dred and tliirty. Rev. 1/. W. Bedinger is the present pastor. R. C. Morrison and Limes Robinson are the elders ; ^\^ Boyd \\'ilson and George Hall, the deacons. The trustees are: Mr. W. B. \Vilson, James Robinson, Lewis Mc- Corklc. This society is an outgrowth of the Middletown chmch.
mOGR.MMlICAI. \OTES.
Jefferson Marders' was born in this county June 12, 1S03, and lived here all of his life. He was a farmer when young; afterwards was in the mercantile business at Middletown several years. His father, Nathan Marders (born r7 72, died 1862), was an early comer from Virginia. Mr. Jefferson Marders married Miss Ruth A. Glass, who was born in Middletown, July 30, 1814. She was the daughter of Joseph Glass, who was born in 177c; and died in 1S26. Mr. and ALs. Marders had only one child, Eliza Jane, horn September 23, 1837. Mrs. Marders died June 29, 1S59. Mr. ALarders died October 11, 1S76. Eliza J. married Dr. E. A. France in 1853. Dr, France was born in Roanoke county, Virginia, in 1S25, and died in 1S55. They had one child, ALiry A., tlie wife of E. C. Jones, of Louisville. Mrs. France married James R. Hite in 1857. They have three children, \\ illiam M., Albert, andHallie. ±6.48437 .
C. W. Harvey, M. D., was born in Scottsville, Kentucky, June 6, 1844. He was brought up in Louisville, attended the Louisville university, and graduated froiri the Medical Department course of 1S65-66. Previous to graduation he practiced two years in the Louisville dispensary. He commenced practice in Maury county, Ten- nessee, where he remained four years. He then practiced ten yec'irs at Middletown, and in 1879 removed to Anchorage, where he is now the leading physician. Dr. Harvey is a member of the Methodist church. He is Master of Masonic lodge No. 193, and is the chief otificer of the Foresters.
Captain James Winder Goslee, in his lifetime one of the most honored and respected citizens of this county, was born in Henry county, Ken- tucky, in 1S15. He came to this county in 1853, and resided here until his death, which occurred .April 2, 1S75. He was on the river from the time he was eighteen years of age until 1S60,
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUK'IIES.
serving as pilot and commander of different vessels. When only nineteen, years of age -he • was commander of the Matanior.i. Tie married, December 31, 1839, J^^'"^*^ Catherine R. White. Slie was born in tin's county February 10, 1821. They had but one child, hanma, who died in her twenty-first year. Captain (Joslec met his death in a frightful manner, being killed by a railroad train. The old mansion where Mrs. Goslee re- sides has been in possession of her family for ! * three generations. The place was settled by her j maternal grandfather, Mai tin PJrengman, about the year 1794. Fler father, Mmor \\'hite, was born in this county in 1795.
John N. McMichael was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, December 25, 1800. His parents, James and Eleanor (Dunbar) McMichael, moved to Louisville in 1802. John N. is the oldest of three children, and the only survivor. The others were named Marv Ann and Adeline. His father died in 1S05. and his mother in the sixty- third year of her age. J. N. McMichael was ap- pointed a constable in 1S27, served four years, and then was sheriff for six years. He was next city marshal for two years. With C. Miller he started the fust coal office in Louisville. He was quite extensively engaged in this business for five years. At the end of this time he moved to the country and has since devoted himself to agriculture. Mr. McMichael has served as mag- istrate six years, also as police judge at Anchor- age two or three years. He and his wife belong .to the Rai^tibt church. He married Miss Nancy C. Hargin, of this county, in 1832. They have eight children living, viz: John W., Thomas H., George C, Charles C, James G., Nellie (married William B. Rogers, New Orleans), Nancy C, and Mollie.
A. Hausman, proprietor of the Star grocery at Anchorage, was born in Germany in 1842, and came to this country at the age of seventeen. He was brought up a mechanic; at'terwards worked at stone masonry and boot and shoe making. In 1859 he came to Kentucky, and in 1862 to Louisville, where he made boots and shoes until 1866, when he moved to Anchorage, continuing in the same business, to which he added the duties of a country store keeper. .\lr. Hausman was tlie first merchan.t in Anchorage, and still continues the onlv one. Fie is a self- made man. Starting in business with only .f :!5
capital he has iiros[)ered well, and is now doing a good l)Usiness. The loss of his wife, Annie (Linnig) Hausman, in March, 18S1, was a severe blow to him. They had lived together happily for se\entecn years and brought up a large fam- ily of children.
SLRINGDALE PRECINCT.
This precinct received its name in honor of one of the finest springs in the county, having an even temperature the year round of fifty-four degrees Fahrenheit. There is one spring at Dorsey's camp ground which has an even tem- perature of fifty degrees. The spring above mentioned is under the dwelling house of the old homestead of James Young, who settled here very early on a large tract of land, com- prising in all some eight hundred acres; but up to the year i860 this precinct was a part of Harrod's Creek.
Mr. Young, ujion coming to this part of the county, decided to build him a dwelling house. His son, also financially interested, concurred in the same, but each party decided on grounds or knolls on the either side of the spot finally chosen, and not agreeing one with the other, they com- promised by each meeting the other halfway, where they found rather marshy ground. After excavating sufficiently for a cellar, they discov- ered this spring, which has given them since that time a pure, culd and limjiid stream of water. The house was built in 182S, and is still stand- ing. Tiie land was purchased by Young from John Dorothy, who secured it by patent fiom the Government.
Among the distinguished settlers of this pre- cinct was the well known William White, who was born in Yirginia in 1763. He came to Mid- dletown, which place was surveyed and laid out 'under his direction, ami was a member of the State Legislature. His son. Miner White, was born in the year 1795. He cleared the lands and also settled upon a tract in Spring- dale; built mills on Goose creek, near this little place, being the first of the kind in the county. One was a saw-mill, to which was after- ward added a grist-mill. Still later the lower mill, farther down the creek was built, to which was added a distilleiy. These mills have long
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MlSTORY OF THE OHIO FAlJ.S COUNTlRS.
57
since gone down, but served the day for which ihcy were built right well, doing custom work wholly.
(ioose creek is a shoit, li\el)' stre.iin, ha\ing its headwaters in sidings and small streams but a fe-w miles from its mouth, and fuinislies an abundance of- water ten months in the year. A number of good mill sites are found on this stream, but, strange to say, no mills are operated at this tune. A man by the name of Allison l3uilt a mill quite early, and run it for many years, but a score of years and more ago it was used as a school-house.
Edmund Taylor owned a large tract of land between the branches of this stream. Dabney Taylor, a grandson of Hancock Taylor, who was a brother of Zacliary Taylor, is a wealthy, well- to-do farmer at Worthington, this precinct.
Patrick Bell also settled in Springdale on a large tract of land, afterwards owned by Dr. Bar- bour. A Mr. Mayo afterwards owned it.
Lawrence Young, of Caroline county, Vir- ginia, born in 1793, vvas a promiirent man of this precinct. He came with his father, James Young, settled here on a large tract of land, and became a noted horticulturist, and edited the Southern Agriculturist many years before he died. He also had a green-house, and cultivated flowers, as well as the various kinds of trees and fruits. He was a noted teacher, and taught at Middletown such men as Mr. E. D. Hobbs and L. L. Uorsey, being his pupils. He studied law in Transylvania college, where he took the full collegiate course, but was not successful in the profession, and abandoned it for the school- room. He was known by pomologists as an au- thority in that science also. He was married in 1823, and died in 1S72. His son, 'Squire Wil- liam Young, a well-to-do young farmer now re- siding at Springdale, became the first magistrate in the precinct when it was organized in 1S6S. It was simply a voting precinct in 1S60, but was not, by an act of the Legislature, made a magis- terial peecinct until the year i36S.
There are at present no mills, and but one church, and but school in the precinct. The church is a missionary one, lately established, and is Presbyterian. The si:hool-houseis in one corner of the precinct.
l!(OGRAPHIC.-\l. NOTES.
^\■illi^m W. Young, an old resident of Jeffer- son county, was born June 24, 1S2S, near Mid- dletown. \\'hen very young he came to Spring- dale in company with his parents, and settled upun the fine farm where we now find him. His father and mother came from Virginia in an early day. Mr. Young was married. November 23, 1853, to Miss .Ann .\. Chamberlain, of Jefferson county. They have had six children, five of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Y'oungare mem- bers of the Presbyterian church.
Itenjamin L. Young, brother of \V. W.Young, was born July 27, 1840, in Jefferson county, Kentucky. He has always been erigaged in farming, and has a farm of one hundred acres. Mr. Young was married in 1869 to Miss Clara Stone, of Louisville, daughter of E. M. Stone. Thc-y h.ive lour children. Mr. and Mrs. Young are members of the Methodist chinch,
Philip D. Barbour, one of the oldest and well- known residents of Jefferson county, was born January iS, iSiS, in Orange county, Virginia, and when an infant came to Kentucky with his parents, who settled in Fayette county. They lived here but a short time, when they went to Oldham county. Mr. Barbour, the subject of this sketch, resided here twenty-five or thirty years, and then came to Jefferson county, Springdale precinct, where he is now jiving on a fine farm of six or seven hundred acres. Mr. Barbour was married in 1841 to Miss Comfort Ann Dorsey, of Jefferson county. This marriage was blessed with three children. Mrs. Barbour died in 1S47. ^I"". Barbour was married a second time, in 1851, to Miss Fannie Butler, of Orange county, \'irginia. 'Phey have had eight children. .Mr. and Mrs. Barbour are members of the Christian church.
^Vllliam L. Harbold, M. D., was born .\ugust 13, 1S19, in Jefferson county, Kentucky. Mr. Harbold studied medicine in the Kentucky School of Medicine, and graduated in 1852. He has practiced ever since, though he has given some attention to farming. Fie was married in 1S46 to Miss Fannie Close, of Oldham county. They have had nine children, five of whom are living. Mrs. Harbold died in November, 1878. Mr. Harbold is a member of the Baptist church, as was Mrs. Harbold before her death. Mrs. Judith S. Harbold, his aged mother, is now liv-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
ing with her son William. Slie was born in Madison couniy, VirtMnia, in 1799, and came to Kentucky in 1S05.
■ James S. Kalfns was bnin July 14, 1.S43, in Lonisville, where he lived till 1870, with the ex- ception of a short time in Texas. Since 1870 he has resided in Sprin^^dale jirccinct, Jefferson county. He was married in (October, 1S69, to Miss Cornelia Warren, of iJoylc coiintv. ]. W. Kalfus, his father, was m business a long time in Louisville, and was well known in the business circles of the city.
Elijah T. "S'ager was born May 6, 1841, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, and has ever re- sided in the State. His father, Joel, was a na- tive of Virginia; also liis mother. Mr. Yager married Miss Lydia Mount, January 21, 1S64. She was born in Oldham county, September S, 1844. They have four children. Mr. and Mrs. Yager are members of the Christian church.
Hugh McLaughry was born October 17, 181 5, in Delaware county, New York, and lived here during his boyhood. When about twenty years of age he went to Chicago and Milwaukee, and lived in these places three years. He then came to Kentucky, and located in Louisville, where he was engaged in mechanical business for eight years. He then went to Oldham county, where he resided about eighteen years upon a farm. He then came to Jefferson county where we now find him. He married Miss Nancy Cameron, of Clark county, Indiana. They have ,had four children-only one living.
John Simcoe was born ]'"ebruary 13, 1S41, m Jefferson county, Kentucky. His father, Jerry M. Simcoe, came from Virginia in about iSio, and settled upon what is now known as the Clark farm. Mr. Simcoe has always followed farming as an occupation. He was married in 1877 to Miss Annie White, of Jefferson county. They have one child. Mr. and Mrs. Simcoe are members of the Reformed church.
W. D. S. Taylor, a prominent and well known citizen of Jefferson county, was born July 8, 1806, in what is now called Oldham county. His parents came from Virginia in a very eirly dav. His father was a brother of President Taylor, also of (iencial joe 'I'aylor. He was married August iS, 1827, to .Miss Jane Pollock Barbour, daugliter of Phili]! C S. liarbour, of "Oldham county. Mrs. Taylor was boin Nov-
eipber 14, 18 12, in Virginia. They have had eight children, five of whom arc living: IClizabeth S., born September 21, 1830; William P., born January 6, 1833; Margaret A., born >Larch 14, 1835; Hancock, born March 2, 1838; Manlius, born October 14, 1840; Alice H., born July 28, 1S44; Dabney Strother, born August 20, 1851; \\'illis H., born in 1846. William, Margaret and \\ illis are deceased.
Hancock Taylor was born March 2, 1838, in Jefterson county, Kentucky. In i860 he went to Phillips couniy, Arkansas, and remained there till April, 1861, when he enlisted in the Fifteenth Arkansas regiment. After the war he returned to Crittenden county, Kentucky, where he lived three years and a half He then came back to Jefferson, where he has since resided. He was married October 12, 1S65, to Miss Mary H. Wallace, of Louisville. They have had seven children — six living at the ])resent time. Mr. Taylor is a Master Mason. He represented Jefferson county in the Legislature in the years 1877 and 1878.
CAN]-: RUN PRECINCT.
'i'he history of this precinct is that of a few individuals who were prominently identified in the history of Louisville and the county. Of these prominent persons may be men- tioned William Merriwether, his son Jacob, and his grandson William Merriwether, Major John Hughes, Judge John Miller, Benjamin Pollard, and Samuel Garr. Mr. William Merriwether emigrated from Virginia as early as 1805, and settled upon a large tract of land consisting ot about eight hundred acres. He was a captain in the Revolutionary war, and was wounded at the battle of Monmouth, and after coming here assisted in building the fort at Louisville. He settled in the south \ian of Cane Run, and raised a family of four sons and one daughter. He died in 1843.
His son, Jacob Merriwether, now member of the lower house in the State Legislature of Kentucky, was born in iSoo, in Virginia; came with his parents to Kentucky, in 1805, remained upon his father's farm until eighteen years of age, when he went to St. Louis and performed clerical duties in the county clerk's office under General
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
39
O'Fallen. At this time St. Louis was far in the interior, and a good trading jjlare with the In- dians. Tlicie he remained, visiting the various Indian posts throughout the Northwest, going up the Missouri river on tlic first steamboat that ran on those waters. He remained in the fur trade with the Indians until 1823, when lie re- turned to Kentucky and married, that year, Miss Sarah A. Leonard, and settled where he now lives. He was elected to the lower house of .the State Legislature of Kentucky in 1835; was re-elected and held the jjosition until 1840, when he was defeated for Congress in the hard cider campaign, and was again defeated for the same ofifice in 1848. In 1S44 he was one of the Presidential electors. In 1S49 he was elected to draft the new constitution for the State of Ken- tucky, which position he held until the death of Henry Clay, in 1S53, and was tlien elected to the United States Senate. In 1853 he was ap- pointed by President Pierce as Governor of New Mexico. In 1857 he resigned, and in 1S59 was elected to the State Legislature, and became speaker of the House of Representatives in 1 86 1. He was again defeated for Congress by John Harney, after which he retired to private life until 1879 when he was again taken up by the citizens of his county and elected to the Legislature.
His life has been an eventful one. He is now an active man eighty two years of age; has ever been regarded by his constituents as an able, eflicient, and truscy representative of their in- terests. He has raised a family of four children, now living.
His son, William H. Merriwether, born in 1825, was reared on the farm, and married in 1857.10 Miss Lydia Morselle, and lives on part of the farm purchased by his grandfather in 1805. He was appointed deputy marshal in 1861, and re-appoinced in 1862 and 1S63. In 1864 he was appointed marshal by President Lincoln, which position he held in 1S68. In 1S70 he was appointed clerk of the United States court, and held that position until 1S76, when he became interested in a real estate agency, which business he still pursues. He was origin- ally a Democrat, but since i860 has been a Re- publican.
Major John Hughes, a prominent man of this precinct, served in the Revolutionary war, and
was a settler on the Ohio river six miles below Louisville, where he had purchased a tract of a thousand acres of land.
Judge Miller had settled on the upper end, about four miles from the county court-house, on a large tract of land.
Benjamin Pollaid settled in the southern pan.
The citizens of this precinct never had a church until the year 1S63, when St. James' was built, about four miles below Louisville, by the Episcopalians. The society is and has been small, the membership now being about forty. Mr. William Cornwall has been the leading and most active man, probably, in this organization.
FISHERVILLE PRECINCT.
The land in this precinct is generally good. Along the valley of Floyd's fork it is rich and well adapted to grain raising. The high lands are better adapted to the raising of stock.
The capital town of this country is Fisherville, a neat, white-washed little place on Floyd's fork, which sometimes in its forgetful and e.xcited con- dition overflows the whole place. The town was named in honor of Robert Fisher some forty years ago, and is in jjoint of appearance above the average modern village. There are not only good houses here, but a thrifty looking class of dwelling habitations are dotted over the entire precinct, and especially in the valley of Floyd's fork. The Raglins, Gillands, Beards, Driskils, and many others might be mentioned. In short, many of the houses are elegant.
The Louisville, Fisheryiile and Taylorsville turnpike winds its length through the precinct and the town ; also pikes of shorter length made for the convenience of neighbors are found here and there.
The Gillands were early settlers of this place, and became wealthy. John Henry Gilland, one of the first magistrates, came early and settled near Boston when Fisherville and Boston were together. Dr. Reid's father, Matthew, was an old settler. His wife was a Gilland ; also Mike and Billie Throat, Billie Parns, .A.llcn Rose, who became quite wealthy, Adam Shake, father, and the Carrithers and Seatons were among the early settlers of this place.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FA I, IS COUNTHCS.
The Shioats were (icrmaii ]]aptisls froiii Penn- syKania, and piraclied loiu>,- bet'ore tlic clnirch was brought to 1' iibcr\illc from I'loyd's fork. Tills churcli was moved al)oiit 185^, and is a frame, two stories in ht i^ht, tlie Nbasons occupy- ing the second floor. Rev. William Harnett was one of the early |>rcatliei? in the old jjrick church before it was remo\-ed. hollowing liirn were Rev. William Ilubbs, Worl, Hunter, Cole- man, and Fountain. Rev. W. E. Powers is the present pastor. The church is numerically weak. The officers are Edwin Shouse, moderator; John Davis clerk ; John Scearce and A. J. Conn, deacons.
The Reformed Church is one-half mile east of Fisherville, and is a good, respectable building, erected at a probable cost of tv.cnty-five hun- dred dollars, in iSSi. This organization is an outgrowth of the old P.aptist organization, and like other churches of its kind had its origin some time after Campbell made his visit to this part of the Slate. The principal actors identi- fied in the pros and cons of that day on this question were Calvert, a "hardshell " Baptist, James Rose, Joseph Sweeney, and some oUiers. Rev. Mr. Taylor i)rcaches for this people at this time twice a month. Robert Taylor, Higley, and La Master are the elders. William Dribkill and R. Sando Carpenter and Tyler Carpenter are the deacons, and Stephen Taylor clerk.
MILLS.
Robert Fisher is the owner of the present mills in Fisherville. His father owned the origi- nal mill in this place.
The abundance of water in the creek during all the months of the year, and the reputation of the mills throughout the county, brings much custom to this little place.
EAST CED.S.R HILL INSTITUTE
is located twenty miles east of Louisville, and two miles east of Fisherville, on the fisherville and Buck Creek turnpike, in a community whose people are remarkable for their intelli- gence and morality. It is in a healthy section of country, and where there is fine natural scenery.
The institution was founded in 1S69 by Mrs. Cleo F. C. C'oon, a highl)' educated lady, and of marked refinement and culture. She is the daughter of R. R. Clarke, a relative of George
Rogers Clarke. Her grandfatlier came to the county as early as lycS.?, and her father was born in iSii, in Nelson count)-, came here in 1835, and settled on foi.r hundred and fifty acres of land. Mrs. Cko ]•". C, C'oon icceived her education in Shelbyville, Kentucky, in the select school of Miss Julia Tevis, graduating from that institution in I'Sri. She taught at different places, until, in the year 1869, in her father's house, a large commodious farm dwelling, she ojjened a school with about fifty pupils, and her success in the work has been increasing from year to year since that time. Tlie government exercised in the management of the school; her course of study, s< ientific and classical; the so- cieties and social circles under tlie guidance of a marked intellectuality; the low rates of tuition; the large list of pupils graduated from the insti- tution, together with the religious features of the school, compare favorably with similar enter- prises. Mrs. Coon has, from time to time, been erectings such building and making such addi- tions as were found necessary. Her corps of teachers ■ is competent and experienced. The names are:
Literary Department — Mrs. Cleo ¥. C. Coon, principal, and teacher of higher mathematics and English branches; Professor H. N. Reubelt; teacher of languages, mental and moral science; Miss Mollie E. Grubbs, teacher of algebra, read- ing, English grauHuer, and writing; Miss Emma A. Rose, M. E. L., teacher of higher arithmetic, and intermediate classes.'
Musical Department — Miss Alice M. Bailey, principal teacher; Miss Katie M. Reubelt, M. E. L., assistant teacher.
Ornamental Department — Miss Lulie M. Myers, teacher of drawing, painting, wax, and worsted work, and lace.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
John B. Sceares was born May 24, 181 2, in Woodford cormty, Kentucky. His father, Robert Sceares, was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Kentucky in an early day, being one of the pioneers of the State. Mr. Sceart-s has followed farming for several years, though he was formerly engaged in milling. He was mar- ried in 1S34 to Miss Permelia Sale,' of Woodford county. 'I'hey had one child. Flis second marriage occurred in 1839, to Miss Permelia
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIKS.
41
Shoiise, of Henry county, lie had five chil- dren by this marriai^e. His lliiid marriaye took place in KS57, to Miss lulielte Jones, of ScoU county. Tliis union \vas blessed with eleven children, four of whom are living. Mr. Sreares is a member of the baptist church, also a Free Mason.
John H. Gilliland was born Decemljer 24, i83<S, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, where he has ever resided. He is at the present time en- . Imaged in farmini;, has about three hundred and fifty acres of excellent land, and a beautiful home. He married Miss Sally F. Crutcher of Spencer county, October 12, 1S65. They have liad tliree children, two now living — -Thomas B., Alice C, Mattie K. Mattie is deceased. Mr. Gilliland is a F'ree Mason.
Thomas Gilliland was born June 24, 1813, in Shelby county, Kentucky, and came when very young to Jefferson county with his parents. His father, Thomas Gilliland, was a native of Ireland and came tu America about the year iSoo. Thomas Gillil.rnd, Jr., was married in 1S40 to Miss Margaret Blankenbaker of Shelby county, daughter of Lewis Blankenbaker. He was mar- ried in 1S76 to Miss Lizzie Townscnd of Fisher- ville precinct. They have one cjiild, Thomas Hampton, who was born September 12, 1S77. Mr. Gilliland is a F'ree Mason.
James Robison was born May 11, 1835, in Jefferson county, and has ever resided U|)on the old homestead in I'isherville precinct. His father, \\'iliiam Robison, was born in Pennsyl- vania m 1 791, and moved to Kentucky when eight years of age, with his parents, and settled in Spencer county. In 1S33 William Robison moved into Jefferson county, wliere he died June. 1 1, 1S76. Mr. James Robison has fob lowed farming the greater part of his hfe, and has a good farm of two hundred and fifty acres. He was married January 12, 1S60, to Mi--s Ruth C. Moore, daughter of Simeon Moore, of Jeffer- son county. Mr. Robison is a member of the Presbyterian church ; Mrs. Robison a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Robison is mas- ter of the lodge of Free Masons at Fir^herville. '
William Carrithers was born October 22. 1807, in Spencer county, Kentucky. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Kentucky ii^ an early d.iy. His grandfather, as also his grand- nujther un his father's side, came from Ireland.
Mr. Carrithers is engaged in general farming, and has about one hundred and eighty acres of land. He was married January 12, 1S30, to Miss Hannah Y. l)avis, of Spencer county. Of this union one child was born. His second marriage was to Miss Elvira FVedrick, April 12, 1832. They had eleven children, six living at the lu'cscnt time. His third marriage was November "13, 1878, to Mrs. S. E. Burton, of Boyle county, Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Carri- thers are members of the Presbyterian church.
Elisha Walters, an old and substantial citizen, was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, December I, 1 814, wliere he resided till 1836, when he went to Spencer county, living there till 1841, then came to Jefferson county. His father, 'J'homas ^\'aUers, came from Virginia, as did his grand-parents, in early times. Mr. Walters was iiiairiud January- 6, 1S42, to Miss Rebecca Rhea, of JcfTerson county. 'J hey have had twelve chil- dien, ten of whom are living. Mrs. Walters died F'ebruary 19, 1S81. .She was a member of tlie Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mr. Walters is a church member, also a Free Mason.
Daniel McKinley, an old and respecttd citizen, was born October 5, 1805, in Shelby count)-, or what is now known as Spencer county. He came to Jefferson county in 1833, and lived in the county till his death, which occurred April 25, 1881. He was married December 13, 1827, to Miss Kezia Russell, of Nelson county, Ken- tucky. They have had thirteen children, seven of whom are living. Mrs. McKinley was born November i, 180S. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. McKinley was also a member.
Daniel B. McKinley was born January 24, 1844, in Jefferson county, Kentucky. He is a son of Daniel McKinley. He was married in 1S69 to Mi^s Mildred Day, of Spencer county, daughter of Riclr-ard F>ay. They have had four children — Carrie, Hallie, John, Lizzie. Lizzie is deceased. Mrs. McKinley died March 7, 1S77. Mr. McKinley is a member of the Pres- byterian church.
Colman E. Drake was born February 19, 1S32, in Spencer county, Kentucky. His father, Benjamin Drake, was a native of Penns}lvania, and came to Kentuck\' when the country was wild. Mr. Colman Drake came to Jefferson county m 1S69. His farm lies in Spencer and
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALI.S COUNTIES.
Jefferson counties. It contains one hundred and sixty acres. He was married in 1S71 to Miss Marietta Stevens, of Garrard county, Ken- tucky. Tliey bad one child, but she died when very young. Mrs. Drake died September 17, 18.72. She was a member of tlic C'hristian church.
Robert Carrithers was born November 19, 1812, in Shelby county, though what is now Spencer county. He lived there till 1S3}, when he came to Jefferson, where he has c\ er since resided. His fother came from Pennsylvania. Mr. Cairithcrs was married in 1833 to Miss Edna Stalland, of Spencer county. They had nine children by this marriage. He was again married, in 1S56, to Miss Elizabeth J. Russell, of Spencer county. They had three children by this marriage. Mr. Carrithers is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church; Mrs. Carritherj of the Methodist church.
Squire McKinley was born November 28, 1820, in Shelby county. His father, James Mc- Kinley, was a native of Kentucky. He died in 1863. Mr. S. !\IcKinley learned the carpenter's trade when young and followed this occupation for a short time. He was married in 1S44 to Miss Mary McKinley, of Spencer county. They had two children by this marriage — James S. and John AV. He was again married, in 1854, to Mrs. Sophia Drake. They had nine children by this marriage — Sarah B., George C, Ivanhoe, Charles E., Cynthia K., Marietta, P)enjam,in F., William F., also a girl not named. Mrs. Mc- Kinley is a member of the Methodist cjiurch.
HARR0D5 CREEK
is a fertile, rolling tract of land along the river's edge, north of Louisville, e.vtending from the suburbs of that city to the northern limit of the county. Like most precincts, its contour or form is irregular, being much greater in length than in width.
It has 'good advantages in the way of a turn- pike that runs through it, going from Louisville to Oldenburg. Also in the Narrow Guage rail- road, formerly built by the citizens of the pre- cinct, and which afterwards passed into the hands of a company. This latter road, with its reasonable rates of travel, affords the citi
I zcns fine opportunities for carrying on mercantile
i pursuits in the city.
I Among the early settlers may be mentioned
I the W'ilhitcs, who were probably among the first, James Taylor, relative of Colonel Richard Tay- Ijir, who came in 1799, and settled near the present town of Worthington upon a tract of a thousand acres or more of land. He was early identified with the political history of the county, and was clerk of the county court. He had a brother who served in the Revolutionary war. He was the grandfather of Dr. N. Barbour, of Louisville, and was a native of Virginia.
Thomas and Richard Barbour were early set- tlers here, locating on large tracts of land just above Harrod's creek. Richard Barbour was among tlic first magistrates of the precinct, and held the office for a long time. Thomas Bar- bour, his brother, and father to Dr. Barbour, was an early representative of this county in the Leg- islature. He married Mary Taylor, a cousin of Zachary Taylor, and raised a large family, Dr. Barbour being the only living representative of the family at this time. He built a large flour- ing mill (to which was attached a saw-mill) about the year iSoS-09, and later on one was built lower down by Glover. These mills were greatly advantageous to the county, furnishing a ready market for the grain, which would be ground and then shipped to New Orleans. Mr. Barbour died in 1820. Fie had two sons, Thomas and James, who were in the War of 181 2. The Barbour mill was run until about the year 1835, when it went down.
Andrew Mars and his cousm Andrew Steel were early settlers also, locating on lands oppo- site Twelve-mile island.
F)r. William Adams was the first resident physician of the precinct. He, as was the cus-
I torn in those times, obtained a general experi- ence, mostly by the practice of medicine. He, however, attended lectures in the Transylvania college, but never graduated. His advent to the place was about the year 1S25. Ten years afterwards Dr. N. Barbour practiced the medical [)rofession there, and continued the practice un- til in 1872, when he removed to Louisville, where he has an extensive practice. Dr. Bar- IJour is a graduate of the Ohio Medical college, Cincinnati, receiving his degree of M. D. from that institution in 1S35. He afterwards took a
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
43
course of lectures in medicine in I'liiladclphia.
CHURCHES.
The subject of religion eaily engrossed the attention of the people of this part of the county, but no building 'or regular society was organized until about^the year 1820.
The Taylors and Barbours were Episcopalians but the I'resbylerians erected a biick church this year, and they connected themselves with that organization.
Dr. Blackburn, of Tennessee, a scholarly gen- tleman, was one of the first pastors of this society. Some of the names of the corporate members are here appended — Andrew ALirs, Thomas Barbour, Robert and Edwin Woodfolk, John D. Lock, and some of the Williitcs. The building as erected remained until about the year 1850, when owing to its crumbled condition it was replaced by another. The Rev. Dr. McCowan, a learned and an excellent gentleman, preached here some eight years.
The church is not as strong in its membership as it was at^^one time, but is still in existence, the Revs. Thomas Christler and Alexander Dorson being the pastors at the present time.
The colored people organized a society known as the Grcencastle church in 1875; J. Wilhite officiating at that time. The building \sas erected at a cost of one thousand dollars, and the society has a membership at this time of one hundred and nine. They are known as the Mission Baptists. Rev. E. J. Anderson is the present pastor.
The town of Harrods Creek was laid off quite early, and divided up into small lots. It was formerly known as the Seminary land. It, how- ever, was never built up and remains to-day only a few straggling houses.
Harrods Creek Ferry was formerly an import- ant wharf; this was in the palmy days of Middle- town and when Louisville was deemed an un- healthy village. Goods were shipped and landed at this harbor until, probably, about the year 18 10, when the metropolis of the county was moved to the Falls of the Ohio river, and the principal trade went there.
Harrods creek and Big Goose creek are the principal streams of this precinct. They each furnish an abundance of water the year round, and near their mouths run close together and parallel for a mile or so. Harrods creek stream
emp<ties into the Ohio river ten miles above Louisx'iUe, and where it is ab'nit forty rods wide. .'Vhout a fourth of a mile from its mouth it dips at an angle of about seven degrees, giving it an appearance of falls. It has been stated that this creek, like many others in the State, has subter- ranean passages, through which a part of its waters flow without crossing the falls.
Goose Creek waters formerly turned a grist- mill for Mr. Allison, and still farther down a saw-mill that was run for many years, but there has been no mill on this stream for full thirty years. The old grist-mill, after it was abandoned, was used for a time as a school-house.
DIOGRAPHIC..\L NOTES.
Abraham Blankenbaker was born July 13, 1796, in Mercer county, Kentucky, where he lived till he was live years of age, when he went to Shelby county in company with his parents and resided there till 1822. He went to Louis- ville and lived there till 1853. He then moved to Harrods Creek, where his family now reside. Mr. Blankenbaker died March 22, 1871. He was married to Miss Anna Close, of Oldham county, Kentucky, June 16, 1833. This union was blessed with five children, though only one survives. Mr. Blankenbaker was an exemplary man and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.
Jesse Chrisler, one of the well known residents of Jefferson county, was born April 9, 1799, in Madison county, Viiginia, and lived there till he was five or six years of age, when he came to Kentucky with his parents. He lived in Louis- ville about twenty-five years and was engaged in the grocery and banking business in the mean- time; he then went to Harrods Creek, where we now find him most pleasantly situated. He was married December 12, 1S3S, to Miss Mary L. Cleland, of Mercer county, Kentucky. They have had seven children, five of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Chrisler are members of the Pres- byterian church. Mr. Chrisler is a well known and respected citizen.
John T. Bate was born December 30, 1809, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, and has ever re- sided near his old home. He has followed fanning as an cccupation the greater part of his life, though he was engaged in manufacturing several years. His farm contains five hundred acres of excellent land. Mr. Bate was married
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HIS'i'ORV OF TME OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
December 25, 1S34, to Miss I'-llenor A. Lorke, of Oldham county, Kentucky. They have had two children, Octavius L. anil Clarence. Octa- vius is dereaM.'d. Mrs. Late died about forly- one years ago. Mr. Late has been magistrate twenty years and is highly estc:erned by all of his fellow citizens.
James Trigg was born November 17, 1S16, in Oldham connty, Kentucky, and resi'ded there till 1849, when he went to soutlicrn Kentucky, where he was cirgaged in farnnng till 1S63, when he came to Jefferson county, where we now find him most beautifully situated on a farm of ninety-five acres. Mr. Trigg was married A[)ril 17, 1S49, to Miss Mary W. Harshaw, of Oldham county. They have had three children, two of whom are living. Mrs. Trigg died in 1873. Mr. Trigg is a member of the Christian church.
Alexander L. Duerson was born August 9, 1825, in Oldham county, Kentucky, and le- mained there until 1S56, when he moved to Jef- ferson county, where he now resides upon a farm of two hundred and eighty fi\e acres. Mr. Duer- son was married m 1S55 to Miss Mary A. Lyle, of Natc:hez, Mississippi. They liave had four children. Mr. and Mrs. Duerson aie members of the PresbUerian church, as is, also, their daughter. Mr. Dutrson is deacon of the church at Harrods Creek, and is a most worthy man.
F. S. Barbour was born August 27, 1843, '" Jefferson county, Kentucky. He has always re- sided upon the homestead farm, which contains two hundred and sixty-five acres of excellent land, part of which is on Diamond island, in the Ohio river. Mr. Larboiir was quarried December 31, 1867, to Miss Annie S. Cleland, of Loyle coun- ty, Kentucky. They have had four children, three of whom are living. ^L'. and ^L•s. Bar- bour are members of tlie Presbyterian church.
T. J. Barbour, a brother cf F. S. Barbour, was born March 25, 1S42, in Jefferson county, and still resides at the old homestead. He has long been an invalid, being trouljled with the spinal disease. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
William Barrickman was born February 24, 1824, in Oldham county, Kentucky, where he resided until h.e was twent\ one years of age, when he wetU to Jeflerson coutiiyand li\ed there three years. He afterwards lesided in different counties of the State until 1S77, when he mo\ed
I to Harrods Creek. Mr. Barrickman was mar-
j ried in 1870 to Miss Bettie Carpenter, of BuL
loek county, a daughter of Judge Carpenter.
They have had five children, four of whom are
living. Mr. Piarrickman has a farm in comj^any
] with Judge DeFLaven, which contains four him-
dred acres of excellent land. He is engaged in
stock-raising, chiefly, and is considered a success-
\ ful farmer. .
i Cilenviev.- stock farm, one of the largest in the ! count)', is situated six miles from Louis\ille, and I is a large and beautiful place. Mr. J. C. Mc- Ferren, the j>resent owner, bought the place about thirteen years ago. He does an extensive business, and is widely known. His farm con- tains eight hundred and eighty-five acres. He keeps from one himdred and fifty to two hundred head of trotting horses. His stock is among the most Celebrated i:i the country. Mr. .McFerren has one of the most beautiful residences in this county. His farm, with the stock now upon it, is worth at least three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Mr. McFerran is a native of Barren county, Kentucky.
SPRLNC GARDEN PRECINCT.
This precinct was formerly called Spring Grove. It lies adjacent to Louisvilleand incon- sequence its history is mostly blended with the history of that city.
The noted, well known George Rogers Clarke was a large land holder near the once beautiful springs of this place. So were the Churchills, PhillipLes, Ballards, Stamfords, and others so prominently connected with the history of the county and State. General George Rogers Clarke, of Albemhrle county, \'irginia, came to the county in 1775; was a captain in Danmore's army, and was offered a commission at'terwards by the British autliorities, but had the interest of the struggling colonies too much at heart to be- tray his countr). He came to Kentucky to bring about a satisfactory connection between the two States. His history will be found in another portion of the work. He was never married.
Hon. Elisha D. Staniford, M. D., was a native of this poition of the county. His father also was a nati\e of Kentucky, and his mother was of Irish descent. Dr. Staniforil was born
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO I'ALI.S COUKTIRS.
45
December 31, 1831. He studied medicine under Dr. J. IJ. T'lint, and graduated in the Ken- tucky Schocil of Medicine; was fcr years jjresi- dent of the Red River Iron works, of the I.ouis- viile Car Wheel rouipan)-, of the Farmers and Drovers' bank, president of tlie Saving and Trust company, and held other very important positions. lie was also at one time member of the Senate, and wai? also a member of the House of Representatives.
The Churchills, of l^oiiisville, were also resi- dents of this precinct. The family is a large one and formerly constituted one of the most prominent ones in ^'irginia, extending back s(jme two hundred years. William Churchill, being a church warden, by his last will, made in 171 1, left a sum of money, the interest of which was to be used for the encouragement of the ministry, to preach against the raging vices of the times. Samuel C. Churchill came to the precinct when eight years of age, in 17S4. His father, Armstead Churchill, married Eliza- beth Blackwell and settled in Spring Garden, on a large tract of land. His st/n, Samuel C, father of S. R., married Abby Oldham, only daughter of Colonel \\'illiam Oldham. Colonel Oldiiam was a Resolutionaiy soldier, and was in command of a Kentucky regiment when St. Clair was defeated in 1791. Samuel C. Church- ill w'as a large and extensive farmer, and devoted himself solely to his farm. S. R. Churchill was born in this precinct in 1S12; was educated at the St. Joseph's college, Borgetown, Kentucky; went to St. Fouis and edited the Si. Fouis Riille- lin for many years; was Representative to the Missouri Fegislature in 1S40; delegate to the Charleston convention in 1S60. He returned to Kentucky in 1863, and was elected to the State Fegislature from Jefferson county. In 1S67 he became Secretary of State under Governor Helm, and continued in office under Go\ernor Stevenson. His brother, Thomas J. Churchill, was a captain in the Mexican war, a niaj<jr-gen- eral in the Confederate army, and at"ter the war Governor of Arkansas.
Spring Garden precinct, being contiguous to the city, gives the citizens the ad\antages of school and church— there being no church buildings in this [)ortion of the ixainty. The land is of good quality ard the agricultural in- terests well eveloped. p
SIHVEFY FRECINCT.
Among the early settlers of this precinct should be mentioned the name of Colonel V\'il- liam Pope, who was one of the early settlers of the State. He arrived at the falls of the Ohio river in 1779, ''^''^J) I'l^^ other adventurers, with his young family occupied the fort at the entrance to the canal. He was a native of Farquier county, Virginia, the son of William Pope, of Virginia ancestry, whose wife was Miss ' Netherton, and by whom lie had three sons, of whom William was also one of the pioneers of the new State, and lived to a great age, dying in 1S25. Colonel ^^'illiam Pope married Penelope Edwards, and his four sons became distinguished men. John was at one time Governor of the Territory of Arkansas and also a member of Con- gress. William Pope, the second son of the pioneer, was a wealthy farmer in this vicinity, a man of splendid business talents and great in- dustry, and amassed considerable fortune. He married Cynthia Sturgus, who was the mother of r\lrs. Ann Anderson, the wife of Farz, son of Colonel Richard C. Anderson, of Revolutionary tame. Her only son was Richard C. Anderson, named in honor of her grandfather. The de- scendants of the Pope tamilies are numerous, and were many of them quite prominent men.
Major Abner Field was a very early settler in this portion of the State, and was one of the first representatives in the Virginia House of Bur- gesses. He mairied a daughter of Colonel Wil- liam Pope. His first son. Dr. Natlianiel Field, is a prominent jihyaician of Jefiersonville, Indi- ana.
Christian William Shiveley, was also a very prominent and early settler of this precinct, and in honor of whom the precinct was named." Fie built his mill about the year iSio. He settled on a large tract of land, then a wilderness.
There were many other pr(jaiinent citizens in this precinct of whom may be mentioned the Kissiger family, Fulton Gatewood, Squire Thornburry, a magistrate; Matthew Fove, John Jones, who kept the tan-yard for many years; Amos Goodwin, Leonard Gatewood, school teacher; the Town- sly's, and others.
The salt works in this precinct were (juite im- portant in an early da\-. People come for salt at that time hum a hiiiKlrcd miles distant. Joe
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO PALLS COUNTIES.
Brooks, John Speed, and D. Staiiiford operated here a long tinie. Jones' tan-yard, built about the year 1807, was near the salt works,' and the •old Shiveley tavern, on Salt River run, was the stopping place for the traveler— the stone meet- ing-house, built about the year 1820, stands on the Salt River road, and was used by all de- nominations.
In an early day religion and dancing occupied much attention. The earthquake that occurred in iSii seems to have jarred the religious feel- ings of the community considetably. Everybody then imagined the world was surely coming to an end and joined the church, but the ne.\t winter tlie fiddle and not the preacher held sway, and the heel and toe kept time to the music almost constantly. The earthquake was severe arid pro- duced'considerable commotion.
J O H N STO \^■ N I^ R EC I N CT.
is the same in character and quality of land and surface of the country as the other prccincts south of Louisville, being marshy and filled with ponds. This was specially true in an early day before any draining was done.
While these ponds were not tillable, they fur- nished the opportunity of much amusement to the young men who loved sport, and as they were filled with ducks, these places were of fre- quent resort. On one occasion, however, they were the cause of furnishing a bit of Indian histoT}'.
Among the earliest settlers of this portion of the county was the Lynn family, and on one occasion the young men left home for a season of sport, and visited the ponds as usual for game. Not taking any precaution against the Indians, they v.ete captured by a roving band of savages and carried over into Indiana. The forced visit made in company with the dusky warriors was not altogether to their liking. But, making the best of their imprisonment, they feigned such friendship for their red brothiers, and so much liking to a roving life, that in the course of a few months they succeeded in gaining the entire confidence of tiieir caiitors, and on one occasion, when left with the squaws while the warriors were hunting, took French leave, and came home.
OILMAN'S PRECINCT.
This precinct lies just east of the city of Louisville, and embraces some of the richest and most fertile lands in the county, and it may be truly remarked, some of the finest in the great State of Kentucky.
It has natural boundary lines on its south, east and north sides in the streams of Bear Grass and Big Goose creeks. The former of these streams skirts the whole of its southern and southeastern sides, and the latter its northeastern boundary. The precinct of Harrod's Creek lies just to its north. The Louisville S^ Cincinnati railroad runs through the entire length of this division, having stations every mile or so apart, giving the citi- zens an opportunity of living in their beautiful homes in the country and of carrying on busi- ness in the city. Trains run so frequently, both in the morning and evening, that a large portion of these people are professional or business men whose business is in the city. A ride over the road through this precinct shows a grandeur and magnificence of country life rarely beheld. Large, elegant and costly edifices may be seen on every side. Here are also large, valuable farms under the highest state of cultivation. The Magnolia stock farm established by A. G. Herr in 1864, is ])robabIy as fine a farm as can be found in the State. It was so named by George D. Prentice as early as 1841, from the number of magnolias that grew upon it. It was not established as a fancy stock farm until as above stated, when Mr. Hcrr began raising the finest thoroughbred stock, for which this farm has made a reputation throughout the States and Canada.
The Eden stock farm, under the proprietor- ship of Mr. L. L. Dorsey, has likewise attained for itself a reputation not unenviable.
The roads leading to various places in this precinct are in a better condition and more direct than in some of the precincts of the county. The Lyndon and Goose Creek turn- pike road, put through in 1S73, and the one lead- ing from Louisville give the people good high- ways, and with the railroad, excellent opportuni- ties for reaching Louisville.
The remoteness of settlement renders it im- possible to give dates of the original patents of lands taken in this section of the county, but it
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
47
is known the attention of emigrants to the county was attiarted to tliis section as soon as else- where.
The BiiUitts, Taylors, Bateses, Ilerrs, Breckcn- ridges, Chamberses, and a host of olhcis, since familiar names to every household, settled here in an early day, opened up the wilderness, raised large families, and have long since deiiarted. The record left by these pioneers is mostly of a traditionary character. A\'e aim to give but the •reliable facts.
The Indians were troublesome to a degree, and the whites were under the necessity of build- ing stations and block-houses to defend them- selves against their attacks. Abbott's station was one of these points, built in an early day. It was afterwards owned by Mr. Hcrr, who purchased the property of Abbott's widow. Of the massacres which took place here we have but little that is reliable. The Indians would, however, cross the river from Indiana, steal horses, and sometimes make depreda- tions upon the whites. They, on one of these raids, barbarously massacred a white wom- an and cut off her breasts. This event took place on A. G. Herr's place. There is also on this farm in a charcoal pit a place where the In- dians made their arrow-heads of flint. Where this stone was obtained by them is not known, as there are no flint quarries known in the county, and probably none this side of Canada.
Of the early settlers who came to this section of the county John Herr was among the first. He was a yourg man of no means, and came with Mr. Jacob Rudy. His possessions were in Continental scrip, $60,000 of which, when sold brought him but the paltry sum of $14. Mr. Herr finally amassed a considerable fortune, owning before he died about one thousand acres of land. He married Miss Susan Rudy and had lived, at the time of his death in 1842, to the advanced age of eighty two years.
Colonel Richard Taylor, father of Zachary Taylor, was an old settler in this precinct. His distinguished son lies buried near the old place, with a suitable monument to mark his last resting place. Colonel l\nylor served through the Revo- lutionary war. He came iVom Virginia and set- tled on a large plantation in 17S5, and here it was that Zachary Taylor spent twenty-four years of his life. His brother Hancock, who had a lieu-
tenancy in the United States army, died in 1808, and the vacant commission was assigned him. He was made captain m iSio, and served at Foit Harrison, and for gallantry was i)ronioted to major. He served in the I'lack Hawk war in 1832, and in 1S36 in the Florida war, where he was promoted to general, and in 1840 was made chief in command of all the forces in the South- west, and soon aftei took command of all forces in the Mexican war. He was nominated by the Whig National convention, assembled in Phila- delphia in 1848, as a candidate for the Presi- dency of the United State.s, and took his seat iSIarch 5, 1849, and died next year (see biogra- phy). One of the descendants of Colonel Rich- ard 'J'aylor, bearing the same name, is a real estate broker in Louisville.
Colonel Stejihen Onnsby, one of the first judges of the county court, settled upon a large tract of land.
Major Martin, a farmer, was an old settler. He had a brother who married a sister of A\". C. Bullitt.
l)a\id L. AVard was an extensive suit trader, making trijis to New Oilcans. He at one time owned one of the first water mills on Goose creek. This property was erected by Mr. Leaven Law- rence, and run by him for some years, being the first used; and with its coming a new era was marked in the advance made over the old fash- ioned hand or horse mill. It was situated on (joose creek, north of Lyndon station. After Ward purchased it he failed.
Alex. P. P.alston owned one on Bear Grass at an early day, and sold it in 1S04 to Colonel Geiger. These mills received custom for many miles around.
Edward Dorsey was an old settler. He, how- ever, did not come to the precinct before 1812. He purchased a large tract of land near O'Ban- non station. He was a native of >Laryl:'.nd.
Colonel Richard Anderson, father of Richard C. Anderson, Jr., was a distinguished citizen who settled here at an early period., He was a mem- ber of Congress, serving with honor to his con- stituency and credit to himself for a number of year-^, and was ar'Lfr\vards honored by a position as Minister to one of the South American States. He was niarried to a Miss Ciroathcny, and his only child, now dead, married Jolm T. Gray. Colonel Anderson settled on the Shelbyvilie pike.
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HISTORY 01' THE OHIO I'AIJ.S C0U\'I'I1':S.
William Chanihcrs will be rcmenibcred, iiot only as an early settlor of tins portion, of the cpunty, but on arc ouni of I'.is wealtli. Me mar- ried a Miss Horsey, and afterwards, in eorijunc- tion with (leneral (^'liristv, iHirehiised a large quantity of land near where tlie central jjortion of St. Louis rity is now. '1 he iiu rease in \ alue of his land made hini immensely wealthy, and upon his death he left propeily to the value of a million of dollars to his (.>nly d.mghler, Mrs. Mary Tyler.
Norborn \i. Ikalle, one of the wealthy eiti/ens of the pioneer days, was a large land holder, owning probably a thousand acres of land. He li\'ed in grand stjle; owned a fine, large, resi- dence. He was the father of three children.
Of the early settlers who left numerous descend- ants is Mr. James S. ISates, a ver)- worthy man, and a good, influential citizen. He was an exceedingly large man, weighing tour hundred pounds. He also owned a large tract of lattd, a great man)' slaves, and raised a large tainilv of children, who left many descendants now living. He was a dealer in real estate, and sometimes made very hazardous ventures.
PHVSICIAN'S.
There have not been manv ijrofessional men in the precinct, owing to the contiguity of the place to ].,ouis\il!e. People in an early day would, however, sometimes need a doctor, and to supply the demand Dr. Ciualt settled among them and plied his calling. He was their first physician, and remained some time.
No record has been kept of the magistracy of Oilman, but we have in tradition the services of one man, John Hcrr, Jr., who filled this of'tice for a period of forty years. He was born No- vember 20, iSo6, and died in iSo^. He was a quiet, unobtrusive man in hi- manner, but influential and a very succesiful man in se\eral respect.s. In 185.^ he was selc ted by his dis- trict to represent them in the I.egisliiure, and ac- quitted himself with credit. He held various positions of trust, and owned the fine larm now the property of .\. G. Herr, the noted slock. dealer. He was the son ot John ILrr. Sr., lie- fore mentioned, and one «>f f. »',ir brother^ who lived to an honored, useful old age.
Alferd, the youngest brother of ilii^ I'.imily, is the only one living. He i^ a man of some con- siderable intlueiice and ot jir^i.^erty.
' There are others who figured rjuite extensively in the history -of this precinct- the BuUitts, lireckinrulges, Ihowns, Colonel \Villiam Cro- ghan, father of Major John Oroghan, the hero ot
i the War of 181 2, and others.
' ClI'JRfH.
One, if not the first, of the c-riginal organiza- tions of a religious character in the ntecinct, ! " . .
I was a Baptist society, on IJear Grass. This
i society had its place of meeting first in Two Mile j 'i\)wn — it being encouraged in that precinct by ; Mr. George Hikes, ' whcD settled there about : 1790 94. One of the first pastors was Rev. Mr. Walker. The congregation was made up [ of the ciliztns, not only of their own j^recinct I but of Jeffersontown, Oilman, and other places. In the course of time the question of close I communion was one which gave the organization
some trouble and caused its entire overthrow. i The first building was a stone structure, erect- ; ed about the year 1 79S 99, on the north bank ' of Bear Grass. Rev. Ben .-\llen was also one of I the divines who ministered to the people spirit- ually in an early day.
The membership, however, became numerous and the questions arising concerning communion made a sjilit, a jiortion of the church going to Jeffersontown and a portion to Newburg, but the old church still retains the name of the Bear Grass church and remains on the original site.
BEAR GR.-\SS.
This stream of water, so frequently mentioned previously, is a considerable one, named to retain the original idea of wealth represente^d by the lands and surrounding country through which it flows. It has a number of good mill sites, and furnishes an abundance of water ten months in the year, and supiilies water for a number of grist-mills, and one paper-mill. It rises from eight different springs, and like other streams in the State sometimes disappears for a quarter of a mile or so and then emerges. Near the city it runs parallel with the Ohio for a distance of about half a mile, and enters the river at Louis- ville.
At the mouth of the creek is one of the best h.irbors on the Ohio, perfectly safe and com- modious for vessels of five hundred tons burthen. During seasons of the year when the waters are the most depressed there can be found here water twelve feet deep.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
49
Albert G. Htir was born in this county and has always lived here. His father, John Herr, was born here, and his grandfather, also named John, was one of the first settlers. Mr. Herr is the proprietor of the Magnolia stock farm, so named by the poet Prentice forty years ago. His stock and farm are widely celebrated. The farm contains two hundred and six acre.s. ]\Ir. Herr's residence is most beaulifnl, and his gar- den is filled with a great variety of choice ex- otics. Mr. Herr does an extensive b'jsiness breeding Jersey cattle, trotting horses, Berkshire hogs, and Silesian Merino sheep.
Dr. H. N. Lewis was born at St, Matthews in 1856. His lather, Dr. John Lewis, practised in this county thirty years and v.'as eminently suc- cessful. He died in 187S, and liis son succeeds him in his practice. Dr. Lewis was educated at the Louisville high school, and graduated in medicine from the Louisville .Medical college, also from the Hospital Medical college. He now does a good business, and is looked upon as a rising young physician. He is a gentleman in every sense of word and richly deserves success. Benjamin Lawrence came to this county from Maryland, in very early times, and settled on , what is now L. L. Dorsey's Eden Stock farm. He was an excellent farmer and a prosperous business man. His sons, Samuel and Leben — the former the grandfather of Theodore Brown, now residing here — were upright and worthy men, highly successful in business. Samuel Lawrence was the father of Benjamin and Ellas Lawrence, who were among the jirosperous mer- ■ chants and most esteemed citizens of Louisville. Urath G. Lawrence, their sister, became the wife of James Brown, the father of Theodore and Arthur Brown. She was a lady widely known and beloved for her hospitality, benevolence, and high moral integrity, None but good words were ever spoken of her.
James Brown came from eastern Maryland about the year 1800. He was a clerk in the salt works of David L. Ward, at Mann's Lick, Bul- litt county. He afterwards bought land on Bear Grass creek, and became one of the richest men of the county. At one time he owned nineteen hundred acres in the county. He was a man of good judgment, of the strictest integrity and honesty, and was noted for his benevolence and public spirit. His modest demeanor and manli-
ness won for him hosts of devoted friends. He died in 1S53, aged seventy-three years. Theo- dore Brown was born in 1S21, and lives on what was once a part of the old farm. He has two hundred and fifty acres of land and a pleasant and beautiful home. He has been for forty years a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. Arthur Brown, his brother, and the youngest of. the three surviving members of his father's f.imily, was born in 1834. He married Miss Matilda Gait, daughter of Dr. N. A. Gait, who was the son of Dr. William C. Gait, who came from Virginia to Louisville in very early limes. Mr. Brown has six children — J. Lawrence, Alex- ander G., Arthur A,, William G., Harry L., and Matilda G. Mr. Brown is now serving his sec- ond term as magistrate. He is engaged in farm- ing. Mr. Brown is a member of the Episcopal church.
John C. Rudy was born in this county in 1S22. His father, Daniel Rudy, was one of the early settlers here, Louisv ille being but a sniall village when he came. Daniel Rudy died in 1850, aged seventy-five, and his wife, Mary (Shibely) Rudy, in 1852, at the age of sixty-five. Mr. ]. C. Rudy lived upon the old faiin until recently. Rudy chapel was named for his father, and built chielly by his means. Mr. Rudy is a good farmer, and owns two hundred acres of land. He held the office of magistrate eight or ten years. He is a member of the Methodist church. He married Miss Priscilla Herr in 1852. They have four children living^Ardell, George F., James S., and Taylor.
Mrs. Ann Arterburn, widow of the late Norbon Arterburn, was born in this county. She was the daughter of John Herr, an old resident here. Her husband was also a' native of this county. They were married in 1840, and had eight chil- dren— Orphelia, Bettie, Emma, William C, Edward, xAnna, Clifton, and an infant son. Orphelia, Bettie, Edward, and Clifton are now- living. Mr. Aiterburn died April 9, 1878, aged sixty-five. Mrs. Arterburn still resides upon the place where she was born. Her sister, Mrs. Emily Oldham, widow of the late John Oldham, lives with her.
Joseph Raymond was born in county Sligo, Ireland, Augu>t 5, 1S04. In 1S31 he came to Quebec, and soon afterward to Kentucky. He settled in Louib\ille and engaged in gardening.
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his present business. Mr. Raymond was mar- ried in 1835 to Miss Margaret iJrisbach, a na- tive of Philadelphia. They have had four chil- dren— Mary Ann, who died when tlirec months old; Jacob ]>., died in. his twenty-third year; George Frederick, resides in this precinct; Thomas P. lives with his father. Mr. Raymond is a member of the Methodist church, and of tlie order of Odd ]''ellows.
James Hanison, the oldest man living in this county having Louisville for a birthplace, was the son of Major John Harrison, who came to this county in 17S5. Major Flarrison was mar- ried at Cave IliUin 17S7 to ^L^^y Ann Johnston. They had five children — Sophia J. (marrietl Robert A. New), Benjamin I., Colonel Charles L., Dr. John P., and James. James is the only survivor. James Harrison was born May i, 1799, and has always lived in this county. He has been engaged in the practice of law in Louisville since 1S42, and stands high in his profession.
George F. Raymond was born m Jefferson county, December 4, 1840. He received a good common school education, and was brought up a farmer. He was married in 1S62 to Miss Eliza McCarrell, of Washington county, Kentuckv. They had eight children, five of whom are liv- ing— Margaret, Mary (deceased), Carrie, Jluth (deceased), George (deceased), Joseph, James, and William. Mr. Raymond has served as mag- istrate fourteen years.
Captain William C. Williams was born in Louisville, April 4, 1S02. His father was a Welshman, who came to this country in 1788. Captain Williams followed farming the most of his life. He furnished capital for several busi- ness enterprises, but took no active part himself. His residence is an elegant mansion a few miles out of town. He was one of the wealthiest citi- zens of the county. He owned twenty-si.x houses in Louisville, including some fine business blocks. He was elected a captain of militia in 1823-24. For fifty years he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Religiously he was con- nected with the Christian church. He married Miss Hannah Han.ilton May 27, 1857. They had sixteen children, tour of whom were: David M., John H., Mrs. Fannie W. Fenley, and Mrs. Mary E. Tyler. Captain Williams died in his seventy-ninth year, September 13, iSSo, widely
known and everywhere respected throughout this section.
I. 1'. Dorscy, son of L. L. Dorsey, Sr , is a leading firmer and respected citizen. Edward Dorsey, father of L. L., came here from Mary- land about the year 1800. L. L. Dorsey, Sr., had three sons, but the subject of this sketch only, lived to grow up. Mr. I. B. Dorsey has a farm of two hundred and tv;enty acres, and is engaged in raising grain. The land taken up by his great-grandfather has been held by represen- tatives of the Dorsey family since the time of the first comer of that name. Mr. Dorsey was married in i860 to Miss Sarah Herndon. Their children are: Susan, Mary, Amanda, Lewie, Sally, Rhodes, George, and Eveline. Mr. Dorsey is a member of the Christian church.
O'BANNON PRECINCT.
O'Bannon (originally Williamson) precinct, was established in 1813-14, the first magistrates being E. M. Stone and Miner W. O'Bannon. J. M. Hampton and Miner W. O'Bannon are the magistrates at the present time.
Bushrod O'Balmon, deceased, and Miner O'Bannon, now lesident of the place, were the sons of Ishani O'Bannon, a native of Virginia, who was born in 1767, and came here in 1816, first set- tling in Shelby county. In 1830 he settled his estate upon his seven children, three daughters and four sons; one daughter now being eighty- one years old, and the average age of the four children now living being seventy-five years.
J. B. O'Bannon owned here an extensive tract of four hundred acres ot land, which he im- proved. He was the first president of the P^arm- ers' and Drovers' bank, president of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance company, and owned consid- erable stock in the railroad, was director in the Louisville City bank, and was the founder of the Methodist Episcopal church in this place, which has, however, gone down since his death, owing to the members of the church dying off and moving away. It was first called O'Ban- non's chapel, but against his wish, and was an OLit'irowth of the Salem church. It was a neat
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51
structure, built in 1869, under the Rev. Mr. Hen- derson's apjiointment to this place. Mr. J. B. 'O'Eannon died in 1S69.
M. W. O'Eannon was bOrn in Virginia in 1810. He was the son of Isham O'Eannon, who moved to Shelby county, Kentucky, in 18 16; thence to Jefl'erson county in 1831, where he resided until his death in 1845. ^^'"- ^^- ^^- O'Eannon was a merchant of Shelbyville from iS34'to 1S3S. In 1840 he went to Marshall, Saline county, Mis- souri, where he resided until 1863, farming and practicing law. During the unpleasantness con- sequent upon the outbreak of the war, Mr. O'Eannon was obliged to leave Missouri. He re- turned to this county, where he has since resided, a prominent and respected citizen. Hehas been thrice married. In 1835 he married Miss Jane Richardson, of Lafayette county, Kentucky. She died in 1838, leaving two daughters, one since de- ceased— Mary Adelaide, who died in 1S47 in the twelfth year of her age ; Jane Richardson, botn in 1838, is the wife of J. R.. Berryman, Marshall, Missouri. His second wife was Miss Julia Ear- nett, of Lafayette county, Missouri. She died in 1843, having borne one son, who died in infancy. In 1847 he married Mrs. Elizabeth (Harrison) Payne, formerly from Woodford county, Ken- tucky, but at that time residing in Missouri. Mr. O'Eannon has held the office of justice of the peace six years.
John Williamson was an early settler of this precinct, owning at one time a couple of thousand acres of land, also a distillery on Floyd's fork. He raised his own corn for distillery use. He was an active, large-hearted, and clever man. His daughter by his first wife married Bushrod O'Eannon. His second wife was the widow of Ed Dorsey, and from this union owned all his lands except four hundred acres.
In this precinct is the old Chenoweth spring house, built by Mr. Chenoweth as early as the summer of 1782. It is near Williamson's station, and on the farm now owned by John Williamson, and was built for a fort and as a refuge for the Chenoweth family in case of an attack from the Indians. The house was made of unhewn stone, packed in mortar made simply of lime, water and gravel. The cement thus made one hundred years ago appears as durable to-day as it was when the house was erected, and the stone, so nicely and evenly laid, presents a
surface as perpendicular and smooth on both the in- and outsides as most stone houses built in tlicn ineteenth century, and so solidly are the walls built it is not improbable it will stand yet one hundred years longer before the crumbling process begins.
THE CHENOWETH MASS.\CRE. •
Richard Ciienoweth first built Fort Nelson, which bankrupted him. He was disappointed in the Government refusing assistance in this mat- ter, and came here in 1782, after the F'loyd's Fork massacre, and built for hmiself this fort, and just above it the cabin where he lived with his family. At that time there were no out set- tlements except Lynns, Bear Grass, Harrods creek, and Boone's stations. The family con- sisted of himself, his wife Peggy, who was a g) brave woman — and who was a McCarthy before marriage — Thomas, James, Alexander, Millie, and Naomi, the last named being at that time about tv.'o years old. He had also some few persons constantly about them as guards, and at this time Rose and Bayless were with the family.
About dusk one evening in midsummer, while this little family were talking over the past at " their evening meal, they were suddenly surprised by sixteen Indians, belongmg to the tribe of the Shawnees, suddenly opening the door and rushing in. Rose, being nearest the entrance- way, jumped behind the door as soon as it was swung open, and in the dreadful excitement . which followed passed out undiscovered and effected an escape. Bayless was not killed out- right and was buriied at the stake at the spring house, just a few feet distant. The old man was wounded and his daughter Millie toma- hawked in the arm, but they escaped to the fort. The old man, however, survived and lived many years, but was afterwards killed .by the falling of a log at a house-raising. James, a little fellow, was, with his brothers Eli and Thomas, killed at the wood-pile. The daughter Millie afterwards married a man named Nash. Naomi, the little girl, crept to the spring house and took refuge, child like, under the table. An Indian after- wards came in and placed a fire brand on it, but it only burned through the leaf. In the morning a party of whites were reconnoitenng and sup-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
posed tlie Chcnoweth family all killed, and upon approaching the scene discovered the littie girl, who stood in the doorway, and told them upon coming up that they were all killed. The mother was scalped and at that time was not known to bo alive, bat slie survived the tragedy many years and did much execution after that with her trusty rifle. Her head got well but was always bare after that.
John Williamson, Jr., owner of the property upon which the Chcnoweth Spring-house fort now stands, was born m 1796, and still lives at this advanced age, having a mind and memory clear as crystal. His father, John Williamson, came with his father, John Williamson, from Virginia, and settled at the Lynn station in 17S1. During the massacre of that year the Indians at- tacked the fort, killed the grandfather, Mr. Wil- liamson's oldest uncle, and made captive his father, who was taken that night to Middletown, where he saw the scalps of his father and oldest brother stretched over a hoop to dry, and knew for the first time of their murder. His legs and feet being sore, the Indians made leggings of deer skins and tied them on with hickory bark. He was then ten years old and remained with the Indians in alL four yeais before he made his escape. He was adopted into the Ttcumseh family, the father of that noted chief being the Shawnee chief of that part^- and the one who adopted him. He was taken to Chillicotlie, and there granted his liberty on condition that he could run the gauntlet. A fair chance was given him, and he would have succeeded had it not been for a log at the end of the race that pre- vented his mounting it successfully, and he was struck by a war-club. He was next taken by two Indians and washed in the nver. This was for the singular purpose of wasliing all the while; blood out of liim. It was done by two Indians who alternately dipjed and ducked him until breath and hope were gone, and he was then pronounced Indian and trained in their hunting grounds and by their cimp fires. He attcmi)ted several times to make his es- cape, but falling in his purpose would return. He was finally purchased of tiie Indians for twenty-four gallons of whiskey. .After his return to Louisville he fought the Indians for seven years ; was in Wayne's army and the battle of the river Raisin, where he was again captured,
taken to Detroit, and burned at the stake. His daughter Elizabeth married Major Bland Ballard, an old Indian fighter and uncle of Judge Ballard, of Louisville. The second daughter married a Mr. Smith, who also participated in the Indian wais. Ruth, who afterwards married a jVIr. Hall, was quite young at the time of the massa- cre. George and Moses were born after that time. Jaines was thirteen years old when mur- dered, and John ten years old when captured, and liis son, John Williamson, is now in the eighty-seventh year of his age, and although mar- ried the second time has no children.
PROFESSOR M'GOWN'S SCHOOL.
Dr. McGown, deceased, was a prominent man in O'Bannon precinct. He was born in 1805, was the youngest child of his father and the mainstay of his widowed mother. He was a circuit-rider and preached for a number of years. He finally established a school here in 1S60, put up large buildings and carried it on quite successfully until his death, which occurred in 1S76.
BOSTON PRECINCT.
This part of the county is ever memorable in the Long Run Indian massacre which preceded the terrible defeat sustained by General Floyd, who the day after with thirty-four of his men attempted the burial of the victims of the massacre. And also will this precinct not for- get the lamentable disaster which occurred just one hundred years thereafter, lacking eight days, in the giving way of the bridge over Floyd's fork, sending a loaded train of cars twenty feet into the terrible abyss below, killing eight per- sons outright and dangerously wounding many more, many of whom were of the most promi- nent representatives of this precinct. Floyd's defeat occurred September 17, 17S1. The names of those who fell are not known, nor is there much that is definite. The facts given were furnished by Colonel G. T. Wilcox, a prominent citizen of northern Middletown pre- cinct, who is a descendant of 'Squire Boone, being his grandson, and gleaned some facts rela- tive to the terrible tragedy from Isaiah Boone, his uncle, and son of 'Squire Boone.
He was at Floyd's defeat. His father had
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
ented in the name of Sarah Boone by her father, four, miles north of Shelbyville.
The Wilcox family had a paternal parentage in George \\"ilcox, a Welshman, who emigrated to North Carolina in 1740. He married Eli/.a- beth Hale, and by her had six children — George, David, John, Isaac, Eliz, and Nancy, who came to Kentucky in 17S4. George, Jr., married Elizabeth Pinchback; David married Sarah Boone, sister to Daniel Boone; and John mar- . ried Sarah Boone, daughter of 'Squire Boone, and motlier of G. T. Wilcox.
\,. [ A WRECK.
The second lamentable disaster whicli filled the minds of these citizens with dismay and horror occurred on the Sth of July, 1881, at Floyd's Fork railroad bridge. The passenger trains on the road running between Shelby- ville and Louisville were unusually crowded, it being at the time of the exposition in the last named city. The train returning to Shelbyville was late, owing to some unaccountable delay, and was running with more than ordinary speed. It reached the bridge crossing Floyd's fork about 8 o'clock in the evening. A cow was standing on the track just in front of the bridge, but before she could be whistled off the engine struck her, knocking her off and killing her instantly. The shock threw the engine off the track, and, being close to the bridge, struck the corner of that structure in such a way as to demolish it. The train was still running at a high speed, all this happening in less time than il takes to write it. The bridge v;ent crashing down into the water a distance of twenty feet or more. The engine, from the impetus given by its weight and rapid motion, leaped full twenty feet from where it first struck the bridge, bringing the tender, baggage car, and passenger coach down with it in a mingled mass of timber, its load of human freight, and all. Heavy timbers from the bridge fell on every side and on the crumbled mass of coaches, that now resembled a pile of kindling wood. The terrible crash made by the falling of this train was heard for miles around, and instinct- ively the citizens surmised the ditticulty and immediately set out for the scene of the disas- ter. Telegrams were immediately dt^ixatclied to Louisville and Shelbyville for assistance, and it was not long before help gathered in from every
quarter, and the wotk of removing the ruins be- gan. The heavy timbers had first to be removed before some bodies could be recovered, and the night was well nigh s|)ent ere all were secured. Some were crushed immediately to death, others injured, and some only fastened in by the heavy weights over them, and strange to say some were not in the least hurt, save receiving a jar, incident to the occasion. Unfortunately this number was small.
The names of those killed are given below: Phelim Neil, of Shelbyville, president of the road; William H. Maddox, city marshal of Shelbyville; Robert Jones, shoemaker, of Shelby- ville, and the father of a large family; Walker Scearce, of Shelbyville, a young man very suc- cessful in business, whose death was much regretted; llumbolt Alford, a resident of Boston and a fine young lawyer of Louisville; James Hardin, a resident of Boston and a highly re- spected citizen; a Mr. Perry, of Louisville, a boarder in the family of George Hall, near Bos- ton; and a gentleman from California, name not known.
Among those not hurt was a small girl named Mary Little, who sat near a gentleman who was killed. She made her way out unscathed save in the loss of her clothing, which was greatly damaged by the water and considerably torn, presenting herself before her mother's door with- out a hat, and in a somewhat sorry plight. Mr. George Petrie, the conductor, was badly hurt at the time. There were about forty passengers in all, and but few escaped death or injury.
The officials of the railroad were prom[)t in rendeiing aid to the unfortunate ones, paying off all claims against thein for the loss the sad mis- hap had occasioned, though the misfortune was not due in the least to any mismanagement of theirs.
Boston is a small place of only some ten fam- ilies. The precinct was formerly a part of Fisherville. Esquire Noah Hobbes has been one of its magistrates, serving in that capacity for sixeen' years. His associate is William Raglin. His son J. ¥. Hobbes was school commissioner six years.
, The old Baptist church on Long run is one of the oldest churches west of Lexington. This so- ciety was organized during the pioneer times.
Rev. Flenson Hobbes, a Virginian by birth,
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
55
and a good ninn, officiated here as minister and died in 1822 or 23. He had four sons all preachers. He was among the. first settlers on the ground. The old church building was a frame. The one now in use i.s of biick and was built full thirty years ago.
The Methodist Epicopal church was built but four years ago.
The following may be mentioned as among the early preachers of Boston precinct: Revs. .Sturgeon, Hulsey, Joel Hulsey, John Dale, and Matt Powers, who has been i)reaching now in the Baptist church for twenty years. Rev. John Whittaker was among the early preachers, being hete during the time of the massacre.
BIOGR.VPHIC.AI, NOTES.
John L. Gregg was born in Sliclby county, July 7, 1838. His father, Wiiliam Gregg, was one of the early pioneers of Kentucky. Mr. Gregg has a farm of four hundred and eighty acres of excellent land. He is engaged in general farming. He was married Se])tember 15, 1859, to Miss Susan Hope, of Shelby county. They have seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg are irrem- bers of the Baptist church. He is a Free Mason.
John T. Little was born November 26, 1832, in Jefferson county, and has always resided in the State with the exception of six years in John- son county, Indiana. His grandfather, Joseph Keller, a native of Virginia, was an early pioneer, and the old stone house in which he lived is still standing, and a crevice made by an earthquake in 1810 or 181 2, is yet quite noticeable. His father, John Little, was born in Maryland, about forty miles from Baltimore. In 1S66 Mr. Little, the subject of this sketch, went to Louisville, where he was engaged in the grocery business and as manufacturer of plug tobacco about ten years, then moved to Boston precinct where he is still in business. Mr. Little was married in i866 to Miss Eliza Cochran, of Louisville. They have two children.
A. G. Beckley was born in Shelby county in 1810, and resided here until 1S55, when he came to Jefferson county and settled in Boston [)recinct on a farm of two hundred and fifty acres of excel- lent land. His father, Henry Beckley, was a native of Maryland, and cam-j to Kentucky in an early day. He was married December 18, 1S32, to
Miss Jane Boone ^Vilcox, of Shelby county. Daniel Boone, the "old Kentucky [)ioneer,'' was a • great-uncle of Mrs. Beckley. She was his nearest relative in Kentucky at the time of his burial. Mr. and Mrs. Ikckley have had six chil- dren, three of whom are living: Sarah A., John IL, George W., Rasmus G., Edwin C, William R. Sarah, John, and Edwin are deceased. George was captain in the First Kentucky regi- ment. Mr. and Mrs.' Ikckky are members of the Baptist church.
Noah Hobbs was born in Jefferson county, August 12, 181 8. His father, James Hobbs, was a native of Shelby county. Mr. Hobbs, the subject of this sketch, worked at the -carpenter trade till he was about forty years of age. He came upon the farm, where we now find him, twenty-four years ago. He was mairied in 1840 to Miss Elizabeth Frazier, of Shelby county. They have had three children, only one of whom is living: Alonzo, Horatio C, and James F. Alonzo and Horatio are dead. James F. is a Free Mason, and was school commissioner six years. Mr. Hobbs has served as magistrate sixteen years.
A J. Sturgeon was born in this county in 1S41. His father, S. G. Sturgeon, an old resident, was born here in iSii. Seven of his children are now living, viz : Sareld.i, wife of R. T. Proctor, of this county; A. J. Sturgeon; Melvina, wife of David Cooper, Shelby county; Robert S.; Flor- ence, wife of George Cochran, of this county; Simpson, and Katie. A. J. Sturgeon married Miss Sue D. Elder, of this county, in iS6'6. They have six children: Maudie, Eugene, Adah, Nellie, Edward, and Lois. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sturgeon are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Sturgeon also belongs to the Masons and Knights of Hon6r. He has been deputy assessor three years.
VALLEY PRECINCT.
George W. .Ashby was born in Spencer county, I Kentucky, in the year 1S21. In 1855, or when i in his thirty-fifth year, he came to Jefferson \ county and located in Valley precinct near Val- I ley Station on the Cecelia branch of the Louis- 1 vilie & Nashville lailroad. In the year 1857 he was married to Miss Eliza J. Kennedy, of Jeffer-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
son comity. She died in 1S75, leavini; besides her husband a family of tlirce children. The father of George Ashby was Mr. Beady Ashby, who came to Kentucky when a boy.
William L. Hardin was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, in the year 1829. He has been thrice married : in 1S54 to Miss Elizabeth Philipps, a daughter of Mr. Jacob Philipps of Jefferson county; in 1S60 to Mrs. Swindler; ill 1875 to Miss Mollie Finley, of Louisville. They have a family of four children. The first representative of the Hardm family who settled in the county was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Mr. Jacob Haidin, who came to the Falls of the Ohio seventy or seventy-five years ago. The father of William L. Hardin, Benjamin Hardin, was born in Jefferson county. Mr. Hardin lived the early part of his life in Louisville, where he worked at his trade, that of a plasterer, since which time he lias lived on his farm near Valley Station.
Mansfield G. Kendall was born in Lower Pond settlement, near where Valley Station now ■ stands, Septernber 9, 1815. In 1S47 lie was married to Miss lOliza Jones, a daughter of Cap- tian Henry Jones, of Jefferson county. The result of this marriage was a family of five boys, two of whom are still living. Henry J., who lives on the old homestead, follows the mercantile busi- ness. The other, Lewis, is a farmer. Mr. Kendall followed the business of a wMgon-maker, until his retirement a few years since. His father's name was Raleigh Kendall, who settled in Lower Pond many years previous to the birth of the subject of this sketch, when there were only four or five families in that region. Mr. Henry Kendall married Miss Margaret M. Lowe, of Springfield. Lewis married .Miss Frederica Trinlere, of New Albany.
Lynds Dodge was born in the State of New York in the year 1S29. When yet a young man he came to Jefferson county, Kentucky, and contracted for the building of the first ten miles out from Louisville of the Louisville & Nashville railroad. He has followed contracting, with the exception of a short time spent on the river. He married Gabrella Walker, of Jefferson county. They have ciglit children. Warren Dodge is well known as the merchant and postmaster at Valley Station.
Frederick Rohr, Esq., was born in Baden,
Germany, in the year 1S28. In 1S52 he came to Kentucky. He was married to Miss Mar- garet J. Smith, who died in 187S, leaving a family of two daughters. 'Squire Rohr is one of the foremost men in the neighborhood in which he lives, and is well deserving the good name he bears.
Henry Maybaum vwas born in Prussia in the year 1833. His father, Charles Maybaum, emi- grated to America in 1834. He first settled in Ohio, where he remained until 1847. In that year he removed to Louisville, where for a num- ber of years he followed tanning. He died in Upper Pond, in 1863. Henry was married in 1S62 to Miss Mary Toops, of Indiana. She died in 1S64, leaving one daughter, Emma. He was again married in 1S66 to Miss Sarah A. Hollis, by whom he has two children. He is in the general mercantile business at Orel, on the Cecelia branch of the Louisville & Nashville railroad.
Elias R. Withers was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, in the year iSii. In 183S he moved to Louisville, where for thirty-seven years he lived, acting as a steamboat pilot between that city and New Orleans. At the close of that time, or in 1855, he bought the farm which he still owns and on which he resides near Orel. He was married in 1S3S to Miss M. J. Davis, of Louisville. They have six children, five of whom are living.
Alanson Moorman was born near Lynchburg, Virginia, in the year 1803. Lie is the youngest of eight children of Jesse Moorrnan, who came from Virginia to Kentucky in 1S07, and settled in Meade county. In 1827 Mr. Moorman was married to Miss Rachel W. Stith. They have ten children living. Since coming to this county he has been engaged principally in farming his large estate on the Ohio river near Orel. Mr. Moorman is widely known as a man of ability and strict integrity.
Mrs. Mary C. Aydelott is the widow of George K. Aydelotr. He was born at Cory don, In- diana, October 24, 1S20. In the fall of 1843 he moved to Kentucky and located in Meade county, where he followed farming until the year 1864. In that year he bought the farm which is still the residence of his family, on the Ohio, twelve miles below Louisville. On the 23d day of November, 1843, he was mariied to Miss
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Mary C. -McCord, of Strasburgh, Shenandoah ! county, Virginia. Mr. .\ydelott died December 3, iSSo, leaving a faniily of three .sons and one daughter. The eldest, Robert H., is a member of the firm u( McCoid, Boomer & Co., of Louis- ville. The second, (leorge W., has been five years connected with the hat trade in New Albany, but is now running the liome farm. The others are at home. i
George Alsop was the first of the Alsop family in Kentucky. At an early day he came from Virginia, bringing with him a family consisting of his wife and several children. Lie, however, left one son, Henry, in Virginia. He there married Miss Mary Jones, and in the year 1S28 followed his father to the Uesl. They had five children, three sons and two daughters, one of whom, Gilford Dudley, went to Louisville in 1831, to learn the cabinet business, he then being four- teen years of age. He was married in 1S42 to Miss Nancy H. Moore, a granddaughter of CoL onel James Moore. They have six children living, all but one married. Mrs. Alsop died in 1876, in her si.xtieth year.
The first representative of the Lewis fiimily in Kentucky was Mr. Thomas Lewis, who came from Virginia at a very early day, bringing with him his family, consisting of two sons and one daughter. The sons were Henry and James, who lived and died on their farms in Lower Pond settlement. Henry married a Miss Myrtle, of Virginia. He died in 1836, his wife following some years later. They left si.x children, four of whom are still living. One of these is Mr. Thomas Lewis, who was born in 1809; was mar- ried, in 1837, to Miss Margaret Morris, of Eliza- bethtown, Kentucky; she died in 1S67, leaving beside her husband a family of seven children, six of whom are still living; four are citizens of Jeflferson county, one in Florida, and one in Vir- ginia.
Edmund Bolien Randolph was born in Jeffer- san county in 1837. He was married in 1872, to Mrs. Elizabeth Anderson, of Jefferson county. She is the daughter of Mr. John Griffith. 'Squire Randolph is the son of Mr. William Randolph, who settled in Jefferson county about the begin- ning of the present century, and who was one of the county's most prominent early time men. He was a pensioner of the War of 181 2, and was one of "Mad" Anthony Wayne's soldiers.
He was killed by being thrown from a buggy in 1859, at the advanced age of ninety three years. Anthony Miller is the seventh of ten children of Robert Miller, who came to Jefferson county in about the year 1800. Anthony Miller was born February 5, 1816. He served, when a youth, an a[jprentiteship at the plasterer's trade, and has since worked at it considerably during the greater part of his life. In connection with this he has farmed, and has lived on his farm in Valley precinct for the last thirty-five years. On the 4th of July, 1842, he was married to Ellen Camp, a native of Louisville. He is the father of nine children, five of whom are living — Cas- sandra, Myra, Anthony, Weeden, and Will.
WOODS PRECINCT.
John Harrison, Esq., was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, in 1809. When he was about eleven years of age his father, William Harrison, moved to Jefferson county, where he lived until his death, which occurred about thirty years ago. 'Squire Harrison was married September 4, 1S34, to Miss Mary Ann Kendall, a daughter of Raleigh Kendall, of Lower Pond. They have six children living, all married. He was for nine years a justice of the peace, having been elected to the office four times. Has also been assessor of Jefferson county for sixteen years and has held many offices in the gift of the people.
Captain Eli P. Farmer was born in Monon- galia county. West Virginia, in 1819. In 1823 his father came to Kentucky and located in Jef- ferson county. He was, however, a Kentuckian by birth, being born near Lexington, in 1791, and was one of the pioneers of the State. He was married to Miss Sarah Price, of Virginia, by whom he had six children. Two are still living ; one is in Te.xas ; the other, the subject of this sketch. Captain Farmer, was married in 1845 to Miss Sarah A. Gerking, of Jefferson county; by whom he has eight children, four of whom are married. He was an officer in the Thirty-fourth Kentucky infantry, and served about one year in the First cavalry.
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CROSS ROADS.
Thomas Milton Beeler, Esq., was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, in 1833. His father was John C. Beeler, vsho came with his father, Charles Beeler, to Mann's Licks at a very early day, supposed to have been somewhere in the nineties. 'I'he grandson and subject of this sketch was married in 1S55 to Miss ^L'lrgarct A. Standiford, a daughter of 'Squire David Standi- ford, who was one of the earliest settlers of ■Jefferson county, and for a long time a magistrate. Squire Beeler has been blessed with a family of ■nine children — all now living. He has filled the magistrate's office for six years.
The first representative of the McCawky family in Kentucky was James McCawley, who came to Jefferson county from Virginia, when it was still included in the State of Virginia. From an ac- count of provisions purchased for the use of the fort at Harrodsburg from December 16, 1777, to October 18, 1778, we find that he was living in that neighborhood at the time. From there he came to Jefferson county. In after years he went back East, and returned, bringing with him the first wooden wagon ever seen in this region. His cabin was located on the place now owned by his grandson, Dr. B. F. McCawley, near the little creek which still bears his name. He was frequently attacked by the Indians, and at one time lost a valuable horse by their cornering the animal between the chimney and the side of his cabin. He fired at them, with what effect he never knew. Colonel William McCawley, son of James McCawley, was born on McCawley's creek in 1807, and was a lieutenant colonel, and afterwards colonel of Kentucky State militia. He was a farmer by occupation. His wife was Miss'Hench, of a Virginia family, who died in 1838. Colonel McCawley died of cholera at his home, in July, 1850. They left two sons and two daughters, the oldest ot whom, Colonel George W. McCawley, was killed while leading the seventh charge of the brigade he was com- manding, against Hooker's corps at Peach Tree creek. The second, Benjamin F. McCawley, was born at the McCawley homestead in 1837. In 1858 he graduated at the Kentucky School of Medicine, since which time he has lived on the old homestead, practicing his profession. He was married in 1865 to Miss Teresa Schnetz, of Kansas. They have five children.
John Terry was born in Virginia in 1810. In 1811 his father, Joseph Terry, emigrated to Kentucky, settling on McCawley's creek, in Jef- ferson county. He was married in 1830 to Miss Margaret McCawley, daughter of Joshua Mc- Cawley, of the same county. She died in 1865, leaving seven children, all of whom are married; the youngest of whom, Taylor Terry, married Miss AnnieE. McCawley, and now lives on the home place.
Mrs. Elizabeth Young is the widow' of Mr. Theodore W. Young, who was born in Lexington in 1818. ^Vhen he was a young man he came to Louisville. He was a tanner by trade and began the tanning business on Penns)lvaniarun,in Jeffer- son county. This he followed up to the time of his marriage to Miss Pendergrass in 1831. He then settled on the old Pendergrass farm, where he lived until the time of his death, in 1S75. Mrs. Young is the daughter of Mr. Jesse Pender- grass, and granddaughter of Colonel James F. Moore, of Salt Licks fame. Her brother, Com- modore Pendergrass, died while in command of the navy yard at Philadelphia during the Rebel- lion. Her grandfather, Garrett Pendergrass, was killed by Indians at Harrodsburg when on his way to Louisville in the year 1777. Mr. and Mrs. Young were blessed with a family of nine children, four of whom are married and citizens of Jefferson county and the city of Louisville.
Mr. Alexander Heatley was born in Scotland in 1806. In the year 1837 he emigrated to Louisville, where he lived for a short time, after which he acted as overseer for Mr. Cocke, near the city. He was married in 1836 to Miss Jenette Cockburn, of Dundee, Scotland. Mrs. Heatley died in 187 1, leaving three chil- dren, two daughters and one son. The latter is dead. One daughter is at home, the other, Mrs. Mitchell, in Mississippi. Mr. Heatley now lives on his farm-on the Shepardsville pike, south of the city of Louisville.
Mrs. Martha Farman was born in Madison county, Kentucky, in the year 1840. She is the daughter of Mr. James Logsdon, who came to Jefferson county in 1850, and made it his home up to the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1875. Hi.s wife. Matilda, followed him about tour years later. Mrs. P'arman is the wife of Mr. F. L. Farman. They have a family of four children: Matilda, Emma, Ella, and Annie.
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59
Ann Eliza Brooks is the only daughter of Isaac and Catharine Brooks. Mr.'Brooks was born in Pennsylvania in 1798, and came with his father to Bullitt county, Kentucky, when but a boy. He was married in 1823 to Miss Catharine Fry, then in her eighteenth year. Mr. Brooks died of consumption in 1844, Mrs. Brooks surviving him thirty-five years. They left, besides the subject of this sketch, two sons, the eldest of whom, Shepard W., is a citizen of Bullitt county; the other, James B., lives in Kansas.
Mr. Edmund G. Minor was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, March 7, 1827. He is a son of Major Spence Alinor, a soldier of 1812, who came to Kentucky with his father from Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1797. Llis mother was Miss Mary Guthrie, a daughter of General Adam Guthrie, who was a soldier against the Indians, and came to Louisville at a very early day. Mr. Minor has been twice married — in 1851 to Miss Sarah Stone, and in 1S54 to Miss Mary Wagley, who was born October 13, 1S33. She is the daughter of George and Eliza Wagley, of Frank- fort. They have seven children. Mr. Minor's business is that of a farmer, although he was marshal of the chancery court in 18S0, and has been deputy since 1S75.
Mrs. Susan G. Heafer is the widow of Mr. George W. Heafer, who was born in .Abottstown, Pennsylvania, in 1791. In 1812 he emigrated to Kentucky, stopping at Louisville, where he lived until 1829. In. 1823 he removed to his farm near Newburg post-office, where he lived until the time of his death, which occurred in July, 1877. He was married in 1827 to Miss Susan G. Shiveley, a daughter of one of Jeffer- son county's earliest settlers — Philip Shiveley. They had two children, one son and one daugh- ter. The son, George R. C. Heafer, was mar- ried to Miss Julia Jones, of Jefferson county. Both he and his wife are dead, leaving a family of three children. The daughter is Mrs. Joseph Hite, of the same county, and has nine children. Mrs Heater is now in her seventy-third year and still lives on the old homestead.
Mr. William K. Cotton was born in Indiana in 1805. In 1826 he came to Kentuckv, first liv- ing in Spencer county, where he re.iiained until his removal to Louisville in 1S53. In 1S60 he bought the JohnSeabolt farm on Fern creek, nine miles from the city. He was married in 1828
to Miss Lydia McGee, a daughter of Patrick McGee, of Spencer county. They had two chil- dren, a son. Dr. J. P., and a daughter, Trajetta, wife of Mr. Lyman Parks, who died in 1880. Mr. Cotton died in 1878; his wife in 1879. Dr. James P. Cotton was born in Jeffer- son county, Kentucky, in 1S29. He graduated at the Louisville university in the class of 1853 and 1S154. He practiced his profession until he arrived at his thirtieth year, since which time he has been engaged upon his estate in fruit farming on a large scale.
The first member of the Hawes family who settled here was Mr. Peter Hawes, who was born in Maryland, and came to Jeflcrson county, Kentucky, at a very early day, settling on Floyd's fork. His son, Benjamin, was born in 1793 and died in 1869. Benjamin left a family of eight children — -Isagic W., James, Benjamin, Jessie R., Peter, Harrison, and Mrs. Kyser.
Mrs. Mary A. Johnson is the widow of Mr. William M. Johnson, who was born in Scott county, Kentucky, in 1S18, and died in 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were married in 1842, her maiden name being Seabolt. They were blessed with a family of si.x children, all of whom are married.
Mr. William P. Welch was born on Pennsyl- vania run, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, August 7, 1797. His father, Andrew Welch, emigrated to that settlement about one hundred years ago. He hpd married, before leaving Pennsylvania, Miss Eleanor Patterson. He left a family of eight children, of which William is the only sur- viving member. William was married, in 1848, to Mrs. Elizabeth J. Cunningham, a daughter of Mr. F21ijah Applegate, of Jefferson county. They have had one child, Eliza Eleanor, who married Thomas B. Craig, and died in July, 1880. Mr. Welch remembers early incidents very well, and well remembers being in Louisville before there were any pavements in the city.
The first representative of the Robb family in Kentucky was Mr. James Robb, who came to Mud Creek, Jefferson county, from Penn- sylvania. He was originally from Kentucky. He left eleven children, all of whom settled in Indiana excepting Henry, who spent most of his eventt'ul life of eighty-three years in Jefferson county, Kentucky. He was born in Pennsyl- vania in 177S, and was twice married. His first
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wife was xMiss Elizabeth Standiford, by whom he had one cliild. After her death, and in the year 1846, he was married to Mrs. IvLaria Montgomery, a daughter of Mr. William Pierson, of Jefferson county. By this marriage he had two sons, Henry D., and James P. Mr. Robb's younger days were spent in the salt business, he being formany years superintendent of the lamous Brook's Salt Works. The elder son, Henry D., was married in 1871 to Miss Joetta Brooks, daughter ofS. M. Brooks, .of Bullitt county. They have three children :Vir- gie R., Edith Pearl and Henry D. Although so young a man, Hon. Henry Robb has represent- ed the people of his district in the Legislature and filled many ofiices with honor to himself and to those he represented. He is one of the rising men, with the greater part of his threescore years and ten yet before him.
General Biographies.
B. S. ALDERSON.
B. S. Alderson, one of the successful farmers of the county, was born near Richmond, Virginia, April 3, 18 1 5. When he was about a year old a colony of his relatives, including his father, John A. Alderson, moved to Maury county, Tennes- see. When sixteen he went to Natchez, Missis- sippi, where for about eight years he was operat- ing in stocks, trading and bartering with who- ever would sell or buy. He ne.xt went to New Orleaos and took a one-third interest in a pro- duce house in that city, and became the agent ot the house on the road.
In 1848 he came to Louisville, where he man- aged the Hotel de Rein as proprietor for a period of five years. A tornado swept him out, and about thirty-one years ago he purchased the West \Vood farm, where he has since resided.
February 4, 1S43, he married Nancy Seebolt, a daughter of George S. Seebolt, an old resident of the county, who was born about 1787, in Montgomery county, on the 25th of December of that year. He was a prominent man among the Indians. His father, George S. Seebolt,
moved upon the waters of Chenoweth run. He ' had been in -Louisville six years previous to this, I w"ith his family, and entered a large tract ! of land, commonly known as the Phelps tract, ! but durit:g his absence other parties came in and ' settled upon it. It not being in the mind of I Mr. Seebolt to remove them he hunted up other I waters near Jeffersontown, as the main object in I that day was to get near some permanent stream } of water. Mr. Alderson is llie father of seven children, of whom four are living. Mr.' Alder- son's farm consists of two hundred acres of good land, about two miles west of Jeffersontown, and is under a very high state of cultivation, as is shown by the cleanly condition of fences, rows, and fields, as well as the good repair in which the buildings are kept. Mr. Alderson has an ab- hotrence of debt, it being a rule with him to discharge his dues to others with exactness.
FRANK S. DRAVO, proprietor of the Diamond Fruit farm, of Jeffer- sontown precinct, is of French descent, but was born in Huntingdon county, Peimsylvania, August 13, 1829. He is the fourth of ten chil- dren of Michael Dravo, also a native of Penn- sylvania, his father being born in France. Mr. Dravo has a good education — receiving first a good primary education, afterwards graduating from Alleghany college, Pennsylvania. Upon leaving school he became associated with his father and brothers in the coal trade at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, under the firm name of Dravo & Sons. In 1856 he came to Louisville, Kentucky, where he had charge of a branch of the coal business of J. T. and F. S. Dravo, which he carried on successfully until i860, when he sold his interest in this enterprise, and became from that time on- extensively engaged in farm- ing. Besides the Diamond Fruit farm he owns several other large tracts of land in the vicinity of his home. He has the largest fruit farm in Jefferson county, consisting of thousands of apple, peach, pear, and other kinds of trees. His grounds pf the manor place are arranged with a view to utility and beauty, and his home is one of the most attractive and handsomely arranged in the county or State.
On February 3, 1S57, he married >Largaret Y.
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Seabolt, the youngest child ot' Jacob Scabolt, a well known resident of the county. ]>y this wife he had two children — A. B. and George M. This wife died February 3, 1878.
On January i, 1880, he married Anna Seabolt, daughter of John Seabolt.
Mr. Dravo is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Jeffersontown, and is a gentleman whose integrity and real worth give him the esteem of all.
: COLONEL NOAH CARTWRIGHT,
of Fern Creek, was born March 14, 1833, in Highland county, Ohio. His father, William .\. Cartwright, was a native of Maryland. He was born in 1792 or 1793, came to Kentucky where he was raised to manhood, then married, and moved to Pike county, Ohio. He was in theWar of 1 81 2, and fought in the battle of the Thames under General Harrison. He was a cousin of Rev. Peter Cartwright, and, like him, devoted his life to the ministry — having during that time built two churches on his own account, and preached the gospel fully sixty years before he died. About the year 1S16 he married Sarah Stilwell, of New Jersey, and by this union had ten children, all dead now but Mary Ann, Peter, Job, Noah, and Elizabeth. Noah, the subject of this sketch, spent his youth on a farm, and when twenty years of age began the profession of teaching. He afterwards attended South Salem academy, but after being there but one year was elected an associate professor by the directors of that institution. After remaining here one year and a half he determined to complete his studies, and according to this purpose en- tered Miami university in 1856, and was put into the junior class. He graduated in the spring of 1858, an honor to hmiself and to the institution, having attained an average in scholar- ship during that time of 99.96, and one of 100 on punctuality, making a general average of 99.98.
After graduating he came to Kentucky, and in i860 became identified as principal of the Ma- sonic Seminary in Columbus. The usual suc- cess heretofore experienced attended him in this enterprise. Teaching had been selected as his chosen profession, and he entered into the work
with his usual energy, embarking with capital to the full extent of his financial ability. Un- fortunately the war broke out soon after this time, and Mr. Cartwright . was obliged to leave his adopted town by order of those who opposed the Union cause, and in so doing lost all his earthly possessions. He was, however,' under the necessity of enteiing the Confederate army, which he did for a time, doing picket duty in the meanwhile. He came to Fern village, in April, 1^61, and immediately went to work and raised a company, and, with Bryant Williams as lieutenant, entered the Union army. Being ordered out of the State when Buckner made his raid, he was first marched to Bowling Green, then to Nashville, to Huntsville, and back on Buell's retreat and was engaged in the battle of Perryville, where twenty-nine of his company were killed and wounded ; he was at the battles of Stone river, Chickamauga, Murfrees- boro, and other places. At Chickamauga he was an officer of the Fourteenth Army corps. At Stone river he was promoted to major, and in July was promoted to the lieutenant colonelcy of the regiment. He also served for a time as inspector of commissary stores, and was also in attendance on court martials for a time. After the battle of Chickamauga he was detailedto take one hundred wagons into the Confederate coun- try and get the same filled with corn. After this hazardous service was performed he resigned his commission and returned home. Colonel Cart- wright had seen hard service in the war. He lost a finger in battle, had the heel of his boot shot off, holes shot in his sleeve, and his rubber can teen badly perforated with bullets, but received no further injury. His health gave way — rheu- matism being the immediate cause of his resig- nation.
After returning home he resumed farming and also teaching, directing his energies in that pro- fession in the school of Jefferson county, and has held the office of county examiner since 1876. In 18S0 he completed the building of his large and elegant residence, a structure beautiful in appearance and designed by himself, and lives with his family in the enjoyment of a comfort- able home.
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62
HISTORY OF THK OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
ELIAS DORSEY.
Elias Doisey, brother of Leaven 'Lawrence Dorsey, was born in NLaryland in 1797; and when a mere youth came with his father to Jefferson county, where the family settled. Mr. Dorsey experienced the many inconveniences of living in a sparsely settled country, but he grew up to manhood, possessing many \aluable traits be- longing to good citizenship, and became not only a thorough business man but very intluen- tial. He was always a Democrat, and in view of his unflinching political qualifications, his friends at one time forced him upon the ticket as a candidate for the State Legislature, against the wishes of himself and of his family. He was defeated by a small plurality, which ended his political career. He was a successful farmer, as the proprietorship of the valuable Eden stock farm would of itself suggest. There were in this one tract of land eight hundred acres, the same afterwards owned by Elias and L. L. Dor- sey, his two sons. Mr. Dorsey was married twice. His first wife, Miss Sallie Booker, was married to him when he was quite young. They reared a family of thirteen children, of whom all grew to maturity save one, who died in youth. The eldest never married and died at the age of twenty-seven. Another son also died when about twenty-five years old, unmarried.
Mr. Dorsey, after the death of Mrs. Sally Dor- sey, his second wife, went to Illinois, then a wil- derness almost, and purchased a large tract of land consisting of twenty thousand acres, where he lived until he died. His body was brought back and placed in the cemetery at Louisville.
Mr. L. L. Dorsey, Jr., his son, no\j living on the Bardstown pike near the city, was born Feb- ruary 17, 1819. About the year 1S45 ^^ "'•^''^ ried Miss Lydia Phillips, and lived until recently on the Eden stock farm. He has lately pur- chased the magnificent house and farm above mentioned, where he will spend the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of a retired life. Mr. L. L. Dorsey, with but a single exception, has been one of the largest stock raisers in the country. He devoted much of his time to this calling both before and smce the late war.
JOHN F. GARR.
John F. Garr, of Cane Run i)recinct, an early settler and prominent citizen of the county, was born February 24, 1S06, in Spottsylvania county, Virginia. He is a descendant of Abraham Garr, of German parentage, who with his brothers John and Andrew emigrated to America and settled on large tracts of land in Spoltsylvania county previous to the time of the Revolutionary war. These brothers in course of time separated, and their descendants are found in most of the States from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They were of marked traits of character, long lived and prolific, and have indelibly impressed their habits of thrift and economy upon each of their succeeding generations. John Garr, son of Abraham and grandfather of John F. Garr, moved to Madison county, Virginia, when a young man, and settled upon a beautiful rolling tract of land on Robinson river, a branch of the Rappahannock near the mountains of the Blue Ridge. He was an early settler of this county, and was the first owner of a corn and hominy mill. He lived prior to the struggle for inde- pendence, and died comparatively a young man, his death being caused by a horse throwing him violently against a tree. He was the father of ' six sons : Lawrence, Abraham, John, Aaron, Felix, and Benjamin; and three daughters — Mrs. Rosa Wayman, Mrs. Peggie House (Mr. Moses House, her husband, was killed in the battle of Tippecanoe), Mrs. Dina Cook, and Mrs. Susan Garr. He purchased land near Danville, Kentucky, where Lawrence and John- settled. Abraham moved to Indiana; Rosa Wayman died in Kenton county, Kentucky, on Sulphur creek ; Benjamin died on Bear Grass near Chenoweth run; Susan also died near Louisville; Aaron, the father of John F. Garr, came to Kentucky in 1835 and settled on a tract of two hundred and twenty acres of land near Anchorage, the same being now owned by Smieon L. Garr, his youngest son. This land was purchased of John Downey. Aaron Garr had three sons : John F., Mark F., deceased, a citizen of California, and S. L. Garr, i.iresident of the board of commissioners of the Central Kentucky Lunatic as)lum.
John F. Garr received his education in a term of twelve months' school under the professor-
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ship of Tacket, who was proprietor and principal of A seminary in Virginia. In 1832 he set out for Jefferson, county, Kentucky, in company with Jacob Oarr, his fatiier's cousin, who married his aunt Susan Oarr, and after a four weeks' ride in a little t\vo-h(>rse wa:;on reached his dc tina- tion, selecting the farm he still owns and on' which he has since that time resided. This land was purchased of a Mr. Morns, who owned some sixteen hundred acres in this immediate vicinity at that time, and was the original of this farm. Mr. Garr found his land covered with timber, beech, walnut and poplar predominat- ing, which had to be cleared off to make ready for the cultivation of the soil. Being of a hardy character and already inured to hardships, he shouldered his axe and its ringing sound was heard until sufficient space of ground was made ready for the plow. Wood at that time was the only fuel used in the stove and fire-place, and it was cut into suitable length tor thatpurpose, hauled to the village and sold at prices then ranging from two to four dollars per cord. Soon after his arrival he earnestly set himself at work to build a house, and one now visit- ing his present large, commodious and sub- stantial habitation would little think it was erected fifty years since. The poplar logs, then so abundant, were shaped and saddled and afterwards the whole structure was neatly weath- erboarjed, giving it the appearance of a large frame house — better than brick, being warmer in winter and more comfortable in summer. The work of cutting this timber, hewing the logs, and fashioning the house, was done by Mr. Garr himself
This house was erected just previous to his marriage, which occurred in the year 1834, his wife t)eing Miss Lucy Yager, daughter of Jesse Yager of Oldham county, a prominent pioneer of Kentucky, and whose native State was Vir- ginia. This marriage has been blest with four children. Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, the oldest, is a resident cf Williamsburg, Indiana. Thomas B., the oldest son, is also married. His wife was Miss Rettie J. Speer, daughter of James Speer, for- merly sheriff of Oldham county, Kentucky. He resides in Louisville. The two youngest, James I'olk and Simeon L., are unmarried. Mr. Garr IS a quiet, unostentatious man, and cares little (or political preferments. He was, however,
sent by voters of his county to the State Legisla- ture, where' he officiated as a member of the lower house during the first sitting of the Legis- lature under the new constitution. Mr. Garr is wholly a domestic man, has been successful in business, is a good citizen and a man whom his church, his neighbors and the citizens generally have reasori to be proud of
The three sons, T; B., J. P., and .S. L. Garr, are very extensively engaged in the manufacture of the Mahogany Navy, a very fine quality of tobacco. They operate under the firm name of the Garr lirothers, 610-616 Hancock street. Their Eagle Tobacco works are extensive, hav- ing a capacity of three thousand pounds per day. They run a force of seventy-five men. Their building is a large three-story brick ; was for- merly owned by Samuel Richardson, who used it as a woolen mill. It was purchased of J. S. ^Mllett by the Garr Brothers in 1872, and by them enlarged to its present size.
S. L. GARR,
President of the Board of Commissioners of Central Kentucky Lunatic Asylum and proprie- tor of the valjable Southern Hope Nurseries, Anchorage, was born in Madison count)-, Vir- ginia, October 5, 1815. His father, Aaron Garr, was a native of Virginia and an extensive farmer. He came with his family to Jefferson county, Kentuck)', in 1835, ^'^<^ "^'^^ '^^ 1844 at seventy- two years of age. He was a plain man, made no ostentatious showing, and lived many years a worthy member of the Baptist church. His oldest son, John F. Gair, a farmer living a short distance east of Louisville, was a member of the State Legislature in 1857. Mark F. Garr, another son, now dead, lived in California.
Mr. S. L. Garr, the subject of this sketch, re- ceived a good education in the common and public schools of his native county, afterwards, completing his course in the University of Bloomington, Indiana.
In 1837 he became united in matrimony to Miss Eliza Yager, daughter of Jesse Yager, an old and prominent settler of Oldham county, Kentucky. By this marriage he became the father of three children, the oldest, Mrs. Laura Virginia Gaines, a resident of Jefferson county;
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAL.LS COUNTIES.
Preslie Neville Garr, ca;)tain ot" a company in the Confederate service, wns a younc; man of more than ordinary nerve and brasery, and was promoted froui the ranks to the captaincy of his company, the position held in 1864, when he was killed; he was leading his command in per- son when making a grand charge on the enemy. The youngest son, William O. JJiitler Garr is also dead.
Mr. Garr was married to his second wife, Miss Eliza R. Farnsley, in 1852. She was the daugh- ter of the well known and extensive farmer, Alexander Farnsley, below Louisville. The issue ot this marriage was one child, Erasmus D. Garr, who died when four years of age.
Mr. Garr has identified himself, in a public spirited way, with the interests of his country- men in politics, by his prominence in matters of public concern, and by his service of seventeen years as chairman of the county Dem- ocratic committee, and by the unflagging interest taken in the Central Kentucky Lunatic Asylum. His superior judgment and good sense have always commended him to positions of honor and responsibility, but with, a feeling akin to a repugnance for office has with but t'cw excep- tions acceded to the wishes of his friends. In 1856 he was nominated by the Democratic party as a candidate for the Kentucky State Legisla- ture, but was defeated. He has been freijuently solicited by the Governor of the State to serve the public inteiest in various capacities, but invari- ably declined. His interest in the promotion of the Central Lunatic asylum will leave him a record m the history of that institution as one of its founders, and for many years during its early existence as its warmest supporter.
In 1870, in connection with Dr. \"allandigham, and R. C. Hudson, was appointed by Governor Leslie to take measures preparatory to the erection of a house of refuge. These three gentlemen took the matter in hand in a business manner, and after visiting various State institu- tions of the kind purchased a plan ot the present building from an architect at Lancaster, Ohio, and erected the main building, one hundred and twenty by sixty feet, superintending the work themselves. In 1S72 it was decided by the State authorities that the house should be changed in its purposes and made an asylum for the insane of this portion of the State, since which time
Mr. Garr has been one of its officers, serving in the capacity of commissioner untiL 1879, ^^'hen the board made him, in honor of his fit- ness and di.5tinguished services, president of the institution.
In the capacity of president of the asylum Mr. Garr serves the interests of the State free of charge, and devotes much of his time at the in- stitution. His presence among the inmates is always a welcome one to them ; he has a kind word and a cheerful manner for them all, and the interest manifested in their welfare, and the frequent generous donations made from his bounty to alleviate their wants, not only endears him to them as their worthy friend and benefac- tor, but entitles him to an everlasting regard on the part of the great State of Kentucky.
Mr. Garr has also been a successful fruit grower, some years before and since the war. His large farm, embracing the Southern Hope nurseries, is well adapted in soil and means of propagation to raise thrifty, healthy and vigorous trees, and his twenty years and more experience in testing fruits, and in their cultivation, and careful attention to business, merits the extensive patronage he receives everywhere. His stock embraces fruit and ornamental trees, small fruits, vines, trees, roses, etc., of the most approved varieties and those most worthy of general culti- vation, and he recommends nothing till he has found it worthy, and is satisfied with its meiits after he has tested in his grounds.
A. G. HERR,
proprietor of the fine, large and valuable Mag- nolia stock farm, is a son of Hon. John Herr, Jr., once a member of the State Legislature, and for forty years a magistrate of his precinct, and grandson of John Herr, one of the most promi- nent of the early settlers of Jefferson county. He was born on the Magnolia stock farm, near Lyndon, December 30, 1840, and although yet but a young man, has been instrumental in effect- ing such changes and making improvements for the public good, that his record of the past indellibly stamps him as a progressive and public spirited citizen of the county. He has spent his whole life on the place he was born, receiving a
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good common school education in his father's district.
After becoming of ngc, and having a voice in those things affecting the public welfare, he turned his attention to the much needed im- provements of highways— a matter that should have received attention many years previous. He first forced the issue upon the people for the opening up of a pike from St. NLitthews east, a distance of three and a half miles. He met with consideiable opposition in regard to this enterprise, but obtained a charter from the State government, and then undertook to build it by taxation, then by subscription, but the burden of the work and outlay rested upon him alone, and after it was finished at a cost of six- teen thousand dollars, he donated the road to the Shelb) ville & Goose Creek Turnpike com- pany, who erected gates, charge toll, and keep it in repair.
During the same year (1S73) he also forced a county road from Lyndon station, through farms to Goose Creek turnpike, thence through farms to Brownsboro pike, thence to the river, a dis- tance of six miles.
As much as the iinprovements on high\^■ays were needed, there was not such disposition to assist Mr. Herr as there probably should have been at the time, and in these matters he was left to carry the work through himself, or let it go by default. He chose to do the former, and to- day is gratefully held in remembrance for per- forming h's duty.
In 1877, he built an elegant Httle structure for a school-house, located it to suit the convenience of his neighbors, and paid the cost — eight hundred dollars — out of his own pocket.
Mr. Herr is best known by the people of the county, and by the fancy stock men of the United States by the Magnolia stock farm he owns.
This farm consists of two hundred and six acres of land of the best quality, and was thus named by George D. Prentice forty years ago, from the quantity of magnolias that grew upon it. Mr. Herr established the farm — upon the basis it is now run, in 1S64, and built the magnifi- cent mansion in 1S77. It is a double house, square in form, two stories and attic, with a hall, eighteen feet in width.
His farm is stocked with thorough breeds from
a horse down to an imported goose. Here may be found the finest display of Jersey cattle, Yorkshire hogs, Silesian Merino sheep, as well as horses for the race track or trotting match, and a magnificent display of poultry.
He has lately sold two cows for fifteen hundred dollars each. He also sold, a short time since, four calves and three cows for the snug sum of thirty-seven hundred and twenty-five dollars, the highest price ever paid west of the Alleghanies.
He frcfjuently attends the St. Louis exhibition of fine stock, and generally carries off rich rewards in the way of medals and prizes.
He used to regard fifty dollars as a good price for a hog, but has since that time paid as high as fifteen hundred dollars for a sow.
In 1879 Mr. Herr was appointed by Governor Blackburn as one of the commissioners of the Central Kentucky Lunatic asylum. This appoint- ment was received after the Governor had made a tour amongst the various institutions of the State, and was convinced that the institution and the interests of the State were being sadly neg- lected, and determined on making a radical change in the board of commissioners, and know- ing A. G. Herr's indefatigable energy as a public- spirited man, and having every reason to believe that this neglect would be immediately obviated- by appointing him as one of the commissioners did so. The wisdom of this appointment we will soon see.
After Mr. Herr received his appointment he inspected the premises and its workings, and discovered that the institution was entirely at the mercy of the Short Line railroad, as to the trans- portation of its freights.
On the one article of coal it was not only pay- ing freight on eighty or ninety thousand bushels of that commodity per year from Louisville to Anchorage, but two and a half cents per bushel to cart it from the latter place to the asylum, a distance of one and a half miles. The former board had made the Short Line railroad a prop- osition to connect the asylum with the road, and the lowest bid was $13,000. This did not suit Mr. Herr, and determining to bring the Short Line to better terms, decided that the institution should do its own hauling, and that he would build two and a half miles of pike, and con- nect the asylum with the Goose Creek pike, making in this way good connection with Louis-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO I'ALl.S COUNTIES.
ville. This was too much for the railroad, and the company decided that they would furnish iron and cross ties 'anci labor to complete the road to the engine-house at the asylum without cost, if the institution \sould do the grading, and say nothing about the $13,000.
This connection not only saves the State $9,000 in completing the road (the grading cost- ing the sum of $4,000), but it is a permanent saving to the State in carting eighty thousand bushels of coal each year, which at two and a half cents per bushel would amount to $2,000 annually.
Mr. Herr was married the' 2d of November, i860, to Miss Mattie E. Guthrie, daughter of James Guthrie, of Henry county, and has had by this marriage four children, two boys and two girls — Ada, Fannie, James Guthrie, and A. G. Herr, Jr.
EDWARD D. HOBBS, engineer, railroad president, and agriculturist, was born in 18 10, in Jefferson county, Kentucky. He was educated mainly in Louisville, his family having removed to that city in 1S20; from 1830 to 1835 he was engaged as city engineer; was the founder of the Louisville Savings institution; es- tablished the first real estate agency m that city; in 1840 removed to his farm, near Anchorage; was elected to the Legislature in 1843, and was twice re-elected; was elected to the State Senate without opposition in 1S47, but resigned before the expiration of the term; was president of the Louisville & Frankfort railroad company from 1855 to 1867, and administered the affairs of that road with great ability, being one of the most successful railroad men in Kentucky.
In 1867 he retired to his farm and has since devoted his attention mainly to agricultural pur- suits, giving much of his time to horticulture and fruitgrowing. Altiiough an invalid for a great part of his life, before he was thirty years of age he had accumulated a considerable fortune.
Religiously he is associated with the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been noted for his integrity of character, his sound judgment and business skill, and is universally beloved and es- teemed as one of the most energetic and valuable men in this part of Kentucky.
Mr. Hobbs was married, December 4, 1S32, to Miss Henning, daughter of Samuel Hcnning, the brother of James \V. Henning, of Louisville. In i'839 he was married to Miss Craig, daughter of John D. C'raig, of Georgetown, Kentucky, and from this marriage has five living children.-
ANDREW HOKE.
One of the oldest living representatives of Jef- fersontown precinct is Andrew Hoke. He was born in this precinct November 17, iSoi, and although in the eighty-first year of hi's age he still continues to make a hand at the plow or in the harvest field. His health and strength are livmg examples to attest the virtue of a life when temperate in all things. His memory is remark- ably good and singularly clear for one of his age. He is a descendant of one Jacob Hcke, who emigrated to the colonies in an early day from Germany. His grandfather, Andrew Hoke, par- ticipated in the battle of Trenton, on that event- ful Christmas day when Washington crossed the Delaware and captured a thousand Hessians — a stroke so bold, an event so important, as to in- delibly impress it on the student of American history. 'He was at Braddock's defeat and surrender, and saw it all. Andrew Hoke and his family came to Kentucky in 1795, in November of that year, and settled, first in a log hut near where Andrew Hoke now lives, and afterwards built a stone house. The log house stood on the old dirt road leading from Louisville to Jeffersontown. The stone house still stands. His grandfather, Andrew Hoke, purchased about four hundred acres of land from Colonel Frede- rick Geiger, and after building his house lived in it until 1800, when he died. He had two sons, Jacob and Peter. Jacob, the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, who married Catherine Kis- singer, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, built the stone house now occupied by William O. Ragland, in 1799. He had three sons — John, now in the eighty-second year of his age, is deaf and dumb. Jacob, the youngest, moved to Indiana in 1S31, and died in 1S66. John, the oldest, is the pic- ture of health, and enjoys life, notwithstanding his affliction. He attended the Danville Institu- tion for the Deaf and Dumb for a period of
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67
three years. He makes his home with his brother Andrew.
Andrew Hol^e has been married four times. His first wife was Miss Juha Susan Funk. They were married tlie 27th of Au<^ust, 1824, and had in all six children. Three only are now living- - Mary, Flenry, and John. The second wife was Elizabeth Venawine, to whom he was married the 5th day of March, 1835. Of this union one child, Edward, is living;. He was married again on the 8th of July, 1S41, to Caroline Hummel, who died on the 2 2d of July the year following. He was married the fourth time to Caroline Ma- tilda Folk, who still lives. Of these children Robert H., Fannie 1.., I-Lmory, and William A. are living. Robert IL and Fannie L. are married. Mr. Hoke built his house in 1S2S. The structure, which was made of brick, is still in very good condition. Mr. Hoke was one of the movers in the Taylorville turnpike road, and is still one of the directors of the company. He has been for a number of years a member of the Presbyterian church, and has shown in the long, eventful life he has lived, the virtue there is in Christianity. He lives within the quiet re- treat of his own home circle, owes no man a dol lar, is in peace with his neighbor, and is ready at the proper time to pass over.
LEAVEN LAWRENCE DORSEV,
one of the oldest living representatives of Oilman precinct, was born in Maryland, December 31. ■1799. His father, Edward Dorsey, came with his family to Jefferson county about the year 18 10, and settled upon a tract of land at O'Ban- non station, where Mr. Dorsey also moved after his marriage with Susan O'Uannon, January 25, 1820. Miss O'Bannon was a native of \'irginia. Her father moved to this State when she was but ten or twelve years old. She is still living, but the infirmities of old age have gradually crept upon her, until now she is an invalid. Mr. Dorsey has been hel[)less during the past eighteen years.
About the year 183S they settled upon a large tract of three or four hundred acres of land, where they reside at the present time, one and a half miles from Lyndon station, and where
Mr. Dorsey erected a large, elegant residence at that time.
Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey have been members of the Methodist church for full three score years. They have always been (juiet citizens, unobtru- sive in their m.anners, caring aught save living hoi)', Christian lives. There are three children li\ing fiom this union - l'>\'eline, Mary, and Bush- rod -all married. The former married Dr. O. W. Bashaw, and lives near Lyndon station, and is now enjoying a retired life. The second daughter is a widow.
Mr. L. B. Dorsey was born January 31, 1S2S, and was marrieti October 25, 1S60, to- Miss Sallie E. Herndon, of Henry county, Kentucky, and from this union has eight children; the eldest daughter, Mrs. Susie Winchester, is the only one married. Mr. Dorsey and family are members of the Christian church. He resides on the old Dorsey homestead.
ALANSON MOOR^L\N, son of I). Moorman, was boin in Campbell county, \'irginia, November iS, 1803, being the youngest child of four sons and four daughters. His father was born in Albemarle county, Vir- ginia, December 15, 1762, and was of B^nglish' descent, and of a name purely Sa.xon in origin, "Moor," signifying the commons or prairies of that country, and "man'' of, or "Moorman," as is given in the highest book of British authority on the derivation of English names. The deriva- tion of most names is from place or occupation. In the Royal Heraldic oftice in London may be found a certified copy of the heraldry of the family. This goes to show that the family was respectable, in what we may term ancient times, there being no heraldic de..';gns or family records of the serfs or lower classes. The Moorman nrotto on their coat of arms is £sse quain ridcri, "To be, not seem to be." The name is spelled in the coat of arms as it is now, viz: Moorman. The descendants of this family are numerous, and are found both in England and .\merica, and without exception a very respectable class. Some are in government affairs, some following professional pursuits, and others agriculture, trade, and commerce. Long before the Revolu- tionary war, to avoid Quaker persecutions, two
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
brothers of this family tniicrrated to Auierica, '
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and settled in one of the southeast counties of |
Virginia. Their descendants emigrated to the I
counties of Albemarle, Campbell, Bedford, and
other counties of the State.
Tliere is a river m AllKuiarle county known as the Moorman river.
The family in \'iiginia is now most numerous in Campbell and Bedford counties, though rnany of the same name live in other counties of the State, and the numerous heads of families now scattered through the Middle, Southern, and Western States, are descendants of the two brothers previously noticed.
D. Moorman, father of Alanson Moorman, was married to Elizabeth Heth, February 15, 1785, and raised from this union a family of eight children. D. Moorman moved to Kentucky from Albemarle county, Virginia, in 1807, and settled on the Ohio river, above Eradenburg, then Hardin county, now Meade, about forty
miles below Louisville, then a comparative wilder- ness. The family was large. Then the country was but sparsely settled, while here and there a roving band of Indians were seen frcquenti)'. The employment then was for years in clearing ui^ the forest that the)' might have corn-meal for bread. Fish were abundant, as was the wild game in the woods.
Upon arriving at manhood Mr. Moorman mar- ried Rachael Steth, daughter of Benjamin and Phoebe Steth, and has raised up seven sons and three daughters.
In 1S61 he sold out his Meade county posses- sions, and settled upon a large tract ot land near \'alley Station. He and his son also own an orange grove in Florida which is now becoming valuable.
Mr. Moorman has been very successful in every undertaking m his life. His sons are now carrying on farming, and he himself has retired from active pursuits of life.
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■GENERAL HISTORY.
CHAPTER I.
GEOLOGY OF CLARKE AND FLOYD COUNTIES. " A C-.K.NKRAL VIKW.
The counties of Clarke and Floyd are dividfd by a line extending from the point of union of Clarke, Washington, Floyd, and Harrison coun- ties, in a southeasterly direction to its intersec- tion with Silver creek, and thence along this stream to its junction with the Ohio river. They are bounded on the north by Jefferson and Scott counties, on the west by Washington and Har- rison, and on the south and east by the Ohio river.
The geological series rejiresented within this territory probably embraces a larger range of strata than is found in any other portion of the State. Beginning with the upper beds of the Cincinnati group of the Lower Silurian, as seen in the northeastern part of Clarke county, it includes all the intermediate formations to the pentremital limestone of the sub-carboniferous at Greenville, in the western portion of Floyd county. The rock strata of this district were originally deposited horizontally, but at present are very much elevated in the northeastern bor- der on the Ohio river. These formations have the appearance of having been built up from the southwest, resting uniformly one upon the other, the lower always reaching farther east than the formation immediately above, thus pre- senting to the geologist, on a grand scale, a wide field for investigation. The outcrop of so many different formations in this field is doubtless owing to the Cincinnati uplift and to the effect of erosion, which has constantly been doing its work in wearing away the strata.
Life abounded in the ancient Silurian sea which
•Abridged from the ;iccounts of Dr. K. T. Cox and Pro- fessor William VV. Rordeti, in the State Geological Reports, with important corrt-clions bv the kindness of M.ajor Vv'. J. Davis, of Louisville.
once covered the territory through which a portion of the Ohio river and some of its affluents now flow, between corn covered hills. The coral reefs of these ancient seas are now seen as limestone beds, covered with the stems and heads, and long, gracefully waving and delicately fringed arms, which belong to forms of a life so old that the most e.\alted imagination of the poet and geologist can have no adequate concep- tion of the lapse of time since they were pos- sessed of life.
DESCRIPTIVF, GLOLOdY IN DETAIL.
The lowest series of rocks exposed in the dis- trict of Clarke and Floyd counties is seen in the northeastern part of the former county. The upper strata of the Cincinnati group here out- crops at the mouth of Begg's run on the Ohio river, on tract No. 77, Illinois Grant, one mile and a half north of Fourteen Mile creek. Begg's run is fed by springs at the summit of the bluff, some three hundred feet above the Ohio river. The stream, by constant abrasion, has worn a narrow and romantic channel through strata after strata to the river. In this locality the rock is a hard, shaly, blue limestone, carrying an abun- dance of characteristic fossils, which are exposed at extreme low water. The following section was obtained immediately below the entrance of this stream into the river :
Corniferous limestone, 12 feet; yellow rock, magnesian limestone, 20 feet; "Grandad" lime- stone, used for building purposes, 4 feet; gray crystalline limestone, Niagara, 14 feet; crinoidal bed, 6 feet; magnesian limestone, 20 feet; blue and yellow clay shale, S feet; stratified magnesian limestone, 75 feet; blue shaly marlite, 100 t'eet; dark blue shaly limestone, Cincinnati group, 20 feet — total, 279 feet.
The up[)er part of this section, from No. 6 up ward, corresponds with the sertion at Utica, in Clarke county, where the rocks are quarried for
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72
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
lime and building purposes. The bluffs arc here capped with cornifcrous limestone.
The outcrop of the Cincinnati group here first exposed is on Canif) creek; fourteen miles farther up the river it is one hundred and eighty feet above the bed of Camp creek, and two hundred and fifty feet above low water in the Ohio. The elevation of the strata from tliat point to Marble Hill, six miles distant, and on the line of Jeffer- son county, will add about fifty feet more to this number. The magnesian limestone, which com- prises the bluffs on the river below the latter point, becomes the surface rock at many places on the bank of Camp creek, and is in detached masses fifteen to twenty feet thick, and liable at any time, as their foundations wear away, to J^e precipitated into the valley below.
The characters of the Madison rocks, which belong to the Cincinnati group as exposed on the bluffs of Camp creek, are a thin, stratified, dark-blue crystalline limestone, with intermediate layers of a lighter-colored, coarse-grained lime- stone. At this point this formation carries an abundance of characteristic fossils. The Marble Hill marble stratum is also recognized here by its fossils, although in a disintegrating state. The beds of the Cincinnati formation are here well exposed. The dip of the strata in this region is to the southwest at the rate of about 22 feet to the mile. In places along the banks of the Ohio river the rocks show in magnificent cliffs, some 200 or 300 feet high.
The Marble Hill stone was formerly much used for building, but has long ceased to be em- ployed for this purpose. The lines of light yeL low in the interstices and between the shells, being composed of a salt of iron, which is oxi- dized on exposure, destroys the value of this stone. The best tests of bmiding stone are mois- ture, atmosphere, freezing, and thawing. Although this stone has not proven to be valuable for out- door work, it is well adapted for inside ornamen- tation, and may be worked into mantels, table- tops, and other useful articles. It takes a good polish and is quite handsome, being filled with fossil spiral shells, which appear in fine contrast with its dark ground.
I
THE CLINTON GROL"P. I
Immediately overlying the rocks of the Cin- j cinnati formation is occasionally found a gray
and yellow stratified sandstone, which probably belongs to the Clinton group of the Ohio and New York geologists. It varies greatly. Some- times it is soft, and at other times hard, and difficult to work. Its thickness averages twenty feet. It occurs at the summit of the ridge at Camp creek, and continues to Marble Hill.
THE NIAG.\RA GROUP.
The rocks belonging to this epoch are so called from their appearance in great force at Niagara Falls. They are consj)icuously displayed in Clarke county along the line of the Ohio river, and occasionally occur in the neighborhood of Charlestown, the county seat. The lowest out- crop of the Niagara is seen at extreme low water on the falls of the Ohio, near the whirlpool on the Indiana side. A characteristic Halysites catettulatus, or chain coral, is here occasionally obtained. These rocks extend in a northeast- erly direction to Utica, on the Ohio river, seven miles above, where they are quarried for the manufacture of lime. Some further notice of them is made in connection with our history of that township. The "yellow rock" here forming the top of the Niagara appears to be a magnesian limestone. At the head of Begg's run it is weath- ered into large, irregularly shaped masses, pre- senting on the bluffs a columnar and castellated appearance, which in some instances resembles the ruins of an ancient temple. One well-poised block, six feet in diameter, is termed "the head of the corner." This, with two other limestones of the Utica quarry, was used in building the great railway bridge at Louisville.
The gray crystalline limestone of this section contains immense numbers of corals, character- istic of the Niagara limestone of the New York geologists; among which the beautiful chain coral, Halysites catenulaius, is quite conspicuous. It presents, wherever exposed on the river, a good face for quarrying. There is usually but little stripping required. The stone is easy ot access, is convenient to the river for transportation, and is extensively used for building purposes. Some numbers of it are sufficiently firm and dur- able to answer the purpose of heavy masonry. The lime burned I'rom this bed and sold under the name of Utica lime, has acquired by long use a high reputation, and wherever known is used in preference to all other brands.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAI.T.S COUNTIES.
73
The upper bed in this section is shaly and un- stable for building purposes, yet when Inirned produces a good article of lime, which is highly esteemed for tlie purpose of purifying coal gas. The crinoidal bed of the Niagara is worked with the other members of the Utica quarry, and in it are found many beautiful fossils of interest to the geologist. The remains of crinoids are abun- dant, yet perfect specimens are rare. Perhaps the most notable species is Caryorcrinus oniatus, as this crinoid is here frequently found in a state of perfect preservation.
A section of the Niagara at Charlestown landing exhibits a greater elevation of the strata on the river than at Sharp's quarry, below the landing, and the elevation gradually increases to the Mound Builder's fort, one mile above, to the ■ mouth of Camp creek, and to Marble hill, in the edge of Jefferson county. There is an outcrop of the gray crystalline limestone on the southwest side of Fourteen Mile creek, near the summit of the hill, and on the road from Charles- town to the Mound Builder's fort, in Tract No. 76, Illinois grant. The fossils characteristic of this rock can here be collected without difficulty, as they are weathered out and lie scattered over the surface. Another exposure may be seen northwest of Charlestown, at Nine-penny branch, opposite Tunnel mill, on the road to New Wash- ington.
CORNIFEROUS LIMESTONE.
This, immediately overlying the beds of the Niagara formation, constitutes in the southwest- ern part of Clarke county, the fails of the Ohio. The beds have here a thickness of twenty-two feet, and extend across the river in a southerly direction, forming a series of rapids, on a direct line of one mile and a half. The river flows over the outcropping edges of the strata and along the dip, which is almost west. These strata belong to the Corniferous and Niagara series. A section at the whirlpool exhibits:
1. Soil and clay.
2. Spirifer greg.iria bed 3ffet>
3. Crinoidal bed. nucleocrinus... 3 feet (.Corniferous 22 feet
4. Gray limestone, full of corals. 4 feet i
5. Black coral bed(?) 12 feet y
6. Gray crystalline limestone ) ^.•
with Hal) sites catenulatus.. 3 feet ( ' S '•
Total 25 feel.
The general color of this limestone here, as in New York, is a dark gray; but disseminated be- tween the layers more or less bitumen is found,
which gives to the surface in such places a darker appearance- It is hence called "black rock" by the quarrymen.
']"he locality of the falls has long been known as the collector's paradise. The rocks are the coral reefs of the Paleozoic ocean, and they contain myriads of fossil forms which exhibit the exquisite workmanship of the Creator. The corals arc in the greatest profusion, many being of an immense size and delicate texture. The species are very numerous. Crinoids are comparatively rare.
The dip of the corniferous limestone being about twenty-one feet to the mile, it disappears beneath the hydraulic limestone at Beach's mill below the falls. At Fourteen Mile creek, twelve to fifteen miles above the falls, it attains an ele- vation of two hundred and fifty feet, and caps the bluffs almost the entire length of the creek, affording a fine field for the amateur collector of fossils, and a good stone for the manufacture of lime and the building of fences. In the neigh- borhood of Charlestown it is well exposed on the headwaters of Pleasant run, but disappears one mile below, in the bed of the stream, where it is replaced by the Niagara. At Skaw's mill and the Black Diamond cement mill at Silver creek it is seen beneath the hydraulic limestone. On the Sinking fork of that stream it outcrops in various places. This formation has been re- peatedly found to contain small caves, some of them one-half to one mile and a half in length, with an abundance of stalactites and some evi- dence of cave life. There is no doubt, if the floors of these caves were dug into, that the re- mains of extinct animals might be obtained, with perhaps relics of the- Mound Builders.
HVI1R.\UI,IC LI.MESTONE.
This is the most important rock, in an eco- nomical point of view, in the district composed of Clarke and Floyd counties.
The lithological, stratigraphical, and palreon- tological characteristics of this stone should be well understood by the citizens of these coun- ties, where its outcrop may be seen in the banks of almost every stream. Its horizon is immedi- ately above the corniferous limestone and below a forty-two to forty-eight inch bed of crinoidal limestone, which is overlaid by the New Albany black slate. It frequently occurs as the surface
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74
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
rock. The color is usually a light drab, but sometimes it is of a much darker shade. The top layers of the hydraulic stone are marked at various points by a dentritic crystalization of magnesia or lime. The ui)[jer beds contain cherty or hornstone concretions, with spicula of spont^es and desmids. The characteristic fossils of the hydraulic or cement limestone are Alrypha reticularis^ Spirifcr, Owenii, S. eurilines, S. vari- cosa, hadro phylleim (TOrbignyi. The stone is . without cleavage, and breaks with a conchoidal fracture. The average tliickness of the strata is about twelve feet, and the bed is divided accord- ing to its hydraulic properties, into quick, medium, and slow setting. The quick setting variety is well marked at J. Speed's quarry, on Silver creek, by a seven foot stratum, which diminishes in the time required to set, towards the bottom. The medium stone is from two to three feet thick, and imperfectly parted from the slow setting stone, forming the lower part of the quarry. The lines of demarcation between the separate beds, although well marked in some cases, are rather assumed lines of division.
On the lines where the corniferous or Niagara are the surface rocks, the cement is wanting, that is, it has been worn away by erosion. The beds follow the line of Silver creek from the falls to the junction of the West fork, bearing east on the line of Pleasant run, thence west of Charlestown with a more easterly belt following the Vernon branch of the Ohio &: Mississippi railroad, as at Watson, and terminating northeast of Charlestown on Allen Barnett's land, but ap- pearing again at a few points north of Fourteen Mile creek on the same line, as at J. McMillan's. The most western belt follows the line of Sinking fork,, cropping out on that stream, and to the west of it, as at J. Davie's tract No. 169. West ■ of this it disappears below the New Albany black slate. The most workable beds are on tracts Nos. 169 and 150, lands of Dr. Taggart , No. 132, lands of Collins McCoy, deceased; ana Cement mill tract No. 130, Illinois Grant; and on Pleasant run and a narrow belt east of Charles- town, thence to the falls. The cement ruck ap- pears on the headwaters of Fourteen Mile creek, and disappears beneath the New Albany black slate two miles north of G. vV. Matthews' tract No. 152, also at \.. Vl. Tucker's tract No. 153, of the Grant. The cement reaches far in the
direction of William Kirkpatrick's, formerly the residence of Ex-Governor Jennings. Tlie out- crop of this formation has been traced on fifty tracts of the Grant, each containing five hundred acres, making twenty-five thousand acres of ex- posed workable beds. This estimate does not include twenty thousand acres more, which may be reduced by means of shafts and tunnels. There is but a small portion of the county in which the hydraulic limestone may not be found. Indeed, it is-in quantity practically inexhaustible, and, on account of its value for the manufacture of cement, will always be a source of profitable industry.
There are at present (1873) '" thecounty six firms engaged in the manufacture of hydraulic cement. The stone was first used for this pur- pose at Verey's (now r>each's mill) at Clarksville, on the Falls of the Ohio.
The strata containing it outcrops in the river- bank beneath the mill, and the hydraulic stone is here fourteen feet si.x inches thick, as will be seen by the following section :
1. New .-\ll5any black slate 5 in.
2. Crinoidal limestone ... 4 ft. 2 in.
3. Dark, impure limestone, con-~
taining concretions uf horn- I stone, with spicula of
I sponges II in.
I 4. Upper cement
I bed 4 ft. I in.
I 5. Middle cement
bed 6 ft.
I 6. Lower cement
I bed 3 ft. 6 in.
! Corniferous limestone 6 ft.
Hydraulic lime- stone 14 ft. 6 in.
Total thickness 25 ft. i in.
The dividing line between the corniferous and the hydraulic is not distinctly marked. The beds in the quarry are separated by lines of fracture, making occasional floors.. The stone increases in hydraulic properties from below upwards, and is designated by the manufacturers as slow, medium, and quick setting. It has no distinct lines of cleavage, and breaks with a conchoidal fracture. The extreme upper beds contain con- cretions of hornstone, with spicula of sponges. The overlying crinoidal bed is persistent, and contains a good many fossils, which are difficult to obtain in good condition. It cleaves well, but IS hard to work. It is used in constructing the outer wall of the kilns in which the cement stone is burnt.
The hydraulic limestone originally extended in one unbroken stratum across the river, but has
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
75
been eroded, and now only a small portion of the original mass rcmauis on Rock island, near the center of the stream. Here there is a good exposure, and the rock is extensively quarried at Rock island, \vhich is below Goose island. The cement rock may be traced, at a low stage of water, to the Kentucky shore. That used at the cement mills on tliat side is obtained from the bank of the river close by.
HYDRAULIC CEMENT.
The manufacture of hydraulic cement consti- tutes one of the most important industries of Clarke county. The cement is shipped to all parts of the Western and Southern States, and sold under the name of Louisville cement.
The many uses to which cement has been put in Europe greatly impressed Professor E. T. Cox, the Indiana Commissioner to the ^'lenna Expo- sition, with its importance. There it is exten- sively used for laying pavements, in ornamenting buildings, making statuary, and so on. He is of the opinion that the Indiana cement, commonly called Louisville cement, may be profitably used for similar purposes in this country. Occasion- ally in calcining the cement the rock is over burned, making what is called a cinder; and it is here suggested that this cinder, ground in con- nection with the other stone, will improve the quality of the cement. The manufacture of cement opens an interesting and wide field for investigation. Various grades of cement are already manufactured, and there can be no doubt but new combinations of stone may be found in Clarke county that will equal the Portland or Roman cement of Europe.
CRINOIDAL LIMESTONE.
This stone immediately overlies the hydraulic, and is seen at almost every locality where the latter outcrops or is quarried for cement. It is a hard, gray, crystalline limestone, containing agreal many fossils, principally crinoids, and also pentremites of the carboniferous type, intermediate between P. florealis (Godenii) and P. pyrifcnnis (Say). The fossils of this limestone iiave been carefully studied and described the late Major Sidney S. Lyon. Collectors in the neighborhood of the falls have also enriched their cabinets with the fossils of this rock. The collection of James Knapp, M. D., of Louisville, is undoubtedly the most complete in these fossils, and his collec-
tion of corals made at the falls is the most ex- tensive in the country.* A very nice collection of falls fossils is also in the possession of Sam- uel L. S. Smith, M. D., of New Albany.
The crinoidal limestone seldom attains a greater thickness than five feet. It is a poor stone for the m;'.nufacture of lime, but serves a useful purpose in the erection of kilns for cal- cining cement, and is a reliable guide for denot- ing the position of the hydraulic.
NEW ALBANY PLACK SLATE.
The black slate is largely exposed at New Al- bany, and takes its name accordingly. It is usually of a jet-black color, and occurs in thick beds; but after being exposed to the weather it exhibits a thin, laminated cleavage, and assumes a pink, drab, or mottled color. It contains sul- phuret of iron in concretionary forms, and also in needle-shaped crystals and cubes, familiarly known as "fools' gold," or "sulphur balls." It is very persistent over a large extent of territory. It lies at the base of the range of hills known as the "Knobs," and has been traced from the out- crop in Clarke and Floyd counties through Ken- tucky in a semicircle to Portsmouth, Ohio. At one time it rested uniformly over Clarke and Floyd counties. The Vernon branch of the Ohio &' Mississippi railroad passes over the black slate south of Charleslown, and cuts it at several points below and above Lexington, in Scott county. On the west of Charlestown there is an outlier of the formation seventy to seventy- five feet in thickness. The Jeffersonville, Mad- ison & Indianapolis railroad passes over the black slate until it reaches White river in Jack- son county, Indiana. At Memphis and Henry- ville, on the line of this road, the black slate is largely exposed, and may be seen in the bed of the streams and extending some distance up the surrounding side-hills. Numerous so-called cop- peras banks are met with in this formation. One
* Possibly so, when this was written; but not so now. The active collectors at present are M.ajor William J. Davis, Henry Nettleroth, \V. J. McComathy, J. T. Gaines, and O. B. Thiess. The collections of the first two are unrivaled. They are the Paleontologists of the Kentucky State Survey, and are engaged in the preparation of profusely illustrated reports on the Fossil (.'orals and Shells of Kentucky, which will soon be in print. Tlie Report of Major Davis on Corals will contain a full description of two hundred and sixty species found bedded in the rocks at the fall;, of which one hundred and four are new, first found and described by this investigator.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
of these localities on Silver creek, three miles from the mouth, is mentioned in -the Navigators' Guide, an old work published at Pittsbiirgh, in 1813, as furnishing "copperas as good as any brought to this country." A noted copperas bank is found on Miller's fork of Silver creek, below Ilenryville.
At the foot of the Knobs near New Albany Dr. Clapp bored through the bed of 'bituminous slate, and found it to be one hundred and ten feet thick. In many places it has been cut through and entirely removed by weathering and glacial action, so as to leave exposed the under- lying encrinital limestone. The valleys of denu- dation have a general direction of northwest and southeast. It is being constantly mistaken for the bituminous shale which is often found asso- ciated with stone coal; and it isadifticult matter-, in some instances, to convince the people living within the vicinity of its outcrop that it will not turn to coal if followed to a distance m the hills. It contains from ten to twenty per cent. of volatile matter, and there are found in the deposit in places thin bands of coal from a half- inch to one inch thick.
Dr. Newberry thinks that these shales derived their bitumen from sea-weeds, and calls attention to the fact of finding in them vast quantities of fucoidal impressions. So far inquirers have only succeeded in finding in the New Albany black slate a few small Lingula and Decina.
In Clarke county there is resting immediately on the top of the black slate about four inches of hard, greenish, mottled limestone; and this is succeeded by the gray argillaceous shales, with bands of iron-stone. There are also found resting on the black slate large trunks of limbs of coniferous trees, the vegetable matter having been replaced by silica in the form of black flint. A portion of one of these petrified trees, fifteen feet long and two and a half feet wide, has been placed in the Indiana E.xposition build- ing.
Wells have been sunk at various points in this formation for mineral oil or petroleum; but without reaching it in any quantity. It con- tains a small percentage of bitumen, and burns quite readily when thrown into a hot fire, so long as the inflammable matter lasts. l"he bitu- minous character of the slate has misled a great many persons, and caused them to expend large
sums of money in searching in it for coal. It has no economical value whatever at present. A few years ago it was thought it would make a good roofing material, ground and mixed with coal-tar and s[)read on felt. A mill was erected at New Albany by Dr. Samuel Reid & Co., for the purpose of its manufacture, and large quan- tities of slate were ground and shipped to all parts of the country. It answered the purpose for which it was intended for a time; but ulti- mately it cracked by exposure to the weather. It was at last discarded as worthless.
In examinations of the black slate is invari- ably found a ferruginous limestone capping it, varying from ten to thirty inches in thickness. This limestone is very persistent, and marks the top of the black slate over a large portion of In- diana and Kentucky. It has a fetid odor when struck, and breaks with an uneven fracture. It is compact and durable, and has been used in several sections for masonry, as at Memphis and Henryville, where it outcrops to a large extent. At Blue Lick post-office, on the land of Thomas McDeitz, Jr., in the bed of a branch of Silver creek, is one of the best exposures of this stone. Characteristic fossils are rarely detected in this stone, beyond a few crinoidal stems. But, no doubt, the age of the black slate will be ulti- mately determined by the discovery of fossils m this formation, which, from its position, is the equivalent of the ganoitite limestone of Rock- ford, Indiana.
IKON-STONE.
From six to ten bands of manganiferous iron- stone have been traced over a very large area in the counties of Clarke and Floyd, occupying a geological position .in the gray and greenish shales immediately over the " New Albany black slate.* These ore-bands are found also in Scott and Jennings counties.
They are enclosed in twenty to twenty-five feet of soft shale, and are from two to three feet apart, and are from two and one-half to ten inches thick. The readiness with which these
*.\ black bituminous sh.ile, similar to that underlying this ore, is found in Ohio occupy ins; a similar position with refer- ence to tho under and overlying rocks, and Dr. Newberry, State Geologist of Ohio, has referred it to the Genesee epoch; but, not feehng quite sure as to the accuracy of the conclu- sion to which this able geologist and paleontologist has ar- rived, I have thought best to speak of il. in this State, as the New Albany black slate.— Dr. Cox.
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77
shales decompose, under tlie inlluence of drain- age water and atmospheric a;^encies, lias given rise to numerous cone-shaped hills, tommonly called "knobs," and from this circumstance also geologists have, given to the rock-strata "of which they are composed, the names of knob shales, knob sandstone, limestone, etc., so that we may, with like propriety, designate the ore as knob iron ore.
Owing to the extensive washes which have cut through the sh.'des, the iron-stone is e.xjrased in a great many places throughout the knob region, and it may be mined or collected from tlie ravines already weathered out, at a small cost. Samples from nine distinct bands have been tested for iron, and complete analysis made from the bottom and middle bands with tiie result of finding 28.48 per cent, of metallic iron in the former (sample from near Henryville), and 29.12 in the latter (from Stewart's farm, near Henry- ville). Other tests yielded the following results, beginning with the topmost layer or band: No. I, 26.41 percent.; No. 2, 26.66; No. 3, 30.51; No. 4, 28.20; No. 5, 29.12; No. 6, 29.74; No. 7, ,29.23; No. 8, 27.17; No. 10, 28.48. From these it will be seen that the raw ore contains from 26.41 to 30.5 1 per cent, of iron, and the analyses of the bottom and middle bands also show from 5.124 .to 6.928 per cent, of the metal manganese. The average per cent, of combined iron and man- ganese in calcined ore is 52.72 per cent., conse- quently two tons of such ore will make a ton of pig iron. The great value which attaches to these ores is mainly due to the large per centage of manganese which they contain, and, if properly treated in the smelting furnace they will yield a highly manganiferous pig iron, if not a true spiegeleisen, wiiich metal is found to be indis- pensable in the manufacture of Bessemer or pneumatic steel. Its value is dependent upon the quantity of manganese which it contains. From 7.5 to 10 per cent, is of very fair quality; and this percentage is fully within the capabilities of the knob ore.
THE KNOB ME.^SURES OF KENTUCKY.
These are the Silicious group of the Tennes- see Geological reports. They e.xtend over the western part of the district composed of Clarke and Floyd counties, and constitute the broken range called the " Silver Hills '' by the first settlers.
These hills or knobs extend from a point on the Ohio below New Albany to the northern line of Clarke county. At the latter locality the range is called the Guinea Hills. The knobs, as their names imply, rise abruptly from the black slate to a height of four or five hundred feet above the general level of the country. The margin of the outcrop of the knob formation is very irreg- ular, especially on that portion west of Henry- ville, outliers being seen some distance from the main body. One of these, called the Round Top l^nob, is near the fruit farm of Colonel John F. Willey, another at Piney point, south of Obe- diah Nowl.ind's, Buzzard Roost .point to the east, and also Crow's Nest point to the west of Nowland's. The horseshoe range of knobs, en- tirely disconnected from the main body, are about one mile in extent, and on land owned by John Richardson. The prolongation of the knobs northeast of Henryville comprise several benches of table-land. Where the base of the knobs cover a considerable area the top is usual- ly flat, especially if the harder numbers of the formation represent their summits.
The New Providence shale ties at the base of the knobs and immediately above the ferrugin- ous limestone just mentioned ; and has a thickness of eighty to one hundred and twenty feet. As the line of the knobs is followed to the northwest it becomes thinner, until at the Guinea hills it is only fifty to sixty feet. It is a fine, greenish-colored, marly slate, that pulver- izes when dry without diftkulty. It contains a great variety of fossils identical with those ob- tained at Button Mould knob, seven miles south of Louisville. The corals are well represented by a number of Bryozoans. The shale is fissured in places, and the cracks are usually filled with transparent sulphate of lime, or gypsum.
As many as six to ten bands of carbonate of iron have been found in this formation, in a ver- tical space of about twenty feet. The lower band is usually on a level with the drainage of the country. These bands will average from four to six inches in thickness, and are separated from each other by from two to four feet of sot"t shale. They have a great persistency, and may be seen cropping out along the side of all the ravines. The following partial analysis of a por- tion of what appears to be the average of these ore bands, found on the farm of John Stewart,
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAI.LS COUNTIES.
Esq., north of Henry villc, as taken from a paper piiblislicd by the State Geologist, will serve to' show their commercial value: The mass of the ore is of a bluish gray color, enclosed in a coat- ing of red oxide of iron one-eighth to one-fourth of an inch thick. This coating is very rich in iron, but was entirely excluded from the portion analyzed, so that the yield of the entire mass will be a little belter than here reported." The net results are given in parts of loo; carbonate of iron, 49.720; peroxide of iron, 2. 171. This will serve to show its richness. By roasting, this ore will lose thirty per cent, of volatile matter, which will increase the iron to thirty-five per cent., and the manganese to 3.571. A portion of the sulphuric acid would be eliminated, but the phosphorus will be increased to about .4S5, which is rather large. However, it is not im- probable that a portion of the latter highly inju- rious ingredient may be taken out along with the silica in the slag; and, owing to the large per- ccntum ot manganese, if not a spiegeleisen, at least a valuable Bessemer pig may be made from these ores. Owing to their leanness, these ores should be roasted before being shipped to the furnaces.
Thomas Montgomery has on his land, tract No. 274 of the Grant, three and a half miles from Henryville, a good exposure of iron ore. The ore in this bank was examined forty years ago by an iron master from Pennsylvania, John Works. He pronounced it good; made prepa- rations to erect a furnace, but the project was finally abandoned.
The ore crops out in almost every ravine in this region, and is everywhere of the same general character, containing about the same quantity of iron. Another deposit of considerable extent is on the land of Allen Barnett, near Broom hill, on the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago railroad. Some of it has rather a peculiar structure, and is made up entirely of an aggregation of coarse par- ticles of hydrated brown oxide. It is what is usually denominated "kidney ore," and is scat- tered profusely over the surface. The whole country at the base of the knobs, where the New Providence shale outcrops, is rich in iron ore. It accumulates in the ravines and valleys by the washing down of the formation which con- tained it, and is generally easy of access.
It is probable that this shale, on account of
Its mineral constituents and being highly fos- siliferous, will make a good fertilizer. A great number of mineial springs flow from the fissures occurring in this formation, the waters of which possess decided medicinal virtues. Some of their waters have a similar composition to that from which the celebrated Crab Orchard s.-illS of Kentucky are manufactured; and their use has produced good results in certain diseases where a simple alterative or cathartic was required.
This shale, at the base of Caney knob, below New Albany, is capped by a thin stratum of fer- ruginous sandstone, while in the northwestern pan of Clarke county it is covered by a thin fos- siliferous limestone, composed of an aggregation of crinoidal stems. Specimens of the stone, ground and polished, exhibit a fine variegated surface. Above this hard band of shale is a blu- ish, friable, micaceous shale, which is recognized to be the true knob shale. It ranges in thick- ness from one hundred and twenty to one hun- dred and sixty feet, and extends half-way or more up the sides of the knobs, and in many cases, where they are conical, it forms the summit. In other places it is frequently capped with massive sandstone or beds of impure limestone, contain- ing crinoidal stems. In these shales are fossil worm-tiacks, fucoids, and concretions of iron ore of large size, often containing brachiopods.
The massive knob sandstone, where capping these shales, is from fifty to eighty feet thick, in beds of various thickness. The upper part is composed of ferruginous layers ten to fifteen inches thick, and contain ri[)ple-marks on the under side. It hardens on exposure, and is used about New Providence for doorsteps and many other purposes.
Above this is the first knob limestone. It has a gray color with crystalline structure, containing in some parts concretions of chert, and varies in thickness from twenty to sixty-five feet. This is the stone extensively quarried near Moorcsville, for building purposes about New Albany.
Just above this fossiliferous limestone are found a number of thin layers of bituminous shale, containing an occasional coal-plant fossil. The impure limestone capping these formations resembles the Devonian hydraulic limestone of the cement region, and, if properly tested, it will probably be found to answer the same purpose. It underlies the white sand which is mined for
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
79
glass-works in New Albany, near the intersection of A\'ashington, Clarke, Floyd; and Harrison counties.
The members composinf; the knob series do not retain the same character throughout the district. They arc not as uniform in composi- tion as the formations below them, and vary great- ly in thickness and color, and are thicker at the western than at the eastern outcrop.
The pentremital limestone has a thickness of twenty-five to fifty feet in the neighborhood of Greenville, where it outcrops near the summit of the hills. It contains many fossils. The soil immediately covering it is a tough, tenacious clay, colored with oxide of iron. Several good quarries are worked near Greenville, some of them developing the true St. Louis limestone.
Near the top of the hill towards Mooresville, beds of from ten to twelve feet of very soft, bright-colored, ochreous sandstone are exposed, portions of which make a good mineral paint.
, '. , SOME ELEV.\TIONS.
Buck creek, a branch of Indian creek at Mooresville, near the summit of the knobs on the Vincennes pike, is elevated one hundred feet or more above New Albany. The Corydon plank road, just above the eastern portal of the railway tunnel, is four hundred and fifty-seven feet above the miter-site at the Louisville and Portland canal. The elevation of the summit on which Edwards- ville stands, at the point where the tunnel line crosses, is five hundred and seventy-one feet above the same. This is the highest point on the knobs, and is distant from State street, New Albany, five and one-half miles. The elevation of the headwaters of Little Indian creek, at a. point near the western portal of the tunnel, is four hundred and twenty-nine feet.
NATIVE WOODS.
The timber of the hills consists of chestnut, white, red, black, and post oak, black and white hickory, pine, poplar, dogwood, water maple, sumach, and gum-tree. In the valleys and low- lands are the walnut, chestnut, white, blue and prickly ash, shell-bark hickory, beech, elm, syca- more, wild cherry, sassafras, red and white mul- berry, pawpaw, persimmon, sugar maple, and sugar-tree, and many other varieties, some of which have become almost or quite extinct as settlement has progressed. Camp and Fourteen-
mile creeks are noted localities for buckeye trees, many of which- measure three to four feet in di- ameter and go fifty or more feet to their first limbs. Persimmon trees abound on the clay lands about Henryville. Beech and white oak grow numerously on the flats of the slate lands.
SUMM.\RV.
In the foregoing remarks have been enumer- ated the lithological, stratigraphical and, to some extent, paleontological characteristics of the rocks of Floyd and Clarke counties, including forma- tions from the Lower Silurian to the Sub-carbon- iferous. A section from the western line of Floyd to the eastern part of Clarke, on the Ohio river, shows these formations well developed in the following order and thickness:
1. Soil .ind clay 20 to 40 feel.
2. Knob limestone. Keukuk group 80 feet.
3. Knob sandstone | Kindcrhook group 344
4. Knob shale f feet.
5. Xeu- .Mti.xny bkick skite "j
6. Crinoidal limestone s 140 feet.
7. Hydraulic limestone j
8. Corniferous limestone, Upper
Helderberg group 22 feet.
Q, Utica limestone t x-- ( S2 kel
10. Magnesian limestone ] •^'^S''"^'^ ^'^"I' \ 30 feet
11. Madi-son limestone Cincinnati group 207 ft.
The minute divisions of the groups in the above sections are not always accurately defined and are not everywhere present. They thin out in some localities to a knife edge. Especially is the latter the case in the neighborhood of the falls, where the characteristic fossils of the Niagara, corniferous, and Hamilton formations may be obtained within a vertical space of a few feet.
SOME POINTS OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY.
The glass sand, lying in very compact beds at the summit of the knobs and near the in- tersection of Clarke, Floyd, Washington, and Harrison counties, is a fine, white-grained sand, used in the manufacture of plate glass at New Albany, by Messrs. W. C. DePauw & Co. This formation is of very great economical value, and is destined to play an important part and to add materially to the wealth of that portion of dis- trict under investigation. Its geological position is immediately above the sub carboniferous hy- draulic limestone, as already indicated in previous sections. These beds of sand have been traced in isolated patches from a point south of Spur- geon hill, in Washington county, in a southeast- erly direction, to the present workable beds. The width of the sand formation increases as
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAT.T.S COUNTIES.
the summits of the hills become broader nnd more level. No doubt the ^^■hite sand on the Ohio river hills below New .Mbany, in Harrison county, is a part of the New Providence beds, and that this formation marks the shore line of an ancient beach, which extended northeast- wardly in the direction of the Oliio valley.
The sand beds are very uniform in thickness and ciuality. The quarry of the Star Glass works at the summit of the knobs, three and a half or .four miles distant from New Providence, and three hundred and fifty to four hundred feet above the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago railroad, has been worked extensively. Following is a section of the beds at this quarry: First, soil of a stiff clay loam, two to four feet; second, yellow sand, colored by the overlying clay, one to two feel; thud, white sand, used for glass manufacture, sixteen feet; fourth, fragments of chert, with bryozoa, six inches; fifth, hydraulic limestone, at the bottom of the cut, four feet.
The surface of the ground above the quarry is heavily timbered with white oak. The stripping is continued until the third bed of the section is reached, where the sand is mined by blasting, ih the same manner as is pursued in quarrying hard rock. After being thus loosened, it is easily re- moved with a shovel.
The sand used by the New Albany Star Plate Glass Work company, of which Mr. \V. C. De Pauw is president, when required for the manu- facture of plate glass, is washed in an ascillating trough to free it from a small amount of impuri- ties. Ten or more men are employed in quairy- ing and washing the sand, and they can prepare it as fast as twenty-five wagons can haul it to the station of New Providence, four miles distant. The larger quantity is shipped to the Star Glass Works, at New Albany, but some shipments are made to Louisville and Cincinnati. A bushel of sand weighs one hundred joounds or more before washing, and ninety pounds afterwards.
An outcrop of the sand occurs on the land of Michael Brock; another on the farm of R. G. Scott and Mr. Jonathan Miller, all in the same neighborhood.
The shipment of sand and cenient has necessi- tated the establishment of numerous cooper- shops through the counties composed of this district. Some of these shops are operated by
steam and are on a large scale, manufacturing a large number of barrels yearly.
r.KICK CL.W.
The clays of Clarke and Floyd counties fur- nish the very best material for making brick, many thousand of which are manufactured every year in the neighborhood of New Albany and Jeffersonville. No doubt, if returns were at hand from all these yards, a very large capital would be found employed in this business. The material employed is a clean, tough alluvial clay, containing sufficient iron to give the bricks a' fine red color. Formerly Louisville was largely supplied with brick from these yards.
• ' POTTERY.
Another important branch of industry, at New- Albany, Jeffersonville, and Port Fulton, is the manufacture of salt-glazed pottery, commonly called stone-ware. The material used is an allu- vial blue clay obtained from the lowlands in the vicinity of the works. It is also used in the manufacture of drain-tiles, an industry yet in its in fancy in this region.
RUNNING W.VrERS.
The lands of Clarke and Floyd are well watered by never-failing springs and numerous small branches, which rise in the knobs and flow into the creeks that empty into the 'Ohio. The creeks are numerous, but few are large. The chief of them in Floyd county are Falling run. Middle, Knob, Big and Little Indian, and Buck creeks. Between this and Clarke county, but principally belonging to the latter, is Silver creek with its numerous branches, the finest inland water of this region. Other streams in Clarke are Fourteen-mile creek, so called because emptying into the Ohio fouiteen miles above Louisville; Owen and Camp creeks, below Bethlehem; Wolf Run creek, Cany and Miller's fork. Cane run, and Blue Lick, tributaries of the north fork of Silver creek; Dry and South forks. Persim- mon, Indian Camp, Turkey, and Knob runs, affluents of the west fork of Silver creek, and others too unimportant for mention here.
SOIL, N.\TURAL, PRODUCTIONS, ETC.
That the underlying or outcropping rocks in a very great measure determine the nature of the soil, is plainly seen in Floyd and Clarke counties, where there are extensive outcrops of so many different formations, each giving rise to a charac-
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teristic soil. A striking illustration of this may be learned from a passage in our history of Bethlehem township, Clarke county. A few miles back from the headwaters of Cam[j creek, therein mentioned, the lands are wet, and the soil is light-colored clay th . holds water. In the vicinity of New ^Vashington the soil is a light clay and sand, and has a better drainage. . The land here is well adapted for growing grass and wheat, and in some localities excellent corn. From the mouth of Fourteen-mile creek, reach- ing as far down the river as Utica and the Sink- ing fork of Silver creek, the land is rolling and much broken, especially on the river. The pre- dominating rocks are corniferous and cement limestones, the base of a limestone soil; and this is the "blue-grass region" of the county. Charlestown is situated right on the summit of the corniferous limestone, from which flow abundant, never-failing springs. The drainage of the country is excellent. The easy-weathering limestones render the soil of this region not only well adapted to blue-grass, but likewise better suited to a variety of crops than any other part of the county. Its soil is also well adapted to clover; and in some localities, esiiecially on the river, fruits of all kinds are grown in great pro- fusion.
A part of the land in Utica township has not only the wash of the corniferous and Niagara limestone of this region upon it, but is in good part a river terrace, composed of altered drift, sand, and gravel, with numerous aboriginal kitchen heaps. This is a noted tract for maiket gardens, and it is also favorable to corn and grass. T Wheat does well, and ripens early. " I On the lands just west of Jeffersonville the
,• New Albany black slate cuts off the limestone. The soil here is an ash-colored clay, except when mixed with decomposed slate, which darkens its color and increases its fertility. Drainage IS imperfect on the flat land, but good where it is rolling; and with projier tillage this soil is very productive.
The slate lands in Clark county are discon- nected, appearing on one farm and absent from the next, or even [^resent and \vanting on different parts of the same farm. When in large bodies they give rise to beech and while oak tlats, in- clined to be wet and difticult to drain.
The land about Memphis is well timbered,
and the bottom lands produce good corn and grass crops.- The highlands here are clay, and yield generous returns to fertilizers.
South and west of this is the Blue lick region, whose soils are derived chiefly from the New Providence shale of the knobs — a soft, light- colored, arenaceous clay-stor.e, containing some sulphate and carbonate of lime, with magnesia. The soil about Heniyviile (which is forty feet below the top of the New Albany slate) is clay to the base of the knobs, belonging to the altered drift and alluvium in the creek bottoms, where the soil is very productive. The clay land is light-colored in the valleys, but changes to deep ochre shades towards the knobs.
The New Providence valley is about eight miles long, and one to two miles wide. The shifting of the bed of Silver creek, which forms it, has created a rich surface loam, enriched by I decaying leaves and other vegetable matter from j the hill sides, with a deep subsoil of gravel. It is well suited to all staple farm products, which I are not here materially affected by drouth. Ap- I pies do well, and strawberries and other small fruits grow in great perfection. The water in the streams and shallow wells of this valley is noted for its softness. It does not even decompose soap, and is much in request for laundry pur- poses.
The line of the knobs, and the river bluffs, are found as the best fruit-growing region of southern Indiana or the West, as shown by the success of the orchards situated on the elevated lands below New Albany, and thence toMorrisville,Scottsville, New Providence, and as far north as Salem, in Washington county, and the walnut ridge west of Salem. This includes the southern and western knobs. The northern range above Henryville, going toward Vienna, in Scott county, and the river bluffs, from Utica to Marble Hill, in Jef- ferson county, are all favorably situated for fruit growing; especially peaches, tor the tender buds are not liable to be injured by spring frosts, which are contined to the valleys below, and sel- dom reach as high up the hillside as the orchards. Extensive orchards are planted on the hills above Henryville. The business of peach-grow- ing is becoming one of the leading industries in this part of the State. The peach orchards of Messrs. Willey and his son-in-law, Mr. Poindex- ter, at Chestnut flats, have from fifteen to twenty-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAIT.S COUNTIES.
five thousand peach trees. Owing to a good ex- posure afforded the knobs, the pi.aches here growing have a fine color, and no doubt belter flavor than fruit grown in the valley.
CHAPTER II.
OLD GEOGRAPHICAL DESIGNATIONS— THE CLARKE GRANT— CONGRESS LANDS.
NEW FRANCE.
This is probably the first geographical designa- tion for any subdivision of the North American continent including the present tract of Clarke and Floyd counties. The Ohio and Indiana country was already claimed by the French, in the seventeenth century, as an integral part of their great North American possessions, "New France," by virtue of the discovery of the Ohio river by her brave explorer, Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle, and the earlier voyage (1640) of the Jesuit Fathers Charemonot and Brebceuf, along the south shore of Lake Erie. With the Iroquois also claiming it they were constantly at war, and the claims of the confederate tribes to the territory weighed nothing with the aggressive leaders of the French in the New World. When, some time in the first half of the eighteenth cen- tury, the French built a fort on the Iroquois lands near Niagara Falls, the Governor of Canada proclaimed their right of encroachment, saying that the Five Nations were not subjects of Eng- land, but rather of France, if subjects at all. But, by the treaty of Utrecht, April 11, 17 13, Louis XIV., Le Grand Monarqi/e^ renounced in favor of England all rights to the Iroquois coun- try, reserving only the St. Lawrence and Missis- sippi valleys to France. Boundaries were so vaguely defined, however, that disputes easily and frequently arose concerning the territories owned by the respective powers; and in 1740, the very year after that in which the Ohio Land company of the Washingtons, Lee, and others in Virginia, was organized under a grant from George II., to occupy half a million acres west of the AUeghanies, De Celeron, the French com- mandant of Detroit, led an expedition to the Ohio, dispatched by the Marquis de la Gallis-
soniere, commander-in-chief of New France, and buried a leaden tablet "at the confluence of the Ohio and Tchadnkoin" (?) "as a monu- ment of the renewal of jiossession which we have taken of the said river Ohio, and of all those that therein fall, and of all the lands on both sides, as far as the sources of said rivers" — a sweeping claim, truly. He ordered the English traders out of the country, and notified the Governor of Pennsylvania that if they "should hereafter make their appearance on the Beautiful river, they would be treated without any delicacy." The territorial squabble which then ensued led to the French and Indian war of 1755-O2, which closed by the cession to England, on tiie part of France, of Canada and all her American posses- sions east of the Mississippi, e.xcei)t some fishing stations. Thus this region at length passedinto the undi-sputed possession of the British crown.
IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC.
In 1766 (though some confidently say 1774*). the British Parliament insisted upon the Ohio river as the southwestern boundary and the Mis- sissippi river as the western limit of the dominions of the English crown in this quarter. By this measure the entire Northwest, or so much of it as afterwards became the Northwest Territory, was attached to the Province of Quebec, and the tract that now constitutes the State of Indiana was nominally under its local administration.
BOTETOURT COUNTY.
In 1769 the Colony of Virginia, by an enact- ment of the House of Burgesses, attempted to extend its jurisdiction over the same territory, northwest of the river Ohio, by virtue of its royal grants. By that act the county of Botetourt was erected and named in honor of Lord Botetourt, Governor of the Colony. It was a vast country, about seven hundred miles long, with the Blue Ridge for its eastern and the Mississippi for its western boundary. It included large parts of the present States of West Virginia, Ohio. In- diana, and Illinois, and was the first county or- ganization covering what are now Clarke and Floyd counties. Fincastle, still the seat of coun- ty for the immensely reduced Botetourt county, was made the seat of justice; but so distant from it were the western regions of the great tract,
•.•\s I'a.ic Srnucker, in the Ohio -Secretary of States Re- port for 1877.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
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that the thoughtful Burgesses inserted the follow- ing proviso m the creative act:
IVicrcas, The people situated on the Mississippi, in the said county of Botetourt, will be very remote from the court- house, and must necessarily become a separate county as soon as their numbers arc sufficient, which will probably hap- pen in a short lime, be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the inhabitants of that part of the said county of Botetourt which lies on the said waters, sliall be exempted from the payment of any levies to be laid by the said county court for the purpose of building a court-house and prison for said county.
ILLINOIS COUNTY.
Government was still nominal, ho\vever,so far as the county organization was concerned, between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers; and the Indians and few white settlers within those borders were entirely a law unto themselves. After the con- quest of thelndiana and Illinois country by Gen- eral George Rogers Clarke in 1778, the county of Illinois was erected by the Virginia Legislature (in October of the same year) out of the great county of Botetourt, and included all the territo- ry between the Pennsylvania line, the Ohio, the Mississippi, and the northern lakes. Colonel John Todd was appointed the first countylieutenantand civil commandant of the county. He perished in the battle of Blue Licks, August iS, 17S2; and Timothy de Montbrun was named as his successor. At this time there were no white men in Indiana, except a few Indian traders and some French settlers.
The Legislature of Virginia, at the lime Illi- nois county was created, made provision for the protection of the country by reinforcements to General Clarke's little army. By another enact- ment passed in May, 17S0, the act of 1778 was confirmed and somewhat amended, and further rcliiforcements ordered into the wilderness. V> ; ■,. Illinois county, however, was not destined to Liake any large figure in history.
CONFLICTING CI^MMS.
At the preliminary negotiations for peace in I'aris in November, 1782, between England and licr revolted, successful American colonics, both 1' ranee and Spain, for similar reasons of discov: cry and partial occupancy, filed their protests against the claim of either of the lately contend- ing parties to "the Illinois country." It can not be too often reijcated, to the everlasting honor of General Clarke, that it was his conquest in '77S that determined the controversy in favor of
the infant republic, and carried the lines of the new Nation to the Mississippi and the northern lakes. Otherwise the east bank of the Ohio, or possibly even the Alleghanies, would have formed its western boundary in jjart. The final convention signed at Paris, September 3, 1783, confirmed the claim of the United Colonies as made good by the victories of Clark.
On the 20th of October, 1783, the Virginia Legislature, by solemn enactment, transferred all her rights and titles to lands west of the Ohio to the General Government. Illinois county was thus virtually wiped out.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
After the title of the United States to the wide tract covered by Illinois county, acquired by the victories of the Revolution and the Paris treaty, had been perfected by the cession of claims to it by Virginia and other States and by Indian treaties. Congress took the ne.xt step, and an im- portant one, in the civil organization of the country. Upon the 13th of July (a month which has been largely associated with human liberty in many ages of history), in the year 1787, the celebrated act entitled "An ordinance for the government of the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio," was passed by Congress. By this great organic act — "the last gift," as Chief Justice Chase said, "of the Congress of the old Confederation to the coun- try, and it was a fit consummation of their glori- ous labors" — jjrovision was made for various forms of territorial government to be adopted in succession, in due order of the advancement and development of the Western country. To quote Governor Chase again: "When the settlers went into the wilderness they fonnd the law al- ready there. It was impressed upon the soil itself, while it yet bore up nothing but the forest." This measure was succeeded, on the 5th of October of the same year, by the appointment by Congress of General Arthur St. Clair as Governor, and Major Winthrop Sargent as Secre- tary of the Northwest Territory. Soon after these appointments, three territorial judges were ai)pointed — Samuel Holden Parsons, James Mitchell Varnuni, and John Armstrong. In January the last named, not having entered upon service, declined his appointment, which now fell to the Hon. John Cleves Symmes, the hero of
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HISTORV OF THK OHIO FALLS COUNTH'S.
■ the A[iami Purchase, of which Cincinnati is now thc chief city. The appointment of Symmes to this higli office gave mucli olTcnce in some quarters, as it was supposed to add to his oppor- tunities of making a great fortune in the new country. It is well known that Governor St. Clair's appointment to the Northwest Territory
■ was promoted by his friends, in the hope that he would use his position to relieve himself of pecuniary embarrassments. There is no evi- dence, however, that either he or judge Symmes prostituted the privileges of their places to such ends.
All these appointments being made under the articles of confederation, they expired upon the adoption and operation of the F'ederal constitu- tion.- St. Clair and Sargent were reappointed to their respective places by President Washington, and confirmed by the Senate on the 20th of Sep- tember, 1789. On the same day Parsons and Symmes were reappointed judges, v/ith ^^'illiam Barton as their associate. Meanwhile, on the 9th of July, 1788, the Governor arrived at Mari- etta, and proceeded to organize the I'erritory. He and the judges, of whom Varnum and Par- sons were present, constituted, under the ordi- nance, the Territorial Legislature. Their first law was proclaimed July 25th, and on the 27th Governor St. Clair issued a proclamation estab- lishing the county of Washington, 'to cover all the territory to which the Indian title had been extinguished between Lake Erie, the Ohio and Scioto rivers, and the Pennsylvania line, being a large part of the present State of Ohio. Mari- etta, the capital of the Territory, was made the seat of justice for \\'ashington county. The next civil division proclaimed was Hamilton county, proclaimed January 4, 1790, with Cin- cinnati (now for the first time so-called, the pre- vious naijie having been Losantiville) for its county-seat. It was an immense tract, of which but a small remnant is now left, territorially re- garded, in the county of that name at the south- ■western corner of Ohio. It was named, of course, from Colonel .Alexander Hamilton, the first Sec- retary of the Treasury.
A few years afterwards, two new counties were created in the Northwest Territory -- \\'avne county, now, as reduced, in .Michigan; and Kno.x, which is still, as greatly reduced, in Indi- ana, but then included everything west of Ham-
ilton county, on a line drawn from Fort Recov- ery, neaily on the present Ohio boundary, to the moiith of the Kentucky river. It, of course, included the present teritory of Clarke and Floyd counties. \'incennes was the county seat.
TFIE CLARKE GR.A.NT.
This was a reservation made in the deed of cession by Virginia of her lands in the North- west Territory, to the .United States, of a tract not exceeding one hundred and fifty thousand acres, to be apportioned to General George Rog- ers Clarke and the officers and soldiers of his regi- ment who were at the leduction of "Kerskafikias and St. Vincent's" (Kaskaskia and Vincennes) in 1 7 78. The grant v.'as made by th.e Legisla- ture of that State January 2, 1781. A sword had previously, in September, 1779, been voted by Virginia to General Clarke. In the same act (of 17S1) reservation for grants to her soldiers in the Continental line was made of the military district in Ohio, between the Scioto and the Little Miami.
The grant was to be laid off on the northwest side of the Ohio river, in such place as the ma- jority of the officers entitled to the land-bounty should choose. They selected the tract adjacent to the rapids, upon which almost the. whole of Clarke county, and parts of the counties of Floyd and another, are now laid off; and the reserva- tion was accordingly made. Many interesting particulars concerning it will be noticed subse- quently in this volume, in the history of the townships of Clarke county.
THE CONURESS L.^NDS.
.■\fter the second treaty of Fort Stanwix, Oc- tober 22, 17S4, and the treaty of Fort Mcintosh, January 21, 17S5, had confirmed to the United States the Indian titles to the Western lands, Congress provided, by ordinance, for their survey and sub-division. _ This was the third ordinance of the kind reported to Congress, and bears date May 20, 17S5, by which time Virginia, New Vork, and Massachusetts had ceded their several claims to the territory northwest of the river Ohio to the United States. Under this act, whose principles of survey are still substantially in vogue, the territory purchased of the Indians was to be divided into townships, six miles square, by north and south lines crossed at right angles by others. (It is an interesting fact that
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HISTORY OF THK OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
85
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the first ordinance reported, May 28, 17S4, pro- posed townshi[)s often niilos square; the second, brought in April' 26, 17S5, would have made them seven miles square). The first north and south line was to begin- on the Ohio, at a point due north of the western termination of the southern boundary of Pennsylvania, and the first east and west line at the same point, and extend throughout the territory. The ranges of town- ships thus formed were to be numbered from the Pennsylvania line westward; the townships them- '"---selves from the Ohio northward. Each town- ship was to be sub-divided into thirty- si.\ parts or . sections, each, of course, one mile square. : When seven ranges of townships had been thus , surveyed, the Geographer of the United States ; was to make a return of them to the board of ( treasury, who were to lake therefrom one-seventh , part, by lot, for the use of the late Continental , army, and so of every seven ranges as surveyed I and returned. The remaining si.x-sevenths were , to be drawn lor by the several States, in the pro- portion of the last requisition made upon them, , and they were to make public sale thereof in the f) following manner:
Range first, township first, was to be sold en- tire, township second in sections, and so on al- ternately; while in range second, township first was to be sold in sections, and township second entire, retainmg throughout, both as to the ranges »•■ and townships, the principle of alternation. The price was to be at least one dollar per acre in specie, "loan office certificates reduced to specie value," or "certificates of liquidated debts of the United States." Five sections in each township were to be reserved, four for the United States and one section for schools. All sales thus made by the States were to be returned to the board of treasury — a council of three, who had jurisdic- tion over the public lands, which was subse- quently, under the Constitution, vested in the Sec- retary of the Treasury, and finally in the General Land Office.
This ordinance also supplied the method of dividing among the Continental soldiers the lands set apart to them, reserved three townships for Canadian refugees, secured to the Moravian In- dians their rights, and excluded from sale the territory between the Little Miami and the Scioto, in accordance with the provisions made by Virginia in her deed of cession in favor of
her own troops. Many {loints in this law were afterwards changed, but its great features re- mained-*
Six land districts were established, with an oflice for registry and sale in each. The Jeffer- sonville distiicthad jurisdiction of all the public lands east of the second principal meridian and south of the line dividing llie townships num- bered nine and ten north. The land office was of course at Jeffersonville.
CHAPTER in. . ■
ORGANIZATION OF FLOYD COUNTY.
When Floyd county was created in 1S19
Corydon was the capital of the State, and the
Legislature was in session there. New Albany
was growing so rapidly, its people, and especially
j its proprietor were so ambitious for its success
I and prosperity, and its prospects were so fiatter-
I ing that a determined effort was made to estab-
j lish a new county that the young, ambitious
I town might be made a county seat. Clarke and
j Harrison counties then occupied the territory
I now belonging to Floyd, and both were large
I counties. The line between them followed the
j top of the Silver hills. In the winter of 1818-19
I the citizens of the town sent some of their most
influential men to Corydon to lobby for the es-
I tablishment of a new county ; among them was
I Nathaniel Scribner, who lost his life, dying on
! his way home as elsewhere mentioned. They
I were successful, however, in persuading the
! Legislature that a new county was needed, and
' early in the winter commissioners were appointed
i- by Jonathan Jennings, then Governor of the
! State, to designate the bounds of the new county.
This duty was performed, the boundaries of the
! county designated, the county divided into three
I townships, and their report submitted February
8, 1S19.
j COUNTY SEAT.
I New Albany having thus secured a new
. county, the next movement was to secure the
county seat. Its rival for this honor was the
village of Greenville, then the equal in size and
j population of New Albany. Strong induce-
j *Aniial5 of ihc Weat, edition of 1S47, 209-70.
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ments were held out by both villages, and for some time the chat^ces were pretty evenly bal- anced, the scales tipping a little toward Greenville as being the more centrally located of the two. New Albany labored under the disadvantage of be- ing located at the extreme edge of the county,and Greenville v.-as also oi)en somewhat to the .same objection, though better located in this respect than New Albany. The arguments which de- termined the location of the county seat finally at New Albany were its situation on the river, the great outlet for trade and commerce, and at the foot of the falls, its prospects for becoming a city, and last but not least, the power of the al- mighty dollar in the affairs of men. The pro- prietors of New Albany were not rich, but they were comparatively sO, and were enabled to bring a greater weight of money, brains, and in- fluence to bear upon the subject than the Green- ville parties. If they could not give money they could give property, and it was through such in- fluences as these that finally detremined the lo- cation of the county seat at New Albany.
The following from the earliest records of the county commissioners will throw some light on this subject:
At a special meeting of the board of commissiotiers for the county of Floyd, and State of Indiana, convened at the house of Seth Woodruff, Esq., in New Alban), on the 4th day of March, 18 19.
Present — Clement Nance, Jr., Jacob Piersol.
Ordered by said commissioners that the follovving bond re- port be entered, to wit:
Know all men by these presents that we, John Eastburn, Seth Woodruff, Joel Scribner, James Scribner, and Smith & Paxson, and all of the county of Floyd and State of In- diana, are held and firmly bound unto Charles Paxson, Cle- ment Nance, Jr., and Jacob Pieisol. county commissioners for the county of Flovd, and their successors in office in the sum of $25,000, good and lawful money of the United .States. To which payment well and truly to be made to the commissio;iers aforesaid we bind ourselves and each of us by himself, our heirs, executors, and administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals, and dated this, the 4th day of .March, A. D. , 1819.
Now the condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bound, John Eastburn, .Seth Woodruff, Charles Woodruff, Joel Scribner, James .Scribner, and tlie firm of Smith & Paxson, shall, within four months from the dite thereof, p;iv to the commissioners of said county the sum of $2,250; and in eight months from this date a like sum of $2,250; and in twelve months from this date a like sum of $2,250; and in sixteen months fiom this date a like sum of $2,250; and deed or caused to he deeded in fee simple to s;iid county four lots in the town of New .\lbany, lyint; at corners of Lower and Upper Spring streets, or wliere they unite in State street, each lot being one hundred feet square, two of which are to be disposed of for the benefit of said
county, and the other two to be retained and known as the public ground for said county for the purpose of erecting a court-houseand other public buildings thereon for s.iiil county — rlien the above obligation to be void, else remain in full force and virtue.
The above document was signed by all parties concerned, and the record continues:
We, the undersigned commissioners, being appointed by the Legislature of Indiana to fix the permanent seat of jus- tice for the county of Floyd, do, in consideration of the aforesaid sum of $9,000 secured to said county and four lots within New Albany, by John Eastburn, Seth Woodruff, Charles Woodruff, Joel Scribner, James Scribner, and Smith & Paxson, as set out in their aforesaid bond or obligation, establish the seat of justice for said county of Floyd on the public ground in said town of New .Mbany.
Given under our hands and seals at New Albany, this, the 4tH day of March, 1819.
John Cawter,
WlLLI,\.M HOGGATT,
Hknry Ristine.
The above named commissioners were allowed three dollars per day each, and were engaged from six to nine days in fixing the county seat.
This arrangement seemed to be final as to the location of the county seat, but later, in 1823, as will be seen further on in this chapter, the matter was reopened, the above contract not having been fulfilled. Commissioners were appointed by the State to relocate the county seat, but the matter was finally adjusted by the citizens.
During the first years of its existence the county had little government except that given it by the county commissioners, and little use for county records except to keep the pro- ceedings of the commissioners and an oc- casional case in Judge Floyd's court. The com- missioners were Jacob Piersol, Cleuient Nance, Jr., and Charles Paxson. Their meetings were frequent; there was much to do to get the machinery of the new county in motion and working smoothly; the larger part of their time was taken up for several years in the establish- ment of new roads and the appointment of super- visors and other necessary officers. Their powers and duties were much more extended than at present.
THE FIRST COURT-HOUSE.
The first meetings of the commissioners were held in Judge Seth Woodruffs tavern, located on Main street betvveen Upper Third and Fourth. This was the largest frame building in town at the time, became the county court-house and was headquarters for all county business. Wood- ruff himself was the principal man in the new
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
87
county. He was a large framed, laiye brained, rough, uncultivaitd, but with-al a kind-hearted inan — a Jcrscynian — who came west M'ith a family and plenty of surplus energy, physical strength, and go aheaditivencss, and while he lived made his presence felt in the community. He was no negative quantity, but a man of force and fine presence — a Bajitist preacher, a tavern keeper, a plasterci and bricklayer by trade, an associate judge, a justice of the peace, and in fact almost everything recjuired by a new county and a new town. He was a man of strong con- victions and whatever he believed he believed with all his might, and could not understand for the life of him why other people should differ from Inm. He was sure he was right, and those who differed with him must of necessity be wrong, and therefore subjects for his aggressive and powerfully placed argu- ments. Whatever he did he did with ail his might, and so enveloped his subject and work that he must necessarily control it or ruin it. His decisions in court were positive, and the other judges must coincide with him or there was trouble; his religion he believed to be the only true religion, and those who did not accept it were heretics and on the broad road to death and ruin. He believed himself capable of run- ning the new county and town and conducting all their affairs; and throwing open his house to the public, the commissioners, the courts, and all the county officials, he thus succeeded in inject- ing his opinions and not a little of his surplus human nature into all the county and town affairs. His house was two stories in height, and so arranged up stairs with folding doors that two or three large rooms could be thrown into one, which became the first court room in New Albany and also a place of meeting for the Bap- tists. Woodruff was the second bricklayer in town, a man named .Smith being the first, and much of their work is yet standing: Smith was probably the best workman; Woodruff used to say that he would take down and rebuild one of Smith's chimneys for the extra brick he could get out of it; but it is said that Woodruff's chim- neys would smoke sometimes.
Woodruff's tavern was used for a court-house until the erection of the first court-house in 1823, with the exception of a short time when the court occupied the basement of the Presby-
terian church. Most of the old tavern stand was taken down about 1832 and a brick building put up in its place, tiut it was known generally as ^Voodl■uf^s tavern until 1850, though its proper name was the New Albany Hotel. After 1850 it was known as the DePauw House. It is yet standing, a large, square, dirty, dilapidated look- ing brick building, and has been empty and deserted for some years.
THE SECOND COURT-HOUSE.
Early in 1820 the people of the county deter- mined to have a court-house. The Sciibners had placed at the disi)osal of the town and county, for public i^urposes, four large lots or squares at the intersection of State and Spring streets, and upon one of these the new court-house was to be built in accordance with the atbre-mentioned agree- ment between the county commissioners and Messrs John Eastburn, Seth Woodruff, Joel Scribner, James Scribner, and Smith i^ Paxson, who had entered into bonds of $25,000 to see that the work was done. Accordingly, on the i5lh of I-'ebruary, 1S20, the following entries ap- pear on the commissioners' records:
Ordered, that the treasurer pay William Xorman ten dol- lars for drawing a plan of the Court House.
Ordered, that the building of the Court House and Gaol be sold at public sale to the lowest bidder on the 3d .Monday in March next on the public square. Plans of the building can be seen at the store of Messrs. Paxson & E^istburn.
The commissioners ordered the above notice to be published three weeks in the Indianian, published at Jeffersonville, and at the same time in the Indiana Gazette, published at Corydon, and one notice to be posted on Seth Woodruff's door. The manner of publication of this notice is pretty good evidence that Patrick's paper, the first one publishedin New Albany, was not issued at that early date in 1S20. It was, however, started some time in that year, as it was there in the fall.
The sub-contractors for the work were Charles Paxson, Charles Woodruff, Christopher Arm- strong, and Seth Woodruff. The sale did not take place on the third Monday in Afarch, as or- dered, but on the 20th of April, and the job was bid off by Charles Paxson and others, as above named, for $7,860. According to the contrac:, they were to "well and truly build a good and sufficient Court House and Gaol in New Albany," according to the plan exhibited on the day of sale. This they failed to do. They had not
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figured closely enough, and had taken a larger "contract than they were able tn cuniplete. They went forward with the work, hut \^lK-n they saw that the money would give out long before the work was done tliey threw up the job, and it went back into the hands of the original bondsmen. Thus the years 1820 and 182 i went by and the county had no court-house; the consequence was the courts complained, and the people com- plained, which resulted in the reappointment of commissioners by the State to re locate the county-seat of Flo\d county. This brought the people of the town to, terms, as it was probably intended to do, and the commissioners imme- diately entered suit against the original contrac- tors for $9,000, for the purpose of completing the coiuthouse. \\'illiam P. and Joel D. Thomasson were attorneys for the commis- sioners.
The commissioners to relocate the county-seat, appointed by the Legislature Ajiril, 1823, were Allen D. Thom, Armstrong Brandon, Hugh Mc- Pheters, John Carr, and Edward Moore. The people had held [lublic meetings and made ex- traordinary efforts to raise money for the purpose of holding the county-seat; and Greenville began again to hope there was a prospect after all, through the negligence of the New Albanians, of securing the seat of justice. But when the com- missioners made their appearance at New Al- bany the people were ready with a large subscrip- tion (large for those days) to back up their orig- inal contractors, and go on with the completion of the county buildings. The amount sub- scribed by the citizens was $2,456.50, and the lot or public square deeded by the corporation to the county for this purpose «as valued at $800, making the total subscription $3,256.50, which sum, it v.as thought, would be ample for the completion of the buildings. A new bond was given, on which the sureties were James Scnbner, .Ashel Clapp, 1 )avid M. Hale, Abner Scribner, Garret McCann, Joel Scribner, Thomas Sinex, S. C. Miller, I. Starkey, Wicome Halle, Harvey Scribner, Elias Ayers, Joseph Cannon, Mason C. Fitch, R. S. Strickland, and Caleb Newman. These were among the best and wealthiest citizens of the town, and personally pledged themselves for the i)ayuient of the sub- scriptions. Thus the commissioners were satis- fied, and New Albany retained the countv-seat.
The following list of names of the subscribers to the fund for building the first court-house is given as much for the names of the old citizens of New .\lbany, and a desire for their ])reservation, as to show the manner in which such things weie done in the early days of the county's history:
AMOtl.NT f<AMF.S. SUBSCRIliI--,D.
Harvey Scribner ' . . $ 10.00
Henry Rinccking '. 10.00
r. F. Tuley ; 10.00
Joel Scribner, 6 16-100 acres land 180.00
Mary L. Miller o.oq
Lathrop Elderkin • 10.00
Joseph Cannon... 20.00
R. S. Strickland, work or materials 10.00
R. W. Xelson 10.00
Elias .-A vers, in brick or other material 60.00
Mason C. Fitch 20.00
Henry Weber i.oo
John Huston i.oo
James Lyons, in work or material 10.00
Willis X. Brown i.qo
John Spalding 15.00
Francis N. Moore 5.00
James Howard, one month carpenter work 20.00
Joseph Cannon 10.00
Walter W. Winchester lo.oo
Phebe Sciibner and Phebe Strong, real estate M-oo
John Hancock 2.00
John Goshart 10.00
Thomas H. Letcher, in brick laying 25,00
Isaac Brooks 5.00
Thomas Wright, in labor i.oo
John Doyle 5.00
David M. Hale, in cash or material 50.00
Jacob Marcell 5.00
F.dward Brown- in hauling 15.00
Henry Selp, carpenter work 6.00
H. Bogert 20.00
-Asa Smith, mason work 10.00
Jacob Oatman i.oo
William Baird 5.00
.Samuel Wilson 25.00
Joshua Wilson 30.00
Daniel Doup iS- 00
Caleb C. Davton, in shoemaking 10.00
Hiram L. Miller, one week carpenter work 9.00
William B. Crawford 25.00
.Alpheus B. Rowley .50
Joshua Wilson, to be paid at the completion of
building 70.00
Joel Leek 2.00
Jacob Bence 10.00
George Clark 5.00
Thomas Hi;ncock 2.00
J.imes Hancock i.oo
Jacob Marcell, smith work 10.00
H. Clapp, lot 31, Lower First street 45.00
H. Clapp, in labor or materials 3.i.<w
H. (_'Iapp, in labor 5.00
James B. Moore 8.00
|e?3e Hickman 6.00
John Shirley 6.00
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Philip Beamgard 3.00
Jostph Day _ 15 00
George McCullocli 6,00
John llaikiii 6.00
Snmuel |ackson 3.00
Henry Turner, in labor 3.00
John Rose 12.00
Warren Bucklin 10.00
Samuel Marsh 10.00
Daniel Scabrook 10.00
H. Bogert .• 10.00
Joel Scnbner, lot 27, Lower First street 60.00
David M. Hale, labor 10.00
James Besse 15.00
Samui-'l C. Miller! 20.00
Abraham Brown 15.00
Isa.ic Sproatt 15.00
William Drysdale 20.00
Wicome Hale 10.00
Joel D. 'I'hompson 10.00
Abner Scribncr, lot 2, Upper Elm, and lot 5, Lower
p^lm 132.00
Abner Scribner, lots 30 and 37, Upper Elm 75- 00
Abner Scribner, lot 15, Lower Spring 75-oo
Frap.cis Vary, in lime or hauling 4.00
Levi Vary, labor i.oo
Josepii Brindley, mason work 10.00
Garret McCan, smith work 10.00
Caleb Newman 10.00
Seth Woodruff, bell and cupola 100.00
Seth Woodruff, lot ^7, Lower High (Main) street.... 100.00
James .Scribner, lot 30, Lower Market 7500
James Scribner, one-fourth section land 80.00
Obadiah Childs, carpenter work . 8.00
Darius Genung 23 00
Daniel Lane, hauling 5.00
John Nicholson, mason work 10.00
John Connor, to be paid when building completed. . 20.00
John A. Bright. 25.00
James W. Breden 5.00
George Starkey 5.00
Benjamin Shreve 10.00
Margaret Shelby, to be paid in corn or other produce
at the market price, delivered in New Albany. . . . 50.00
Richard Comly, carpenter work 50.00
Caleb C. Dayton, shoemaking 10.00
Zephaniah Smith , 5.00
Charles Russell, work or material 6.00
Josiah .Akin 6.00
S. K. Gillchrus 10.00
William Smith 3.00
John .Abbott 4.00
John Sanders i.co
David H. WlUi.ims 5.00
Abraham Brown, labor 10.00
M. O. Fitch, administrator of Charles Pa.xson, de- ceased 100.00
Selh Woodruff for G. W Barclay 19.00
John Miles 20.00
Garret McCan, in blacksmithing 10.00
Robert Chamberlain 3.00
William Beeler, c.irpentcr work ". 10.00
Daniel Wilson, by his agent, .\. Clapp 20 00
John S. Doughton 5.00
James McCrum, nails 10.00
John A. Bright 10.00
J ohn J ones 50. 00
Hugh Ferguson 10.00
William Ferguson 10.00
William Gamble, by his agent, Henry Bogert 5.00
Thomas Sine.x, carpenter work X5.00
J. Starkey 20.00
At a special session of the commissioners held May 31, 1S23, it was ordered that' Caleb New- man be appointed to superintend the building of the courthouse; his duties, as defined, being to collect the money from the subscribers, jiurchase the materials, pay the hands, and personally su- perintend the construction of the building. He was also authorized to sell the lots that had been donated, except the public square upon which the buildingwas to be erected. Hev.-as required to report at each meeting of the board of commission- ers, and entered into bond of $1,500, with John Hancock as surety, for the faithful performance of his duties. He was to follow the published plan of the court-house, except to make the walls two feet higher. Mr. Newman went forward with the building of the court-house but did not complete it, and for some reason was superseded in August, 1824, by Thomas Sinex, who contin- ued to superintend the work until it was com- pleted, which was in November, 1S24, except the cupola, which was to be erected by Seth A\'oodruff. Upon finishing the building and fil- ing his account, it appeared that $67.55 was due Mr. Sinex.
The building was a square, two-story brick, with a four-sided roof sloping up to the center, upon which was a cupola and bell. It was a sub- stantial building; stood about where the present building stands, and answered the purpose for which it was designed about forty years, when the business of the county had increased to such an extent as to require a new one. It was freely used in early days for public meetings, elections, and religious meetings. The cupola was not put up for several years after the building was other- wise finished, as appears by the following entry on the commissioners' records, dated March 5, 1827:
Ordered, that David NL Hale be appointed a committee to request that Seth Woodruff (who subscrit-ed for the court- house, the Luilding of a suitable cupola thereto) to com- plete said subscriiuion. and su[)erintend the putting up of the cupola; and said Hale is also appointed to finish one of the upper rooms of the court-house for the use of the jurors, and make an addition to the bar table, and fix a convenient deik
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
thereon for the use of the clerk during llie sessions of the court.
These last mentioned improvements cost fifty dollars.
THE PRLSLNT COURT-HOUSK.
This beautiful and substantial structure was built during the years 1865-66-67. It is built of limestone from the Bedford quarries in Law- rence county, Indiana, and cost when completed $127,700. 'J'h.e stsle of aichitccture is Corinthi- an. 'I'he order for its erection was issued by the commi.ssioncrs in .March, 1865, and the corner- stone was laid July i ilh of the same year with approi)riate Masonic ceremonies. The building is sixty-four feet front by one hundred in depth, forty-five feet in height, and fire-proof.
In the copper box placed in the corner-stone were placed the following articles: Portraits of Presidents Andrew Johnson and Abraham Lin- coln, Edward Everett, Stephen A. Douglas, Her- schel V. Johnson, and John Bell ; a copy of Harper's Weekly containing an account of the assassination of President Lincoln; various de- nominations of script, both Federal and Confed- erate; 0 large number of coins of various kinds; portraits of the Governor of the State, and names of the members of Congress for this district, United States senators from Indiana, senator and representative from Floyd county, judges of the circuit and common pleas courts, county clerk, sheriff, treasurer, recorder, county commissioners, county auditor, all city officials, architects and builders, editors of the Ledger, olificeis of the masonic fraternity officiating; crpies of the daily and weekly Ledger, a number of other news- papers and some other articles. Dr. Thomas R. Austin was the ofliciating officer and delivered the address.
THE JMLS.
The first jail was built on the public square near where the jiresent one is, and was a log building, erected by Seth Woodruff. In May, 1819, the following entry is found on the com- missioner's records :
Ordered, that -Seth V\'oodrufT, Esquire, be employed to build .1 jiil to beset en the Public -Squ.ire in the toun of New Albany, agreeably to the follouin.a; dimensions: Said Jail to be twelve feet square with a shingled roof tliercoii; to be built of logs hewed one foot square: seven feet hi;;h be- tween the floors; the floors and ceiling to be of hewed logs one foot thick and pinned down to the timbers; for which he is to receive fifty doliari out of the county treasury.
And it is further ordered that the said Woodruff be and is herctjy appointed to make a good and sufficient dour two "feet stjuari , lined with iron, for the above mentioned jail."
The above mentioned door " two feet square " was hung so as to drop down like the door of a chicken-coo]) and was secured by a padlock. Mr. Seatjrook says: "as a general tlung the ]iad- lock was lost and the door was secured by prop- ping it with a nail." Soon after the time that the great county of Floyd ordered a fifty dollar log jail, the following entry appears :
Ordered, that Charles Paxson employ some fit person to erect a fence fifty feet square, out of good white oak timber, five feet in heigtit, for a public pound on the Public s^qiinre on which the jaii now stands.
The cost of this public pound was' $20, and Thomas Sinex was appointed pound keeper.
Whether the log jail was torn down by some unruly criminal or whether its lirnited space of twelve feel square was insufficient for the crimi- nal population of the county does not appear, but in May, 1823, the following entry appears;
Ordered, that the house belonging to the estate of Joseph Brindley, deceased, on lot 31, Upper High street, be made use of for one year for a gaol.
The probability is that the old log jail stood there until another was built in 1829, but having but one small room it was often found necessary to have some other place to confine criminals.
May 2, 1826, the following appears on the record :
Ordered, that three persons be appointed in each town- ship in the county to circulate subsciiption papers to solicit donations for the purpose of building a county gaol on one of the Public Squares of Xew Albany.
The persons appointed were David Sillings, Jacob Bence and John Rice, of Franklin township; Harvey Scribner, Preston Y. Tuley, and Elias Ayers, for New Albany township, and Aaron Lley, James H. Mills, and William ^Vil- kinson for Greenville township. For some rea- son this project failed to produce a new jail, and the years went by until January 5, 1S29, when the subject is again referred to in the cominis- sioners' records, as follows :
Resolved, that for the purpose of ascertaining the best plan for building a permanent gaol for the use of the county D.ivid M. Hale, Caleb .N'ewman and William Wilkinson be and they arc hereby appointed to devise and report at the next meeting of the commissioners scpaiate plans for a gaol. and the probable expense o( tjuililing the same.
March 20, 1829, the commissioners having examined the different plans, that of David M. Hale was accepted. From this it appears that
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the " plan upon the ground is to be 54x16 feet ; criminal department is to be sixteen feet square and to be built of hewn stone ; the remainder of said house upon the ground and the second story is intended for a poor house and gaol keeper. The debtor's depririment is to be immediately above the criminal. See plan."
Ordered, that Richard Comly be appointed to superintend the building of the sanic; and $300 is hcteby appropriated for building the same.
Thus was secured the first substantial "gaol" in the county and which answered the purpose until the present substantial brick and stone building was erected in 1S5S, on the northeast corner of State and Spring streets, at a cost of $15,000.
ANOTHER COUXTV BUILDING.
This is the county infirmary building, located two and a half miles north of the city near the railroad. The county secured a farm here of one hundred and sixty-seven acres about 183S. It contained a log house to which a log addition was added in 1S42. Soon afterwards, however," a large frame house was built on the ground, which is yet standing. The present brick build- ing was erected in 1875. Prior to the establish- ment of the poor farm the paupers were "farmed out," that is, ihey were kept by the farmers of the county who were paid something by the county in addition to labor they were able to secure from the pauper. As indicated above, they were kept at the jail until places could be found for them.
CHAPTER IV.
ORGANIZATION OF CLARKE COUNTY.
Clarke enjoys the proud preeminence of standing in the second generation of Indiana counties. Knox, created by proclamation of General Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the terri- tory northwest of the river Ohio, away back in the nineties, was, as is pretty well known, the original county, covering neirly the whole of what is now Indiana, with much more superficial area to the westward. It was, indeed, one of the four counties into which the great Northwest
Territory was divided, and the only one west of the then great county of Hamilton, whose boun- dary toward the setting sun was the line pre- scribed as the limit of Indian occupancy by the Treaty of Greenville, from Fort Recovery, near \Vayne's battle-ground, hard upon the present Ohio State line, straight to the mouth of the river Kentucky.
No county by its formation intervened in Southern Indiana between the original Knox and the original Clarke counties, the latter of which, like the former and the other primal sub- divisions of the Northwest Teiritory, was the child, not of legislative enactment, but of guber- natorial proclamation. Since Knox was erected, Indiana Territory had been carved out of the mighty Northwest, and the young but already firmed general from Cincinnati, William Henry Harrison, by and by to become the hero of Tip- pecanoe, had been made Governor of the vast tract stretching from the (ireenville boundary line (Fort Recovery to the Kentucky) westward to the Mississippi and northward almost indefi- nitely. On the 3d day of February, iSor, many months before the State of Ohio had been cre- ated, it was deemed that the time had arrived for a new sub-division in southeastern Indiana. Upon proper representation to his excellency, the Governor and commander-in-chief, at his head- quarters and Territorial capital in Vincennes, he, upon the day named, issued his proclamation erecting the county of Clarke "out of that part of the county of Knox lying within the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning on the Ohio, at the mouth of Blue river, thence up the said river to the crossing of the same by the road leading from Vincennes to Clafksville, thence by a direct line to the nearest part of White river, thence up the said river to that branch thereof which runs towards Fort Recovery, and from the head spring of said branch to Fort Recovery; thence along the boundary line between the In- diana and Northwestern Territory to the Ohio, and down the Ohio to the place of beginning."
This was a great county, not far from one-fifth of the present tract of Indiana. Its boundaries can be traced with approximate accuracy upon any good, detailed map of the State, especially if it shows the princi[)al roads and indicates, as some do, the old Greenville treaty line. The exact place of crossing the Blue river by the
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Vincennes and Clarksville road may now be rather diflicult to determine;- but it could hot have been very far from tlie present crossing of the main road from the old capital to Jefferson- ville or New Albany. Otherwise the lines, with- out much trouble, can be run with tolerable cer- tainty. They included not only the present counties of Clarke and Floyd, which make up but a moderate fraction of the original Clarke, but also, in whole or in part, Harrison, Wasiiing- ton, Jackson, Scott, Jefferson, Jennmgs, Ripley, Decatur, Franklin, Bartholomew, Shelby, Rush, Fayette, Union, Henry, Randolph, Wayne, and very likely other counties. It was a noble tract, an embryo State, in territorial area.
THE COUNTV-SEAT.
No other name could have been so fitly applied to a county including the Clarke Grant and the residence of the hero of the Northwest — he to whom the fact is due that the country embraced in it was then and is now under the flag of the United States — than that of General George Rogers Clarke, the compatriot and friend of Har- rison; and Clarke county, of course, it became by the latter's nomination. It would have been strikingly appropriate, also, if Clarksville on the Ohio, the place founded by the conqueror, and at this time his personal home, had been made the county-seat. It is probable, however, that geographical considerations, those of convenience to the straggling population — which, however, was nearly all within a few miles of the river — determined the site of local government, in the first instance; and it was settled at Springville, then a hopeful hamlet a mile and a quarter southwest of Charlestown, the subsequent county- seat, and nearly four miles from the river at the nearest point. This place has fallen into greater decay than even Clarksville, not one of the prim- itive houses remaining, nor any visible sign that ever a village was there. It is now simply open country.
THE FIRST COURT.
Here, however, as the designated capital of the new county, assembled in solemn conclave, on the 7ch day of April, iSoi, the first court in Clarke, being the court of general quarter ses- sions of the peace, composed, under the com- mission of Governor Harrison and the sea! of the Territory of Indiana, of Justices Marston Green
Clarke, • Abraham Huff, James Noble Wood, Thomas Downs, William Goodwin, John Gibson, Charles Tuley, and William Harwood, Esquires — all, as may be seen elsewhere, good names in the early history of the county. Samuel Gwathmey also took his seat as clerk of this court and pro- thonotary of the court of common pleas, and clerk of the orphans' court of this county. General W. Johnson, "Gentleman," on his own motion, v/as admitted as an attorney-at-law in the court on production of his license and admin- istration of the prescribed oath.
THE FIRST TOWNSHIPS.
At this earliest term it was ordered that the immense county be divided into three townships, as follow :
The first to begin on the Ohio, opposite the mouth of Blue river; thence up the Ohio to the mouth of Peter Mc- Daniel's spring branch; from thetice to [in^ direct course to Pleasant run, the br.inch on which Joseph Bartholomew lives, and down that branch to the mouth thereof, thence down Pleasant run to where the same enters into Silver creek; thence a due west course to the western boundary of this county; — to be called and known by the name of Clarks- ville Township.
The second to begin at the month of Peter McDaniel's spring branch; thence »ip the Ohio to the mouth of Fourteen Mile creek; thence up the main branch thereof to the head; and from thence a due west course to the county line, and from thence with the same to Clarksville township, and with the line thereof to the Ohio at the place of beginning; — to be called and known by the name of Spri.n'GVILLE Tows-
SHIP.
The third one to begin at the mouth of Fourteen Mile creek; thence with the line of Springville township to the county line; thence with the same to the Ohio river; and thence down the same, to include the remaining part of the county to the place of beginning; — to be called and known by the name of Spring Hill Township.
This division, rude and insufficient as it may now appear, was doubtless all that was then de- manded by the conditions of white settlement. Every one of these township names, as such, it will be observed, has disappeared in the recon- struction of the county and its townships from decade to decade. More concerning these old sub-divisions will be found hereafter in the town- ship histories.
Mr. Charles Floyd was appointed by the court "constable of the county" for the township of Clarksville. William F. Tuley received similar ai)pointnient for Springville, and Robert Wardel for Spring Hill.
MORE COURT PROCEEDINGS.
At the next day's session of the general court
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Robert Hamilton, also "Gentleman," after the fashion of that time, was admitted to the Clarke county bar.
Joshua Lindsey, on his own motion, was rec- ommended to "His Excellency the Governor of this Territory," as a proper i)erson to keep a tavern in Springville for one year. Samuel Hay and George Wood were his sureties.
Under "an act to regulate county levies," the court appointed Joseph Bartholomew for one year, Peter Stacey for two years, and Joseph Stewart for three years, as commissioners to as- certain and lay the tax levy for the county. Isaac Holman and Charles Bags were appointed "to appraise each house in town, town lots, out-lot, and mansion-house" in the township of Clarks- ville; William Combs, Sr., and Absalom Little for Spiingville; and John Bags and John Owen for Spring Hill.
Leonard Bowman and William Wilson were made "supervisors of the public roads and high- ways" for Clarksville; Elisha Carr and George Huckleberry for Springville; and John Petit and Jesse Purdue for Spring Hill. Commissioners to settle their accounts, respectively, were George Hughes, James Davis, and Francis McGuire, for Clarksvillej John Clegham, George Woods, and Nicholas Harmon, for Springville; and Abraham Huft', "Esquire" (one of the honorable court), William Plaskel, and William Brinton, for Spring Hill.
Under "an act regulating enclosures," Philip Dailey, Peter Stacey, and Isaac Holman were named fence viewers for Clarksville; Kauf- man, Nathan Robertson, and Frederick Rice, for Springville; and Jonathan Thomas, Christopher Fefler^ and Jacob Heberick for Spring Hill.
Overseers of the poor for these townships, severally, were Benjamin Redman and Isaac Holman; George Huckleberry, Sr., and Abraham Little; and William Plaskel and John Bags.
It was ordered that the ferry-keepers on the Ohio in the county observe the following tariff of rates: For a man, woman, or child, twelve and one-half cents; each horse twelve and one-half cents; every head of neat cattle three years old and upwards, twelve and one-half cents; all cattle under that age, nine cents; each sheep, goat, or hog, four cents; every wagon or four wheeled carriage, $i; and for every other carriage of two wheels, fifty cents; for goods, wares, merchan-
dise, lumber, etc., $i for each boatload. Lower rates were made for the ferry at the mouth of Silver creek. This ferry was taxed t\\enty-rive cents for the year; the ferries across the Ohio were required to pay from $4 to $7. George Hughes then kept the former; the others w.ere run by Major Robert Floyd, Samuel Oldham, Rich- ard T'errel, and James N. Wood.
THE KARI.V ROADS.
On due petitions, orders were made for the view and survey of roads from Clarksville to the most convenient landing above the rapids of Ohio (Jeffcrsonvillc had not yet even a name to live); from the ferry of James N. Wood (Utica) to Springville; and from the house of Abraham Hoffto Springville. The viewers in the several cases were Henry Fail, Sr., George Hughes, and Leonard Bowman; Joseph Bartholemew, Thomas Ferguson, and Francis McGuire; and John Owens, John Bags, and George Woods. The surveyors, respectively, were William Wilson and Charles Tuley (the latter for both the second and third roads asked for).
The court then adjourned "until court in course" — the July term. An intelligent and vigorous beginning of county administration of government had begun.
THE COUXTV SEATS.
Springville was soon succeeded as the county seat by Jeffersonville; then Charlestown became the county seat; and finally, in September, 1S7S, after a sharp struggle, the records and offices were returned to Jeffersonville, where they are probably permanently located. Some details concerning these removals will appear in our histories of the townships.
CHAPTER V.
MILITARY RECORD OF CLARKE AND FLOYD COUNTIES.
The military record of the two counties of Floyd and Clarke is practically inseparable. In- timately neighbored as they are, in territory and •interest, in patriotism and faithful service during periods of conflict, they should go down in his-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIFS.
tory closely interlinked. Although some com- panies were raised exclusively in ench of the counties, yet many others drew their officers and men almost indifferently from one county and the other; and commands from the two coun- ties are often found serving lugethtr in the same regiment. The rosters and records of Floyd and Clarke are found so closely associated upon the pages of the adjutant general's reports and else- where, that it would be exceedingly difficult, even were the compiler disposed to do so, to sepa- rate them and make a distinct history and set of rosters for each county. The glorious story of both has therefore been made one.
THE AN'CIENT RECORD —
the old relation of wars and fightings about the Falls of the Ohio, and the movement of martial expeditions therefrom in the times that tried men's souls, has been told in our chapter on the Indians in the general introduction to this his- tory, in the first volume of the work, and m the military record of Jefferson county. It is there related with sufficient fullness, and no part of it need be repeated here. Wc ate not aware that anything specially remains to be said for this side of the river, concerning bloody conflicts or the re- cruiting of forces for the field of battle, until the well-remembered period of
THE MEXIC.W WAR.
In the spring of 1S46, the government of Mexico, still claiming jurisdiction over the terri- tory of Texas between the Rio Grande and the Neuces, caused its army to invade that district, which was held by the United States government, by virtue of the recent annexation of the Lone Star. State, to be the soil of the Federal union. The invasion was met and repelled by the army of the United States, under General Zachary Taylor, formerly a resident of Louisville, at Palo Alto on the 8th of May, and the next day at Re- saca de la Palma. Four days thereat'ter the Federal Congress by resolution declared that, "by the act of the Republic of Mexico, a state of war exists between that Government and the United States." May 2 2d, President Polk called upon the States for volunteer recruits for the at my to the total number of lorty-three thousand Civti hundred. Indiana was summoned to fur- nish three regiments of infantry and, under the proclamutioa of Governor Whitcomb, they were
speedily raised, and the First, Second, and Third Indiana regiments were organized and sent into the field. The next year, under the call of Au- gust 31, 1S47, for two additional regiments from Indiana, the I'^ourth and Fifth were recruited and sent forward. From the numbers of these Mexican battalions the Indiana regiments in the late war took their puint of departure, none of them bearing a number earlier than the Sixth.
The only muster-rnll we have been able to procure, of soldiers from this region' in the Mexican war, is that of Captain Sanderson's company in the Second regiment of Indiana volunteer infantry, which we have by the kind- ness of Colonel W. W. Tuley, of New Albany, who was a private in the company, and published an interesting histoiy of it in the Public Press of that city, for December 14, 188 1. It was originally an independent volunteer company, formed in New Albany in 1S44, and named the Spencer Greys, in honor of Captain Sj)encer, a brave Indianan who fell at Tippecanoe. William L. Sanderson, a colonel in the late war, was cap- tain: Stewart W. Cayce and James C. Moodey, lieutenants. Sanderson was a good drill master, and the corps soon became "the crack com- pany" of the State. L^pon the outbreak of the war, nearly all its members volunteered for the United States service, into which the company was sworn July 20, 1846. Captain Sander- son and Lieutenant Cayce retained their place? by re-election ; but Thomas S. Kunkle was chosen second lieutenant, in place of Judge Moodey, who declined to go, and Henry Pennington was after made an additional second lieutenant. The roll of the company was as follows :
c.\PTAix Sanderson's company.
CaMMrSSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain William L. Sanderson. First Lieutenant Stewart VV. Cayce. Second Lieutenaw Thomas S. Kunkle. Additional Second Lieutenant lienry Pennington.
NO.V-COM.MISSIO.NED OFFICERS.
Sergeant .Aug. M. J.ickson, Sergi.'ant R. F. Freeman. Sergeant Thomas Guin. Sergeant George W. Lapping, C-'orporal B.'njamin F. Scribner. Corporal tieorgc \V. Smitli. Corporal Lnos 1 .lylor. Corporal Thomas V. Siran.
PRIVATES.
William .\ikin, William J .Austin. Guodheart .Abbott, William .Abbott, George .Adams, Frank Bailey, [ames Ba:ley,
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Michael Bui ris, William Bell, Is:i,ic Hu/:t.y, Samuel Buchan- an, Larkin Cunningh.im. Hir.im W. Ca'Jin, William Cook, William Canada, Ltsvis Coulter, Jesse Fox, Sanuitl Fiiiley, 'rhoinas Frazier, Berry Guiii, Jnmes I'. Guin, Charles H. GofT, AlluTt L. Cioodwin, John M. Mulchings, Martin Howard. Daniel Hiniard, John Howard, Tlionias Howard, Samuel Howard, Wiliiam Hopkins, John Hitch. Luther N. Hollis, Georf^e Hcffinan, .\iigust E. Hughes, Henry Hardy, Alexander M. Jackson, Granville Jackson, William Lee, William H. Lilly, Edwin R. Lunt, John T. Lewis, Walter J. McMurlry, John M.. Laiighlin, Conrad Miller, Joseph Morgan, Nathan McDowell, John .\. Mitchell, James B. Mulkey, Henry ^L M.Ullieus, Richard S. Morris, Emanuel ,\V. Moore, John D. ^icKa", Harvev Pa'ldock. William Pitt, Wesley Pierce, Hiram J. Reamer, Warren Robinson. Thomas Raper, David Rice, ApoHos .Stephens, Luther Steph- ens, Thomas W. Sinex, James Smith, Calvin R. Tiiompson, William W. Tuley, John Taylor, James Taylor, Thom.is J. Tyler, Luke Thomas, James Winingcr, James B. Winger, James Walts, Henry W. Welker, Charles Wright, Miles D. Warren, Philip Zubrod.
The comiaiiy was .soon called to the field with its regiment (which, by the wa\-, was encamped near New Albany. Captain Sanderson here came near being elected colonel, but, it is alleged, was cheated out of his election). It encamped for ten days on the New Orleans battle-ground, and spent several months at Camp Lel- knap, a few miles up the east bank of the Rio Grande, then marched into the interior and took prominent part in the battle of Bucna Vista, February 22, 1847, ''■* \\hich Captain San- derson was seriously wounded. Bela C. Kent, Esq., now a leading citizen of New Albany, was also on this field as an independent rifleman. The company was mustered out at New Orleans in June of the same year, and reached home on Independence day, where it had a grand wel- come.
Colonel Tuley gives the following account of the survivors of this company and of the field oflicers of the regiment, so far as he knows of them':
General Lane, the first colonel, died recently in Oregon. Of the cfficers. Second regiment, NLijor Cravens, of Wash- ington county, alone survives. All of our commissioned oflicers are dead except Lieutenant Pennington, who resides in this city. The sergeants are all dead except George W. Lappin/^, of this city. The corporals all reside in this city, but Enos Taylor, and he may be living or dead. William Akin is one of the tiriu of .Akin & Drummond. founders. Louisville. William J. Austin is in Florirla. William Bell died last year at Oxford, Indiana, i 'alvin F.. Thompson, K. \V. Moore and Sam i-iiiley are in loiv.t. William Cook is in Bowling Green, Keatuckv. Ii:rry tjwin. .Alexander Jackson, John McLaughlin, Conr.id Miller. Wesley Pierce. M. J. Reamer, William W. Tuley, James Taylor and Miles D. Warren are all residents of this county. J. F. Cjwin lives in northern Indiana; John .M. Hutching^, the Howards,
William H. Lilly, in Clarke county, Indiana; Nathan Mc- Dowell, at Glasgoiv, Kentucky; James B. Mulky is practicing law at Bloomington, Indiana; Richard S. Morris at Galves- ton, Texas; William Pitt, dead. Where the others arc, or whether living or dead, I know not.
THK W.\R OF THE KKliKI.I.IOX.
On the 15th day of May, 1S61, the second day after the fall of Fort Sumter and the very day of the issue of President Lincoln's proclama- tion calling out seventy-five thousand of the militia of the States to aid in quelling the insur- rection. Governor Motion tendered ' to the President a contingent of ten thousand men from Indiana. The quota assigned to the State under the call, however, was something less than half thi.'^, number, being six regiments of infantry or riflemen, numbering in all, as these commands were then organized, but four thou- sand si.\ hundred and eighty-three men who would be received for a three months' term of service. The ranks of these regiments were filled instantly, and a large number of surplus companies were formed. These were organized by the Governor upon his own responsibility, into five more regiments, which were sworn into the service of the State to be used in its defense, if necessary, or for the general service, for the period of twelve months. The Legislature, at its next session, not only supported the action of Governor Morton, but went further, and author- ized the formation of six such regiments. Meanwhile, on the 21st of May, on the further requisition of the General Government, three of the regiments formed from the overflow under the three months' call had been transferred to the United States service and were mustered in for the period of three years. The subsequent calls by proclamation of the President of July 3 and August 4, 1862; of June 15, 1S63 (under which four regiments of six months' men were sent to East Tennessee); October 17, 1S63; February i, March 14, July 18, and December 19, 1864, were responded to most patriotically by the gallant jjeople of Indiana; and the contin- gents were in general, rapidly formed and sent to the several scenes of action. Nearly every Indiana soldier volunteered. A light draft was made under an order of October 6, 1862, but it was afterward.; learned that the men drafted were not then actually due from the State. On the 30th of November, 1S63, under the call of the Government for colored volunteers, six com-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
panics were raised in Indiana, numbering five hundred and eighteen men, who were received into tlic Twenty-eighth regiment of United States colored troops.
The rosters, hereafter pubhshcd, will show that a full share of these, as of all other troops raised in the State, went from Floyd and Clarke counties. In the credits for veteran volunteers made up March 29, 1865, the former county had oiie. If this seem a small number, it should be noted that seven other counties of the State had only as many, and four counties had but two each. We give this figure here, partly to point the contrast between this isolated acci- dental credit, as it were, and the hundreds who became veteran volunteers from the two coun- ties, and the thousands who enlisted in the Fed- eral service for longer or shorter periods. Already, by the 19th of September, 1S62, when the war had been in progress but sixteen months, it was ascertained that Clarke county had one thousand six hundred and twelve of her sons in the field, and that the total enrollment of those remaining of suitable age for military service was two thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, of whom two thousand two hundred and ninety- seven were subject to draft; and that the corres- ponding figures for Floyd county were one thou- sand and sixty seven, three thousand three hun- dred and twenty-nine, and two thousand eight hundred and eighty-four, a very honorable showing, truly. (It may be added just here that the return of Indiana militia made to the United States Government after the^war, April 6, 1867, exhibited a total of four thousand, five hundred and fifty-five capable of doing military service in Clarke county, and four thousand two hundred and nine in Floyd). It is very gratifying to be able to record that so far as is now remembered there was no disloyal expression at any of the early war-meetings in these counties, while trea- son was outspoken in certam of the adjacent counties.
FURfHER OK THE HOME WORK.
Recruiting for the Union armies was begun very early and very efficiently in Clarke and Floyd counties. It was greatly stimulated by the organization at Jeffersonville of the fir^t camp made by a Kentucky .eginient forming for the Union army. This offered an excellent op- portunity to many patriotic Indianians, who were
imable to find places in the first regiments from this State or for any other reason preferred to en- ■list in a regiment in another State, to enlist in the noble command being recruited by General Rousseau, of Louisville. As will be seen by lists published at the end of the rosters of Floyd and Clarke county commands, a considerable number of officers in this and other Kentucky regiments, were residents of Jeffersonville or New Albany. Dou'btlcss a much greater num- ber of enlisted men from these cities and the adjacent country went into regiments from Ken- tucky and other States; but unhaj^pily there are no means of identifying or naming them; and their honor must remain unsung, except in a general way, in this history. We are able to present the nanus of Indiana officers in Ken- tucky regiments only by the enterprise of the adjutant general of that State, who, in his report for the war period, took pains to make an alpha- betical list of all officers in the service with Ken- tucky commands, and their places of residence.
THE IXniAN'.X LEGION'.
The elaborate report of the adjutant general of the State of Indiana for the war, in eight octavo volumes, makes especial mention of Col- onels John T. Willey and John N. Ingham, of Clarke county, and Colonels Benjamin F. Scrib- ner and William W. Tuley, of Floyd, for their • services in aiding to raise the Indiana Legion in the fall of 1 86 1. This organization of the State militia was formed under an act of the State Legislature, passed May nth, of that year, in view of the war then imminentfy impending. It was not, however, put upon a war footing until the autumn of 1S61, on account of the scarcity of arms, every gun that could be procured up to that tmie being needed to equip troops for the United States service. September loth Governor Morton commissioned Major John Love, of In- dianapolis, major general, and Colonel John L. Mansfield, of Jeffersonville, brigadier general, for the purpose of organizing the Legion. Com- panies were formed in nearly every county. They were grouped in two divisions, each commanded respectively, by Major Generals Mansfield and James Hughes (both promoted from brigadiers). The regiments of the Legion formed in Floyd and Clarke counties (full rosters of which will be tound below), were assigned to the Second bri-
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gade of the Second division of tlie Legion, .com manded at fust by Brigadier General Hughes, and after his promotion to the command of a division, by Brigadier General Henry Jordon.
The admirable report of the adjutant general of the State (General \\'. H. H. Terrell) fur the war period, gives the following account of the organization and services of the Floyd county regiment:
"seventh REGI.MKNT, third FRIG.\nE.
"From the report of Colonel E. A. Maginness, it appears tliat this regiment was organized under command of Colonel B. F. Scribner, during the spring of 1861, and consisted at that time of eighteen companies, numbering in the aggregate nine hundred men, most of whom were uni- formed, but not more than three hundred armed.
"During the first four months the most satis- factory progress was made in company and battalion drill, but protracted delay in procuring arms and accoutrements created general dissatis- faction, while the organization of two regiments of volunteers in this county and vicinity for the United States service absorbed many of the officers and men who had been the most active members of the Legion. Every company contrib- uted much of its best material to the two regi- ments, and several of them were thus- entirely deprived of commissioned officers. From these causes most of the companies were disorganized, and the efficiency of those who retained their organization was seriously impaired. Here, as elsewhere, the Legion served the noble purpose of educating young men for active service and in infusing martial enthusiasm into the public mind.
"Colonel Scribner entering the L'nited States service as colonel of the Thirty-eighth Indiana volunteers, the command of the Sesenth passed to Colonel William W. Tuley in September, 1861. During the incumbency of Colonel Tuley he was requested by General Anderson, then on duty in Kentucky, to send Knapjj's artillery com- pany of his command to a point opposite the mouth of Salt river, and to keep it supported by at least one company of infrntry. The request was complied with, the artillery remaining on duty at the point designated about three months, during which time three infantry companies par- ticipated in the duty of supporting it, relieving each other from time to time, One company
was subsequently sent to Indianapolis to assist in guarding j^risoners at Camp Morton, in which service it continued several months.
"Upon the resignation of Colonel Tuley in September, 1S62, Colonel Maginncss was placed in command. He found the regiment, with the exception of four companies, 'utterly broken up,' and 'even these four companies very much shat- tered'— a condition which was not much im- proved at the date of his reiiort, in December following. Colonel Maginness attributes the early dissolution of the organization to the 'ut- terly and fatally defective law that gave it birth,' a law 'which discovers no inducements to allure, nor penalties to compel men to join the organi- zation.'"
The following partial account of the services of the large regiment raised chiefly in Clarke county is also given in the same document:
"eighth regiment, third urigade.
"No detailed report of the inception and pro- gress of the organization in Clarke and Scott counties has been made by any of the officers commanding, nor has this oftice been furnished with reliable data relative to the services per- formed by this regiment, or any of the companies attached thereto. James Keigwin, of Jefferson, was first appointed to the colonelcy, under commission bearing date August 30, 1S61, but almost immediately vacated the office to accept the lieutenant-colonelcy of the Forty- ninth Indiana volunteers. Colonel John N. Ingram held the command from September 6, 1861, to October 13, 1862, when his resignation created a vacancy which was filled by the ap- pointment of John F. Willey. This officer re- ports twelve companies in Clarke and five com- panies in Scott counties at the close of 1S62. Portions of the command were frequently called out to repel threatened incursions of Kentucky guerrillas, and the regiment rendered good service in guarding the shoals on the Ohio, when the water was low and the danger of invasion im- minent. With resident rebel sympathizers, of whom there were a considerable number in these companies, the Legion unquestionably exercised a restraining influence. It was a prolific nursery for the volunteer service, a quickener of patri- otic impulses, and conservator of genuine loy- alty."'
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Colonel ^Villey reports the services of his ! command for 1S63-64, as follows'. i
"We had five battalions, and were called into service by order of the Governor, June 20th, to ; •neet the raid under Captain Hines. June 21st, relieved from duty; June 22d, a false alarm; were 5ent to guard White river bridge: June 24th dis- missed the command; July 6, 1S63, called into service by Lazarus Noble, adjutant-general; ren- dezvoused at Jefferson; July 7th, dismissed the command; July 8th, met at Jefferson to repel Morgan raid; were in hne of battle, but no enemy came; July 15th, relieved from duty and com- mand dismissed; June 9, 1864, called into service, by order of the Governor, to meet a raid in Kentucky by Morgan; dismissed June 2 5thj August loth, called companies A and H to picket the Ohio river in the vicinity of the Grassy flats, to stop guerrillas from crossing under rebel Jesse; pickets fired on by guerrillas: re- turned the fire, but no one hurt; dismissed August 20, 1864. We had two battalion drills in April, 1S64, one regimental drill in May, and one in October. The regiment is well drilled for militia, and is ready and willing to turn out whenever called on."
THE DRAFT IX CLARKE AND FLOVD.
The draft assignment to Clarke county was very light — only ten to Silver Creek township: and to Floyd county was not great — but twenty- four to Lafayette township, and two hundred and twenty-nine to New Albany. T. D. Fonts was appointed draft commissioner; John Stockwell, marshal; and W. F. Collum, surgeon for Clarke county. The corresponding appointments in Floyd were Jesse J. Brown, Henry Crawford, and William A. Clapp.
May I, 1S63, Colonel J. B. Merriwether, of Jefferson, was appointed provost marshal for the Second Congressional district, and served until his honorable discharge, July 31, 1865. His ser- vices of course, reached far beyond the light duty connected with drafts in this case, as, it will be noticed, they also reached some months be- yond the close of the war.
It should be noted here, to the enduring honor of both these counties, that there were no de- serters whatever in Clarke county for the drafts under the cnlls of July i8th, and December tq, 1864; and but three from Floyd county.
THE SCARE OF 1 862.
The advance of a Confederate army under Gen- erals Heath and Kiiby Smith into Kentucky in the late sunnner and early fall of 1862, naturally ex- cited tlic liveliest apprehensions in all the counties of Indiana and Ohio liordcring upon the great river. There was good reason for fear, although finally no foot of soil of either State was touched by the enemy during this movement. So close and threatening, however, were their demonstra- tions bnck of Covington, that they gave some color tu the somewhat fanciful title given to this period in that quarter as "the siege of Cincin- nati."' Many days before this, on the 5th of August, 1S62, a military order had been issued proclaiming martial law in all the towns and counties of Indiana on the Ohio river, closing all places of business in them at 3 o'clock in the afternoon of every day, and requiring all able bodied whites between the ages of eighteen and forty-five in these counties to organize in com- panies, elect officers, and report to the command- ing officer of the legion in their respective coun- ties, armed with such weapons as could be pro- cured, and paying strict attention to drill and discipline. These orders were cheerfully and pretty thoroughly obeyed in most quarters — no- where more so than in the two counties which are the subject of this volume; and these meas- ures, it is believed, were among those which de- terred the enemy from attempting the crossing of the Ohio. Among the most noticeable steps taken in this region, were the planning of works and the actual planting of batteries upon the heights of New Albany, under the direction of Colonel Carrington and Majoi Frybarger, in order to cover with their fire the lowlands and fords of the river west of Loui-^ville.
THE MORGAN' RAID.
The next year — in the historic month of July, 1863 — the enemy came vastly nearer, furnishing by far the most exciting episode of the war to nearly the whole of southern Indiana and Ohio. For the first and last lime during the long con- flict, the Confederate was j>resent in armed force upon the soil of Floyd and Clarke counties, though only for an instant, as it were, and upon or near the northern borders of the counties. We refer to the raid of John Morgan and his bold rider.s, which carried consternation through a
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wide tract of the Northland durin;; a few hurried days, and then ended in wild fligiit and utter disaster on the banks of the upper Ohio. We give the story from the beginning of the rapid march to the exit from Indiana into Ohio, as found in the admirable and truly monumental work of Whilelaw Reid, entitled Ohio in the War, and published in iS6S by Messrs. Wilstach, Baldwin & Co., of Cincinnati. It should previ- ously be observed, however, that .Morgan under- took the movc-ment against the express order of his superior. General Bragg, then commanding the Confederate army at TuUahorna, who had given him orders to make a demonstration in Kentucky, caj)turing Louisville if he possibly could, and going whithersoever he chose in the Stale, but by no means to cross the Ohio. Mor- gan determined, however, upon his own respon- sibility, to disregard the injunction, and so in- formed his second in command. Colonel Basil W. Duke, now an attorney in Louis\ille. He sent scouts to examine the fords of the upper Ohio, where he thought he should cross on his return, unless Lee's movement on Pennsylvania should make it expedient for him to keep mov- ing eastward until he could unite his force with the army of Northern Virginia. We now follow Ohio in the War:
"On the 2d of July he began to cross the Cum- berland at Burkesville and Turkey Neck bend, almost in the face of Judah's cavalry, v.hich, ly- ing twelve miles away, at Marrowbone, trusted to the swollen river as sufticient to render the crossing impracticable. The mistake was fatal. Before Judah moved down to resist, two regi- ments and portions of others were across. With these Morgan attacked, drove the cavalry into its camp at Marrowbone, and was then checked by the artillery. But his crossmgwas thus secured, and long before Judah could get his forces gath- ered, together, Morgan was half way to Colum- bia. He had two thousand four hundred and sixty men, all told. Before him lay three States — Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio — which he meant to traverse ; one filled with hostile troops, the others with a hostile and swarming population.
"The next day, at the crossing of Gcccn river, he came upon Colonel Moore, with a Michigan regiment, whom he vainly summoned to sur- render, and vainly strove to dislodge. The fight was severe for the little time it lasted ; and
?tIorgan, who had no time to spare, drew off, found another crossing, and pushed on through Campbellville to Lebanon. Here came the last oi>portunity to stop him. Three regiyients held the position, but two of them were at some little distance from the town. Falling upon the one in the town, he ovcrwh.elmed it before the others could get up, left them hopelessly in his rear, and double-quicked his prisoners eight miles northward to Springfield, before he could stop long enough to parole them.* Then, turning northwestward, with his foes far behind him, he marched straight for Brandenburgh, on the Ohio river, some sixty miles below Louisville. A couple of companies were sent forward to cap- ture boats for the crossing; others were detached to cross below and effect a diversion ; and still others were sent toward Crab Orchard to dis- tract the attention of the Union commanders. He tapped the telegraph wires, thereby finding that he was expected at Louisville, and that the- force there was too strong for him ; captured a train from Nashville within thirty miles of Louis- ville ; picked up scjuads of prisoners here and there, and paroled them. By ten o'clock on the morning of the 8th, his horsemen stood on the banks of the Ohio. They had crossed Ken- tucky in five days.
" When the advance companies, sent forward to secure boats, entered Brandenburg, they took care to make as little confusion as possible. Presently the Henderson and Louisville packet, the J. J. McCoombs, came steaming up the river, and landed as usual at the wharf-boat. As it made fast its lines, thirty or forty of Morgan's men quietly walked on board and took posses- sion. Soon afterward, the Alice Dean, a fine boat running in the Memphis and Cincinnati trade, came around the bend. As she gave no sign of landing, they steamed out to meet her, and, before captain or crew could comprehend the matter, the Alice Dean was likewise trans-- ferred to the Confederate service. When Mor- gan rode into town a few hours later, the boats were ready for his crossing.
" Indiana had just driven out a previous invader — Cai)tain Mines, of Morgan's command — who, with a small force, had crossed over " to stir up the Copperheads," as the rebel accounts pleas-
*.Some horrible barbarities to one or two of these prison- ers were charged against him in the newspapers of the day.
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antly express it. Finding the country too hot for him, he had retired, alter doing considerable damage; and in Brandenburg he was now await- ing his.chicf.
"Preparations -were at once made for crossing over, but the men crowding down incautiously to the river bank, revealed their presence to the militia on the Indiana side, whom C'aplain Hines' recent performance had made unwontedly watch- ful. They at once opened a sharp fusilade across the stream, with musketry and an old cannon which they had mounted on wagon-wheels. Mor- gan speedily silenced this fire by bringing up his Parrott rifles; then hastily dismounted two of his regiments and sent them across. The militia re- treated and the two rebel regiments pursued. J ust then a little tin-clad, the Springfield, which Com- mander I.eroy Fitch had dispatched from New Albany, on the first news ofsomething wrong down the river, came steaming towards the scene of ac- tion. .Suddenly "'checking her way," writes the rebel historian of the raid, Colonel Basil Duke, in his History of Morgan's Cavalry, "she tossed her snubnose defiantly, like an angry beauty of the coalpits, sidled a little toward the town, and commenced to scold. A bluish-white, funneL shaped cloud spouted out from her left-hand bow, and a shot flew into the town, and then, cranging front forward, she snapped a shell at the men on the other side. I wish I were suf- ficiently master of nautical phraseology to do justice to this little vixen's style of fighting ; but she was so unlike a horse, or even a piece of light artillery, that I cannot venture to attempt it." He adds that the rebel regiments on the Indiana side found shelter, and that thus the gunboat fire proved wholly without effect. After a little Morgan trained his Parrotts upon her; and tiie inequality in the range of the guns was such that she speedily turned up the river again.
"The situation had seemed sufficiently danger- ous. Two regiments were isolated on the Indi- ana side; the gunboat was between them and their main body; while every hour of delay brought Hobson nearer on the Kentucky side, and speeded the mustering of the Indiana mi- litia. But the moment the gunboat turned up the river, all danger for the moment was passed. Morgan rapidly crossed the rest of his command, burned the boats behind him, scattered the mi- |itia and rode out into Indiana. Tliere was yet
time to make a march of six miles before night- tall.
"'I'he task now before Morgan was a simple one, and fur several days could not be other than an easy one. His distinctly formed plan was to march through southern Indiana and Ohio, avoiding large towns and large bodies of militia, spreading alarm through the country, making all the noise he could, and disappearing again across the upper fords of the Ohio before the organizations of militia could get such shape and consistency as to be able to make head against him. For some days, at least, he need expect no adequate resistance, and, while the bewilder- ment as to his purposes and uncertainty as to the direction he was taking should paralyze the gathering militia, he meant to place many a long mile between them and his hard riders.
"Spreading, therefore, all manner of reports as to his purposes and assuring the most that he meant to penetrate to the heart of the State and lay Indianapolis in ashes, he turned the heads of his horses up the river towards Cincinnati; scat- tered the militia with the charges of his ad%-aiiced brigade; burnt bridges and cut telegraph wires right and left ; marched twenty-one hours out of twenty-four, dnd rarely made less than fifty or sixty miles a day.
"His movement had at first attracted little at- tention. The North was used to having Ken- tucky in a panic about invasion from John Mor- gan, and had come to look upon it mainly as a suggestion of a few more blooded horses from the " blue-grass " that were to be speedily im- pressed into the rebel service. Gettysburg had just been fought; Vicksburg had just fallen; what were John Morgan and his horse-thieves? . Let Kentucky guard her own stables against her own outlaws !
"Presently he came nearer and Louisville fell into a panic. Martial law was proclaimed ; bus- iness was suspended; every preparation for de- fense was hastened. Still, few thought of danger beyond the river, and the most, remembering the siege of Cincinnati, were disposed to regard as very humorous the ditching and the drill by the terrified jjcoj^le of the Kentucky metropolis.
" Then came the crossing. The (jovernor of Indiana straightway proclaimed martial law, and called out the legion. General Burnside was full of wise plans for "bagging" the invader, of
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HISTORY OK THE OHIO FAI.!,S COUNTIKS.
which the newspapers gave mysterious hints. 'I'horoLighly trustworthy gentlemen hastened with their 'rehable reports' of the rebel strength. They had stood on the wharf-boat and kept tally of the cavalry crossed; and there was 'not a man less than five thousand of them. Others had talked with them, and been confidently assured that they were going up to Indianapolis to burn the State-house. Others, on the same veracious authority, were assured that they were heading for New Albany and Jeffersonville to burn Gov- ernment stores. The militia everywhere were sure that it was tlieir duty to gather in their own towns and keep Morgan off; and, in the main, he saved them the trouble by riding around. Hobson came lumbering along in the rear — riding his best, but finding it hard to keep the trail; harder to procure fresh horses, since of these Morgan made a clean sweep as he went; and impossible to narrow the distance between them to less than twenty-five hours.
"Still the purpose of the movement was not di- vined— its very audacity was its protection. General Burnside concluded that Hobson was pressing the invaders so hard, forsooth, that they must swim across the Ohio below Madison to escape, and his disposition for int(5tcepting them proceeded on that theory. The Louisville pack- ets were warned not to leave Cincinnati, lest Morgan should bring with them his artillery and force them to ferry him back into Kentucky. Efforts were made to raise regiments to aid the Inciianians, if only to reciprocate the favor they had shown when Cincinnati was under siege ; but the people were tired of such alarms, and could not be induced to believe in the danger. By Sunday, July 12, three days afterMorgan's entry'upon northern soil, the authorities had ad- vanced their theory of his plan to correspond with the news of his movements. They now thought he would swim the Ohio a little below Cincinnati, at or near Aurora; but the citizens were more apprehensive. They began to talk about a "sudden dash into the city." The mayor requested that business be suspended and that the citizens assemble in their respective wards for defense. Finally General Burnside came to the same view, proclaimed martial law, and ordered the suspension of business. Navi- gation was practically stopped, and gun-boats scoured the river banks to remove all bcows and
flat-boats which might aid Morgan in his escape to the Kentucky shore. Later in the evening apprehensions that, after all, Morgan might not be so anxious to escape, prevailed. Governor Tod was among the earliest to recognize the dan- ger; and, while there was still time to secuie in- sertion in the newspapers of Monday morning, he telegraphed to the press a proclamation call- ing out the militia.
"It was high time. Not even yet had the au- thorities begun to comprehend the tremendous energy with which Morgan was driving straight to his goal. While the people of Cincinnati i were reading this proclamation, and considering I whether or not they should put up the shutters 1 of their storewindows,* Morgan was starting out i in the grav dawn from SunmansviUe for the sub- urbs of Cincinnati. Long before the rural popu- lation within fifty miles of the city had read the proclamation calling them to arms, he was at Harrison (Hamilton county, Ohio, on the State line), which he reached at i p. m., Monday, July 13th."
The end of the terrible race for life is thus told:
"Until he reached Pomeroy he encountered comparatively little resistance. At Camp Denni- son there was a little skirmish, in which a rebel lieutenant and several privates were captured; but Lieutenant Colonel Neff wisely limited his efforts to the protection of the bridge and camp. A train of the Little Miami road was thrown off the track. At Berlin there was a skirmish with the militia under Colonel Runkle. Small militia skirmishes we're constantly occurring, the citizen soldiery hanging on the flanks of the flying in- vaders and wounding two or three men every day, and occasionally killing one.
"At last the daring little column approached its goal. All the troops in Kentucky had been evaded and left behind. All the militia in In- diana had been dashed aside or outstripped. The fitty thousand militia in Ohio had failed to turn it from its pre-determined path. Within precisely fifteen days from the morning it had i crossed the Cumberland — nine days fiom its j crossing into Indiana — it stood once more on j the banks of the Ohio. A few hours more of
I *.\I.Tny thousand men wholly disobeyed the orders, and kept their btores or shops open through the day.
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daylight, and it \v(juld be safely across, in the midst again of a i)OiJiilalion to which it niiglit look for sympalhy'if not for aid.
"But tlie circ.le of the hunt was narrowing Judah, with his fresh cavalry, was up, and was nVarching out from the river against Morgan. Hobson was hard on his rear. Culonel Runkle, comrnanding a division of militia, was north of him. And, at last, the loc-al militia in advance of him were beginning to fell trees and tear up bridges to obstruct his progress. Near Pomeroy they made a stand. For four or tlvc miles his road ran through a ravine, with occasional inter- sections from hill roads. At all these cross-roads he found the militia posted; and from the hills above liim they made his passage through the ravine a perfect running of the gauntlet. On front, flank, and rear, the militia pressed; and, as Morgan's first subordinate ruefully expressed it, "closed eagerly upon our track." In such plight be passed through the ravine; and shaking clear of his pursuers for a while, pressed on to Chester, where he arrived about i o'clock in the afternoon of the iSth of July.
"Here he made the first serious military mis- take that had marked his course on Northern soil. He was within a few hours' ride of the ford at which he hoped to cross; and the skir- mishing about Pomeroy should have given hmi ample admonition of the necessity for haste. But he had been advancing through the ravine at a gallop. He halted now to breathe his horses and to hunt a guide. Three hours and a half thus lost went far toward deciding his fate.
"When his column was well closed up, and his guide was found he moved forward. It was eight o'clock before he reached Portland, the little village on the bank of the Ohio nearly op- posite Buftington island. Night had fallen — a night of solid darkness, as the rebel officers de- clared. The entrance to that ford was guarded by a little earthwork manned by only two or three hundred infantry. This alone stood be- tween him and an easy jiassage to Virginia.
"But his evil genius was upon him. He had lost an hour and a half at Chester in the after- noon— the most precious hour and a half since his feet touched Northern soil ; and he now de- cided to waste the night. In the hurried coun- cil with his exhausted officers it was admitted on all hands that Judah had arrived — tliat some
of his troops had given force to the skirmishing near Pomeroy — that they would certainly be at Butlington by morning, and that gun-boats would accompany them. But his men were in bad condition, and he feared to trust the'm in a night attack upon a fortihcd position whiclv he had not reconnoilercd. The fear was fatal. F^ven yet, by abandoning his wagon-train and his wounded, he might have reached unguarded fords a little .higher up. This, too, was men- tioned by his officers. He would save all, he promiJtly replied, or would lose all together. And so he gave morlgagcs to fate. By morning Judah was up. At daybreak Uuke advanced with a couple of rebel regiments to storm the earthwork, but found it abandoned. Fie was rapidly proceeding to make dispositions for cross- ing, when Judah's advance struck him. At first he rejjulsed it, and took a number cf prisoners, the adjutant general of Judah's staff among them. Morgan then ordered him to hold the force on his front in check. He was not able to return to his command till it had been broken and thrown in full retreat before an impetuous charge of Judah's cavalry, headed by Lieutenant O'Neil, of the Fifth Indiana. He succeeded in rallying and reforming his line. But now advancing up the Chester and Pomeroy road came the gallant cavalry that, over three States, had been gallop- ing on their track — the three thousand of Hob- son's command — who for nearly two weeks had been only a day, a forenoon, an hour behind them.
"As Hobson's guidons fluttered out in the little valley by the river bank where they fought, every man of that b.ind that had so long defied a hundred thousand knew that the contest was over. They were almost out of ammunition, ex-, hausted, and scarcely two thousand strong; against whom were Hobson's three thousand and Judah's still' larger force. To complete the overwhelming odds, that in spite of their efforts had at last been concentrated upon them, the ironclad gun-boats steamed up and opened fire. Morgan comprehended the situation as fast as the hard riding troopers, who, still clinging to their bolts of calico, were already gallo[)ing to- ward the rear. He at once essayed to extricate his trains, and then U) withdraw his regiments by column cf fours from right of companies, keep- ing u[i meanwhiltj as sturdy resistance as he
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103
might. For some distance the withdiawal was made in tolerable order ; then, under a charge of a Michigan cavalry regiment, the retreat became a rout. Morgan, with not quite twelve hundred men, escaj^ed. His brother, with Colonels Duke, Ward, Huffman, and about seven hundred men were taken prisoners.
"This was the battle of Buftington. Island. It was brief and decisive. But for his two mistakes of the night before, Morgan might have avoided it and escaped; yet it cannot be said that he yielded to the blow that insured his fate without spirited resistance and a courage and tenacity worthy of a better cause. Our superiority in forces was overwhehning, and our loss trilling. ; " And now began the dreariest experience of the rebel chief Twenty miles above Ikiffington he struck the river again, got three hundred of his command across, and was himself midway in the stream when the approaching gunboats checked the passage. Returning to the nine hundred still on the Ohio side, he once more renewed the hurried flight. His men were worn down and exhausted by long continued and enor- mous work ; they were demoralized by pillage, discouraged by the scattering of their command, weakened most of all by the loss of faith in themselves and their commander, surrounded by a multitude of foes, harassed at every hand, intercepted at every loophole of escape, hunted like game night and day, driven hither and thither in their vain efforts to double on their remorseless pursuers. It was the early type and token of a similar fate under pursuit of which the great army of the Confederacy was to fade out; and no other words are needed to finish the story we have now. to tell than those with which the historian of the ctrmy of the Potomac (Suin- ton) describes the tragic flight to Appomattox Court House:
" Dark divisions sinking in the woods for a few hours' repose, would hear suddenly in the woods the boom of hostile guns and the clatter of the troops of the ubiquitous cavalry, and had to be up to hasten off Thus pressed on all sides, driven like sheep before prowling wolves, amid iiunger, fatigue, and sleeplessness, continu- ing day after day, they fared t-oward the rising sun:
Such resting found the soles of unblest feci," Yet to the very last the energy this daring
cavalryman dis]ilayed was sucli as to extort our admiration. From the jaws of disaster he drew out the remnants of his conmiand at liiiffington. When foiled in the attemined crossing above, he headed for the Muskingum. Foiled here by the militia under Remkle, he doubled on his track, and turned again toward Jilennerhasset Island. The clouds of dust that marked his track be- trayed the movement, aiid on three sides the pur- suers closed in upon him. ^\'hile tiiey slept in peaceful expectation of receiving liis surtender in the morning, he stole out along a hillside that had been thought impassable — his men walking in single file and leading their horses; and by midnight he was out of the toils, and once more marching hard to outstrip his pursuers. At last he found an unguarded crossing of the Mus- kingum at Eaglesport, above McConncllsville; and then, with an open country before him, struck out once more for the Ohio.
This time Governor Tod's sagacity was vindi- cated. He urged the shipment of troops by rail to Bellaire, near Wheeling; and by great good fortune Major \N'ay, of the Ninth Michigan cav- alry, received the orders. Presently this offi- cer was on the scent. "Morgan is making for Hammondsville," he telegraphed General Burn- side on the twenty-fifth, "and will attempt to cross the Ohio river at Wellsville. I have my section of battery, and shall follow him closely." He kept his word, and gave the finishing stroke. "Morgan was attacked with the remnant of his command, at 8 o'clock this morning," announced General Burnside on the next day, July ;6th, "at Salineville, by IMajor Way, who, after a severe fight, routed the enemy, killed about thirty, wounded some fifty, and took some two hundred prisoners."' Six hours later the long race ended. "I captured John Morgan to-day, at 2 o'clock p. M. " telegraphed Major Rue, of the Ninth Ken- tuckv cavalry, on the evening of the 26th, "taking three hundred and and twenty-six prison- ers, four hundred horses and arms."
Salineville is in Columbiana county, but a few miles below the most northerly point of the State touched by the Ohio riv^r, and between Steuben- viile and WLllsvilie, nearly two-thirds of the way up the eastern border of the State. Over such distances had Morgan passed, after the disaster at Buffington, which all had supposed certain to end his career, and so near had he come to
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
making his escape from the State, with the hand- ful hewas still able to keep together.
This raid occurred at a perilous time for Jef fersonville and New Albany, where $4,000,000 worth of Government stores were deposited and awaiting movement. These cities were in the District of Kentucky, and so under the orders of General Boyle, commanding at Louisville; but General Hughes. assumed to order out the comiianies of the Legion and the minute-men, to defend the threatened district. Before Mor- gan had reached the Ohio Knapp's battery, from New Albany, the artillery of Floyd county, was ordered to move on a steamer to the mouth of Salt river to prevent Morgan's crossing there. As he crossed many miles below, they saw noth- ing of him. General Hughes went to Mitchell, on the Ohio & Mississippi railroad, and got to- gether a force of two thousand mililia, to resist any rebel demonstration that might be made in that direction, moving thence, by rail, eastward to Vernon, as the march of the rebels passed on. New Albany was left in command of a Federal surgeon, Major Thomas W. Fry. Tu hnn Col- onel Lewis Jordan, who had four hundred men of the Legion in front of a portion of Morgan's force near Corydon, appealed urgently for rein- forcements. Fry referred the request to General Boyle, in Louisville, at least sixteen hours before the whole rebel command had come up and con- fronted Jordan's lines. The latter sent repeated requests for aid, but no attention seemed to be paid to them, and after a gallant and hard fight, the colonel had to surrender his little band. Morgan then marched his right wing through Greenville, in the northwest part of Flovd county, and through New Providence, in Clarke; while 'his left wing took the direction of Paoli, Orange county. Scouts and squads of the enemy also pushed from the main body south- ward here and there, and in at least one case came down even to the Ohio, which they struck at a point between Jeffersonville and Utica. Some incidents of that part of the raid which traversed these two counties will be found in our histories of the townships.
On the afternoon of the same day that .Mor- gan reached this vicinity, a brigade of infantry and a battel y of artillery, the whole commanded by General Manson, was placed on board the cars at Jeffersonville, to be hurried out in the
hope of intercepting or pursuing the raider; but they were stopped and disembarked by order of General Boyle before leaving the depot, he doubtless realizing the futility of pursuit, now that Morgan had passed, or perhaps thinking that the force would yet be needed for the pro- tection of the Government stores and buildings at New Albany and Jeffersonville.
Little harrii seems to have been done by the raiders in their passage thought Clarke county; but from Floyd county claims for damage, amounting in all to $30,291.61, were presented for payment by the State of Indiana; of which a little more than one-third, or $11,188.71, were allowed.
Again, in June, 1864, upon the occasion of Morgan's last invasion of Kentucky, the militia of this region were called out, the Harrison and Floyd counties regiments of the Indiana Legion, and the two New Albany batteries en- camped at that place — likewise the Clarke county regiment at Jeffersonville — ready to move to the protection of Louisville, or for other service, at a moment's notice. Adjutant General Noble came personally from Indianapolis to New Albany to see that the men of the Legion were in proper condition, and that the batteries were in good shape for movement or action; but, happily, the services of none of them were required.
BOUNTIES AND BENEFITS.
The following is an exhibit from the first volume of the adjutant-general's reports for 1S61-65 of the amounts expended in Clarke and Floyd counties for local bounties, the relief of soldiers families and miscellaneous purposes con- nected with the war:
CLARKE COUNTY. Townships. ' Bounty. Relief.
Jeffersonville (including city) $39,000.00 $1,565.00
U'tic.i 10,000.00 400.00
Churlestovvn - 8,341.00 552.00
Ouen 1,820.00
Bethlehem i,S3S-4S 359-45
Washington 3,982.00 586.00
Monroe 6,000.00
Silver Creek 3.120.00 150.00
Wood 5,500.00
Oregon 4,500.00 486.00
Carr 2,885.00 25.00
Union 4,300.00 176.00
Besides $3,680 for bounties, $2,377.52 for re- lief, and $261.47 for miscellaneous expenditures on war account, froiii the county at large, making
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
several totals of $94,916.45, $6,776.97, and $261.47, and a grand total of $101,954.89.
FI.OVD COINTV:
Locality. Bounty. Relief. Mis.
New Albany City $ 14.813.74 s.4'8o3.76 $930
New . Albany township 71,027.00 74.427.50 ....
fJreenville townsliip 9,800.00 2,563.00 ....
Georgetown township 1,830.00 ....
Lafayette township 3,500.00 1,325.00 ....
Franklin township. .. .■ 7,970.00 83400 ....
County at large '. 17,750.00
Totals $124,861.64 $35,780,26 $930
And a grand total of $211,571.90 for this county, and of $313,526.79 for the two counties.
Under the act of the State Legislature bearing date March 4, 1865, for the benefit of soldiers' families, the State auditor, August loth of the same year, provided for the distribution to 203,- 724 beneficiaries, of the total sum of $1,646,- 809.92. Of this amount $19,173.84 fell to 2,373 needy ones in Clarke county, and $18,- 640.56 to 2,307 beneficiaries in Floyd.
It may be noted here that, in the closing year of the war, Jesse J. Thomas, of New Albany, was appointed the director from the Ninth dis- trict for the Indiana Soldiers" Home.
May 9, 1 861, Governor Morton wrote to Gen- eral McClellan that Louisville ought to be com- manded by batteries on the Indiana side, as a security for the good conduct of that city. Two pieces of heavy ordnance were accordingly sent to New Albany, but none for Jeffersonville. The latter place afterwards went to some extent into the manufacture of gun carriages, Dawson & Marsh, of that city, in 1S63, furnishing the Gov- ernment with twelve, at two hundred and fifty dollars each.
On the 2d of October, 1861, Governot Morton had all the arms in the arsenal at Indianapolis sent down to Jeffersonville for distribution to the Home guards of this part of Indiana and also of Kentucky.
At one time in the early part of the war, goods that it was supposed were destined for the enemy, were stopped in transit at New Albany.
In 1861 the Jeffersonville, Madison & In- dianapolis railroad carried on war account 6,109 men, exxlusive of regiments going to the field, for which it was paid the sum of $9,413.66. The Louisville, New Albany ct Chicago road similarly ca ried 9,105, and was paid $9,149.42.
The Int. ana regiments which rendezvoused
and organized at New Albany during the war were the 'i'wentythird, under Colonel William L. Landrum, under authority issued June 24, 1S61, mustered into service July 29, i86r, and out of service July 23, 1S65; the Fifty-thiid, under Colonel Walter Q. Greshani, authorized in October, 1861, mustered iri February 26, 1862, mustered out July 21, 1865; the Sixty- sixth, under Colonel Roger Martin, mustered in August 19, 1862, and out June 3, 1865; and the Eighty-first under Colonel William W. Caldwell, authorized August 13, 1S62, mustered in .-\ugust 29, 1862, and out June 13, 1865. The Jeffer- sonville regiment was the Forty-ninth, organized by Colonel John W. Ray, under authority granted August 23, 1 86 1. It was mustered into service November 21, 1861, and out of service June 13, 1865. The F"'ifth Kentucky regiment of infantry, under Colonel Lovell H. Rousseau, was also or- ganized here, as before noticed, at Camp Joe Holt.
The whole number of troops furnished the L'nion armies by Indiana during the late war was 208,367; of these 652 commissioned officers and 23,764 enlisted men were killed in action or died of disease; 10,846, sad to say, deserted the flag; and 13,779 remain unaccounted .^or.
THE ROSTER.
The distinguished adjutant general of the ■ State at the close of the great struggle. General William H. H. Terrell, builded better than he knew for the local historian in the preparation of his magnificent report for the war period. This is in better shape, for the purposes of the historian, than any other report of the kind that has fallen under the eye of the writer of this history. It contains, not only full rosters of the regiments and other conlmands that were recruited in In- diana during the war, but also, where the officers or clerks of the. companies have done their duty, full memoranda of the residences of officers and men. It is thus practicable — which it is not generally possible to do in adjutant generals' re- ports of the war— to identify soldiers as certainly belonging, at the time of tiieir enlistment or discharge at least, to one or the other county of the State. It is to be regretted, how- ever, that in some cases the re.Mdcnces of the men of an entire company or regiment have been omitted from the rolls; And, if any Clarke
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or rioyd county officer or man does not find his name in the follpwing lists, wiien he should be there, his censure must lii^'ht u\)on those who long ago should have recorded his residence upon the roster ot" his command. Every line of every one of the eight thick volumes of the re- ])ort has been carefully scanned in the effort to miss no name which should be embraced in this roll of honor; and m some cases, when the residence of officers has been ascertained to be in these counties, the ])resumption has ])re- vailcd that their commands were also bodily from the same region, and their rolls have been cop- ied accordingly. If any one fnids that he in this great catalogue experiences the peculiar sort of fame of which Byron sjjoke, "to have your name spelt wrong in print," he must also refer the fault to some one back of the compiler and publishers of this book. Every name has been copied with care, and it is believed, exactly; and the proofs of this chapter have been laboriously compared with the original cojiy. It is hoped in this way approximate exactness has been attained in nearly all cases.
For the substance of the regimental and other brief histories, and in a few cases for the text itself, we are also indebted to the admirable report of General Terrell:
FEDER.\L APPOINTMENTS.
The following named officers from Floyd and Clarke counties were commissioned by the Pres- ident of the United States:
Walter Q. Gresham, of Xew Allnmy, niajor-genenil of volunteers by brevet, commissioned August 15, 1865, mubtcred out April 30, 1866.
Benjamin F. i<cribiier, of Xew Albany, brigndier-^^eneral of volunteers by brexet, commissioned August 8, 1864, re- signed August 21, 1864.
John S. Simonsoii, of Charlestown, brig.idicr-general uf volunteers by brevet, and colonel in the regular army; com- missioned March 13, 1865.
DeWitt C. Anthony, of Xew Albany, brigadier-general of volunteers by brevet, commissioned March 13, 1865, resigned as colonel March 24, 1S64.
Daniel F. Grimn, of Xew Albany, brigadier-general of volunteers by brevet: commissioned March 13, 1865. resigned as lieutenant-colonel Xovcniber 3, 1864, now dead.
Augustus M. \'an Dyke, of .New .\lbany, major of volun- teers by brevet; commissioned .M.irch 13, 1865; mustered out as assistant adjutani-goner.il of volunteers September ig, 1S65.
Thomas li. Pnth.-r, of Jrfl'ersonville. captain of v.iluntcers by brevet, commissioned May 19, 1805, nmslerod out June 29, 1865.
George .\. Bicknell, of \eu .\!bany, first midshipin.m on probation at the Newport Naval acadrmv, from December.;,
iSor; son of Hon. George .-\. Bicknell, .Sr. . nc the supreme court of Indiana.
a judge of
NINTH KKGI.MENT (iNt ANTKV).
(Three years' service.)
Company D-tJcorge D. I!o\, Jeficrsoiivill,'; snbslitute. Gompany C;— diaries W. .Mitchell, .New Alb.iny; substi- tute.
Company I— Willi.uu Goforlh. Cl.irke county, dr;ifted; hldu.ird Abbott, James M. White, .Noah I'.rown, Clarke county, subbtitutes.
Company K^Columbus I'.linkenb.iker, Georgetowji, drafted.
ELEVENTH REGIMENT (iNFANTRv).
(Three years' service.)
Unassigned recruits — Ch.ules I'.enson, John .Smith, Clarke county.
TWEI ETH REGEMENT (iNIANTRV).
(One year service.)
This regiment was organized from the surplus companies that reached Indianapolis in answer to the call for six regiments of three months' troop.s, and was accepted for State service for one year, on the nth of May, 1S61, with John M. ^Vallace as colonel.' On the nth of June it left Indianapolis for Evansville, where it occupied the camp lately vacated by the Eleventh regi- ment. July iSih orders were received from the War department fur its transfer to the United States service for the rest of its term of service, and on the 23d it left Fvvansville for Baltimore. Reaching that place on the 27th the Twelfth went next day to Sandy Hook, Maryland, near Harper's F^erry, where it was assigned to Aber- crombie's brigade of General Banks' army of the Shenadoah. While here Colonel Wallace re- signed, and I.ieutenant-colonel Lmk was })ro- moted to his place. The regiment remained in camp in Pleasant Valley, near M-aryland Heights, until the 6th of'August, when it moved with the army to Hyattstovvn, and encamjied there for a time. General Joe Johnston was re- potted near Leesburgh, on the opposite side of the Potoinac, with a large force, and this march was made with a view to prevent his crossing. The following month marches were made to Darnestown, Nolan's Ferry, Seneca Creek, and Tuscarora Creek, and in October to Point of Rocks, Hyattstown, Urbana, and Frederi( k. On the iith the regiment left the last named place, and advanced through IJoonsboro anil Middletown to Williamsport, Marvlan 1. On the 13th the several companies were ' ationed at
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
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Williamsport, Dams No. 4 and 5, Sharpsburg, anrl other points on the Mnrylanc! side of the Potomac, where tlie\' engaged m j)ieket and out- post duty until March, 1862, during whicli lime skirmishes and picket firing across the river weie frequent. On the i ith of December the enemy captured a cajjlain and seven men who had crossed to tlie \'irginia shore at Daui No. 4, to sec if they were rcall)' lliere. They found out. I\Larch i, 1862, the TweH'th itscU' crossed the .Potomac and marched to Winchester ; on the iith had a skirmish near that j^kace, and the next morning was the first regiment to enter the town, which had been evacuated the night before. On' the 2 1st it marclied to Iierryville and tlience across the Slienandoah and over tlie Blue Ridge, through Snicker's Gap to Aldie. .After the vic- tory at Winchester Heigiits on tlie 23d it moved back to the Shenandoah, where it was met with orders to retrace its steps southward toward Warr- enton Junction, wliich it reached on the 3d of April, crossing the first battlefield of Bull Run en route. Here it remained until 'Sla.y 5th, when it moved to Washington and was there mustered out of service on the 14th of the same month.
The regiment was reorganized for the three years' service in the following August, under Colonel Link, and early took the field again. As but few Floyd or Clarke county men were in its ranks, we will not further follow its fortunes.
COMl'.^NV A.
COMMISSIONED OFFICF.KS.
Captain Thomas G. Morrison, New .-\ll).\nv. First Lieutenant John W. Moore, New .Mlwny. First and Second Lieutenant John A. M. Co.v, New Albany.
[All the follow ing-named were also of Floyd county. |
NO.N-COMMISSIONKI) OFFICIlKS.
First -Sergeant William France.
Sergeant I'aul H. McDonald.
Sergeant David M. Jord.m.
Sergeant .\lonzo C. t^lark.
Corporal Thomas lieasley.
Corporal James F.. Riley.
Corporal Winiidd S. \\'hitman.
Corporal Charles .Vrnistrong.
Corporal Middlolou C. Tucker.
Corporal William I.. Mullineau.
Musician Marshall Green.
Musiciati Fernando Taylor.
rui\ Ari:s.
Jacob ('. Atkinson, John ()^ca^ I'^'ard. l'lii!i|) I'.est, lienja- niin I'.rokcr, Walter 1". I'.rown, Willi.uu D. i artcr, William H.lliapman, I.ore!\/o.\. Clark, William M.''o\.Julm Dell,
Adam Delor.I, John S. Dctrick, Henry Dillon, Miltoii C. Dodson, I.e\i W. I'.v.uis, Andrew H. Fabririue, John Fields, Andrew i-'lannijjan, Josej)h C:. I'rank, Sanuiel J. Gardner, James .\I. (irali,im, William J. Glossbrenner, Willi, uu F. llaiijh, I'eter Hallam, William Harley, luiijene HetTerman, .\lcxander Menn.ige, Silas Hill, .Mexander Fi. Hoskins,'Fd- ward C;. Hushes, William Jacobi, l.awson H. Kelly, Geoige Knott, -Amos Lang, James H. Lenunon, Francis L. Lipp- mann, Julius IC. Liter, Samuel 1). Love, Conrtland Mar»h, Zarne Marsh, John N. Mi'yer, John G. Meyer, Robert F. Minshall, Joseph C. Monin, William Mun/, William Mc- Gonnigal, Michael Xaugh.ton, David Cakes, ICliphalet k. I'ennington, Augustus J. Kaignel, Michael RomelslK-'rger, Thomas Q. W. Sage, Alpha R. Shatpe, William Sharpe, Henry L. Sherman, |ohn Sholwell, Lewis H. Smith, John W. Stewart, George -Stoker, Charles A. Thomas, John Thome, Louis P. Tronselle. Augustus Wealthy, Joseph Zellar, Louis M. Chess, James W. Chess, .■\lbert (Irove, William Hinton. \\'iliiaMi Higbee, Henry C. Jones, Louis Mulholland, Lewis S. Nelson', James H. Smith.
[Three-years' Service.]
COMPANY C.
Private James Donghtrly, sulisliiute.
COMPANY F. E'rivate Daniel .M. Hicks, substitute.
COMPANY C. Private Charles Frederick, drafted.
CO.\tPANY H. PRIVATKS.
John T. Kelly, John .A. Mausheld, substitutes.
COMPANY I. PRIVATF.S.
.Sanuiel Price, George Reester, substitutes.
COMPANY K. PRIVATES. Knoch Bostwick, John Smith, substitutes. David Bal'.ard, Clarke county, unassigned recruit.
THIRTEENTH REGIMENT (iNFANTRY).
[Three-years' Service.]
CO.M.MISSIONEI) OFFK F.KS.
Quartermaster Thom.as H. Collins, New Albany. -Adjutant Saxey Ryan, Jr.
Cp.MPANY E.
CDMMlsSKiNFI) OFFICER.
Second and I'irst [.ieiitenant Moses M. Gordon, George- town.
COMPANY H. PKU .V PES.
John Conrad, William H. Howard, Marion Rhotan, Clarke county, recruits.
I Re-organized Regiment.] COMPANY C. Piivate Jonathan W. Pell, Jeflers<Jiuill.-.
COMPANY I. i'Kiv.\ ri-.s. Henry Lauson. Moyd's Knobs; John ti. McKee, New -Vlbanv.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIF:s.
CO.MfANV K. Private James Smith, Jefforsonvillc.
FIFTEENTH REGIMENT (INIANTRy).
[Three-years' Service.]
COMPANY H.
COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
First Lif-utenant Alexander Burnett, Now .Albany.
SIXTEENTH REGIMfCNT (iNFANTKV). [One-years' Service.] This regiment was organized at Richmond, Indiana, under Colonel riea.sant A. Hackleman, in May, 1861, for one years' service within the State. When, however, the news of the Bull Run disaster fell upon the country, its services, without limitation as to place, were offered to the General Government. On the 23d of July it broke camp, and was the first to inarch thiough Baltimore after the attack made there upon the Massachusetts and Pennsylvania troops. At Harper's Ferry it was assigned to Banks' army. About the middle of August it moved \\ith that force through the valley of the Monocacy to Hyaltstown, and in the latter part of the month marched iiience to Darnestown. It remained tliere until the battle of Ball's Bluff, October 21, to the sound of whose cannon it moved to Ed- ward's Ferry, crossed the Potomac in canal- boats, and joined a force there fronting the enemy. The picke'ts were attacked the ne.xt af- ternoon, and two of the regiment killed. It was soon after placed in line of battle on the bluff, and took part in a brisk engagement, from which the enerny retired during the night. On the 23d the Si.xteenth covered the retreat of the Union forces, and was the last to recross the Potomac, two men being drowned during the movement. It encamped on Seneca creek until December 2d, and then took up winter quarters at Frederick City. In the spring of 1862 it partici- pated in the forward movement of the army, and about the middle of March built a bridge across the Shenandoah at Snicker's Ferry, in the short space of four hours. March 2 2d the Blue Ridge was crossed, but recrossed at once after hearing of the battle of Winchester, and then crossed again, marchitig successively to .\ldie, Warrenton, and finally to Wasi-.ington, where it was mustered out May 14th. Its reorganization for three years was promijtly undertaken, and completed August 19th, at Indianapolis; but, as
the Clarke county company does not reappear in it, wc do not continue this sketch.
COMPANY c.
COM.MISSIONI.D OFFfCEKS.
Captain James Perry Gillespie, New .A.lliany.
First Lieutenant Henry B. .'\ustln, Xew Albany.
Second Lieutenant Charles P. Williamson, New Albany.
[Tlie remainder are also of Floyd county. J
NO.N-COMMISSIO.S'ED OFFICEKS.
First Sergeant John Murry.
Sergeant James .Albert Noe.
Sergeant Columbus Moore.
Sergeant Wilson Morris.
Sergeant Michael Parker.
Corporal Henry Jones.
Corporal David .Moore. i
Corporal John C. Roster.
Corporal Robert Parent.
Corporal Seth Hawkins.
Corporal Michael .Angelo.
Corporal Donald CuUen.
Musician William H. Isaacs.
I'RIVATES.
Thomas .-\shby, Lewis I'. Baxter. Charles W. Bruder, .Michael BrazeUc, John Rowers, William Byland, James Brennen, James Bush, William Cenida, James M. Chase, Robert R. Chess, Hezekiah Cleveland, AndiewJ. Constable, Edward Crandall, George Dorn, Lyman Davis, Asa Dean, Stephen Dutton, Henry Donnell, Colin Devenlsh, Jacob El- lenbrand, William ^L Emery, John Englert, Columbus En- gland, William Finch, James E. Fitzgerald, Philip Ciolden, William Golden, William Gardner, H.irrison Goins. Michael Howard, James M.JoUey, Hamilton Keliey, Is.iac X. Seffler-, Barllett Lermond, Lafayette Lindley, George W. Morgan, Joseph Mori is, James McHaugh, Henry .N'oland, Timothy O'Kieff, Thomas Patent, John W. Parsons, Charles Pender- guist, William Pfeiffer, William Rakestraw, Roland Riley, Elisha Rose, William Rose. Charles Sour, George W. Stout, John Sims, Harry Seymour, Thomas Teaford, Lorenzo True- blood, Joseph Weaver, James Williams, Joseph Wild, Wil- liam Webb, Edward Wells.
SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT (iNFANTKV).
The Seventeenth was organized at Indianapo- lis in May, 1S6 1 ;• mustered into service June 1 2th, and started for Western Virginia July ist. Most of its service, however, was with the Army of the Cumberland. It was at Shiloh and Corinth; engaged Forrest sharjjly and routed hmi at Mc- Minnville, Tennessee; was in the march to the Ohio with Buell's army and t'ought the enemy's rear guard at Mumfordsville; returned to Nash- ville in November, 1862; was in the actions at Hoover's Gap and Ringgold, the desperate fight at Chickamauga, and the battles of the Atlanta campaign; caj^tured Macon, Georgia, with three thousand prisoners, sixty pieces of artillery, etc., and did post duty there until mustered otit of service, August 8, 1S65. It had a public recep
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
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tion at Indianapolis upon its return. Its great services were accomplished v.-ith tlie remarkably small loss of 30 officers and .66 men killed, 13 officers and 176 men wounded — total 258.
Adjutant Grcenhiiry F. Shields, New Albany.
COMP.ANY A. George Allison, Sylvester Galton, Memphis, recruits. > COMPANY C. NON-COMMISSIONT.D OFFICKR.
First Sergeant and Second Lieutenant (and first lieutenant company K) Edward G. Mathey, New Albany.
PRIVATE.
Christopher Bobeiich, New .\lbany. COMPANY F. NON-CO.MMISSIONED OFFICER.
Corporal Lafayette Carnes, New Albany.
PRIVATES. Adam Feisner, Charles PVisner, James Holesion, New Albany; Charles Lougtier, George Shannon, Jeffersonville.
(Three years' service).
Recruits, John P. Boling, Jeffersonville; John Shannon, New Albany.
COMPANY I. James Ha"ndy, Jeffersonville, recruit. COMPANY K. COMMISs'o.NED OFFICER. Corporal and Sccoi.d Lieutenant Henry K. Smith, Green- ville.
NON-COMMISSION'ED OFFICERS.
Corporal Anton Hillan, New .■\lbany.
Musician Silas McClung, Greenville. PRIVATES.
William H. Best, Jeffersonville; John N. Brown, New Al- bany, Mathew Churchman, Greenville; James Clark, Jefferson- ville; Jacob Floyd, Greenville; Philo Highfill, Georgetown; William and Montgomery Ingram, Greenville; George W. Knasel, New .Mbany; recruit Charles M. Scott, Greenville.
EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT (iNFANTRV).
(Unassigned recruits). Thomas Dunlap, John J. West, Clarke county.
TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT (URST HEAVY ARTIL- LERY.) Thomas Perry, Jeffersonville recruit.
TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT (iNFANTRy).
(Three years' service).
COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
Colonel Jefferson C. Davis, Charlestown.
This command rendezvoused at Madison, under Colonel Jefferson C. Davis, of George- town, then a captain in the re.i^ular army, but subsequently a distinguished division and corps commander. August 17th it was transported
to St. Louis, where it joined Fremont's army, and was sent up the Mis.souri to the relief of ■ Colonel Mulligan, who was beleaguered at Lex- ington. It moved with Fremont to Springfield and Otterville; was in the affiiir at Blackwater, and marched in January with Curtis' expedition against Sterling Price, participating in the battle of Pea Ridge, in which it bore a prominent part, losirg nine killed and thirty-two wounded, in- cluding Lieutenant Colonel Hendricks. Its most famous engagements thereafter were at Per- ryville, Stone River, and Mission Ridge, and it was in a number of minor engagements. After the reorganization as a veteran regiment, it took part in the Atlanta campaign, the march- to the sea, and the final marches and battles northward. It was mustered out at Washington early in June, and publicly welcomed at Indianapolis on the 1 6th of that month.
COMPANY A.
NO.V-COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
Corpora! Eugene Jones, Jeffersonville.
COMPANY D.
CO.MMISSION'ED OFFICERS.
Captain David W. Dailey, Georgetown.
Captain Isaac N. Haymaker {also second lieutenant), Georgetown.
Captain James M. Parker (also first lieutenant), George- town.
Captain Thomas H. Dailey (also second and first lieuten- ant), Georgetown.
First Lieutenant William H. Raits, Georgetown.
The following-named were all of Clarke county:
NO.N-COMMISSIONEU OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Joseph B. Rowland. Sergeant David X. Runyan. S.rgeant John B. Waikins. Sergeant Patrick H. Carney. Sergeant James Simoiison.- Corporal Benjamin F. McEwen. Corporal William R. Goer. Corporal George W. Smith. Corporal Charles C. Winters. Corporal John-B. Butler. Corporal George G. Taff. Corporal Wash W. Nandair. Corporal James H. Wilson. Musician Maurice Hall. Musician Edward Phillepy. Wagoner Martin \'. Bridges.
PRIVATES. George W. B.ird, \Ve=terfield Baxter, Loran .\I. Bartle, Wesley Bowen, Markius C. Beisbe, Green Burgess, Elcivins Burwell, Samuel H. Campbell, .Alfred Caiighman, William Chrisiian, H.ii-vey Clapp, Samuel Covert. Silas Covert, Thoma.i Cowling. Edward N. Conner, Harinan Cously,
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HISTORY 01'' THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Wiliiani Critciifiol.l, .M;irlin I,. CrULlitiold, Thomas H. Dailoy, HencU-rson D.uis. Willi.ir.i I>-itz, Julin (J. Dixon, . 'I'liomas Doiil.iii, George W. ]' ids, Willi. ini i:. G.iMi', Martin Cirtvin, J.iEnes Gaylord, Aiidunv [. Gijltmr, Gliarlcs J. Giles, James A. Guire, llemy Hiiiei, Lewis Harkrr. Marion Harrison, Carter Harrison, Walter Harrison, John F. Huynes, William Haniian, Joseph Ha\burn, ICpliraiin Harman, Andrew J. Horde, IM'-i HofTnian, James fl. Kane, fieiijaniiu !•'. Kenny, \'olney 1!. Kenny, I'be'uver Kelse, I'eter Ki/ir, lOioeli I^oekliart, flrnry Lonnis, Tliomas 1. McMillan. Lemuel L. Mitehell. 1 liunias Moore, Geor^^e | W. Montgomery, N.ithaniel Montgomery, George W. Morris, Joseph I). Ofl'ieer, Calvin R. Ogle, Milton C. Olivar, Lewis H. Olivar, Joseph C. Overman, Miles B. Patrick, James NL Parker, I'hilip I'hifer, Ale.>cander X. Rutherford, James H. Ridge, Benjamin F. Shoots, Henry H. Sickley, Robert I'. Slazdin, Josepli H. Sl.i/din, William Sooper, Samuel K. Stearns, William ."^tone. Harrison Stiirdivan. William A. Steirhcm, Charles H. Still. William Stewart, Belshazcr Swinger, George W. Titin.Hi, John Tipps, George W. Trumbull. William W. Walter-,. John C. Walterson^ Samuel L. Wells, I.abauJ. Willi.uns, William W. Wheeler!
COMPANY E.
COMiMISSIONKD OTIICI-.K.
Second Lieutenant Samuel H. Mellride, New Albany.
COMIANY F. l^aniel I'ascall, Jeftersonville, recruit. COMPANY H. NON-COMMISSION En ol" IICKKS.
Corporal Preston Holmes, New .Albany. Musician Thomas P. Knowland. t-'harlestown. Private Oliver Grazier, Jeffersonville.
TWENTY-THIRD REGLMF.NT (iNTANTRY).
(Three years' ser\ice.) The Twenty-third was almost wholly a Floyd and Clarke county regiment. It was organized and mustered into service at New Albany July
. 29, 1861, under Colonel William L. Sanderson. Early in August it moved to St. Louis, and thence to Padiicah. In the attack u[)on Fort Henry it was placed upon gunboats, one of which, the Essex, exploded its boilers during the action, by which several members of Company R lost their
■ lives. On the second day of the battle of Shiluh the Twenty-third was engaged as jiart of (jeneral Lew Wallace's division, losing one officer and fifty men killed, wounded, or missing. During the siege of Corinth it formed {)art of tlie reserve stationed at Bolivar, and remained at that point through the summer of 1862. In September it went to luka, and took part in the re-capture of that place, when it was ordered to proceed to Hatchie Bridge, but arrived too late to take part in the engagement there. In November it marched down the Mississipjii Central railroad, and after the cajiture of Holly S|)rings by \'an
Dorn moved to Memi)his. February 21, 1S63, It i)ioceedcd down the river to take part in the movement on \'irksburg, and was engaged with (Irant's army prior to the m.^rch to the rear of the doomed city. A\n\\ 2d, volunteers were called for from the several companies, and [)laccd on board the transport J. W. Cheeseman to run the Confederate batteries at \'icksburg, which was accomphshed without Itiss of life, though with considerable harm to the vessel. While moving to the rear of the jjlace, the regiment was en- gaged at I'liompson's Hill, and again a few days aftei', with sotrie loss in both cases. May 12th it was in the battle of Raymond, and charged the enemy, taking many prisoners, but losing one-third of the number engaged. At Champion Hills it was the first to arri\e in aid of Hovey's division, soon after the battle opened, and took active part in the battle. May 24th it partici- pated in the attack and capture of Jackson, Mississii)[)i. During the siege of Vicksburg 'it was upon the front line, and lost in all five officers and fifty men killed and wounded. It had then a comparatively ipiiet tall and winter until February 3, 1S64, wheir it moved with Sherman's great raid into Mississippi, and assisted in destroying the railways on the line of march. At Hebron, Mississippi, the regiment re-enlisted; and Soon after the raid took its veteran furlough home. At the exjiiration of this it was ordered to Bird's Point, Missouri, and thence to Clifton, Tennessee. During the Atlanta campaign it was united with the Seventeenth corps at Ackworth, lieorgia. From this time it was engaged nearly every day in skirmish or battle until Atlanta was taken. October 3d it started with the force in pursuit of Flood, who was marching to the rear of Sherman, but returned to Atlanta, and took i>art in the march to the sea, during which it was several limes engaged in brisk skirmishes. It accompanied the corps from Savannah to Beaufort, and thence, in January, 1S65, oti the march through the Carolinas. It lost four men wounded in the battle of Bentonville, the last fought by Sherman's grand army. On the 4th of March it reached Coldsborough, North Carolina, and after the surrender of Johnston's army took up its line of march for Wasliingtcjn. It was trans]jonetl thence to Louisvi!!-;, and remained on duty until July 23d, when it was mustered out of service, (^n the 25th the regiment ar-
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HIS'JORV OF 'IIIE OHIO FAl.lS C0UNTI1':S.
rived at Indianapolis, and was iirominent in the rccc[)lion given that day to- the Twenty-third, Thirty-third, Forty-second, and ]'';ftythird Indi- ana reginicnts in the Capitol grounds. Ad- dresses were made uixjn this occasion by their late conimander, Geiieial Sliernian, by Oov- crnor Mi)iton, and other eloquent speakers. A few days thereafter the command received its final .discharge, and the men disi)ersed rejoicing to their homes. It had suffered mortal los.s, during its entire term, to the number of three hundred and forty-live killed in battle and died of wounds, and one hundred and sevenl)-nine died of dis- ease— a total loss, by death, of five hundred and twenly-four officers and men.
COM.NUSSIONKl) OFFICCKS.
Colonel Williairi L. Sanderson, New Albany.
Colonel George S. Babbilt (also lieutenant coloneH, .New Albany.
Lieutenant Co'one! DoWitt C. .\ntlion|, .New .\U).iny.
Lieutenant Colonel William F. D.ivis (al-,0 major), New- Albany.
Lieutenant Colonel George S. Babbitt, New Albany.
Major Ileniy C. Ferguson, Charlestown.
Major Alonzo Tubbs, New Albany.
Adjutant Eugene Commandeur, New .-Mbany.
Adjutant Shadrach R. Hooper, New .\lbauy.
.Adjutant John J. Howard, New Albany.
Quartermaster Isaac P. -Sntilh, New .\lbauv.
Quartermaster Jacob C. Graves, .New .Mbany.
Chaplain John IJ. Rogers, New .Albany.
Surgeon 'I'honias D. Austin, New .-\lbany.
Assistant Surgeon Nathaniel I-'icld, Jeffersonville.
Quartermaster Sergeant William H. Hale, Ncv .Mbany.
Conmiissary Sergeant Christian (j. Zulauf, New Albany.
COMP.\NV A.
COMMISSION KI) orFICEUS.
Captain I'rederiek Pistorius, New Albany. • Captain Thomas Krenientz (also first lieutenant), New- Albany.
Captain Michael Koch, New Albany.
First Lieutenant Leopold Neusch, New .Mbanv.
First Lieutenant William P. Orth (also second lieutenant), tVew Albany.
Second Lieutenant Christian C. Zulauf, New .Albany.
Second Lieutenant George l.'iechert. New Albany. [The remainder of this company was from F!o>d countyl.
NON-CO.\nn.SSIONFU OI-'FICEKS.
First Sergeant .Adam .'^chmuek. Serge.int George Diechert. Sergeant John t)eitz. Sergeant Henry Lever. Sergeant Charles Schmiek. Corjjoral Louis HoOman. Corporal William McKiulcv, |r. Corporal Mich.iel C'och. Corporal Frank Mutz. Corpor.d Frederick Dillinger. Corpor.d LeopoUl .N'eu-ich.
Corporal Frederick Hnider.
Corporal CMiarles Goodman,
Musician Julius Ulessin.
.Musicii'.n John -Munsch. ,
i'KiVAri-;.s.
F.flward .\dam, Christian .Micle, Robert .August, Ileniy IVararch, IVler liiiiger, .\ugust Uuwvicr. l-'rank I'riggcrman, I'rank Pruner, Andrew Carle, Jacob Deibal, Philip Deis, Jacob i''.r.derlin, Peter Pillion, .-Xndrew Fo.\', George Frank, .\nton (iraf. IVlir George, John M. Giaff, .George Ger- shutz, Josefili Ileirizman, Jolin Hess, Christian Hol.schward, Louis llollis, John Holler, Tobias Hert, Frederick Heard t, .August Ikey, l-'eli.\ Knoell, Jacob Koch, Joseph Konig, Casper Kiiaucr, Henry Kempf, Harman Kresia, August Krell, John Knunin, Jacob Korns, Henry Kilinger, Frank Long, Conrad Lotes, Peter Loiz, John Leming, Louis Lchr, AdamMorsch, Charles Mentz, George Mudwiler, John Mud- wiler, Frederick Norman, Charles Nestel, John Offerman.John Prensy, Pienjamin Purviance, Robert Porter, Peter Pope, Samuel Probst, Joseph Pfiefer, Henry Robertius, James Reardon, Joseph Richart, F'lank Raiiier, John D. Shinier, GeorgeScilenfuss, JohnSandlewick, Paul Stein, Fedeic Scliub- ncll, P'rank Schmidt, Henry Stouts, Frederick Silcher, An- ton Stelfan, William Steinberger, Gottlieb Spatig, John Thran, Philip Trukes, Henry Will.ard, John Wich, Charles Wagner, Maxmillian Wunsch, Daniel Wolf. John Wood, William Williard, Christian Widereau, Peter Weber. Jacob Young, John Zelier.
COMPANY B.
CO.MMISSIONF.I) OFl- K F.KS.
Captain William W. Caldwell, JefT-rsonville.
Captain William ^L Darrough (also first lieutenant), Jef- fersonvilie.
Captain Michael Whalen (.rlso first lientenant), Jefferson- ville.
Captain Frederick Wilkins, Jefiersonville.
First laeuteiiant Henry C. Foster (also second lieutenant), Jetiersonville.
First Lieutenant Philip Pflanzer, Jeffersonville.
Second Lieutenant Daniel Trotter, Jefiersonville.
Second Lieutenant Martin Muthig, Jeffersonville. [This was a Clarke county company throughout.]
NON-COM.MISSlCiNED OFFICKKS.
First Sergeant Mike Whalen. Sergeant Henry C. Foster. Serjeant Charles Trotter. Sergeant Frederick Wilkins. Sergeant .Albert Weifels. Corporal George Mcllvane. Corporal Eli Triber. Corporal William Burke. Corporal John G. Smith. Corporal P.itrick Howlett. Corporal Oliver Smith. ^'- Corporal George M. Brown. Corporal Henry Stephens. Musician John W. Thompson. Musician Theodore .Alpha.
r.^iVATKS.
James .Anderson, Patrick Brown, William Raker, Thomas Bailey, Henry Hrosch, ?"rederick Bowman, Michael Burns. Conn P.ovle, John NT rorn>-in, Samuel Crowder, Danie! CampijcU, .Xntlu-ny (!ouie, Patrick i.assedy, Thom.is Cau.jh-
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.. I iM.r.'V
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
lin, John Coyne, William Donalos, Lawrence Del.inpy, fat- rick Doyle, D.iniel Dwire, Hugh Dcnnijjan, George liluell, "Charles l->b, Otloway B. Evans, Peter frank, Gottieib Frank, John Gouber, Peter Gipi)erl, Jacob Grant, Louis Gaunlner, Alfred Hash, Lawrence Hatiley, Thomas Herbert, John Hahn. Christopher Hahn, William Henry, Frank Holfiner, Leopold Hess, )Ienry Harnen, Jerry Hylard, Hfirnson Hoy, Louis Habrik, George S. Idell, Jefferson Jones, Jolm Jen- nings, Hugo Knoth, Joseph Kichiier, Peter Kern, Frank Lyons, Samuel Loninger. Michael Lineh, yulins Lamb, Benjamin Lubeck, John Lavaconib, Thomas Mansfield, Thomas Murriiy, Samuel Messenger, Martin Missinger, Dedrich Matficld, John Miiier, Alfred Martin, Martin Mutig, Samuel McCurJy, Peter McGrery, Svlvester A. McKenzie, Timothy O'Conner, William O'Neal, Philip Pflantzer, John Pfoff, Henry Petty, Thomas R. Roach, John Rader, Charles Ramin, William Sponci, Christian Seifried, Charles Slefer, Carl Stacker, John Toolis, James A. Tiinmonds, John Tobin, John H. Talbott, Otto Waltz, John H. Williams.
COM PAN V C. COMMtSSIONKD OFFICERS.
Captain David C. Kay, Greenville.
Captain Marion W. Smith (also first lieutenant), Green- ville.
Captain William R. Mead (also sergeant) Greenville.
First Lienterinnt Hiram Murpliey (also second lieutenant), Greenville.
First Lieutenant William T. Rodman, Greenville.
Second Lieutenant John Jackson (also first sergeant), Greenville.
Second Lieutenant George B. Spurrier, Greenville. [The rest of the company were Floyd county men.]
NON-CO.MMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Sergeant Isaac H. Easton. Sergeant John ?v[. Latter. Sergeant William J. Xorris. Corporal Benjamin F. Norris. Corporal Jeremiah Monks. Corporal Benjamin F. Wclker. Corporal Phillip J. Zubrod. Corporal Philip W. Roy^e. Corporal Rufus H. Keller. Corporal -Andrew J. Moore. Corporal Joseph Merchant. Musician Harrison H. McClcIlan. Musician Charles H. Kepfly.
PRIVATES.
John M. .-\kers. William H. .-\shly, James .Ashly, Joseph Ansley, William J. Berly, David L. Blankenb.iker, Elijah Burton. Henry Bower. James Bowers, Jacob R. Butterfield, William Campbell, James M. Campbell, William H. Cum- mines, Samuel T. Collins, John H. Cooley, George W. Cook, William H. H. Dollins, Pleasant C. Dollins, Wood- ford Davis, Benjamin Dodd, Young D. Davenport, John B. Dudley, John W. Ellis, John F. Eaton, Miller C. English, William FuUenlove, John Gross, Samuel Gross, George M. Henry, Edward Harrison, William B. Hinckley, Granville Holtfclaw, George W. Harmon, Henry Jones, Robert J. Johnson, Thomas W. KefUy, Jacob Kentick, John P. Kite, Joseph Linder, Martin Linder, Stephen Lukenville, Samuel C. Lukenville, Thomas Lewis, William C. McClelland, Daniel T. Mclntyre, James .\. Mclnlyre, Thomas L NTotts- enger, David Mead, Daniel McKenzie, Andrew Norman,
George W. Newland, Jacob E. Navil, James F. Okes, Geb- hart Oe.vinrider, John Pennington, Jonathan Pence, Jacob
A. Palton, Squire' S. Riley, James W. Rose, Francis M. Rozse, William T. Rodman, Newton W. Rodman, Benja- min M. Rodman, Joseph .Sutherland, .Andrew J.- Sutherland, Aquilla Standiford, William .A. Slater. Lewis Smith, Hiram
B. Stevenson, Bela Spurncr, George W. Summers. John T. Steele, William Stewart, Perry Swain, George B. .Seasc, .Aaron Smith, George B._Spurrier, J.tuics M. Tibbatts,' Haibin H. Waltz, Henry H. Wilcoxson, Willis G. . Whittaker, George L. -Walker, James D. Watts.
COMPANY D.
COMMIS.SIO.VEI) OFFICERS.
Captain George S. B.Tbbitt, New Albany.' Captain John AV. Hammond. New -Albany. First lieutenant William .Strain, New Albany. Second Lieutenant Madison M. Hurley, New Albany. Second Lieutenant Garrett E. Riggle, New .Albany. Second Lieutenant Nelson T. Gailey, New Albany. [This was a Clarke county company.]
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergant D. M. Roberson. Sergeant John W. Hammond. Sergeant James Totten. Sergeant (iarrett E. Riggle. Sergeant Charles R. Mesfield. Corporal William Dailcy. Corpor.al George Walker. Corporal William S. McClure. Corporal William T. Roberson. Corporal John Osborn. Corporal John W. Portlock. Corporal Leonidas L. .Ayres. Corporal Henry Elijah. Musician J. Angele. Musician B. M. Bessinger.
PRIVATES.
W. T. .Arnas, }l. Broun, A. N. Beach, Cyprian Bennett, Edward Pary, Samuel H. Bell, John Bailey, John Cinna- mon, Alonzo Chamberlain, Thomas Crawford, John Cole- man, Francis ^^ Coleman, Patrick Dewitt, William R. Dodd, Thomas Dulanty, Andrew Dunn, Jack Doll, Miles Finegan, Andrew J. Fisher, S. Fisher, Nelson .S. Gailey, Haw Gibbs, Jefferson Gondson, John W. Gondson, John B. Graham, James P. Gott, Michael Gorman, Timothy Haley, William H. Harrison, Abraham Hedges, Barney Henrytree, John Hickey, Thomas S. Harriss. S. Hischlay. Daniel H. Johnson, Thomas J. Johnson, Stewart Kellems, Fred Kreamer, Mar- shall Kemp, William H. Long, John R. Longert, Jonas Longert. David Lance, Joseph McNeely, Frank McKee, Plugh McNomeany, James Macandaran, James Murr.ay, John -Murray, Richard Murray, Daniel .Miseniller. Henry Mulvaney, James Martin, John Nesbelt, Robert Pipes, John Patterson, Thomas P. Paniss, S. B. Portlock, James W. Robertson, John -M. Robinson. George Russell. James Shean, Jerry Shea, Henry Sharps, John Snellbaker, Eliiah Shepley. William .Stewart, Samuel Strain, James Tigcrt, David Ten- nison, Henry Tennison, Geort;e Townsend, Fred Tuikcy, William H. H. Toney, James Tnell, Charles E. A'illier, .Alfred Williams, -\lbert M. Wright, Hampton Wade, Thomas Walls, .Asbury Williams, .Alfred Young, .Martin C. Wiunger.
Recruit'-Stewart Kellems, New .Albany,
1 •' .,...{
; ii'
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
"3
COMPANY E. COMMISSlONKn OFFICER.
Captain Thomas Clark, New Albany. Captain John J. Haniin, New Albany. Kirst Lieutenant Davit! T. McQuiddy, New Albany. First IJcutenant David Long, New Albany. Second Lieutenant Louis P. Berry, New Albany. (The remainder were from Floyd county).
NON-COMMISSION'ED OFFICERS. First Sergeant Milton ]. Lewis. . Sergeant William H. Dean. Sergeant Thomas P. Moore. Sergeant John ]. Hardin. - Sergeant John W. Kdmondson. Corporal David V. Balthis. Corporal David G. NJcCann. . Corporal Shadrach K. Hooper. Corporal Edward Roberts. Corporal John A. Morton. Corporal John B. Baldwin. Corporal Lafayette \V. Ffrminer. Corporal ]onah L. Reed. Musician Addison Joselyn. Musician Richard N. Fox.
PRIVATES.
Hezekiah Allen, Daniel Brooks, Henry L. Boyden. Wil- liam R. Burton, Alexander S. Banks, Theodore Berw anger, William H. Brown, Joshua Brown, Joseph W. Barkuell, Robert B. Benton, Benjamin F. Carby, Jesse A. Carter, John H. Cramer, Jacob Case, William H. Cisco, John W. Coffin, Preston Davis. Edward Delaney, Oscar B. Dunn, Joshua Da\i5. Edward M. Davis, William Elgen, Jeremiah Emnierv, Nathan £",van5, John Fisher, Hugh Farrell. Wil- liam Flynn, Charles Groves, Frank M. Griggs, Andresv J. Hampton, John F. Howerton, A. G. Hitchcock, Christian J. Hurst, Silas F. Hoar, .\ndrew J. Hays, Francis G. Har- mondson, Alexis Lemon, Cyrus B. Lewis. David Long, Henry B. Martin, John L. Martin, Walter R. Mears, Charles F. Master, George W. Martin, William M. Mix, Benjamin F. Norvell, George W. Nutting, William H. Neely, George W. Owens, Ichabod Overly, Willis Pruelt, Richard R I'ond. William A. Pond, Edward A. Pond, James Pollock, Robert H. Patridge, Hezekiah Pray, James Robertson, Matthew P. Robertson, Bart Robbins, Henry C. Rodgers, Samuel B. Rogers, Eli B. Stephenson. William M. Spaul- ding, Ephraim C Smith, Benjamin C. Smith, Samuel W. Stratton, Albert .A. Show, Zephaniah Sawtelle, William R. Sidwell, Frederick Stoch. Peter W. Shank, R. H. Simpson, Christian Strattbrug, Robert W. Tunt. John Troy, Dennis Teaford. Bcnjamm W. Wilson, John H. Warren, Martin B. Warrell, John T. Withers, David Wheat.
COMPANY F. CO.MMISSIO.SED OFFICERS.
Captain William P. Davis, New Albany.
Captain John S. Davis (also first lieutenant). New Albany.
Captain William L. Purcell, New Albany.
First Lieutenant Harvey C. Moore (also second lieutenant!. New Albany.
First Lieutenant Richard Burk (also second lieutenant). New Albany.
First Lieutenant William I^I. Hale, New Albany.
Second F^ieiitenant Charles W. Speake (also tir--t sergeantl. New Albany.
Second Lieutenant George W. Grosshart, New .Alb,any. .'Second Lieutenant John T. Goodrich, New Albany. {The rest of the. company was from Floyd).
NO.V-CUMMIS.'ilONl-.D OFFICERS.
Sergeant James H. Cuits.
Sergeant Richard Burk.
Sergeant George W. Grosshart.
Sergeant Jerry Brooks. ' .
Corpor.Tl Benjamin F. Coinelius.
Corporal Harvey Long.
Corporal William L. F'urcell.
Corpor.il Daniel Cook.
Corporal Harrison C. Hess.
Corporal John H. McCartney.
Corporal Andrew H. Gochee.
Corporal Charles Rogers.'
Musician John A. J. Nichols.
Musician John Gresham.
PRIVATES.
William Bliss, Solomon Bliee, John E. Barbec, Paul Burkhart, J.-mes M. Birts, Silas ^L Brown, Columbus Bolin, George L. Brattun, William J.. Ccarns, William Creamer, Frank Creamer, Norman Cunningham, Phillip Dietrich, Francis M. Davidson, Benjamin Dawson, Michael Devainey, James V. Darkiss. John Duffcy, John Funk, Henry P. Fran- cis, Thomas B. Ferrell, Isaac I-'ree, Simon B. Gresham, Lewis Gillman, Jacob Graves, John T. Goodrich, Riley Gib- son, Charles L. Green, Peter Harvey, Thomas H. Haidm, John Henry, Roger Hartegan, William Hitner, John High- fill, Dcealin S. Jocelyn, George A. Jones, Richard Jones, Benjamin B. Johns, Thomas Johns, Miles James, Charles Jarvii, Robert Jennings, -Sylvester NL Kron, Jol-.n W. Kron, William L. Kerr, George A. Long, Cravan Long, Jciha IL Long, Thomas W. Lane, Isaac Letler, HCdward Labree, John S. Levi, Martin J. G. Mowrey, John Mars, David Mars, Martin Montgomery, John McCullum, Ihomas Mc- Intire, James Mclntire, James McCollan, John Neary, Wil- liam A. Purkhiser, .August Petty, Isaac N. Purcell, Ephraim J. Potts, Joseph Porter, Smith Reasor. Jr., William Reasor, Morgan Reasor, Oscar Rager, Henry L. Stinson, Aaron Sulton, David Sage, Thomas Stewart, William Tirrell, Charles Tucker, Eugene VoUette, Seb.astian Wessell, John Wooton, Thomas J. Wells, Marion Welton, Thomas Wil- kinson, Thomas Williamson, George Windling.
COMPANY G. COMMISSIO.N'EU OFFICERS
Captain Alonzo Tubbs,.New Albany. Captain .Anthony S. Bauer, New .Albany. First Lieutenant Samuel C. Mahlon, New .Albany. First Lieutenant .Abraham D. Graham, New .Albany. Second Lieute.iant Conrad H. Hiner, New Albany. Second Lieutenant William McCarty, Nesv Albany. (It was a Floyd county company throughout).
NO.V-COM.MISSIO.NED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant William S. Daniels. Sergeant James H. Rice. Sergeant John W. Demiore. Sergeant .Ab. Graham. Sergeant Robert Gardner. — Corooral I'ot-.'rC. EJmondson. Corporal Greenberry Dorsey. Corporal William J. O Neil. Corporal Thomas J Heilstead. Corporal George W. Newton.
>,-:<.■>
114
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Corporal John Fognrty. Corporal Anihony S. Bauer. / Corporal Francis M. Tubbs. . Musician John M. Wade. Musician Jacob \V. Cassell.
PKIV.ATKS.
John K. Blackburn. Conrad Bates, Theodore S. Barton, Christian Boss, Timothy Bochari, Henry Burt, .^alem Ccnlis, Edward Co/le, John Carter, Patrick DulTy, Isaiah Davis, James A. Dcubo. James B. Depnison, James G. Donlow, John Freedman, Lewis Ferrir, Barney Flynnc, Isaac Crten, Benjamin H. Graham, P.itrick Grey, Hazel Gott, John A. Green, Adam .A. Gott, James Hamsten, Edward Harrison, Waller ). Hippie, Andrew J. Hand, Iraton P. Hungalc, George S. Kendall, Jolir. Keoton, Kicliard W. King, Alexander B, Lankford,- William C. .McMahell, William McCrll, Garret McCall, William McCarty, William Mad- inger. James Miller, Stephen Murphy, Patrick Mansfield, Jacob T. Myers, John \V. Xewton, James Xewton, Martin Ohiner, Daniel O'Donnell, Xeal O'Brien, James Perry, Wil- liam S. Potter, Elisha Prime, .August Pfeiffer, Henry Robin- son, F.lhaniian H. Reynolds, George W. Riley, Frank Seltz, William H. Stroud, Arthur Sellers, William Sadler, Charles Spencer, Henry Sharon, James Sherman, F.dmund Scott, John Seve, Xoah Syre, John Syre, Charles H. Stewart, James Taylor, Samuel Thurston, Isaiah Thurston, James Tussey, Patrick Tobin, Thomas Tobin. Martin Tobin, Wil- liam Thomas, James Uhlriek, Lyman Warieii, William Wild, ]ame; H. Wyble. Samuel X'. Wyble, .Asa C. WiUiams, Thomas Watson, James Wli:ttcn, Clemens Wahlbrink, David Walker.
COMPANY I.
fOMMISStONED OFFICEKS.
Captain Henry C. Ferguson. .
Captain James N. Wood.
Captain Benjamin F. Walter (also first lieutenant).
First Lieutenant Joshua W. Custer (also second lieuten- ant).
First Lieutenant David Moore.
Second Lieutenant Henry C. Dietz.
Second Lieutenant Frank M. Crabtree.
Second Lieutenant Claiborn M. Delton.
[The foregoing were from Charlestown; the residue were from Clarke county^.
N0N-C0.MMIS!>10NED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Henry C. Dietz. Sergeant Frank .\I. Crabtree. Sergeant James D. Rose. Sergeant Richard Reynolds. Sergeant James X. Wood. Corporal Joseph V'anmeter. Corporal Frank D. Crew. Corporal .Alpha Walter. Corporal William H. Kimberlin. Corporal George Hudson. Corporal George .A. XeviUe. Corporal David Pratt. Corporal John Meyers. Musician James S. Knowland. Musician George W. Knowland.
PRIV.ATES.
Andrew .Amick, Benjamin F. .Andrews, Frank Bowers, John W. Baldwin, John H. Bane, William A. Barton, Charles F.
BoUawig, John D. Boyd, Geoige Bowman, William Butter- field, .Ambrose H. Caldwell, Richard Clegg, Joseph Cole, William M. Cor>-. Milton C. Cory, James Co<-griff, Thomas Cozzins, William C. Coz^ins, John Cozzins, David Coshaw, William Cr»verl, Klisha D. Custer, [ames R. Cunningham, Alexander Davis, Wiliiam T. Davis, Clai- borne M. Delton, Joseph Deering, Peter Dexter, John Dillon, .Michael Faster, George Field, .Alonzo Francory, William S. Flood, Louis Goodline, C.Miarles Hennte,' Mack Hooker, John F. Howard, Henry Hopson, Jon.Uluin Hus- ton, .Alexanxler Holman, Reuben C. Hart, Thomas J. Huff- man, George W. Idner, David H. Johnson, Jacob Kael- hopfier, -Almus Kennedy. Jacob Kimberlin, Benjamin F. • Kimberlin, .Alexander Lewis, John Mead, Henry Madden, Darius Marsh.all, James Mathis, John R. McDaniel, Peter L. McDaniel, Daniel B. McDonald, Wiliiam H. M. Mc- Donald, John .A. McWilliam, David McGregor, George M. Gavvley, Silas M. Xeely, Edward Metz, James Mont- gomery, Josiah Mullen, David Moore, Thomas J. -Morgan, John Pratt, Enoch Pratt, Levin Reed, Joseph Richard- son, Solomon F. Rose, David Sullivan, William Sibert, Samuel E. Smith, William St. Clair, Samuel P. Stark, James Stark, Jacob Steiner, John Stone, .Allen Vest, Louis A. Voegle, Mithew.A. Watt, Lafayette Wood.
COMPANY K.
COM.MISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Vincent Kirk.
Captain James F. Stucker.
First Lieutenant Jerome Peers.
First Lieutenant Russell B. Woods.
First Lieutenant Jesse Poe.
Second Lieutenant Silas E. Warden.
Second Lieutenant Sam.uel C. Collins.
Second Lieutenant John Fess.
[All of Xew .Albany. It was wholly a Floyd company].
NO.S'-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Samuel C. Collins.
Sergeant Charles F. Ross.
Sergeant Edward P. Bruner.
Sergeant Lafayette Frederick.
5>crgeant J.->.mes F. Stucker
Corporal William H. Kirk.
Corporal Charles Edwards.
Corporal Joseph P. Doubet.
Corporal Georg" W. Xunemacker.
Corporal George W. Evelseger.
Corporal David E. Craig.
Corporal Thomas F. Garrettson.
Corporal Lew W. Johnson.
Musician Russell B. Wood.
Musician George .Muir.
rRIV.\TES.
Charles .August, William .Andrew, William H. .Akers, Henry L. Benedict, Charles J. Beers, John W. BUake, James W. Bird, Henry Brock, F'rank M. Boston, James Cleave- land, .Adam Clark, Patrick Cunningham, Martin Consory, Julius Dontaz, Frank Dontaz, James Davis, William H. Dailv, William H. Dawson, Lorenzo D. Emery, .Alexander G. Euing. Malen James Elliott, John Fess, Ewell Ford. Jacob G. Ford, Samuel .A. Fcrgitt, C. C. Frederick, George W. Fox, George Goldsby, Isaac Gibson, William S. Gibson, Ira C. Gunn, Anthony Gainer, Richard Hunidhrey, James M. Harrymar. John Halenb.ack, George Hale, Lewis A. HoUis, William H. Hillyard, John C. June, William H.
■.(•• r.--Vj
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
"5
Kirk, William H. H. McDon.ild, Norman M. McCartney, Kphraim Miiir, Chnrles VV. Muir, Ju'epli Moran, Coijrad Miller, Jr.. John Murray, Joseph H.' Nelbon, Thomas H. Xash, Lieorge M. Patterson, Cieorge I'fcifter, John PiUisvorih. Jesi;e K>'?, Burton Parsons, Robeit George Ross, Henry H. Koyce, Nelson Robeits, Samuel Roby, Andrew ). Schwartz, WMUani Seamster, |anies G. Smith, Jesse Smith, NVilford Sanders, John O. Sandback, I.aban Sittiscn, John Slider, Joshua Swincher, William Ihompson, William Turnboy, Philiji Tool, James C. \andeibilt. John M. Wallace, Charles W. Wood, James D. WiuiIlh, Juhn WaUcrman, Joseph P. Wooley, Thomas J. Woold ridge, Joseph P. Warf.eld, David Wyman, John T. White, John Moore, Edward McCoiinel, Webster McDonald.
TWENTV-FIFTH REGl.MEXT (iNKANTRV).
COMPANY G. COMMISSIO.NKD OFFICER. Second Lieutenant Mahlon li. Williamson. NON-COMMrS.SIONED OFFICF,B. Sergeant and corpor.il Mahlon E. Williamson, New- Albany.
TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT (iNFANTRY). COMPANY E. Private John T. Miller, J etfersonville.
T\VENTY--SEVENTH REGIMENT (iNFANTRY).
COMPANY C.
COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
Second Lieutenant and Captain John T. Boyle.
THIRTIETH REGI.MENT (iNFANTRV).
COMPANY A.
PRIVATES.
George Andre, Martin T. Byron, Joseph Carrel, Wa.-ih L. Moffitt, Milt W. Miles, August Mainlail, James M. McFall, Henry Willcutt, all of Jefiersonville.
THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT (iNFANTRV).
COMPANY C.
Recruits— John B. Brown, George W. Emiley, John Brewster, Halbey B. Fransley. James M. Keon, John C. Keon, Jeffer- sonville.
COMPANY D. ....
Private James X. Anderson, New .-Xlbany.
CO.MP.VNY F. Recruit Robert McKim, Flovd county.
THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT (INFANTRY).
COMPANY E.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
First Lieutenint Max Hupfaup (also secotid lieutenant, company G), Jeffersonville.
COMPANY H.
COM.MISSIONED OFFICERS.
•-.'aptain Franz Koualle, New .\lbany. First Lieutenant Nathan Le'. y, Jefiersonville. First Lieutenant Stephen Schutz (also second lieutenant). New .Albany.
Second Lieutenant Ernst Meyer, New Albany.
COMPANY I.
COM.MISSIONED OFFICER.
Captain William Seivers, Jeffersonville.
Not a single enlihlcd man in this coimnand,
either the old or the reorganized regiment, has his
place of residence named m the report. Most of
company H, apparently, were from I'loyd County.
THIRTY-THIRli REGIMENT (INFANTRY). COMPANY C. Recruit John B. .McClaskey, Jef^rsonville.
THIRTY-FIFTH REGIMENT (INFANTRY). COMPANY I. Recru't William Brown, Jeffersonville.
THIRTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT (INFANTRY).
This regiment was also recruited very largely in these two counties. Both its colonels were New Albany men, and most of the other officers were from that city, Jeffersonville, or Charlestown. General Walter Q. Gresham, of Corydon, now judge of the United States district court for In- diana, was its first lieutenant colonel. The Thir- ty-eighth rendezvoused at New Albany, and was mustered into service September i8, iS6i. Three days afterward it moved to Eiizabethtown, Kentucky. The fall and winter were occupied at Camp Nevin, on Nolin's fork of- Barren river, and at Camp Wood, on Green river, near Mum-- fordsville. In February, 1862, it accompanied Buell's army in the movement on Bowling Green and Nashville, reaching the latter place March 6th. After a rest of about twenty days it marched to Franklin, thence to Columbia, and thence to Shelby ville, where it staid till May i ith, making from time to time rapid marches to pre- vent or obstruct the .raids of Morgan's cavalry. Ma^ 13th it had a skirmish with the enemy near Rogersville. On the 29th it moved toward Chat- tanooga, and reached the opposite bank of the Tennessee June 7th, whence it returned to Shel- byville, and presently was advanced to Steven- son, Alabama. Its ne.xt movement was to Dechard, where it remained from August 17th until Bragg crossed the Tennessee, when it fell back to Nashville and thence marched northward with Buell's army. The Thirty-eighth was en- gaged in the campaign through Kentucky, taking part in the action at Perry ville, where it sustained the heavy loss of twenty-seven killed, one hundred and twenty-three wounded and seven taken pris- oners. It was then sent to Bowling Green, where
ti6
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
it arrived November 2d, and was placed in the First division of the Fourteenth corps. Early the next month it returned to Nashville, and was thence pushed to the front at Wurfreesboro, where it took part in the great battle of Stone River, losing fourteen killed and eighty-six wounded. After this it encamped at Murfrees- boro until the Chattanooga campaign opened. It was engaged in the lively skirmish at Hoover's Gap, losing one man killed and fifteen men wounded; and subsequently in the battle of Chickamauga, where its losses footed nine killed, fifty-nine wounded, and forty-four missing, being a large percentage of the number engaged. Re- turning to Chattanooga the Thirty-eighth re- mained inactive until the 23d and 25th of No- vember, on which days, respectively, it took part in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. The following winter was passed at Ross- ville and Chattanooga. The regiment re-enlisted at Rossville, December 28, 1863, and on the 3d of the next January left for home on its veteran furlough, three hundred and sixty strong. It reached Indianapolis, January 9th, and returned to Chattanooga February 26th. The next month it removed to Tyner's Station, and the next to Graysville, Georgia. May 7th it started with the grand army on the Atlanta campaign, and was in all the skirmishes and battles of that memorable movement. At Jonesboro the Thirty-eighth carried the rebel works at a single dash. In the charge the color-bearer was killed just as he was planting the standard inside the works, when Lieutenant Redding, of Salem, seized the color and carried it through the rest of the day. The regiment lost one hundred and three killed, wounded and missing in this campaign. Octo- bfi 4th it marched in pursuit of Hood as far as Gi'-yiersville, Alabama, whence it returned to At- lanta, and in November moved with the army of Georgia on its campaign to the sea. It remained in Savannah until February 5th, and then started on the march to Goldsboro. It was in most of the actions of this campaign, including the af- fair at Bcntonville. From Goldsboro it moved to Raleigh, and thence, after Johnston's surrender, to Richmond, Alexandria, and \Vashington, aver- aging thirty-two miles a day, and being but six days on the way. From the Federal capital the command was transported to Louisville, and there, after a short period of further service, was
mustered out July 15, 1865. It also had an en- thusiastic recejition at Indianapolis, and was soon afterwards finally released from its long and ardu- ous service.
FIELD .4ND STAFF.
Colonel nenjamin F. Scribner, New Albany.
Colonel Daniel T. Griffin {also major and lieutenant col- onel), .\e\v Albany.
Lie\itenant Colonel James B. Merrisvethcr (also nnajor), Jeffersonville.
Major Joshua B. Jenkins, Jeffersonville.
Major William C. Shaw, New .Mbany.
Adjutant Daniel T. Griffin, New Albany.
Adjutant George H. Dcvol, New Albany.
Quartermaster John R. Cannon, New Albany.
Surgeon William A. Clapp, New .Mbany.
.■Assistant Surgeon Thomas C. Mercer, Utica.
Sergeant Major George H. Devol, New Albany.
Commissary Sergeant .Michael T. Griffin, New Albany.
,,. ,., , CO.MPANY B,
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Charles B. Nunemacher, New Albany. Captain W'illi.im C. Shaw (also first and second lieutenant), New Albany. Second Lieutenant Andrew McMonig.al.
.NO.N'-COMMISSICNF.n OFFICERS.
Sergeant William O. Shaw, New .Albany.
Musician Alvia Chamberlain, New Albany.
Musician Craven Chambeilain, New .\lbany. PRIVATES.
Henry Hunter, George Knight, New Albany; William Labry, Floyd Knob; Andrew McMonigle, New .Albany; Re- cruits Henry Ll.irker, New .Albany; Reuben Edwards, Kd- wardsville; Henry Hunter, .Andrew Huim, Stephen White- man, New .Albany.
I^But few of the names in this roll have a place of residence attached].
COMPANY C.
PRIVATES. Jarncs Saldkill, Charlestown; recruits Peter J. .Moirisoii, John P. C. Morrison, New Albany.
COMPANY E.
NON-COM.\USSIO.NED OFFICER.
Musician John Clyne, New Albany. COMPANY F. CO.MMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Wesley Conner, Charlestown.
Captain William M. Paiigburn (also first lieutenant), Charlestown.
C'aptain Joshua B. Jenkins (also first and second lieuten- ant), Jeft'ersonviUe.
Captain Benjamin Parke Dewey (also firs: lieutenanll, New Altiatiy.
First Lieutenant Stephen L. Cole, Charlestown.
First Lieutenant Thomas R. Mitchc!!, Charlestown.
Second Lieutenant Thouias H. .Adams, Charlestown.
Second Lieutenant Michael T. G-itVin, New Alb.my.
Second Lieutenant Elias Daily, Charlestown.
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HISTORY OF THE OFHO FALLS COUNTIES.
ti7
NON-COMMISSIONED OKI'ICKRS.
(This was almost wholly a Clarke county company) . First Sergtant Tliomas II. .Adams. Sergeant William M. I'angburn. S>crgcant RoLvrt Watson. Sergeant John M. I'laskate. Sergeant Uriah McConiiell. Corporal William Tucker. Corporal Fred M. Goss. Corporal Elias Daily. Corpoial Milton iJultorf.
Corporal Robert Latla. " ',.
Corporal William P. James.
■ Corporal Chester Allen.
Corporal Alban V. Huckleburry. ■ '
Musician Perry Tucker. Musician William Rockey. Wagoner William Eversole.
PRIVATES.
John .Abbott, Samuel Amick, George Apperson, A. P. Al- ford, John A. Dozer, Lewis Bernard, Benjamin Baker, Daniel Baker, I. T. Baugh, Henry Briggs. James Euttorf, Daniel Cleveland. Enoch Causey, David Cole, Charles Cole, L. I. Clapp, James Chappel, Isaac N. Carlin, Edward Carney, H. S. Carter, Isaac Dailev, Robert Dailey, James Dailey, .August Davis, Elevin C. Elsey, Henry P'rank, Isaac H. Flint, James Ford, Benjamin Ferguson, Bruner Gusgind, Jacob Hartma.n, Samuel Helton, Alfred Hamlin, Heiman Hammelman, Ale.\ander L. Justice, John James, Frank S. James, James F'. Jarvis, M. B. Jenkins, John Kemple, Jacob Kemplc, Elijah Kemple, Tliomas Kelly, James Kelly, Mortimer Lewelyn, Samuel A. Lewelyn, B. F. Lewis, A. Lonnesberry, William H. Marberry, Thomas R, Mitihek, LukeMcMahon, William Morris, Robert G. Morris, James H. Matthews, John W. Overman, Levi R. Pettit, William Pitman, Elva Perry {New Albany), John Roufl', W. R, Roberts, Valentine Steinman, Jesse Stoutzman, Christian Staffinger, William Stansberry, John Sanders, Thomas J. Schinler, Thomas J. Smith, George Tlrrell, John Vest, Fred \'elter. Christian Williams, Frank Williams, Joseph A. Williams, George Waughman, A. H. Young. Recruit, George W. French.
COMPANY H.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
■ Captain Gabriel Poindexter, Jeffersonville.
Captain Alexander Martin (also first lieutenant). New Albany.
Captain Leander C. -McCormick (also second and first lieutenant). New .Albany.
Captain Victor M. Carr (also second and first lieutenant), Jeft'ersonville.
Captain Andrew J. Crandall (also first lieutenant), Jeffer- sonville.
First Lieutenant Samuel W. Vance, New Albany.
First Lieutenant Joseph J. Leach, Jeffersonville.
Second Lieutenant .Andrew J. Howard, Jeffersonville.
Second Lieutemnt Thomas Cain, New Albany.
Second Lieutenant Samuel F. Smith, New .Albany.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. First Sergeant L. C. McCormick, New .Albany. Sergeant X'ictor M. Carr, Jeffersonville. Sergeant Andrew J. Crandall. Jeffersonville. Corporal Thom.is Cain, New Albany. Corporal Joseph L. Leach, Jeffersonville.
Musician James E. Ryan, Jeffersonville. Wagoner William Marshall, Utica.
I'KIV.XTF.S.
William Brady, Jeffersonville; James N. Leach, New Albany; Samuel F. Smith, New .Albany; James Williams, Jeffersonville. Recruits, James F. Crandall, Basil P. Call, William Holland, William B. Pooley, William Pirrcey, Jef- fersonville; William .A McCafferty, Enoch T. Leach, George J. Schenk.
[Most of tlie n. lines in this roll are v, ithout notes of resi- dence.]
CO.MP.ANY I. PRIV.^TES.
Charles F. Roynon, George W. Southard. New Albany.
COMPANY K.
COM-MISSIONED OFFICER.
First (also second) Lieutenant George L. 'Newman, New Albany.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. Sergeant George G. Newman, New Albany. [Many names in this company have no residennce at- tached.]
fORTY-SLCOND Rf:Gl.MENT (IXFANTRY).
CO.MPANY B.
Recruit, George P. Dantic, New Albany.
COMPANY D.
Recruits, .Aaron E. Allane, Dennis Conway, James Dewyer, Jonathan B. New kirk, Samuel Pittman, Jeffersonville.
COMPANY G.
Recruit, Charles F. John, Jeffersonville.
COMPANY I. Recruit. Alvey E. Hodge, Floyd Knob.
COMP.^NY K..
Recruits, Frank Lauman, Patrick O'Brien. Solomon Rosenbarger, George W. Sigler.
FORTY-FOURTH REGLMF.NT (INFANTRY).
COMPANY A.
Recruit, George W. Rankins, New Albany.
FORTY -NINTH REGl.MENT (INFANTRY.)
(Three years' service.) This was the first Indiana regiment to rentiez- vous and organize at Jeffersonville, from which place it was largely officered, especially on its field and staff. Its commander was Colonel John W. Ray, son ofoneof the pioneer Method- ist jireacheis, and long a resident of that place, but since the war an eminent lawyer and iniblic man in Indianapolis. It was mustered into ser- vice November 21, 1S61, and moved for the in- terior of Kentucky December nth. On the 13th it reached Bardstown, where a camp of in- struction was formed. January 12, 1S62, it started for Cumberland Ford, arriving February
.tiff-' ■- .1 1>
V
HISTORY OF THK OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
15II1, and remaining there until June. It was here severely afflirted by sickness and lost many of its men. On the i4tii of March several com- panies were engaged in a skirmish at Big Creek Gap,- Tennessee, and nine days thereafter in a fruitless atteiii.pt to capture Cumberland (Jai'). June 12th it marched under Cleneral Morgan again upon the (iap, and occupied it on the iSth, the enemy having evacuated it without a fight. Here the Forty-ninth encamped until the night of September 17th, when the Federal troops in their turn abandoned the works, as the Confed- erates had cut off their lines of communication, and prevented the garrison from obtaining sup- plies. It was with Morgan's coiiimand during the entire letreat to the Ohio through Eastern Kentucky, subsisting most of the time upon green corn. The march continued sixteen days, when Greenupsburg was reached October 3d. Crossing the river the regiment encamped and refitted at Oak Hill, Ohio, and pres- ently was moved to Western Virginia, up the Kanawha as far as Coal Mouth. Returning from this expedition it was embarked, November 1 7th, in transports at Point Pleasant, for Memphis, which city was reached on the 30th. Decem- ber loth it embarked with Sherman's army on the expedition to Vicksburgh, landing at Chicka- saw Bayou on the evening of December 26th, and engaged in the five day's battle that followed. In that it lost fifty-six killed and wounded. The attempt to storm the rebel works proved unsuccessful, and the regiment re-embarked on transports and left Chickasaw Bayou January 2, 1863, for Milliken's Bend. From this place it started by steamer on the expedition against Ar- kansas Post, in the reduction of which place, on the I ith of January, it performed full |)art. Re- turning to Young's Point the Forty-ninth assisted in digging the canal across the Point, and remained in the neighborhood imtil April 2d, when it moved with General Grant to the rear of Vicksburg, and participated in the battles of Port Gibson, May ist ; Champion Hills, May i6th; Black River Bridge, May 17th. and the Siege of Vicksburg, including the assault on the works, May 2:d. After the foil of !he city it inarched to Jackson, being fully engaged in the seven days' fighting in the movement. It was then ii\oved bark to Vicksburg, and thence to Port 1 iudson, whence it proceeded to New Or-
leans, and was there assigned to the Department of the Gulf From Berwick's Bay it took part in the expedition up the Teche, going as far as Opelousas. Once again at New Orleans it left in transports for Texas December loth, on the i4ih reaching Dccroc's Point, on the Mata- gorda [)eninsula. It then moved to Indinnola, where out: hundred and sixty-seven men and four officers of the regiment re-enlisted February 3, 1864. The next month it moved to Mata- gorda island, where it encamped until April i9thr and then embarked to reinforce General Banks at Alexandria, Louisiana. Here skirmishing went on until May 13th, when the entire force fell back to the Mississippi. From New Orleans the Forth-ninth returned to Indiana on its vet- eran furlough, getting to Indianapolis July 9th. At the end of its play-time the regiment was or- dered to Lexington, Kentucky, and remained there for some months after the close of the war. Finally, September 13th, 1865, at Louisville, it was mustered out of service. The next day it arrived at Indianapolis, with two hundred and sixty-one men and seventeen officers, and was finally discharged I'rom military service. It had marched eight thousand miles, and fought al- most innumerable battles and skirmishes.
FIELD AND ST.\FF.
Colonel John W. Ray, Jeffersonville.
Colonel James Keigwin (also lieutenant colonel), Jeft'erson- viUe.
Colonel James Leeper (also major and lieutenant colonel), Charlestown.
Lieutenant Colonel .Arthur J. Hawke (also major).
.Adjutant James M. Gwin, Memphis.
Adjutant Beverly W. Sullivan, Jeffersonville.
Quartermaster Charles H. Paddock, JetYersonville. ■
Quartermaster Geor^je \V. Pettit, Jeffersonville.
Surgeon Edward F. Bozelt (also assistant surgeon), -Jeffer- sonville.
.-\ssistant Surgeon J. A. C. McCoy, Jeftersonville.
Assistant Surgeon John H. Thomas, Jeffersonville.
Assistant Surgeon William Z. Smith, Greenville.
COMPANY A. COM.MlSStONED OFFCCER.
Captain Arthur J. Hawke, New .Albany.
[N'o places of rcaidence of enlisted men given.' COiMPANY B. co.\imissioni=:d officfrs. Captain [olm W. Kane, Jefiersonville.
Capt.iin James W. Thompson, (also second lieutenant), Jeffersonville. Captain Ua\id HoL^an. Jeffersonville. First Lieutenant 1 homas Pai-e, Charlestown. First Lieutenant James M. Waters, Je.fersonville.
t ' > ! , i • i
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
119
Second Lieutenant George F. Howard, JeffersonviUe. Second Lieutenant Richard F. Dilling, J'^fforsonvillc.
The remainder of this compatiy was mostly
from Clarke county.
NON-COMMl^SIONF.n OFl'ICEKS.
First Sergeant James C. Wheat.
Sergeant David Hognn.
Sergeant Samuel H. Smith.
Sergeant John P. Glnsslnanner.
Corporal George \V. Pellit.
Corporal Hiram F. Butler,
Corporal William R. Bo7cr. • Corporal William G. Hilton.
Corporal James Wr.Iters.
Musician Mark P. Butler. ■ Musician Thomas Marbury.
PKIV.\TES.
Cyrus S. Chapman, John Flackerstane, Michael Fox, Levi Frailey, Timothy Fruoley, Stephen \\'. Gibbs, Thomas Mc- Cauley, Charles K. Morgan. Richard Pile, Beverly W. Sulli- van, William |. Simons, W illiam J. .Sparks, Jeffersonville; ■John Wilson, James P. Pettit, William Koons, Charlestoun; Hardin Rasor, William Rackor, j\e\v Albany; William C. Fawn, New Wa.shington; Josephus Lee, Memphis; Lewis C. Pound, |ohn Richter, J. W. Scott, John Salmon, Jonathan Wininger. Hibetnia; Edwin S. Holmes, David Hoding, Martin Hufst, Vatchel Low, August Marmur, James Mc- Williams, Thomas Robinson, Julius Rimimmgs, Clarke county. Recruits, Thomas B. Hill, Eldrich Ogdcn. Base Ogdeii, John Otter, Chris C. Peasley, Frank Sharp, John Trotter, Silas Veach, Jeffersonville; Thomas .\. Stutsman, John \L Stutsman, Thomas J. Bozer, Hibernia.
COMPANY C.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain John Nafms, New Albany. Ccptain John McWilliams, Greenville. First Lieutenant Isaac Buzbv.
First Lieutenant James Fulyard (also second lieutenant). New Albany.
First Lieutenant George Denny, Xew Albany. Second Lieutenant Fred, P. Bethel, New .Albany. Second Lieutenant James T. Wilco.xon, New .Albany.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Fred P. Bethel, New .Albany.
Sergeant Henry C. Hopper. New Albany.
Sergeant George Denny, New Albany.
Sergeant George W. Smith. Greenville.
Corporal Edward Session, New Albany.
Corporal James M. .Allen, New .Albany.
Corporal Isaac Searies, BennettsviUe.
Corporal John W. Williams, Greenville.
Musician John Denny, New .Albany.
Wagoner John F. Bird, Floyd county. PRIVATES.
Thomas .Alexander, James Bassett, Comodore Basseit, George Birger. Rufus Bowman, John Ceniiy, Michael Fisher, C:harles Franeonie. Isaac Hendricks, Enoch Jinkins, Joseph W. Jones, Thomas Morgan. Sr., Thomas Morgan. Jr.. Fr.anklin Kagin, Jesve Ragle, Charle K. Robertson, James W. Robertson, Charles Ri.x, Bennett.'ville: .Abbry .Atkins, Dav,nd Dodd, John W. Lamb, Galena; John H. Bruner, James Curns, William Deiiny, Hariis-jn Devoine, Porter F.
Devorne, Charles T. Jack, Jeremiah Knight, Matthew Raf- ale, Dennis Shane, Theodore Smith, New Albany; Thomas Hickman, Georgetown; John P. Nerreyton, David Merry- wether George HoUis, William T. Kimball, Floyd's Knob; George W. Layle, Lafayette Miller, Isaac Miller, David Miller, Greenville. Rcci-uits— William H. Ansel, John H. Bertsch, William M. Cox, Peter Curns. Ross Cosgrove, John G. Ealey, Pulaski F. Gathers, Ivluard C. Greenvsood, John Hogan, Tillam Hollis, Charles W. Utnnan, New .Albany; Charles E. Scott, Greenville; Henry Lufl't, Edwardsville.
COMPANY D. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain James Leeper, Charlestown.
Captain James R. Ferguson (also first lieutenant) Jeffer- sonville.
First Lieutenant Upshur S. Reynolds, Jeffersonville.
First Lieutenant James H. Morgan, Jeflersonville.
First Lieutenant William H. Sharp (also second lieuten- antl, Henryville.
Second Lieutenant James A. C. McC^oy, Jeffersonville.
Second Lieutenant James S. Ryan, Jeffersonville.
Second Lieutenant Henry J. Smith. Jeffersonville.
.Sergeant James S. Ryan, Henryville.
Sergeant Joseph C. Drummond, Memphis.
Corporal William W. .Sharp.
Corporal William W. Vanscamper, Henryville.
Corporal Thomas Dillon, Memphis.
Corporal Jones KIbert, Memphis.
Corporal William C. Friend, Jeffersonville.
Corporal William C. Wroughton, Jeffersonville.
Corporal John C. Jasper, New Albany.
Musician Thomas B. Mathers, Memphis.
Musician Joseph M. Hurrell, Blue Lick.
"Wagoner William .A. True, Jeffersonville. .
PRIVATE.S.
Bennett T. Atkins, John M. Clark, James W. Crummins, John Enlow, Abel Enlow, Michael Felter, James R. Fergu- son, John Harris, William McComb, Elias Puckett, James H. Richardson, Henry J. Smith, John R. Stephan, Reuben J. Stutsman, John Veasey, .Alexander Veasey, Isaac Wascom, Henryville; WilliamjBlakely, Noble Blakely, Ira H. Rose, John J. Rose, John Swagert, MiUon Stone, Benson Tevis, Samuel Yesley, Blue Lick; William O. Wyatt, John Trotter, John Sun- dry, Samuel F. Smith, Floyd Ross, William B. Powell, Wil- liam C. Messenger, Josephus P. Hiler, Felix Hanlin, George Golden, Patrick Fitzgerald, John Edwards, Christian C. Clark, Jeffersonville; James W.' Baxter, Hiram H. Beard, Jonah E. Cooper, Charles H. F. Jasper, Frank M. Jasper, Melworth Marlow, New Albany; Henry Woodward, James F. Smith, L'pshard S. .Smith, Wesley Middleton. Marshal England, Henry ColTman, Burnhardt Butt, Memphis; James H. Covert, Lewis M.~ Smith, Newmarket; Oliver Robinson, Andrew J. Mathers, Charlestown. Recruits— Charles Bache, George W. Broy, Phil. Golden, .Andrew J. Golden, Jerome B. Hiler, William J. McCoy, Frank Milligan, Robeit Wyatt, Jeflersonville; William Zeller, Matthias C. Roach, James McGregor, Ale.xander C. Lewis, Samuel D. Lewis, Hender- son Davis, Robert J. Bigge, Luke S. Becket, Henryville; David Carroll. New .Albany; Hamilton L. Smith. New- market; John Kelly, Wiiitield S. Kelly, Otisco; James H. Davis, Charlestown; OthenicI Prcr.tice, Blue Lick.
CO.MP.ANY E. NON-COM.MISSIONTD OrFICF.RS.
Musician Thomas KiUick, New .Albanv. .
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Musicinn Joseph Glancer, JefTersonville. Recruits — Robert M. Francis, John' Wingard, New Al- bany.
COMI'AN'Y 1. COMMISSIONED OFFICKR.
Fir.1t Lieutenant August H. Letourmy (also second lieu- tenant), Memphis.
CO.MPANY K.
COMMISSIONtD OFKICKRS,
First (also second) Lieutenant William V. Gross, New Albany.
First (also second) Lieutenant David Hogan. JefTerson- ville.
NON-CO.MMISSION'ED OFFICKRb.
Musician Thomas J. Pugh, Xew Albany. Musician George S. Peyton, New Albany.
PRIVATES.
William V. Gross, New .Albany. Recruit — Theodore S. Payton, New .Albany.
FIFTIETH KF.GIMKNT.
This was organized at Seymour, September 12, 1861; Cyrus L. Dunham, of New Albany, colonel. It left camp October 25th, and marched to New Albany, recruiting at several places where it halted. Christmas-day it crossed the Ohio and marched to Bardstown, where a camp of in- struction was formed. Thence it moved to Bowling Green. After Nashville was taken, the regiment was scattered along the Louisville &: Nashville railroad, and remained on this duty till September, 1862. August 20th a detach- ment of twenty men was attacked by one thou- sand of Morgan's cavalry, in a stockade near Edgefield Junction; but repulsed the enemy three times, and finally forced him to retire with some loss. In September the Fiftieth marched to re- lieve Mumfordsville, and was there captured with other forces by General Bragg on the 14th of that month. It was paroled and sent to Indianapolis till exchanged. November ist it started again for the field, reaching Jackson, Tennessee, on the loth, and there formirrg part of the Si.xteenth corps. December 31st it was engaged all day with Forrest's cavalry at Parker's cross-roads, and captured five hundred prisoners and seven guns. During the rest of the winter it encamped near Jackson, moving to Memphis the ne.xt spring. Thence it was transferred to Arkansas, where it had a skirmish at Little Rock. Marching thence September loth, to Lewisburg, in that State, it there remained in garrison till May 17, 1864. March 2d of that year three hundred and fifty of its number "veteraned." It was engaged
with General Steele's Camden expedition in the battles of Terre Noir, Prairie Leon, Red Mound, Camden, and Saline River. It returned to Lit- tle Rock May 5th, and staid till the last of July, when its veteran furlough began, and it was trans- ported to Indiana. Returning in September, it did garrison duty at Little Rock for several months. December 31st the non-veterans were discharged, and four hundrt.d and fifty veterans and recruits remaining were consolidated into a battalion of five companies. January 5, 1S65, it started with General Carr's command on a ten day's expedition to Saline river. The next month the battalion left Arkansas to join Canby's army besieging Spanish Fort, near Mobile. April loth it took part in the capture of Mobile, and the next day was engaged at Whistler's Station. May 26, 1865, it was merged in the Fifty-second regiment, which remained in service until Sep- tember loth, when all were mustered out at Mont- gomery, Alabama, sent to Indianapolis at once, and discharged.
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel Cyrus L. Dunham, New .\Ibany.
Major Bannister Compton, New .Albany.
\T.ajorJohn Hungaie, New Albany.
Adjutant Thomas H. Jones (also adjutant of the residuary battalion).
CO.MPA.W F. COMMIS.SIONED OFFICERS.
Captain John Hungate, New Albany.
Captain Isaac .A. Craig (also second and first lieutenant). New Albany.
First Lieutenant Benjamin F. McClintoch, New Albany.
Second Lieutenant Thomas H. Jones, New -Albany. The remainder of the company was from Floyd county.' NON-COM.MISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Thomas H. Jones.
Sergeant Henry H. Poison.
Sergeant John S. Cobb.
Sergeant J ere F. Pittman.
Sergeant William M. Holson.
Corporal Thomas I. Truelock.
Corporal William McDonald.
Corporal James Miller.
Corporal Joseph Smith.
Corporal Joseph Smith.
Corporal John R. Rivers.
Corporal James W. D. Bradish.
Corporal William B. Grigsby.
Corporal David E. Rook.
Musician Michael M. Critchfield.
Musician Robert D. Longert.
Wagoner Samuel Dougherty.
PRIVATES.
Branlla .Abel, John Abel, William H. .Abel, Silas A. .Adams, Mart V. .Archer, Leonard H. Archer, Wiiliam A.
•:} I ' .■ i.il'j;-..
I 1 1 1 1 1» :: :
>rt ih •■]
iv I : ;r
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS C0UNTIF:S.
Atkinson, Eminitt Bivrtlett, )o!m IVU, Andrew J. P.Uilock, Plolniy Bledsoe, John T. IVown, lIiMiry I'.rolist. W'illi.iin S. rUich.Tnnn, Daniel O. Rursess, r.enjnniin B. C'a^e, John A. C'hop(jt, Obadiah Clevd.ind, ]cssc ]. Collior, Nicholas Cook, Philip M. C'utshall, Thomas B. Cuminins, Andrew J. Cum- mins, Archibald Dougherly, William II. Douglunty, Bunja- niin Doolcy, Thomas Duysdale, Rasobery Dreiincn, Alexan- der Gobbel, Solomon B. Ciraintrer, \\'ilson S. (jrei^ors-, Isaac Guthrie, Daniel Holmstutlar, Hiram M. C. llribson, Jediah Hunter, Robert W. Hughes, George W. Jackman, William Jcnlvin:,, Harrison ]olinM:.n, William Kahler, John V. Kirk, Daniel L. Lambdian,. jonalhan D. Leonard, William H. Longert, William D. Lynch, John Mason, James Marley, Elias McDonald. John R. McMickle, Joseph P. Miller. George B, Miller, Thomas Morgan, James B. Xewkirk, Thomas Pedo, Bedford Phillips, John Phillips. Robert i'itt- man, Enoch Prewett. Joshua Prewelt, Singleton R.i'.vlings, Joel O. Ray, Chester C. Rook, John Raverty, John Ruby, Claudius St.andiford, Ephraim Standiford, Alexander Shofe, Geijrge D. Smith, Mart Nf. Stout. William 1'. Strain, Wil- liam ^L Taylor, James H. P. Tarr, Lafayette Thorpe, John Trinkle, Mart Vener.ible, John S.Walls, Richard N. Wellman, Jere • Wellman, Richard Wheat, Calvin R. Wood, Eanis Wells, Jason Veitch.
[The list of rectuits includes no notes ot residence, and we are unable to locate any of them in Floyd or Claike count) .]
FIFTY-SFXOXD INFANTRY (rE-ORGANTZED). COMP.XNV .A. Private .Arthur H. Neal, New .Albany.
COMPANY B. Private John Fipps, New Albany. COMPANY P. PKIV.VTKS.
Obadiah Cleveland, Thomas Morgan, New .Albany; Cyrus B. Garlinghouse, Bethlehem. '
FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
The Fifty-third organized in part at New Al- bany in January, 1S62, and was filled uj) Febru- ary 26th by recruit.s raised from the Sixty-second. Walter Q. Gresharn, of Corydon, now judge of the United States district court, was made colonel. The first movement of the command was. to Indianapolis, where it guarded rebel prisoners at Camp Morton till March 15th. It was then started for St. Louis, and thence went to Savannah, Tennessee. April 15th it joined the forces moving on Corinth. After Corinth was evacuated, marched to Lagrange, and joined ex- peditions from that jilare to Holly Sjjrings and other points. It was then at Memphis until September, then at I'olivar, then moved again on Corinth, and, Ortober 5th, participated in the battle of the Hatchie, during which it made a courageous crossing of the burning bridge and chargetl the rebel line. It marched under Grant into Northern Mississippi, returned to Moscow,
Tennessee, and again to Memphis, where it staid till Af)ril, 1S63. It then moved to Young's Point, (Irand Ciulf, and Chickasaw Bluffs, where it joined the army befote Vicksburg. It took an. honorable jvirt in the siege, and afterwards marched to Jackson with the force which oc- cupied that city July rAth. Returning to Vicks- burg, it was sent to Natchez, and quartered there about thre.e months. August iith. Colonel Gresharn was commissioned brigadier. The next month the Fifty-third, now in the Seven- teenth corps, accompancd an expedition into Louisiana, where an important fort was taken and other injury done. It was at Vicksburg till February, 1864, and then marched with Sherman in the Meridian campaign. On the return three hundred and eighty-three of its men re-enlisted, and they took their veteran furlough the next month.
From Vicksburg the regiment was sent with its divisi'jn to Georgia, and joined Sherman at Ac worth, June 6lh. During the rest of the At- lanta campaign it was heavily engaged at Kene- saw Mountain, Nikajack Creek, ]''each-tree Creek, near Atlanta, July 22d. In the last r'lght it suf- fered greatly, losing its connnandtr. Colonel Jones, and many other officers and men. After Atlanta was occupied it aided in the pursuit of Hood, but got back in time to join in the famous march to the sea and through the Carolinas. At the close of the war it moved from Goldsboro by Raleigh and Richmond to Washington, and was thence transported to Louisville, where it was mustered out July 21st, 1S65. It was in -the public reception of returning regiinents at In- dian'^.polis, July 25th, and was soon after dis- charged.
FIELD .\Nb STAFF.
Major and Lieutenant Colonel Henry Duncan, New .Al- bany.
Lieutenant Colonel .Andrew H. Kabric|ue. New Albany, Chaplain William W. Curry, New .Albany.
COMPANY B.
COMMIS.SIONF.U OFFICERS. Captain and First Lieutenant -A. H. I'abrique, New Al- bany.
First Lieutenant John .M. .Austin, New .Albany.
.\ON-COM MISS ION K.n OFFICKR.
Corporal John M. .Austin.
COMP.XNY D. f OMMlSSinNKD OFFICF.KS.
Captain Setl; Dailey, Ch.;rlestewn
,1 / 1;
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Captain William I Imvard (also second lieuttnant), Jeffcr- sonville.
Fir.'l Lieutenant Jolm I,. Gibson (also second lieutenant), Now jMbany.
First Lieutenant James A. Englcman, Georgetown.
I This compony appears to have been raised in Floyd and Harrison counties, but there are no means furnished in the rnli for distinguishing the men from each region.]
COMPANY E.
CO.MMISSIONEn OFFiCEF.S.
Captain Rufus A. Peck, N'ew Providence.
Captain John W. Heistand (also first lieutenant), New Providence.
Captain George H. Beers (also second and first lieutenant). New Albany.
First Lieutenant Henry Pennington (also second lieuten- ant). New .Albany.
First Lieutenant Royal M. Gibson, Providence.
First lieutenant Neville .A. Lartigue, New Albany.
NON-COM.MIS.SIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant George H. Beers. Sergeant William l\. Smith. Sergeant Royal M. Gibson. Sergeant Neville A. L;irtigue. Sergeant Jaines A. Berkey. Corporal E?ek. C. Lane. Corporal Francis M. Miller. Corporal Oliver Q. Trueblood. Corporal William Rotkwood. Corporal William J. Morris. Corporal Palmer Bailey. Corporal Jeff Potts. Corporal Larkin Kennedy. Musician George H. Pennington. Musician John W. Heistand.
PRIV.\TES.
James W. Ashings, John Bruce Alien, Robert Allen, David C. Alois, Lyman Alton, David A. Baker, George N. Bailey, David Butterfield, .'\lfred Bagshaw, Napoleon B. Boss, Jasper N. Brannaman, William H. Baynes, Thomas Butler, James M. Carnes, George Canner, Richard M. Clark, Isaac S. Cutshaw, Francis M. Crockett, George W. Clipper, Samuel K. Darkies, Patrick Dunihue, Alfred L. Elliott, Martellus M. Evans, Benjamin F. Emery, John Ebeling, William R. P. Fades, Joseph Fisher, James Gib- son, Thomas Gibbons, John Hedrick, Jacob Ha.\ton, John Herral, George W. Hamilton, John Hoke, Michael Jones, Jacob Volney Jamison, Joseph E. Kite, Martin C. Luken- bill, Washington Linder. Nathaniel Linder, John Mann, Joshua T. Morris. Martin H. MiMer, Jonathan Minton, Isaac Minton, William C. Morgan, John McCosky, !>amuel Newby, Th^imas Piers, John Overshiner, William H. Pickler, Hugh T. Prentice, George Powers, John F. Rodman, Moses Russle, John .\I. Rutherford. Philip Shadrion, George Shoe- maker, Frederick Schliecher, Cornelius Standiford, Thomas C. Siucher, Peter Smith, Thomas J. Smith, \\'illiam R. South, Fielding R. Sealo, Francis Tartarat, William W. Taylor, Joshua G. Trueblood. Isaac N. Ihomas, John M. Tatlock, Abram Tatlock, Leonard M. White, Spencer C. Walker, George Wright, Telle Weeks, .-\ndrew York.
fThe roll I'urnishes no means of determining the residence of recniits to this company.]
COMPANY F.
rOM.MlSSIONEU OFFICt;R.
Captain Henry Duncan (also second and first lieutenant). .New Alb.iny.
COMPANY K. •
COM.MIS.SIO.NED OFFICERS.
Captain Henry Pennington, New Albanv. Captain Eben Knight (also second lieutenant), N'ew Albany.
PRIVATES.
.\dditional enlisted men — Thomas S. Dryman, William H. Duncan, Clarke county; Henry Achord, Floyd county.
FIFTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT (INK.-\NTRY).
COMPANY n.
PRIVATE.
Recruits, Adqlphus Binct, Paul L. Banct, Peter Fatig, Robert Fenwick, Lawson Stone, New .\lbany; Orin A. Searles, Floyd's Knobs.
COMPANY C. Private Harbin Kepley, Jeftersonville, recruit. COMPANY E. PRIVAI ES.
Albert G. .Austin, Ncv,- .Albany. Recruits, Joseph Singer, Joseph Grecnor, New Albany ; John W. Swart!"., Bennetts- ille.
THE FIFTY-NINTH REGIMENT
was recruited late in iS6i, and early iniS62, and mustered in February i ith, at GoSport. At New Albany it was equipped with Enfield rifles, and on the i8th started by river for Cairo, there em- barking for Commerce, Missouri. It was the first regiment to report to General Pope for the Army of the Mississippi. February 25th it moved to Benton, and was there brigaded with four other Indiana regiments. Early in March it shared in the siege of New Madrid, and was one of the first commands entering the place. April 7th it crossed the Mississippi, and marched to Tiptonville, aiding to capture five thousand prisoners. Its subsequent movements were to Fort Pillow, Cairo, and Hamburg, Tennessee, Corinth, Boonville, Clear Creek, Ripley, Jacinto, Rienzi, and other points. October 3d and 4th it was heavily engaged at Corinth. January 3d to March i, 1S63, it was on guard duty near Memphis, and then went to Helena, Arkansas. March 12th it started with the Yazoo expedition, returned April loth, and going to Milliken's Bend on the 15th. On the 24th it started for Yicksburg, and was engaged subsequently at Forty Hill;, Raymond, and Champion Hill*^. Its skirmishers were the first to enter Jackson, and its battle-worn fi.ig was soon tloating from \ the State capitol. It joined in the siege of
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
123
Vicksburg, and suffered severely in the assault of May 22d, when one hundred ond twenty-six men were killed or wounded. July 4th it was in the column which m:irched into \'icksburg, and remained until September 13th, when it was sent to Helena, and thence to Memphis, Corinth, and Glendale. October 19th it started for Chat- tanooga, and shared the glory of the Mission Ridge victory. It was afterwards in the Atlanta campaign and the marches to the sea and north- ward, and was mustered out at Louisville July 17th. It had received seven hundred and seventy-seven recruits during its service, and lost seven hundred and ninety-three, and had traveled thirteen thousand six hundred and seventy-nine miles in its various campaigns.
FIFTY-NINTH INF.VNTRV. COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
M.ijor Elijah Sabin, New Alb.iiiy. COM PAX V C. COMMISSIONED OFFICER. Captain Thomas Riley, New Albany.
PRIV.\TE.
John Byrne, New Alb.mv.
COMPANY I).
COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
Second Lieutenant William B. Lyons, New .Albany. COMPANY E. COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
Second Lieutenant (also private) Samuel \V. Taylor, New Albany, .,.■■..
COMPANY F. ' •
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Wilford H. Wellman, New Albany. First Lieutenant 1 homas Riley. New Albany.
PRIV.\TF.S.
Joseph Self, John E. St.mley.
COMPANY G. CO.MMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain (also second and first lieutenant) Ephraim J. Hol- lis, New Albany.
First Lieutenant William B. Lyons, New .Albany. Second Lieutenant Paley W. Fitzgerald, New Albany.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
Corporal John Thur.^ton, New .Mbany.
PRU ATES.
George D. Byorly, .Andrew Hog^, James W. Mahuran, Ebenezer L. Mahuran, George W. N'csvman, Lewis .N. Rit- ter, William T. Rittcr, D.nid Sluvcr, Joseph Woods, Loren- zo Wood, .New Providence; I'aley Fitzgerald. Frederick Kooek, -Alexander Williamson, New .Albany. Recruits — George W. .Adamson, Willi.im H. Morton, 1 liomas Xew- comb, Luther D. W'hitteii, New .Albany; Thomas M. Harlin, Jefiersonville.
COMPANY H. . Private George J. PuUern, New Albany. COMPANY K. NON-COM.MISSIONEIJ OFFICER.
Second Lieutenant Howard Webber, New Albany.
PRIVATE.
Additional enlisted man, William Holmes, Nev.- Albany. SIXTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
It was raised in the Second Congressional dis- trict, wit lit he celebrated Lew Wallace, of Crawfords- ville (already a major general), as its first colonel under provisional appointment; lendezvoused at Camp Noble, New Albany; was hastened into service August 19, 1S62, by the danger menacing Cincinnati, and marched at once for Lexington, Kentucky. It was in .the ill-starred action near Richmond on the 30th, when most of the regi- ment were captured and paroled. The entire com- mand was reunited at New Albany September loth was refitted at Indianapolis in November, and started for the field again December loth. At Corinth, Mississippi, it joined the First brigade of Dodge's division, and remained in garrison till August iS, 1863. Six companies (B, C, D, E, G, and I) were engaged at the battle of Col- lierville October 11, 1863. Moved October 291!] to Pulaski, Tennessee, and staid till spring. With the Second division. Sixteenth corps, in late April, 1 864, it went to join in the x'Vtlanta cam- paign. It was engaged at Resaca, Lay's Ferry, Rome Cross-roads, Dallas, Kenesaw, before At- lanta, and at Jonesborough. Near Atlanta its division was transferred to the Fifteenth corps, and started for Rome September 26th, returning in time, however, to join in the "marching through Georgia." It reached Washington through the Carolinas and Virginia May 24, 1865, and was there mustered out June 3, 1S65. L^pon arrival at Indianapolis it was publicly wel- comed, June 1 2th, in addresses by Governor Morton and others. Some of its recruits served with the Fifty-ninth until the muster-out of that regiment July 17, 1S65.
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel UeWitt C. Anthony, New Albany. Lieutenant Colonel (also adjutant and major) Thomas G. Morrison, New .Albany.
Major Jolm W. Gerard, New Albany. Adjutant William H. Mahon, New Albany. Quartermaster Campbell Hay, JcfifersonviUe. Quartermaster 'Thomas C. Hammond, Charlestown. Surgeon Nathaniel Field, Jeft'ersonville.
,tll.
124
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTH'S.
Surgeon James C. Sinioiion (also assisiant surgeon)' Charlestown.
Quartermaster Sergeant Williun II. Day, New Albany. Commissary Ser-jeant Kdwartl .\. Cobb, New Albany.
COMl'.XNV C.
I'KIV.MtS.
James G. Rowth, JaMT-s N. Kowth, New Albany.
COMI'.^NV 1). NON-COM.MISSrONKI> Ol'lICER.
Sergeant William II. Day, New All any.
COMPANY K.
Private Aaron Rigler, JefTersonville. COMP.\NV G. Pri\-ateJohn M. Merryweallier.
COMPANY H. CO.MMISSIONED OFFICER.
Second Lieutenant David Simpson, New Albany.
PRIV.\TE.
Harrison T. Gandy, New .Albany.
JOMPANY I. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain John \V. Gerard, New Albany.
Captain James N. I'ayton (also firit lieutenant). New Al- bany.
Captain Charles P. Sisloff (also second lieutenant). New Albany.
First Lieutenant Winlield S. Whitman (also second lieu- tenant). New Albany.
First Lieutenant John B. Parker, New Albany.
Second Lieutenant Ale.xander B. Hoskins, New .\lb.iny.
[The following named were also of New Albany, with the ■ exception noted. The residences of many of this company are not given on the roll].
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Charles R. SislofF.
Sergeant William F. Haigh.
Corporal Middleton C. Tucker ( JeffersonviUe).
Corporal James H. Smith.
Corporal Abraham McCoblan.
Musician William K^ Shipman.
Wag6ner Asahel M. Pyburn,
PRIVATES.
Martin Ashby, Bernard Brady, Walter P. Brown, Henry H. Ba.xter, Calvin Carpenter, Kphrami Carnes, Lee Carpen- ter, Alfred Danton, William Grunes, Dion. 1). Hinneux, Robert Hinton, Charles E. Jones, lohn Kelly, Henry B. lx;ach, Leonard Leach, John F.. Lavey, Harvey Money. William C. Miller, Patrick OBrien. Willi.im A. Smith, Michael Shine, Jacob Schester, John Whitten, Robert O. Whitlcn, William Whitten, Mict-.ael K. Wemyss, Michael Waters, Joseph Weaver.
SIXTV-Eir.HTH INFANTRY COMPANY A.
Georye W. Townsend, recruit, .New .\iljuny.
SEVENTIFIH INFANTRY.
Johi! i.jrav,.-,, reciuit company H, .\eu Albany.
SEVF.NTY-FIRST REGIMENT (slXTH CAVALRY). COMPANY M.
I'RIV.'kTES.
Andrew Hand, William Holmes. New Albany. SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT (FOURTH CAVALRY).
Organi/.ed at Indianaiiolis August 22, 1862. Four companies were f>rouii,)tly sent to Hender- son, Kentucky, and the rest to Louisville, to aid in the caniiiaiij;n against the Confederate invad- ers. The former battalion had skirmishes at Madisonville August 26th and October 5th, and another at Mt. Washington October ist, suffering some loss. The other battalions encamped for a time near ^L^dison, Indiana, and presently crossed near \'eYay and marclied to Frankfort, arriving about October 24th. Its next station was at Gallatin, Tennessee. On Christmas a fight was liad with John Morgan near Munford- ville, in which he was beaten. January and February, 1865, it moved to Murfreesboro, and operated thereabout for several months, having a sharp skirmish at Rutherford's creek March loth. The battalions were united this spring, and took an active part in the Chattanooga cam- paign under Rosecrans. It was at the battle of of Chickamauga, and again engaged September 23d, and then November ist, at Fayetteville, Tennessee. It was in east Tennessee during the winter of 1S63-64, in advanced position, and bore conspicuous jiart in the affairs at Mossy Creek, Tabbot's, and Dandridge, for which it was highly praised in the oflicial reports. January 24th, 1864, in a sharp action at Fair Garden, in which the second battalion of the Fourth charged the Confederate skirmish line, and tlie first joined in a sabre charge on a battery, cap- turing it and a large number of prisoners, Lieu- tenant Colonel Leslie, of this regiment, was killed, but the enemy was thoroughly routed. In May it moved with Sherman's cavalry against Adanta, and foug^it the enemy at WarnelTs Sta- tion, Burnt Church, and Newman. In October it was engaged at Columbia, Tennessee; the next month was on duty near Louisville, in January at Nashville, and in February at Waterloo, Ala- bama. It was in Wilson's campaign through that State, sharing in the battles of riantcrs\ille and Selma. In May it went to Nashville, and remained in the Provisional Ca\alry Camp at Edgefield until mustered out, June 29, 1865. The men were paid off and discharged shortly
/ ],:■>■'■-■.• i'
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
^25
after, and scattered northward to their homes, preferring not to return in a body.
coMi'AKv I). ■ •
COMMrsSlONKM OFIICKKS.
(Japt;iiii \\'arrt;n 'lorr, Charlestoun.
Capt.iiii Samuel E. \V. Sinionsori (also first iieulenant). Charlcstown.
Captain Kichaul F. Niii;ent (also first lieutenant), Charles- town. . First Lieutenant 'I'houias li. I'rathor, Jeft'ersonviUe.
Second Lieutenant Edmund J. Davis, Cliarlestoun.
Second Lieutenant Isaac ^L Koons, Charlcstown.
Second Lieutenant Albert Taggert, Charlestown.
Second Lieutenant Enoch S. Boston, Jcfl'ersonville.
NON-CO.MMISSIO.SKD OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Thomas B. Prather, Charlestou n. Comp.any Quartermaster Sergeant Isaac M. Koons, Charlestown.
Company Commissary Sergeant Alban l.uti, Charlestown.
Sergeant John Andrews, Charlestown.
Sergeant William H. Dunlevy, Charlestown.
Sergeant William M. Gibson, Charlestown.
Sergeant Thomas E. Hill, New Albany.
Corporal William [olmson, Jeffersonville.
Corporal John T. Kelly, New .Albany.
Corporal George W. King, Xew .-Mbanv.
Corporal William M, Burns, Xew .Albany.
Corporal John T. Littell, Xew Albiiny.
Corporal Washnigton P. Butts, New .Albany.
Corporal John W. Cass, Memphis.
Bugler David Ferrier, Charlestown.
Bugler William F. Blankenbaker, Charlestown.
Farrier and Blacksmith Charles H. Harris, Charlestown.
Farrier and Blacksmith Joseph Xewby, Henryville.
.Saddler William D. Teeple, Charlestown.
Wagoner George W. Gibson, Charlestown.
PR1V.A.TES.
Reuben Bottorft", John F. Brown, James W. Bennett, James H. Gartner, John W. Coons, James R. Demar, Mil- ton R. Davis, William T. Dawkins, Edward Fitzgerald, Samuel Ferrier, Thomas Gifford, Xewton F. Gibson. Tlionias B. Gibson, Jacob Gibson, Joseph M. H.i.is, .Andrew J. Hackleberry, John J. Ilazebutn, Henry Howard. }an\es M. Harris, George W. Kirk, Crassey L. Key, George LittcU, John C. Luiz, Samuel Mills, Isaac W. Xoe, Richard F. Nugent, Thomas J. Roger. Elijah ]. Sommers. Thomas B. Suttle, Thomas Strieker, Alexander B. Snuth. John W. Salt- kill, William A. Trimble, .Albert Taggart, Joseph M. Tilford, James M. V'anhook, John J. Weber, Jesse Washburn, George D. Watson, William H. Young, Charlestown; Gideon W. Ware, George C. Sliapard, .Anthony Rapp, Henry Miller, Charles Xortham, William Mower, James W. Jacobs, Thomas J. Jacobs, Worden P. Fields, |o!in A. Blakeslee, Jeffersonville; Banonia Beggarlv, Louis W. Beggarlv , James O. Beggarly, Clinton Beggarly, Tliomas Scott, Providence; Louis P. Bailey, Louis S. Cass, Samuel Harris, Memphis; James M. Coveit, Oregon; Thomas L. Dunahue, Maraiina Dunahue, William H. Defenbaugh, Xew Washington; El- wilt Enlow, Whitman Gordon, William I-'.. Jones, J.imes .A. Robertson, Cornelius Sargent, New Albany; John Long, Bethlehem; Martin L. Prather, Utica. Recruits, James H. Bover. William J. Badger, Le»is Badger, James S. Conner, John l>ougIab, .\ndiew J. (Jillespie, William H. Gillespie,
.Samuel K. Hough. Jolm Massmar, John Wilson, Jackson M. Thompson, < "har!esto\>n; Hugh I'ell, Charles BreedIo\e, John J. Crawford, Benjamin F. Hedrick, William M. Mass- ingale, Gideon .Spraberrv', Jesse F. Spraberry, William R. .Spraberry, Willi.im Spe.-.rman, William Statny, Jeffersonville.
COMPANV F.
fOMMlSSIONEl) OFF ICF.K.
First (ahso seeondl Lieutenant Henry Lodge, New Albany. ElGHllKTH INFANTRY REGIMENT. COMPANY K. PRIVATES.
John Topy, James Topy, New .Albany.
EIGHTY-HRST KEGIMCNT.
The Eighty-first rendezvoused at Jeficrsonville with William W. Caldwell, of that place, as colo- nel, and was mustered in August 29, 1S62. It left at once for Louisville, and was there till October ist; then joined liuell's army and marched against I5ragg, but did not take part in the battle of Perryville, though on the field. Moving to Nashville it was assigned to the'l'bird brigade in General Jefferson C. Davis' (First) division, and staid there till December 26th, when it moved with the army on Murfreesboro, and had its first fight at Stone River. It was in the right wing when the rebels made their head- long charge upon it December 31st. Its brigade held the position until both fianks were uncov-, ered by the Federal retreat, when it had also to fall back. The Eighty-first lost eighty-eight men in this action, of whom forty-four were "miss- ing." After the battle it encamped at Murfrees- boro till June 26th, and then started in the move- ment on Chattanooga. It was engaged at Liber- ty Gap and at Chickamauga, where it lost 8 killed, 59 wounded, and 22 missing. It was at Chattanooga till October 25th; at Bridgeport, Alabama, till January 26, 1S64, and afOoltewah, I Tennessee, till the opening of the Atlanta cam- j paign. In this the regiment was engaged at j Rocky Face, Resaca, Kingston, Bald Knob, \ Kenesaw, Marietta, Jonesboro, and I.ovejoy's. i After the occupation it remained in Atlanta till ; October 3d, when it joined in the pursuit of I Hood to the rear of Sherman's position. Octo- ' ber 31st it left Chattanooga as train guard, and i marched to Pulaski, Tennessee, and thence to I Franklin, where it fought in the action of Scho- I field's forces against Hood's. December 15th and 1 6th it bore part in the battles before Nash- ville, and followed in the pursuit to the Tcnncs-
126
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
bcc river. Il then lu.m lied to HLJiusvillc and oh to Strawberry I'laiiis, l'",ast Tcnne:ii;ee; thence to Bull's Gap, and A])ril 3, 1S65, started with an expedition \n[o North Carolina. It was returned to Nashville on the 2.'d, atrd there staid till June 13th, when it was mustered out. Rearhing In- dianapolis two days after, it was the recipient, with others, of a grand welcam? home in the capitol grounds. Of the 927 men with which it began service, there were remaining 250, with 27 cfificers. Its recruits were transferred to the Thirty-first Indiana veterans, and served in Tc.\as till the muster out, in November, 1S65.
FIELD .VND STAFF.
Colonel (also adjutant) William W. Caldwell, [efterscnviUe.
Major and Lieutenant-Colonel Lconidas Stout, Xevv .\\- bany.
Major and Lieutenant-Colonel Edwin G. Mathey, \e\v Albany.
Major William G. Richards, Xew Albany.
Major William D. Evrilt, Cliailestov.n.
Adjutant Aug Jocelyn, New .Albany.
Adjutant Join J. Gallagher, JeffersonviUe.
Quartermaster William H. Daniel, New Albany.
Chaplain Peter St. Clair, Xew .-\lbany.
COMPAXV A.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Leonidas Stout, Xew Albany.
Captain (also first lieuten.anl) Henry E. Jones, Xew Al- bany.
Captain (also first lieutenant) Spencer H. NfcCoy, Xew Albany.
First Lieutenant Thomas W. Teaford, Georgetown.
Second Lieutenant WUford \L .Mien. Greenville.
NON-COM.\IIS5ION'ED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Thomas W. Teaford, Georgetown,
Sergeant Jesse D. Teaford, Georgetown.
Sergeant Philip Rosenberger, X"ew .Albany.
Sergeant William Xance, Xew .Albany.
Corporal James NL Laughlin, Xew Albany.
Corporal Ht^ekiah Cleveland, Xew Albany. .
Corporal John W. Speak, Greenville.
Corporal Tilford M. .Allen, Greenville.
Corporal Tilford H. Sherly, Edwardsville.
Corporal John C. Carroll, Memphis.
Musician Josiah T. Little, Sellersburg.
Musician Willard Stockd.ile, Xew .Albany.
Wagoner James Williams, Xew .Albany. PRIVATES.
James M. Akers, Elisha W. .Allen, Benjamin S. Bell, [olm Blise. Emanuel Blise, Greer W. D.nis, Jame.s Dicks, George \V. Fisher, John Joyce, John R. Kennedy, Charles G. T. Leppert, David F. Lewis, Richard McCuffrey, Spencer H. McCoy, Sil.is Quick, Hardm B. Roberts, Andrew J. Ross, George Robinson, William Sloll, D.ivicLStepp, John W. Tur- ner, James W. Turner. Martin Young, Xew .Albany; Wil- liam H. Wright, Louis T. Te.iford, Alexander Sampson, Robert P. Minton, Eliph.ilet Hickman, George Burkhart, Lafayette Burkhart, jeorgetown; John T. Adkins, George
W. .Alien, Claiborne Sloan, Thomas Gray, Beniiett^viUe; John W. Wright, John L McCoy, Calvin Bottorf, Selli:rs- burg; C. F.. Fisher, Henry C. Tyler, Edwardsville; Christ Gaustine, Thomas J. Martin, William H. Tibbets, Green- ville; William R. Merrill, Blue Lick; Solomon Simpson, Henry H. Ward, Xfuddy Fork; George W. Sweeny, Xew Providence. Recruit, George W. Teaford, Georgetown.
COMPANV B. . .
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
■Captain (also second and first lieutenant)
.Andrew J. How- William H. H.
ard, JeffersonviUe.
Captain (also second and first lieutenant Xorthcolt, JeffersonviUe.
Captain Eugene M. Schell (second and first lieutenant also), leflersonvlUe.
Captain Leonard H. Tuttle (also first lieutenant), Utica.
First Lieutenant William H. Morgan, Hcnryville.
First Lieutenant George W. Alpha, Jefiersonville.
First Lieutenant James Wilson, Utica.
Second Lieutenant George W. Clark, Henryville.
Second Lieutenant Charles -Ashton, Utica.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant W. H. H. Xorthcott, JeffersonviUe. Sergeant Peter H. Bohart, Henryville. Sergeant James Mitchell, Henryville. Sergeant Sainuc! Gardiner, JeffersonviUe. Sergeant Emery W. Bruner, Utica. Corporal John Gallagher, JeffersonviUe. Corporal Eugene M. Schell, JeffersonviUe. Corporal George W. Alpha, JeffersonviUe. Corpora! .Alpin S. Piather, Utica. Corporal James Wilson, Utica. Corporal Henry H. Pratt, Henryville. Corporal Matthew Mahan, Clark county. Musician C. E. W. Glossbrenner, JeffersonviUe.
i PRIVATF.S.
I Charles Ashton, Uriah Bennett, Gabriel Bell, William D. I Blizzard, Melvill W. Bruner, George T. Fry, Benjamin Ham- I niond, James W. Hooper, John W.Jacobs, John AL Laws, I Charles McCormick Joseph G. Snider, Amos Summers, i Leonard H. Tuttle, Utica; William T. Young John T. I Sneed, George W. Scott, Thomas Powell, Robert L. Parki- son, James S. Xorris, John S. Midcap, George McCarty, I John Maley, Morton Long, James X. Seclar, .Alexander G. I Green, James fl. Ford, Michael Fannon John Dunn, Peter 1 Cosgrove, Dunmick Bishop, JeffersonviUe; Joseph Byer, I John Cole, John W. Cowling, Francis M. Daily, William Devansa, William Detrich, Cyrus Decamp. Sargent W. Evans, Cornelius Fields, Daniel J. Green, Wesley Gross, Henry H. Gray, James W. Houseworth, William Kemple, Henry Kemple, Robert Rirk, Joseph Koener, John Lam- bert, John Laws, George W. Lewellan, Frederick Lotz, Mil- ton .A. Mahan, John O. McClure, Samuel L. McHcnry, Daniel O'Harra, William Sample, .Andrew J. Stoner, Levi Sturde\ant, Peter Stein, D,\niel Stoner, Amos St. Clair, Ar- thur ^>t. Clair, Elisha W. Thompson. Louis Thompson, John P. Walker, Joseph Walker, Henryville.
COMPANY C.
COM.MISSIONKD OFFICERS.
Captain (also first lieutenant) .Anthony Mottwiler, George- town.
First Lieutenant Daniel K.. Starr, Georgetown.
Second Lieutenant Elijah R. Mitcliell, Xew Providence.
'»: I
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
127
NON-COIIMISSIONF.D OITICDKS. First Sergeant A. Mottwiler, Georgetown. Sergeant David B. Starr, Xew Albany. Sergeant David G. Hudson, New Albany. Corporal Bcnjainin Buzby, Xew Albany. Corporal John W. Flickner, Kdwardsville. Corporal Zonawine Sloan, Edwardsville. Corpotal Lyinan Davis, Georgetown, Corporal Jesse H, Watts, Georgetown. Corporal John J. Grandell, Georgetown. Coipo.ai l_ieurj;e vv. W'oi!, G'.Oiytto.in^ Musician Francis M. Zonav\ine, Edwardsville. Musician I-afayette Lydica, Edwardsville. Wagoner John Swartz, Edwardsville.
PKIVATE.S.
Henry Atkins, William Atkins, Xew Albany; Jacob P.aker, James W. P.yerly, .Mbert'Cayce, John Churchm.-.n, William Cochran, Cyrus Crandall, X'athaniel Crandall, George W. Davis, Samuel Daugherty, Spurgeon Duncan, Jeft"er?on En- gleman, Adam J. Eddl'.man,.\. J. Fo.x, J. R. Fo.\, Jesse B. Har- mon, Elijah Harmon, George W. Hedrick, John Hedrick, Moses Harper, Manaples Kepley, Isaac Kepley, Francis M. Lansford, Lafayette Mosicr, Robert C. Miller, William Tip- ton, Henry Tipton, William Thomas, Hamilton Tresv.riter, James P. Tyler, John H. Tyler, William H. Tyler, Roily Tyler, Jere Utz, George W. Watts, David W. H. Wolf, Georgetown; Henry C. Whitson, Martin Stover, Preston Sparks, Moses Shoemaker, Ezekiel Porter, Ephraim McXa- mara, t.ouis A. Morell, Peter Moody, George M. C. Littell, Harry Denny, William Coats, George W. Brown, John S. Brown, Xew Providence.
COMPANY E.
COMMISStONKD OFFICERS.
Captain Edward G. Mathey (also second and first lieuten- ant), Xew Albany.
Captain James M. Graham (also second and first lieuten- ant). Xew -Albany.
First Lieutenant James Wilson, L'tica.
NO.N'-COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
Corporal James M. Graham, Xew .■\lbany.
PRIVATES.
John G. Davis, Xewton Cordon, .August Jocelyn, John Johnsoii, William H. Martin, Xew Albany.
COMP.WY G.
COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
Captain Elijah R. Mitchell, X'cw Providence.
COMP.\NV H. COMMISSIONED OFFICF.R.
Captain William J. Richards (also first and second lieuten- ant), Xew .\Ibany.
COMPANY I. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain William D. Eviitt, Charlestown. Captain John Carr.ey, Charlestovvn. First Lieutenant John C. McCormack, Charlestown. Seconrl Lieutenunt John Schw.allier, Charlestown. Second Lieutenant George T. Peters, Charlestov.n.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
[The rest of this company, from the residence of its offi- cers, is presumed to have been from Clarke county]. First Sergeant Edmund T. Bower.
Scigtaiit Thomas L. Cole.
Serg,"ant .Andrew Dunn.
Sergeant Johti .M. McCormick.
Serge.int George T. Peters.
Corpor.d John A. Mitchell.
Corporal Wil'iam H. T. Mostetler.
Corpoial Jackson D. Murry.
Corpoinl .Amos Murry. ' . . •
Corporal Andrew J. Xicholas.
Corporal Clayland Long.
Cnrpornl Jnht\ .'^, Roberl.'ion.
Corporal George W. McConnonghy.
Musician James A. Stuart.
Wagoner William A. Mitchell.
PRIVATES.
Henry B. Abbott, John F. .-Xdams, Samuel Adams, Wil- liam H. Barrett, Conrad Bolls, Dennis R. Bottroft", Martin B. Bottroff, Xathan A. Bowyer, John A. Bowyer. William A. Bower, Xathan Brooks, John .A. Buchanan, Albert X'. Car- roll, John Canny, James J . Cole, Thomas J. Cole, George Cook, George W. Conn, William Coons, Benjamin F. Curtis, John L. Delahunt, Christian Ditsler, David D. Divine, John W. Edwards, William H. Fifer, Allen Fisher, .Andrew J. Fisher, James Franey, Andrew J. Fullilove, John Garrick, (ieorge W. Giftln, Charles Green, Charles T. Hall, George Hall, Michael Hannay, George Haitman, Thomas L. Henthorn. Amos M. Henthorn, John M. Hostetler, Elisha Hobbs, William Hooker, Miles C Hodgiii, John H. Hutrhings, Hanbury Hughes, -Andrew J. Izzard, George G. Jenkins, Thomas J. Jones, James Kelley, I'homas Know- land, Henry W. Lamppin, Henry Lut:, Albert Matthews, Hamilton McCormick, Robert W. McMurry, William P. Miller, Frederick W. Miller, Thomas J. Murry, John Owens, William C. Patterson, William .A. Percys, William Flasket, James T. Prent, William FL Robertson, James X. Russ, Jacob A. Salmon, John M. Scott, Henry Shouldis, Elijah F.' Smith, James F. Smith, Alva R. Topflinger, Joseph W. Toptlinger, John Nf. Vought, William D. Vought, William A. L. Watson, William P. Watson, Isaac Watson, Augustus Welty, Thomas J. Yarbrough.
Recruits — Milton B. Cole, Martin W. Cowley, Thomas W. Gray. John Long, Alonzo M. Starks.
EIGHTY-SECOND REGIMENT (INFANTRy).
COMPANY A.
PRIVATES. James .A. Robison, X'ew Albany; Daniel Taft, Thomas F. Warner, X'ew Washington.
CO-MPANY D.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Fitst Lieutenant David B. Adams, Georgetown.
EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT (INFANTRY).
COMPANY C. PRIV.VTES.
Charles W. Haxton, Jeremiah Ha.xton, Xew .-Mbany. NINETIETH REGIMENT (cAVALRY). CO-MPANY M. COMMISSIONED OFFICER.S.
First Lieutenant Matthew Clegg, Henryville. NON-COMMIS.ilONED OFFICERS.
Sergeant Matthew S. Clegg, Henrj-vilie.
128
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Sergeant William A. Craig, Henrvville. SerRcant Daniel W. Layman. Henrvville. . Corporal James .A. Clegg. Henryville.
C'orporal Charles W. Bailey, Blue Lick. • Corporal ICdward VV. Ragsliaw, Memphis. Corporal John C. Smith, Memphis. Blacksmith Bc-njaiuin V. .Atkins, Blue Lick.
I'KIVAiKS,
William L. Belding, (Jeorge \V. Brooker, Blue Lick ; ChTr!?'^ P. Ii'irn^et, Memphis; WiUford Fields, .Aaron O. Good, Joseph B. Layman, James Rillay, Benjamin I'evler, Nelson Quick, John K. Clcgg, all of Henryville; Chnstian Josling, New .Albany; Lhillip I'liilbough, Georgetown.
NINETY-FIR.ST REGIMENT (iM'ANTRV),
raised in the First Congressional district in August, 1862 — only seven companies — which were mustered in October ist. The battalion did guard duty at Madisonville and Smithland, Kentucky, till June 15, 1863, when it went in pursuit of John Morgan. It then camped at Russellville. The same summer the regiment was filled up by the addition of three companies of six months' men, of which company K was one. Its subsequent service was mainly with Sherman in Georgia. It was engaged near Cumberland Cap, February 2, 1S64; at Pine Mountaui, New- Hope Church, Kenesaw, Decatur, Peach-tree Creek, the right of .\tlanta, and L^toy Creek, in the Atlanta campaign. It was in the pursuit of Hood and the battles of Franklin and Nashville. Transferred to North Carolina, it aided in the cap- ture of Wilmington, and moved to Goldsboro and Raleigh, .^.t Salisbury, North Carolina, it ■ was mustered out June 26, 1S65, and started for Indianapolis, where it had an enthusiastic public welcome. It had lost eighty-one killed and wounded, and returned with nineteen officers and three hundred and fifteen men, its recruits having been transferred to other regiments. In the wiriter of 1S64, the three companies of six months' men, upon the expiration of their term, were replaced by three of one year recruits, form- ing new companies H, I, and K. •
CO.MPANV I.
[One year service].
Privatejohn .Archanbau, New .Albany. COMP.WV K.
^ [Six months service.]
ruM MISS ION Ell OFFICKHS.
Captain Willett .M. Wilcox, New .Albany. I-'irst Lieutenant George W. C. Self, .New .Albany, Second Lieutenant John P. Smith, New .Albany. The rest of this company is presumed to h;ne belonged to Floyd county.j
NO«-CO.MMISSIuNF.t) OrpICERS.
First Sergeant fMuIlip Miller. -Sergeant Benjariiiii 1-L Briggs. Sergeant John M. Daniel. Sergeant Henry Friedley. Sergeant Thomas Griffith. Corporal Martin Gary. Corporal I'red Miiqihy. Corporal Thomas E. Beard. Corporal John Johnson. Corporal -Walter Knibbs. Corporal F'eter Richards. Corporal George M. Miller. Corporal Luckey .Smith. Musician John R Brooks. Musician Charles Barker. Wagoner \\'illiam Nesbitt. '
PKIV.\ lES.
Willi.am .Allen, Richard J. .Abliott, William Binkley, Ly- man Brooks, John Boxer, Robert Burns, Henry Bullitt, Thomas Burton, Miles Berry, Charles H. Bliss, Ewing D. Carr, David Catner, John Cotrell, John Claspill, Columbus Duggings, .Alfred Derramore, Bnitus Khrlieh. William Eg- bert, Silas Elliott, George Fultz, August Fisher, Jacob Gabel, Andrew Hand. William Howard, Allen Hutchins, William, Johnson. Samuel D. Johnston, Henry Kelter, William J.inn John Luty, Thomas R I.angdon, John Miller, Elijah Miller Joel Morgan, Teuch McCeary, Hamilton McCormick, Wil- liam Minninger, George Moss, Elias Xantz, George W. Plants, George H. Pennington, .Alfred Redforni, Henry R;ce. Simon Rice, David Rodeffer, Frank NL Rumington, John Roney, David W. Rowland, Charles Robertson, Richard .Stringer, >h"ilton Simond, .Austin B. Smith, Henry Storm, John W. Sorters, James Stocksdale, James .S'lruyer, John Leib, Polk Turner, Jacob Trice, Thomas A'aughn, John Veirs, .Samuel Wiseman. Peter Wise, William Wilson, Jacob West, Henry Webster, Harvey Winters.
Recruits —Jacob .Anstott, James Kirkham, William J. Ross.
NINETV-THIRD REGIMEXT.
This was raised in the Third Congressional dis- trict and mustered in at Madison in the fail of 1S62, It served in Sherman's army in Northern Mississippi and Tennessee, and on railroad guard duty the next February and March near Mem- phis; in Louisiana with General Sherman's Fifteenth corps, in the movement on Jackson, Mississippi, and the siege of Vickslvjrg: in sever- al exjjeditions into Mississippi, and in the dis- astrous affair at Brice's Cross Roads, June 10, 1864, where it was stampeded with a total loss of two hundred and fifty-three, of whom one hundred and eighty-four were j)risoners. Trans- ferred to Nashville in December, it was engaged in the defeat and jjursuit of Hood, and went into winter quarters at Eastport, Mississippi, till February 6, 1S65. It shared actively in the siege of Spanish Fort, near Mobile, and the storming of Fort Blakely. It was then stationed
.. II
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
129
at Montgomery and Gainesville till ordered home. August 10, 1865, it was mustered but at Memphis. Of its orif;inal nine hundred and twenty-three, it had but eit;hteen officers and two hundred men left. Comj^anies I and K were detained in service till October, 186:;.
Major James F. McCurdy, New Albany.
COMPANY R
Private William Robinson, Xew .-Mbany. Recruit — George W. Dean, Xew Albanv.
COMPANY G.
CO.MMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Lieutenant Campbell Welch, Xew Washington. Second Lieutenant Francis Hall, New Washington.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant Frank Hall, New Washington. Corporal William M. Dickey, Xew Washington. Corporal Sol D. Rogers. Corporal James H. Clapp.
PRIVATES.
William J. Turner, Joshua M. Tull, Xew Washington; Samuel H. Amrick, Joel .\lbright, James A. Brinton, Wil- liam R. Cole, James .X. Curtis, William R. Clapp, Henry J. Clapp, William F. Clapp, John H. Cartner, Robert F. Daily, William H. Dorman, Chambers Fields, Joh.n T. Hutchings, William R. Laswell, Benjamin F. Lemon. Albert Rush, James ^^ Smith.
Recruits — William Cartner, Oregon; William M. Sturde- vant, Memphis.
COMP.^NY H.
PRIVATES.
George W. Dean, Fidell Shadinger, New Albany.
COMP.^NY K.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain I^fayette Frederick (also first lieutenant). Ga- lena. '
Captain William Lamb. Galena.
First Lieutenant Pleasant Lang, Galena.
Second Lieutenant Martin V. Mallory, Galena.
First (also second) Lieutenant Frederick Miller, Xew Albany.
First Lieutenant William M. Gregg, Xew .All.ianv. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICLRS.
First Sergeant William F. Brown.
Sergeant Charles Wells.
Sergeant Pleasant Lang.
Sergeant Martin V. Mallory.
Corporal John B. Compton.
Corporal William H. Merryman.
Corporal Michael ]. Xaville. "'
Corporal Harrison C. Lamb.
Musician .Alexander Dodd.
Richard Dunn, fohn W. Faulkner, Conrad Hiser, Conrad Kmgberger, Peter Merkei, Benjamm S. .McCord, Robert F. Minshall. August Sperzel, Lewis Sperzel, George W. Slythe, facob Wells, William Wells, James .\L Watkins, D_vid Williams.
[The following were recruitsl. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICFRS. Corporal William Gregg, New .-\lbany. Corporal William C. Atkins, Xew Albany, Corporal Levi T. Hand, .New Albany. Sergeant Charles F. Roger, Floylds Knobs. Musician Joseph Drysdale, New .Mbany.
PRIVATES.
James N. Revis, Galena; August F. Ajnborn, Brewer Bird, Adam Bower, Lewis Bir, Jacob Bailey. William G. Chamberlain, William P. Cortincr, Valentine Hellwic, Frank Hatf.tld, August Kriger, Frank I^. Lipman, F.dward Money, Samuel Morris, Lewis S. Nelson, William II. Perry, Julius S. Perry, John Rister, Samuel R. Smith, Fred- erick Sellers, Michael Sohn, Charles A. O. Schrader, William Wedge. Joseph Zol'ars, John W. .A,lhon. Samuel McKeek, Xew Albany; John R. Yarbrough, A\'illiam G. Yarbrough, Jcffersonville; Curtis Atkins, William H. Cochran, Samuel R. Davis, William Foust, Paul E. Gruguard, Walter Moore, Jasper Richaids, Floyd's Knobs; Isaac Metcalf, Thomas M. Martin, Greenville.
THE ONE HUNDRED .WD SEVENTEENTH REGI- MENT
was recruited for six months' service in July and August, 1863, and mustered in at Indianapolis September 17th. It was sent to Kentucky, join- ing a brigade of six months Indiana troops, and marching thence iir October to East Tennessee. Near Greenville it remained until November. On the 14th it was in imminent danger of cap- ture at Church Mountain Gap, but escaped by leaving all baggage and making a forced march to Bean's Station. It was then in ganison at Cumberland Gap, Strawberry Plains, and May- nardsville until near the end of its term. "The winter campaign of the six months men in East Tennessee," says the Report, "for hardships and real suffering was perhaps more severe than that of any other winter campaign of the war. The One Hundred and Seventeenth suffered its share of these privations, marching over mountains, crossing streams, and enduring the severest ex- posure without shoes, and at times living upon quarter rations." The regiment was discharged at Indianapolis about the middle of February, 1864.
COMPANY E.
CO.MMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain William H. H. Strouse, Greenville.
First Lieutenant George W. Smith, Greenville.
Second Lieutenant Jona Peter, New .Albany.
iThe promotions of these officers are not shown, no mus- ter-out roils having been received by the adjutant general. The company was wholly from Floyd county. ]
NON-COMMISSrONKD OFFICERS.
First Sergeant James S. Hagaas.
-•.it
13°
HISTORY or THE OHIO FAI.IS COUNTIES.
Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant Corporal Corpora! Corporal Corporal Corporal Corpora) • Corporal Corporal Musician
George W. Lukonbili. Nelson Lukenbill. Robert Lappenfield. George W. Brown. Hirr.m B. Stevenson. Leonard Southerland. Josh Win. Walter r. Davis. Theodore Mosier. Jeremiah Floyd. Isaac Metcalf. John Sigler. Charles E. Scott.
PKIV.\TE.S.
Bennett .-\ndrew, John Arnold, Thomas Byerley. Frank T. Bradberry, James Ruley, James M. Brown, Jahies Buncli, George Burgess, Robert Boston, Wade Broomfield. Jonathan Boston, George Barker, Charles H. Dodge. Thomas Dodge, Oscar F. Davis, Pennington R. Kliphalet, George FJlioit, Levi Elliott, William P. Ellis, John Flemings, Thomas Flemings, James H. Foster, Marshall Gardner, Jesse Gibson, Matthew Graham, Charles P. Harmon, Alexander W. Hod- den, Edward B. Henry, William Henry, Finley A. Hancock, Thomas V\'. Hedgecock, William C. Jones, William H. Johnson, John Lownery, John K. Low. Warden Lincoln, John H. Miilvania, John Moore, Daniel V. McCrey, George Mosier. Isaac Moss. William B. Moore, George O'Neal. William Mylinger, Thomas McKinster, Isaac Nelson. Wil- liam Palson. Evans Pavay. Vohiey Phillips, Jonathan Poe. Elijah Perkiser, James H. Rollens. John W. Rollings, Henry H. Royce. Alvin C. Roll. Peter Rising. Michael Rising, ■ Marion Royce. William Redman, John T. Radcliff. Charles Rowlings. James Suppenfield. Elias Siglar, Thomas G. Strange. Noih U. Sutherland, William L. Swartz. William H. H. Smith, Warren Taylor. George Thornbaugh. Isaac Thackara. Daniel Underwood, Isaiah Williams, Conrad S. Whitman. John VWight. Moses Wingby, Haw Wingby. Newton Webb, Joseph Yunt. John Zigler.
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH REGIMENT (seventh C.A.VALRY).
COMPANY M. • '
NON-COMMrSSIONF.D OFFICERS.
Sergeant 1 homas W. Gibson, Charlestown. Corporal George Lutz, Charlestown.
PRIVATES.
Benjamin Matthews, Oliver X. Ratts. Charlestown. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH REGIMENT. COMPANY I. -VO.V-COMMISSIO.NF.D OFFICER.
Corporal Kdw.ird Griffin. Springville.
PRIVATES. Joshua Winders and Alfred Wmders, .-^pnngville. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT
(tenth cavalry). ■ This had two camjis of rendezvous— at \'in- cennes and Coiunibu.s. p^hruary 2, 1S63, it was fully organized, but did not take the field until May 3d, when, without horses and armed as in- fantry, it started to Nashville and Pulaski, Ten-
nessee, where, and at Decatur, Alabama, it was engaged in guarding railroads during the Atlanta campaign. September 2Sth it fought the battle of Pulaski with Forrest, and a detachment at De catur had a four-days' fight with Hood's men in October. In that campaign the remainder was in action at Nashville, Little Harj)tth, P.eynold's Hill, and Sugar Creek. After Hood's retreat the Decatur battalion fought at Flint River, Indian Creek, Courtland, and Mount Hojie, and cap- tured a valuable supply train, ten guns, and one hundred and fifty prisoners. The detachments joined in February, and went to New Orleans, and thence to Mobile Bay, where it aided in the reduction of Spanish Fort and Fort IJlakely. It then marched through Montgomery and Colum- bus to Vicksburg, where it did garrison and jia- trol duty to the end of its service, August 31, 1S65. It had twenty-eight officers and five hun- dred and nineteen men upon arrival at Indian- apolis September 5th.
co.mpany e.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain John W. Bradburn, Jeffersonville. First Lieutenant Jasper F. Dunlap, Jefl'ersonville. First Lieutenant John F. Leftwick. Jeffersonville. First Lieutenant John T. Dunlap, Jeffersonville. Second Lieutenant Franklin G. Wall. Jeffersonville. [The rest nearly all Clarke county men.l
PRIVATES.
David Adams, James R. Arthur, William A. Boin. John Boley, John Craswell, Hudson B. Brady. James M. Brooks. James M. Brown. James C. Bryant, Peter Burke. Leonard Carr, Gideon C. Childers. James C. Clark, Mart V. B. Ctark. Seymour Clendenin. Thomas B. Cooper, William C. Craw- ford, Patrick Cniley, William Daniel. James A. Di.\on, Michael Devaney (Floyd county). Rufus Dodd. Thomas Dowdy. Patrick Dowling, John Dugan. Walt F. Eversoll. John R. Floyd. Mart Fuly. Eli R. Flurry. James Few, John Gentry. James W. Harris, Carter Harris. William Harris, James Harris, Julius C. A. Hargett. William H. Heasley, George W. Holt, James Herrel, Alexander D, Piuron, .An- drew J. Heckimhottom, Putnam C. Hickman, Patrick Hines, William Howington, Polk Howington, Lewis Huber. Robert Humble. James M. Hunt, Daniel Hyatt, Nicholas C. Jones, Thomas Jarred. Patrick Joyce. Joseph King. James Kelley, Lorenzo D. Solar, John H. Leftwick. Steriing B. Lucas. James Mack. Michael .Moser. John A. May, Wil- liam Mann. Thomas McCandless, William McCaw. John T. .McDamel. Claiborne P. Millican. Hezekiah McGrady. Mart Mahan. Hugh Murphy, Barney McCardle. James N'ew- conib. William W. Porter, James Patton. John J. Pritchett. Zebediah Payne. William C. Reed. James W. Ray. Isaac Roberts, Willi.-im H. Robertson. Andrew J. Row ill. James S. Sanders, James .Sartain. John Squires. James M. Sehage, Allen Slaten. Samuel Stout, Man V. B. Smith. Wilii ;m G Sprucill, Fr.ancis M. Thomas, Powell C. Thompson. Richard Towns, Franklin G. Wall, Thomas.J. WeatherJy, James S.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
13'
Wade, John While. Robert M. (or VV.) White, William S. Webster, George Wilburn, Humphrey Williams, . John Willis.
[Xo addresses are given with names of recruits (o this com- pany. |
one hunlired anmj thirtv-fikst regi.men't (thirteenth c.\v.\lry). This was the last cavalry command raised in Indiana. Recruitint.; for it was begun in Sep- tember, 1S63, and continued till April 29, 1864, when it was mustered into service at Indian- apolis. It left the next day for Nashville, and joined a camp of instruction there till May 31st, when it was sent to garrison duty at Hunts\ ille Here it was in several skirmishes and on the ist of October held its position a.i^ainst the en- tire force of General Buford. October i6th companies A, C, D, F, H, and I, started for Louisville, whence they were ordered to Pa- ducah. In November they moved from Louis- ville to Nashville, and were presently in the bat- tles of Overall's Creek and Wilkinson's Pike, and in twelve skirmishes, with an aggregate loss of 67 out of 325. The other companies served as infantry in the battle of Nashville, after which the regiment was united, and assigned to the Second brigade, Seventh division of the Cav- alry corps. February 11, 1S65, it started on transports down the Mississippi, and disem- barked finally at Mobile Bay, where it reported to General Canby and assisted in the operations against the forts and defenses of Mobile, also running a courier line to Florida. April 17th, after the fall of Mobile, it started on the long Grierson raid through Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, reaching Columbus, in the last- named State, May 2 2d. The regiment then did garrison duty at -Macon and on the railroad till June 6th, when it returned to Columbus, and staid till late in the firll, when it moved to Vicks- burg, and was there mustered out November i8, 1865. A week aftersvards it was handsomely received at Indianapolis, returning with 23 offi- cers and 633 men.
FIF.l.U .\ND STAFF.
Lieutenant Colonel (also m.ijori Ranna S. Mocre, New Albany.
M.ijor Leonidas Stout, New .-Mbanv. Qu.irtetmaster Edward A. Cobb, New .\lbaa) . Coiimiissary John B. Ruter, New .\lbany.
CO.MPA.NV B.
co.m.\iissio.sf;d officf:rs. Captain Jacob Herman, New .\lbany.
Second lieutenant (and first sergeant) Jacob Miller, New Albany.
NON-COM.MISSIO.NED OFFICERS.
Company (Juarterniaster Sergeant William Gehlback, New .\lbany.
Sergeant Thomas Crawford, New Albany. Corporal Gideon B. Vandyke, New Albany. Corporal George E. Herman, New Albany. Corporal John W. J. Smith, New .\lbany . Corporal David E. Craig, Memphis. Bugler Cieorge H. Cook, New .\lbany. Saddler Jacob Sherrer, Nt'W Albany.
PRIV.VTKS.
Samuel Aladice, John M. .\bbott, Benjamin F. Applegate, Martin L. .\rmstrong, Joseph H. Byrns. James M. Blake, Oscar Burton,' Tho.mas Ferry, William W. Hockersrnith, August Jooelyn, Jo!m C. June, William L. Kerr, .■Andrew Knoyer, Andrew V. McBarron, Pinckney C. Nance, John Ryan, Frank M. Rakestraw, William Smith, James Stock- dale, John Tomlinson, Lewis Weiland, Williain A. Wood, .Andrew York, New Albany; John Folsom. Thomas J. Sloan, Memphis; Joseph Briggs, Jonathan T. Burge, Provi- dence; Jesse Cronk, Galena. Recruits, Albert G. Gibson, Thomas J. Scott, jeftersonville.
COMPANY D.
^■o^'-co^iMISsIo^'ED officers. Corporal Harbin H. Moore, New .Albany. Corporal James R. Appleby, New .Albany. Farrier and Blacksmith Joh.n W. Harris, New Albany. Saddler John F. P. Money. New Albany.
PRIVATES.
Samuel Dennis, .Andrew Degnan, Henry T. Francis, Willis G. Heth, Joseph Hubler, James Hudson, John Keafer, Michael Lemuel, New Albany.
COMPANY E. CO.M.MISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Charles F Bruder, New .Albany. First Lieutenant (also first sergeant) Charles W. Bruder, New Albany.
First Lieutenant (also second lieutenant) John Michaels, New Albany.
Second Lieutenant William Haun, New Albany.
NO.V-COM.MISSIO.SED OFFICERS.
Company Quartermaster Sergeant John B. Ruter, New Albany.
Sergeant Joseph L. Hanger, New .Albany, Sergeant John F. Norrington, New Albany. Sergeant John Mickels, New Albany. Corporal Frank Curran, New .Albany. Corporal Gottlob Burckle, New Albany. Corporal Harrison Robinson, New Albany. Wagoner Lewis H. Milholland, New Albany.
PRIVATES.
William .Alvah, Charles Barron, Charles Bowen, Thomas Butler, James Dunn, George Fishback, James S. Grosehart. William L. Gilchrist, John Harriott. Eugene Heffman, Fred- erick Hans, George Howard. John Johnson. John Kelly, Patrick Kingswell, Daniel Lappe, Jacob Nfanin, Thomas McNeal. John .Mack, Charles W. Randall. Phineon Sears, James M. SneeJ, JohnJ. L. Thurman, Englebert Volmer, James H. Varbrough, New .\lLiany; "\\illiam Bottoms, Solo- mon Miller, Josiah T. Mullen, Edwardville; Christ Thomas, Georgetown.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
COMPANY H. Private — Thom^is Ymbroiigh, New Albany.
COMPANY 1.. Private — Benjamin J. Armstrong, New Albany.
COMPANY M. COMMISSIONF.ll OFFICERS. Captain Dillon Bridges, Charlestown.
Captain George P. Bnncc {also first lieutenant) Charles- town.
First l-ieutenant James M. Ross, Cfiarles'.own.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant David Loring.
Company Quartermaster Sergeant Joseph D. Bridges. Company Commissary Sergeant James M. Ross. Sergeant Ephraim C. Wilson. ■ Sergeant Jeremiah .'\. Powell. Corporal John B. Miller, New Albany. Corporal David L. Weir, Memphis. Corporal Henry C. Farward, Otto. Corporal William Hardiman, Otto. Bugler James H. Wier, Memphis. Bugler Theodore F. McClellan, Memphis. Saddler Frank Temper, New .Albany. Wagoner William Watson, Jeffersonville.
PRIVATES.
George Anstall, Willi.im M. Barnes, George W. Bradley, James Fenston, George Harbour; recruit Sylvester .A. Mc- Keiizie, Charlestown; James .-\ndrcws, John Benson, John Holland, John Simon, Thomas Simonson, Clairborne Wooli- fer, John Woolford, New .Albany; Joseph Calivary, Jacob Sehr, Nicholas Sehr, .Mfred Sloan, Moses Pruit, John S. Sholl, Memphis; John England, .-Mexander Gorsage, William H, Haniman, John B. Stoner, .Andrew Stoner, Jacob Stoner, Otto; Joseph Boyce, George Rogers, Jeffersonville; Enoch M. Bennett, Jefferson Montgomery, Utica; Mack Hooker, New Washington; recruits, John R. Brewer, Christ C. Brewer, Henryville; William Norman, Floyd county.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THIRD REGI.MENT.
(One htiiidred days' service).
NON-COM.MISSIOXED OFFICERS. Sergeant Erastus Baird, Clarke county. Corporal Henry Sharpe, Clarke county.
PRIVATES. • ■
Benjamin Bawlsley, Juan Branvard, Edward Geisert, Theodore Low, Elmadorcs Pool, Richard Whitson. Jacob Whitson, Clarke county.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
This was one of eight regiments raised in the spring of 1S64, under a call for hundred-days' men, to relieve the veterans on garrison and guard duty, and enable them to take the field. The One Hundred and Thirty-seventh was mustered in at Indianapolis May -27th. Five companies were from the Third Congressional district, and five from nlhcr jiarts of the State. The regiment was sent to Tennessee, and with the other hundred-days' commands from Indiana,
was kept guarding railroads for somewhat more than their period of service, when, about the ist oi September, they «ere returned to Indianapolis and discharged from service.
COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas D. Fonts, Jeffersonville.
COMPANY D. F^rivate Taylor Miller, Clarke county.
COMPANY E. PRIV.ikTES.
Joel M. Conn, John W. Cunningham, James F. Cunning- ham, John C. King, Clarke county.
COMPANY F. CO.MMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Dennis F". WiUey, Clarke county.
PRIVATES.
William Adams, George D. AUhands, Silas Bottorff, Henry Bowen, John H. Cole, Newton J. Conn, .Addison G. Cortner, George W. Crum, William W. Crum, John FXivis, John F'rancis, James Guaamore, William C. FLanlin, Thomas G. Harris, John Hudson, Joseph Jones, Pinkcny L. Justice, George W. Koons, Thomas J. Lewman, William Long, James P. McGee, Robert McMillan, Thomas L. Mont- I gomery, Anson Nicholson, Isaac M. F'erry, Jam.es Rush, ; Lambert Rush, George .A. Smith, -Arthur C. Stockv.ell, Thomas -A. Stutsman, Elisha W. Thompson, Thomas C. Williams, Clarke county.
[The remainder of the company was from Jefferson and ! Scott counties.]
THE ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-NLNTH REGI- MENT
was also recruited for one hundred days, and mustered in at the State capital June 8, 1864. New Albany and Metamora consolidated their recruits for it to form one company (B). It was shortly sent southward, and performed in Ten- nessee similar duty with other regiments of its class during its term of service, and a little more. (One hundred days' service).
COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
Chaplain Allen W\ Monroe, New Albany. CO.MPANY B. COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
First Lieutenant and Captain Allen W. .Monroe, New .Albany.
PRIV.\TES.
James T. .Adams, Charles Beck, Lewis Bravelt, James Bo- iander, .Marks B. Coh in. Randy Davis, George Decary, Flutch- ins Barham, Geoige Evans, Victor Emery, Thomas Faurote, .\le.vander Flildrath, William Hinanuin, Charles Humes, George Huir,t;s, John Lee, Isaac Lockwood, Elmire Mc- Guire, Clark Mclntire, Fliram Oliphant, Jolm T. Reed. George Reisinger, Edward P. Smith, John J. Smith, Flenry Seep, Charles H. Irooney, .Absalom Wiley, Alfred Wright, James Wright. Floyd county.
[The rest of the company was raised in Franklin county, j
i • ... li ;t.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
T33
ONE HUN'DRED AND FORTIETH REGIMENT.
[One years' service].
COM PAX V E. Private Theodure R. Boit, JefTorsonsiUe. ONE HUNDRED AND FORTV-THIRD REGIMENT.
[One years" service]. This was the second of eleven regiments raised in the ivinter of 1S64-65, for one year's service. It was recruited in the Second Congressional district, and mustered in at Indianapolis March 6, 1865. Three days afterwards it started for Harper's F'erry, where it was assigned to the First brigade, First Provisional division, Army of the Shenandoah. It was stationed at Halitown, Winchester, Charlestown, Stevenson Depot, and Opequan creek, engaged in guard duty, until Au- gust 5, 1865, when it was mustered out. On the 9th it reached Indianapolis, with thirty-seven otticers and eight hundred and forty men, and two days after shared in a soldiers' reception in the capi- tal grounds, where it was addressed by Lieuten- ant Governor Baker, General (now United States Senator) Benjamin Harrison, and others.
FIELD AND STAFF.
.Lieutenant Colonel John T. McQuiddy, New Albany. Lieutenant Colonel Henry C. Ferguson, Charlestown. Major Thomas Clark, Xew Albany. Adjutant Henry B. Spencer, Xew Albany. Assistant Surgeon Thomas C. Neat, Xew Albany.
COMPANY A.
CO.MMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain 1 homas Clarke, Xew Albany.
Captain Frank Hopper (also first lieutenant), Xew Albany.
First Lieutenant Andrew F. O'Xeil, Xew Albany.
NON-CO.MMISSIONED OFFICERS. First Sergeant James Fullyard, X'ew Albany. Sergeant Gorham Tuffts, Xew Albany. Sergeant Thomas J. Reed, Xew Albany. Sergeant Isaac Gowen, Xew .\lbany. Corporal John C. Thurman, New Albany. Corporal James G. Rowley, Xew .Albany. Corporal George A. Graham, Xew .Albany. Corporal James H. Faxon, Xew Albany. Corporal James L. Miller, Galen.i.
PRIV.\TES.
Augustus Bresson, Edward Buckley, James Cooper, Wil- liam P. Dixon, John Feco, Lawrence Fogle, Thomas M. Gardner, William S. Gibson, Powell Henn, Joseph Huber, Wiliiam Higbeo, Zaclianah T. Hanev, William .A. Jackson, Joseph Kelso. .Michael .Murphy, |oseph McLaughlin. Robert C. McLaughlin, H. R. McKinley, Andrew F. O Xeil, Llisha Prime, George W. Phipps, Jefferson Reisingor, Joseph Ran- dolph, Hugh F. L. Smith, Henry Vance, \Villiam H. Wood, George Wiuering, Peter Wise, New Albany; Lewis Baron, George W. Lyons, Peter Pey, Adam Stumber, Joseph Smith, Joseph 1 homas, Lavia Vevia, Floyd's Knobs; Robert H.
Stroedtham, Ch.irles H. Merryman, Theodore Ingram, Francis I'atix, Henry Conrad, Galena; James F. Blossom, Jesse K. F.ngU-man, William N. Hopper, Isham Jones, James P. Richards, Greenville; Jacob Cook, Sutherland .Mayfield, Lafayette Holmes, lidwardsvillc; Matthew Rady, Greenville.
CO.MPANY b. COMMISSIONF.D OFFICERS. Captain Henry C. Ferguson, Charlestown. Captain Floyd G. Ogden (also first lieutenant), Utica. Second Lieutenant John F. Bullock, Charlestown.
N0N-C0MMISS10.\En OFFICERS.
F'lrst Sergeant Lafayette Wood, Bennettsville. Sergeant Francis J. Sternheim, Charlestown. Sergeant Solomon F. Rose, Blue Lick. Sergeant David L. Gwin, Memphis. Corporal John Williams, Memphis. Corporal Oscar J. Randall, Memphis. Corporal Stephen F. Hardin, Muddy Fork. Corporal William Stone, Muddy Fork. Musician David D. Coombs, Memphis. Musician James Hughes, Memphis.
PRIVATES. •
Jacob .-Vnslatt, Barney Carney, George W. Crum, Jacob Doll, William Dawson, Joseph F.ichle, Andrew Graves, Wil- liam C. Hanlin, Frederick Hebner, .\llen Hutchings, William McCombs, Hamilton McCormick,\\'il!iam Masmer, William L. Xoc, James ^L Parker, David W. Rowland, William yS.. Robertson, Joseph H. Smith, William A, Woirall, Charles- town; William R. York, William W. Wood, Ogilvie B. Spencer, Henry T. Sparling, John Miller, .Abner McDonald, John McCarty, Jesse Leeds, George S. Idell, James Huston, Thomas Holdon, William H. Hawkins, Charles K. Carle, Jeffersonville; Benjamin F. Alexander, Sellersburg; Kli Baker, Benjamin Beyle, Benjamin Carter, Elim L. Guernsey, Memphis; Charles Bassett, William Bell, David Chriswell, Robert \\. King, John Shay, Jasper Wood, Bennettsville; James W. Wilson, George Maywood, Barney Hamilton, Utica; Alonzo C. Cooley, Josiah McCory, Henry H. Flum- mer, Henry Stone. Muddy Fork; George W. Stinson, New Albany; Francis ^L Dinetz, Blue Lick.
COMP.ANV C. NON-CO.M.MISSIONED OFFICER. Sergeant Gordon Warnick, Jeffersonville. PRIVATE.
Jacob J. Miller.
COMPANY E. . '
NOK-COMMtSSIONED OFFICER. Wagoner Benjamin Johnson. Edwardsville.
PRIVATES.
Martin Ang, New Albany; Gilbert P. Gunn, Edwardsville; James Holstclaw, New Albany; John W. Johnston, Dale Keith, Edwardsville; Enoch S. Lewallen, Theodore Routh, Xew Albany; George W. Routh, William H. .Sillings, Ed- wardsville.
CO.MPANY F. -NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant William B. Peter. Galena.
Sergeant Robert Sappcnfield, Greenville.
Sergeant John W. Brazeman, Galena.
Corporal William D. Morris, Greenville.
Corporal George Hopper, Greenville.
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134
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
I'klV ATKS. I
lames M. Craig, New Albany; Xelsoii LukebiU, Philip Martin, Thomas Taylor, Isaac Woods, Greenville, Aaron Zigler, Xc'.v Washington. j
CO.Ml'ANV G. rO.M.MI.SSlU.NEn C)F1"1CEKS.
Captain Henry H. F.wing. [effersonville. First Liculen.mt John F. Wilson, Jeffersonville. Second Lieutenant Joseph F. Place, Providence. Sergeant Marcus 1). French, Jeffersonville. Sergeant Elisha C. Rose, Jeffersonville. Corporal William E. Ross, Jeffersonville. •Corporal William Norman, Jeffersonville. Corporal George W. Ross, Jeffersonville. Corporal William Mathews, Jeffersonville. Corporal Henry E. Mc.Akins, Charlestown. Corporal Alexander Fordyce, New Providence. Musician James Hilton. Jefiersonviile. Wagoner Franklin Gibbs,. Jeffersonville.
PRIV.VTES.
John Bradley, John H. Beeler, Daniel Cleveland, John Carr; Asa Chambers, Beechard E. Demming, Edward Fletcher, Levi Frothingham, Mathew Faucett, William P. Galvin, George W. Golden, John Gray, Richard Green, James Kining, John Lutz, James Lang, Robert Lang, Peter F. Seclar, William M. Minter, Franklin Mason, Greenberry N. Rose, Taylor Rose, George W. Reed, William Rodgers, John ^L Kodgers, Isaac Ronzee, Samuel Slesen^on, Thomas Sullivan, George Sisum, James -A. Stevens, Shades Trammel George Williams, Richard Wilson, James Whitesell, Andrew Wilson, John Wallace, Jeffersonville; Jefferson Rice, Isani Pruelt, William E. Mathias, William Hinton, John F. Ham- den. Hiram Forrister, Albert Forrister, Lew H. Durking, Zaehariah Brumsfield. New Albany; George D. Jacobs, Charlestown; Robert Newman. Nesv Providence; Erasmus Bennett, Eli Hilton, Utica
COMPANY H. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Stephen S. Cole, Charlestown.
.SON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Sergeant John W. Hanlin, Oregon.
PRIVATES.
loel Amick, Hugh Goben, .Andrew J. Mai.vwell, Jesse Smith, William Watson, James Watson, Samuel Wagoner, Samuel N. Hillard, Jeffersonville; Abner Reggs, Henryville; Williani L. Carter, Blue Lick; James Conley, .New Albany; Enoch A. Maloy, Memphis.
CO.MPANY K. COMMIS.slONKD OFFICER.
First Lieutenant James Nicholson, .New .Albany.
NON-CO.MMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Sergeant Frank Creamer. New Albany. Corporal Rolin B. Perry. New .Albany. Corporal Morgan V. Jones, New .Albany. Wagoner B.irney Shine, New Albany.
PRIVATES.
William H. .Akers. Jerry Brooks, Thomas Eurles, Jacob Fess, Michael Groshart, Robert Johnson, William Love, Charles W. Marsh, John Morton, James \L Melton, Ezek Mezingill, William H. Proctor. James M. Riley, Claiborne Sigler, Henry H. Sigler, WiUiam Sharp, John W. Wells,
B.irtlett Witlon, New Albany; Hudson J. Martin, Jefferson- ville. ONE HUNDRED AND KOKTV-KUTH REGLMENT.
(One-year service.)
COMPANY A. Private James Jackson.
COMP.A.NY B. Nathan Cooper, David Oliver, Jeffersonville, recruits.
COMPANY F.
NON-COMMISblONKD OFFICER.
Sergeant John M. Ratliff. Jeffersonville. COMPANY G.
NON-COM.\llSSIONED OFFICER.
Sergeant Robert Brown, .New Albany. ONE HUNDRED AND EORTV-SIXTH REGIMENT.
(Oncyecir service.)
CO-MPANY \.
PRIVATES.
Elias C. Ball, John Brooks, Joseph Denham, New Albany. COMPANY 1.
PRIV.\TES.
Elisha Dodge, Robert Phillips, Greenville.
rWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS.
Six companies of this regiment were organized at Indianapolis in .April, 1S64, as a part of the quota of the State, but were turned over to the United States as a battalion of the Twenty-eighth. It left the city April 24th, for Washington, and was placed in a camp of instruction at Alexan- dria, where it underwent a series of drills in preparation for active field service. On the 2d of June it embarked for White House, on the Yorktown peninsula, where it took part in an en- gagement on the 21st. With Sheridan's cavalry it had a toilsome and circuitous march through the Chickahominy swamps to Prince George's Court House, during which it sustained much loss from frequent skirmishing with the enemy. At the Court House, it was assigned to Thomas' brigade, Fenero's division, Ninth army corps, and with it moved to the neighborhood of the Appomattox, where it took full part in the Pe- tersburg campaign. It was in the terrible battle of "the Crater," and lost nearly half the number engaged. The shatteied ranks were presently recruited, and four more companies were sent from Indiana, filling the regiment. At Hatcher's Run it was prominently engaged, and lost a large number, it was then transferred to the
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
135
Twenty-eighth corps, Army of the James, and put on duty in the quattermaster's department at City Point, where it remained until the final op- erations against Richmond. It was among tiie first Federal troops to occu|5y that city, was de- tained for thiee days at Camp Lee, and then sent to City Point again, to guard prisoners. It there staid until the corps was ordered to Texas, and arrived at Brazos Santiago July 1, 1S65., It was disembarked at Indianola on the 5th, and was on duty at Corpus Christi until November 8th, when it was mustered out of service. It re- turned by New Orleans and Cairo to Indianaji- olis, reaching there with thirty-three officers and nine hundred and fifty men. January 8th — Bat- tle of New Orleans day — a public reception was given the Twenty-eighth at the tabernacle, where speeches of welcome were made by Governor Baker and others, and responses by Lieutenant Colonel Logan, Chaplain White, and Lieutenant Holahan. The next day the regiment was dis- charged from service. -^
COMIWNY A.
Recruits, Charles Bowles, James Boris, Henderson Pete, Jeffersonville.
COMP.\NY B.
Recruits, George Con, Henry Daniels, Jesse Gassauay, lackson Harriss, Philip Simcoe, [effersonville.
COMPANY D.
Privates, Doctor McClure, Olivet Prine, Joseph Williams, New Albany. Recruits, Edward Coleman, Levi Hillman, Thomas Linsey, Charles Williams. Jeffersonville.
COMPANY E. Private William Scott, Clarice county.
COMPAiNY G. Recruits, Thomas Jackson, James Walker, Jeffersonville.
CO.MPANY I.
Privates, Roily Douglass, James Gibson, Jackson Guthrie, Kdward Johnson, Joseph Robinson, Matlock Spencer, Jack Towsey, Jeffersonville. Recruits. George Stinson, Charles Williams, Jeffersonville.
Unassigned recruits— George Coldow, John Harrison, Thomas C. Jackson, Ed Johnson, John Williams, Edward Wilson, Samuel Woods, Clarke county; William Mc.-\tee, Jack Robertson, Ale.xander Samuels, William Wallace, Richard Graham, Floyd county.
EIGHTH REGIMENT UNITED ST.XTES COLORED
TROOPS.
PRIVATES.
Recruits— William .-^yres, .Alexander .Mien, Alf'ed Braher,
William Co\', Bil! Campbell, James Dert, John Foster,
N'ew'ton Finley. Phil Gibson, Robert Hov-ard. John Hamell,
Henry Harrison. Joe Hilligoss, Charles Henry, Henry John-
wn, Martin Luther, Samuel McHenry. Dansberry Imdock,
Theodore Myers, James M. Ragan, John S. Smith, James Stewart, John Warner, Joseph Walker, Clarke county; Jeriy Williams, James W. Thompson, George Smith, James Stewart, Enoch Machum, William Mars, Joseph E. Jinkes, John Jackson, F^lijah Hart, John Foster, Charles Evans, David Barrett, Floyd count).
THIRTEENTH REGIMENT UNITED .STATE.S COLORED TROOPS. PRIVATES.
Recruits— George Christian, William Johnson. Floyd county; Pleasant Morris, Clarke county.
FOURTEENTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY,
UNITED ST.ATES COLORED TROOPS.
PRIVATES.
Jeremiah Baker, John Cahill, Xicholas Chinn. Moses Fry, Richard Howard, Archibald Kelly, Calvin Reed, George Washington, Edsvard Wallace, Jeffersonville.
UNASSIGNED COLORED RECRUITS. PRIVATES. Colonel Brown, Henry Clay, John Cosbey, John Turner, Jacob Dosier, (substitute), Floyd county; Joseph Carroll, Joe Hawkins. George White, Jerry Willis, John Page (sub- stitute), Xed Street (substitute), Clarke county.
TENTH BATTERY, LIGHT ARTILLERY. PRIVA tES.
Michael Gessler, Fred.^Hammer, John Ruppert. John H. Southard, N'ew Albany.
TWELFTH BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY.
This was recruited at Jeffersonville, organized at Indianapolis, December 20, 1861, and mus-' tered in January 25, 1862. February 22d it pro- ceeded to Louisville, where it was temporarily assigned to General Thomas' division in Buell's army, and with it marched to Nashville, arriving on the 6th of March. On the 29th it advanced across the country with a detachment of Buell's command to Savannah, on the Tennessee; but did not reath Pittsburg Landing in time to take part in the action. Here Captain Sterling re- signed (.-\pril 25th), and was succeeded by Sec- ond Lieutenant White. In May and June the battery shared in the movement against Corinth, and after the evacuation of that place went with the Army of the Cumberland into Northern Ala- bama as far east as Stephenson, and thence moved to Nashville, getting there August 18. It was here stationed in Fort Negley, in charge of the siege guns of the garrison, and remained there the rest of its term. November 5th the city was attacked by the united forces of Breck- enridge, Forrest, and Morgan; and the men of the Twelfth, handling skilfully the guns of the tort, rendered imj)ortant service in repelling the
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inSTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
attack. After Chickainauga was fought, half of the battery, under. Lieutenant Dunwoody, was sent to Chattanooga, and arrived in timo to share in the victories of Lookout Mountain and Mis- sion Ridge, after' which it returned to Nashville. Forty-eight men of the battery re-enlisted in Jan- uary, 1864. The service of this year was com- paratively unevcniful, except on the 15th and 16th of December, during the battle before Nash- ville, when it was actively engaged. Thirty non- veterans were mustered out December 23d, at the expiration of their term. January 5, 1865, Cap- tain White resigned, and Lieutenant Dunwoody was commissioned to his place March ist. The battery was kept well recruited, and had more men at the end of its service than were properly allowed to light batteries. July i, 1865, it reached Indianapolis for muster out and dis- charge, with five officers and one hundred and seventy men, and was relieved from further duty on the 7th of that month.
COMMISSIONED Ori'ICERS.
Captain George W. Sterling, JefiersonviHe.
Captain James E. White (also second lieutenant), ]ef5'erson- ville.
First Lieutenant Wilfred H. Wilford, Jeffersonville.
First Lieutenant .Adam A. Steadier, Jeffersonville.
First Lieutenant George Leach, JeftersonviUe.
First Lieutenant James W. Jacobs (also second lieutenant), Jeffersonville.
First Lieutenant Moody C. Dustin, Jeffersonville.
First Lieutenant George W. Linch (also second lieutenant), JefiersonviHe.
Second Lieutenant Samuel B. Glover, Jeffersonville.
Second Lieutenant James D. Robinson, Jeffersonville.
Second Lieutenant William Getty, Utica.
Second Lieutenaut Joseph Shaw, Utica.
NON-COMNnSSIONED OFFtCERS.,
First Sergeant George W. Gilson. Charlestown.
Quartermaster Sergeant James E. White.
Sergeant Joseph Kelly.
Sergeant Geo.-ge Link.
Sergeant James D. Robison.
Corporal James C. Richards.
Corporal Squire Gill.
Corporal Moody C. Dustin.
Artificer Marshall White.
Artificer James W. Jacobs.
Artificer Samuel Hanson.
PRIVATES.
Villa Bucha, William Brendell, Thomas Chambers, Mat- thew Carroll. Louis Dolfert, Calvin .\. Gibson. George Greene. Charles S. Idell, Pleasant Ingram, .Abner Kelly, Michael Lavey, .-Aciel B. .Morgan, Anthony McGUird, David L. May, William Mitchell, Hcniy F'lister, Richard Powell, Benjamin Roach. Josiah Reeder, Joseph Snider, David S. Stafford, John W. Shield.
The following were recruits :
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Corporal Moses Lease, New Albany.
Corporal Joseph .'^haw, Utica.
Corporal John M. Cross, Charlestown.
Bugler Webster Marsh, Utica.
Wagoner Thoinas Marsh, Utica. PRIVATES.
William H. H. Fletcher, George M: Goss. James Martin, Jeff-Tsonville ; Joseph Bier, John Ilozicr, Jr., Robert Hedge- cock, Cjeorge W. McCuUey, Xew .Albany; James Briggs, John Briggs, Charles Herrick, William T. Hutchinson, John ■ Hooper, D.-.rius G. Hogg, Thomas J. James, Jeremiah Lewis, John L Cloud, James D. Invin, William Getty, Henry C. NLirsh, Benjamin F. Potter, Peter C. Perry, James M. Swartz, all of Utica ; Peter Bottorf, Anthony Bowers. Newton F. Gibson, James A. Haas, James B.. Jacobs, David Noftskey, John B. Randals, all of Charlestown; Frank J. Deitz. Michael H. H. Dillon, John S. Good, Thomas Idner, James T. Staton, George W. Koons, Clinton Thompson, James Young, Zachariah Young, Memphis.
FOURTEENTH B.\TTALLION (lIGHT ARTILLERY).
Recruit— Oscar Galliger, New Albany.
There were probably many Clarke and Floyd county men in other batteries, but most of their rolls furnish no means of naming and locating them.
INDEPENDENT BATALLION.
(Thirty days' service.) This was composed chiefly of militia n".en in the Indiana legion, who volunteered in July, 1862, for thirty days under a special call of the President, to guard rebel prisoners confined at Camp Morton, Indianapolis. It was not fully organized with field and staff officers, but was commanded by Colonel D. G. Rose, of the Fifty- fourth regiment, commandant of the military prison. The following company was altogether from New x'Mbany.
THE DAVIS ZOUAVES.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Hezekiah Brown. First Lieutenant William A. M. Cox. Second Lieutenant Willett Wilcox.
NON-CO.M.MISSIONED OFFICERS. First Sergeant George W. Celf. Sergeant Henry C. Wicks. Sergeant Benjamin F. Brocker. SergeantWiatt W. Wicks. Sorgeant Theodore Beard. Corporal John W. Seabrook. Corporal John March. Corporal William G.irrett. Corporal George W. Scales. Musician Benjamin Lemmcn. Musician Charles Gi iggs.
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lilSTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNFHCS.
PRIV ATI'.S.
John Abbott, Miles A^hby, Henry I',;ixter, Oscar Hentor., [rmies M. lilake, John W. HUike, William Cavemler, Georfr W. Chase, [ames Cooper, Silas A. Day, Alfred Dermnio-e, John Donaldson, James Dnffy, John Kaly, Xathan N. ICvans, Charles Kits, Charles Frederick, Oscar W. Gjlla|;her, George Graham, Creighton Humes, James H. Kiny, Heniy Kotter, William T.ogue, John Luty, George VV. Lukenbill, George Martin. John I. McNally, Charles Mansh. Frank Meyer, George iMinsoh. Robert F. Minshall, Frederiek Murphy, Andrcv I'lowt, Henry Robinson, Dallas Sanford, Charles Sinking, I'ldward Smith, [aines Stockdalo, Joseph Sullivan, John 1{. W'ardrip, George XS'liitenian, Stejjhen Whitman.
FIRSr AKMV CORPS (H.\NCOCK's CORFS.)
This was raised under an order of the A\'ar department November 28, 1864, for one years' service, of men who had served honorably not less than two years, and were therefore not sub- ject to a draft. The corps was to comprise not less than twenty thousand infantry, and was raised from the country at large. The following- named persons was credited to Clarke county:
EIGHTH REGIMENT. Private Nicholas Renter.
,And the following to Floyd county:
FIFTH REGIMENT.
NON'-COMMISSIONEr) OFFtCEK.
Corporal Sylvester Webber, Xeu .Mbany. NINTH REGIMENT. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICF.RS.
Sergeant George Dciehert . Corporal Henry Brock.
PRIVATES.
Joseph Gang, George Townsend.
FIRST UNITED
STATES VETERAN ENGINEERS.
VOEUNTEER
Organized under act of Congress approved May 2c, 1864, from the volunteers in the Army of the Cumberland serving or having served as pioneers, pontoniers, or engineers.
COMPANY B. NON-CO.MMISSIONF.D OFFICERS.
Corporal James W. Turner, Xew .Albany. Artificer Daniel T. Davis.
PRIVATE.
William Coats, New I'rovidence.
COMPANV E. NON-COMMI.SSIONKU OFFICERS.
Sergeant William Friend, New Albany. .\rtifici'r Benjamin F. Ferguson, Clarke county.
UNASSIGNEl; MEN.
IM'.vard F'. Cnrtis, John .\. Elkins, George Lehr, James A. Riley, Flovd countv.
William Grimes, Harman I.amb, George W. Lamb, Clarke c. unity.
SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT (INDIANA LEGION').
This was composed mainly of the militiamen of Floyd county. Only the names of officers are given in the adjutant general's report. Some notice of its history is given in the introduction to this chapter.
FIEI.n AND SrAFF.
Colonel Benjamin F. Scribner, New .Mbany. Colonel William W. Tuley, New Albany. Colonel Fduard A. Maginniss, New .Albany.. Lieutenant Colonel James F. Curdy, New Albany. Major William W. Tuley, New Albany. M.ajor E. Q. Naghel, New .Mbany. Quartermaster Jesse J. Brownoak, New Albany.
ANDERSON RIFLES.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain D.miel F. Griffin, New Albany.
Ca[itain Alf B. Collins, New Albany.
First Lieutenant U'illiam H. Mahan, New .Albany.
First Lieutenant John Creed, New Albany.
Second Lieutenant Edward A. Maginniss, New Albany.
Second Lieutenant Edward Fducett, New Albany.
CITY GUARDS. CO.MMISSIOiVEU OFFICERS.
Captain .'\ug M. Jackson, New .Albany.
Captain Frank Lewis, New Albany.
First Lieutenant Eugene Conmiandeur, New Albany.
First Lieutenant James Lindley, New .Albany.
Second Lieutenant James F. .McCurdy, New Albany.
Second Lieutenant John Stacey, New Albany.
RINGGOLD ARTILLERY. COM.MISSIONEU OFFICERS.
Captain John W. Gerard, New .Albany.
First Lieutenant Charles W. Cottorn, New .Albany.
Second Lieutenant John S. Beggs, New .Albany.
N.\TIONAL ZOUAVES. COM.MISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Thomas Clark, New Albany. Captain Lute Tuttle, New Albany. First Lieutenant ICdward L. Pennington, New .Alb.any. First Lieutenant George W. Carney, New Albany. Second Licutcijiant .Aloiizo Tiibbs, New .Albany. Second Lieutenant Thom.as F. Sage.
N.XTIONAL BLUES. eOM.MISSIONEI) OFFICERS.
Captain John Clelland, New .Albany.
First Lieutenant James Nicholson. New .Albarvy.
Second Lieutenant Charles Burder, New .Albany.
SANDERSON GUARDS.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Benjamin F. Scnbner, New .Albany. Ca|)tain Thom.is S. Kimble, Neu .Albany. First Lieutenant Thomas S. Kimble, New .Albany. First Lieutenant Frank .A. Lewis, New .Albany. Second Lieutenant Frank A. Lewis. New .Albany. Second Lieutenant John \\'. Rensh.iw, New Albany.
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138
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
GREENVILLE RIFLEMEN. rOMMISSIOXED OFFICERS.
Captain David G. Kay, Greenville.
First Lieutenant Marion W. Smith, Greenville.
Second Lieutenant Hiram Murphy, Greenville.
SIXTH \V.\RD GUARDS.
COM.MISSIONED OFFICEKS. Captain Edward L. PenninRton, New Albany. First Lieutenant Isaac Busby, New Albany. First Lieutenant Isaac F. Barnett, New .-Vlbany. Second Lieutenant I'eter Wise, New Alb.'.ny.
. NATIONAL GUARDS. COM.MISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain John P. Frank, New Albany. First Lieutenant John Dietz, New Albany. First Lieutenant Edward Volz, New Albany. Second Lieutenant Frank Schmidt, New Albany.
TULEY LIGHT GUARD.
COMMISilO.NEn OFFICERS.
Captain Joseph St. John, New Albany. First Lieutenant John Stilwell, New Albany. Second Lieutenant Charles East, New Albany.
GEBHART INFANTRY. COMMISSIONED OFFICEKS. Captain J. F. Gebhart, New Albany. First Lieutenant Thomas Kiementz, New Albany. Second Lieutenant Lawrence Weber, Now .Albany.
GERMAN ARTILLERY. COMMISSIONEU OFFICEKS.
Captain Adam Knapp, New .Albany. First Lieutenant Louis Schneider, New .Albany. First Lieutenant .Adam Weimer, New .Albany. Second Lieutenant Chris Weber, New .Albany. Second Lieutenant Fred Hammer, New Albany.
STEUBEN GUARD. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Fred Pistorius, New .Albany. Captain John Hahn, New Albany. First Lieutenant John Hahn, New .Albany. First Lieutenant Frank Kodalle, New .Albany. First Lieutenant Charles Pfestch, New .Albany. Second Lieutenant Charles Pfestch, New .Albany. Second Lieutenant Peter Bock, New .Albany.
DAVIS ZOUAVES. COM.MISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Hezekiah Brown, New .Albany. First Lieutenant Willett M. Wilcox, New Albany. Second Lieutenant James M. Mason, New .Albany.
FRANKLIN HO.ME GUARDS. COMMISSIO.SED OFFICERS. Captain Daniel .A. Smith. First Lieutenant Walter L. Smith. Second Lieutenant James .A. H. .Alton. [Residences not given\
GREENVILLE MOUNTED INFANTRY. COiMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Thomas J. Williams, Greenville.
First Lieutenant James Taylor, Greenville. Second Lieutenant William T. .Miller, Greenville.
EIGHTH. REGIMENT, INDIANA LEGION. [This was composed of companies from Clarke and .Scott counties].
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel James Keigwin, jeffersonville.
Colonel John .M. Ingram, Jeffersonville.
Colonel John F. WiUey, Memphis.
Lieutenant Colonel Samuel C. Taggart, Jeffersonville.
Lieutenant Colonel Thonjas D. Kouts, Jeffersonville.
Lieuten.int Colonel Warren Horr, Charlestown.
Adjutant Josiah W. Gwin. Jeffersonville.
Adjutant James Ryan, Jeffersonville.
Quartermaster Melvin Weir, Jeffersonville.
Surgeon David H. Combs, Jeffersonville.
JEFFERSON ARTILLERY. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain George L. Key, Jeffersonville. First Lieutenant Reuben Wells, Jeffersonville. Second Lieutenant James Wathen, Jeffersonville.
BATTLE CREEK GUARDS. COM.MISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Benjamin F. Lutz, Jeffersonville. C^aptain John F. Willey, Jeffersonville. Captain Dennis F. Willey, Jeffersonville. First Lieutenant Isaac M. Koons, Jeffersonville. First Lieutenant George W. Luman, Jeffersonville. First Lieutenant Oscar F. Lutz, Jeffer5on\ iUe. Second Lieutenant Oscar F. Lutz, Jeffersonville. Second Lieutenant Alban Lutz, Jeffersonville. Second Lieutenant S. L. Jacobs, Jeffersonville.
UNION HOME GUARDS.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain James M. Gwin, Memphis. Captain Josiah W. Gwin, Memphis. Captain Joseph C. Drummond, Memphis. First Lieutenant Joseph C. Drummond, .Memphis. First Lieutenant Josiah W. Gwin, Memphis. First Lieutenant William C. Combes, Memphis. Second Lieutenant William C. Combes, Memphis. Second Lieutenant John C. Peden, .Memphis.
CLARKE GUARDS.
COM.MISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain John M. Ingram. Jeffersonville.
First Lieutenant James G. Caldw ell, Jeffersonville.
Second Lieutenant Gabriel Poinde.xter, Jefiersonville.
OREGO.N GUARDS.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Frank M. Carr, Oregon.
Captain Jesse Summers, Oregon.
First Lieutenant William W. Watson, Oregon.
First Lieutenant Wilshire Minor, Oregon.
Second Lieutenant Cornelius B. Ruddle, Oregon.
Second Lieutenant Joseph Carr, Oregon.
ELLSWORTH ZOU.AVES.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain William W. C.-'ldwell, Jeffersonville. First Lieutenant Thomas Gray, Jeffersonville. Second Lieutenant George W. Brown, Jeffersonville.
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
139
THE UNION COMPANY. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Benjamin S. Henderson, Hibernia. First Lieutenant.Jolin D. .\'oe, Hibernia. First Lieutenant Jacob P. .Bare, Hibernia. Second Lieutenant Aaron Cross, Hibernia. Second Lieutenant Calid Scott, Hibernia.
HENRYVII.LE GREYS. COM.MISSIOMD OKI-ICF.RS.
Captain Cynis >L Park, Henryville.
Captain J. S. Ryan. Henryville.
First Lieutenant Luke S. Becket, Henryville.
First Lieutenant James V. Herron, Henryville.
Second Lieutenant J. A. C. McCoy, Henr)vllle.
Second Lieutenant H. H. F'rall, Henryville.
Second Lieutenant Alexander D. Briggs, Henryville.
HOOSIER GUARDS. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain John T. Hamilton, New Hope. Captain John J. Bane, New Hope. First Lieutenant Chesterneld Hutsell, New Hope. Second Lieutenant KdwarJ W . Thawley, New Hope. Second Lieutenant John J. Bane, New Hope. Second Lieutenant William K. Matthews, New Hope.
UTICA ROUGH AND READY GUARDS. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Jesse Combs, L'tica.
First Lieutenant Moses H, Tyler, Utica.
Second Lieutenant Thomas J. W'orrall, L'tica.
SILVER CREEK GUARDS.
CO.MMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain E. \V. Moore, Sellersburg. First Lieutenant George Bottorff. Sellersburg. Second Lieutenant John F. Downs, Sellersburg. Second Lieutenant P. J. Ash, Sellersburg.
CHARLESTOWN CAVALRY. C0.\IMIS3I0NED OFFICERS. Captain Warren Horr, Charlostown. First lieutenant Isaac Koons, Charlestown. Second Lieutenant Benjamin F. Perdue, Charlestown.
CH.\PTER VL
THE CITY OF NEW ALBANY— GENERAL HISTORY. EARLY HI.^TOkV.
Regarding the first settlement of the territory now occupieti by this city, the reader is referreti to the cliapter on New .-Mb.iny township; though it may here be briefly stated that the original tract comprised eight hundred and twenty-six and one-half acres of land, lying between the Grant line and the foot of the knobs, which was
entered, or purchased of the Government, at the land office in Vinrenncs, by Colonel John Paul, of Madison, Indiana. Paul, who was a sagacious business man, was induced to enter this land as early as 1808 because of its proximity to the foot of the falls, which it was then thoiJght would in time be utilized for manufacturing purposes; and also because of its proximity to Clarke's Grant and the settlement at Clarksville, as well as for its intrinsic value, agriculturally consid- ered.
Time showed the wisdom of the purchase. Clarke's Grant, adjoining the tract on the east, was very soon occupied by settlers, largely by soldiers of Clarke's army. This Grant was sur- veyed and apportioned in 1784, and contained 150,000 acres, 1,000 of which were set apart for the village of Clarksville. One of Clarke's sol- diers, named Whitehill, owned a hundred acres within the Giant, in the corner where the line in- tersects the river and adjoining the Paul tract. Next to and east of Whitehill, Epaphias Jones, another of Clarke's soldiers, owned one hundred acres. On the north side of the John Paul tract the land was taken up by Judge Shelby, of Charlestown, and Charles London, a pioneer from A'^irginia, elsewhere mentioned. The two last-mentioned were not within the Grant. All of these tracts of land were long since included in the city limits; the best portion of the city, the part which includes the finer residences, now occu- pies the tracts originally owned by Jones and Whitehill, it being that portion of the city above Ninth street.
THE SCRIBNERS.
The city was founded by the Scribner broth- ers— Joel, Abner, and Nathaniel — all good busi- ness men and Yankees. Since the name of Scribner is intimately connected with the growth and development of the city, is woven all through the warp and woof of its history, and yet occupies a high place on its roll of honored citizens, a brief sketch of the family seems ap propriate in this place.
The family was originally from England. The- name there was Skrivener, and later Scrivener, and has been traced back to Benjamin Skrivener, who, in the quaint language of the time, "tooke to wiffe" Hannah Crampton, daughter of John Crampton, of Norwalke. They were married March 5, 1679, or i68o. From this couple
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I40
HISTORY OF TH1-: OHIO FALLS c:OUNTIES.
came the Scribners of America, bmnches of the family being located in different parts of the country, where many of tlie name have occu- pied high positions in the various pursuits of mankind — business, literature, arts, science, and war. The firm s'^''"g name to Scribner's Monthly, (now the Century), belong to the same family.
Nathaniel Scribner, Sr., was the progenitor of the New Albany branch of the family. He must have emigrated to this country sometime prior to the Revolutionary war, as he was en- gaged in that conflict, being cai-it.iin of a com- pany of Connecticut volunteers. He was wounded in the war; was subsequently a pen- sioner of the (iovernment, and died in 1800. He settled in Connecticut, but subsequently re- moved to Dutchess county, New York, where Joel, one of the founders of New Albany, was born. The family comprised twelve children, namely: Eliphalet, James, Jemima, Joel, Phcebe and Martha (twins), Esther, Elijah, Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Anna, and Abner. Mr ^^"illiam A. Scribner, son of Joel, during his life collected some history of the family, and writes as follows regarding a time as long ago as he could remem- ber: "AVe were then living in a country village called Weston (probably in Fail field county), Connecticut. Of my grandfather, Nathaniel, Sr., I know nothing except that when my father was a young man his father was engaged in building a merchant mill in Milford, Connecti- cut, ten miles west of New Haven." Nathaniel, after living awhile in New York State, must have moved back to Connecticut, for it appears in the biography of his son, Joel, that the latter "was born at South East, Dutchess county. New York, in 177-," but was married in Milford, Con- necticut.
Eliphalet Scribner, the oldest son, went to the West Indies about iSoo, where he amassed a fortune, it is said, in merchandising, but subse- quently lost it by the sinking of one of his own ships, while on a voyage to England with a valu- able cargo.
James, the second son, married and lived for a time in the State of New York, some fiUy ur sixty miles above the city; but two or three years after his brothers founded New Albany he joined them, his wife having previously died. He brought his two sons with hiai, Alanson and
Isaac, and arrived in time to be elected the first treasurer of Floyd county, which oflice he held at the time of his death. He did not live long after his arrivaVhis death occurring in 1823.
It was Joel who first formed the resolution to improve iiis fortunes in the Clreat West. This was in 18 ti. He was then a resident of New York cit)', having been there engaged in the grocery business for three or four years. "I'^am- ily groceries," probably, as a business, did not prove as remunerative as he desired, and, form- ing a partnership with his brother-in-law, William Waring, they left New York city on the 8th of October, 181 1, having made up their minds to settle in the then village of Cincinnati, in Ohio. U'aring was a practical tanner and currier, and their object was to establish a tannery and to connect with the manufacture of leather that of boots and shoes. This party of emigrants con- sisted of ^Villianl Waring and wife, his brother Harry (unmarried), four children, and Joel Scrib- ner and wife, with their children — Harvey, \\'il- liam, Augustus, Lucy Maria, Maiy Lucinda, Fvliphalet, Julia Ann, and Phcebe. It was a long, tedious journey in those days, from New York city to Cincinnati, the journey being made by wagon, stage, and river, and soon after their arrival in the future Queen City ll;e War of 1812' began and upset their calculations. The War- ings went off to the war.
Duiing the fall of 181 2 Joel was joined by his younger brothers, Nathaniel and Abner, and in December, 181 2, or January, 1S13, they all started on an exploring expedition down the river, probably with a view of entering some land in the then wilds of Indiana Territory. Abner was the shrewd .business man of the Scribner brothers, and was somewhat differently consti- tuted from the rest of the family — "an odd sheep" in the flock. He was lame, club-footed; and in those pioneer days, when whi'^ky flowed as freely as water and everybody drank more or less, Abner would occasionally imbibe a little of the ardent, but never drank to excess. His brothers were probably strictly temperate, as well as rigid members of the Presbyterian church. Abner was (.piick witted, bold, pu'-hing, n.uick In decision, and energetic and persistent in execu- tion— a born leader among men. He inherited from his grandfather a propensity for milling, building mills, and looking up mill-sites. His
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
141
head was full of this business, and he built a number of mills before he died. No country was good for anything in his eye without plenty of mill-sites. -Mills he considered the founda- tionof all i:)ublic prosperity. There is no doubt whatever that wlien their boat reached the falls . of the Ohio, Abner, looking dcjwn the long stretch of rushitig w.iter, exclaimed: "What a tremendous water-power ! ^\"hat a place for a mill!" and suggested that they Tand and find out who owned the land on the Indiana shore; for
: they did not wish to own any land in a slave State. Th.ey found no chance, even at this early date, to enter land near the Falls; it was already occupied for several niilcs. Clarke and his sol- diers had taken the larger part of it, and John . Paul had secured the remainder from the Grant to the foot of the knobs. If they went beyond the John Paul tract they would, as they sup-
, > posed, lose any benefit to be derived by the water-power of the Falls; so they determined to try to purchase John Paul's interest. Eight • thousand dollars was the price, as they ascer- tained by a visit to Colonel Paul, at Madison — a very large sum of money for those days, and the brothers were not wealthy at that time. I'hey were all young and lull of lite and vigor, however, and they determined to risk purchasing it, Abner strongly advocating it and also the layingout of a town on the purchase. Abner was always en- thusiastic over the prospects of their new town. Heseemed to believe that the "world would one day revolve around New Albany." He would ex- patiate on the great water-power for manufactur-
j. ing purposes, and succeeded in making himself
\,. believe, and was at least partially successful in
. . making many other people believe that New Al- bany (named at'ter Albany, New \'ork,) would become in time the largest interior, city on the
... continent!
It must have been about this time that Abner secured the position of supercargo or consignee
] at New Orleans for his ^\'est India brother, Eliphalet. The latter was then at the height of his prosperity, and sent one of his ships to New Orleans with a cargo of sugar consigned to his brother Abner. In connection witli this transac- tion and the establishment of New Albany, Oeneral Benjamin F. Scribner, now a resident of New Albany, a gallant Union soldier in the late war, and recendy United States Consul at one of
the seal islands of the Northwest, relates the fol- lowing anecdote: General Scribner, happening in Washington one day to be introduced to Gen- eral Dent (father-in-law of Cleneral Grant), Mr. Dent immediately inquired if he was related to Abner Scribner, of New Albany, and on being informed that General Scribner was Abner's son. General Dent went on to relate with a great deal of interest, that being when a young man a com- , mission merchant in New Orleans, he met Abner Scribner at a certain hotel there, and the latter was desirous of disposing of a cargo of sugar, consigned to him by his brother Eliphalet, the ship containing the sugar having aheady entered the Mississippi river and apjiroaching the harbor of New Orleans. Abner presented the manifests showing the amount of sugar on board, and suc- ceeded in selling the entire cargo to General Dent for $20,000, receiving the cash in hand. With this money Abner came up and paid for the land they had purchased of John Paul. Thiongh some unaccountable accident the cargo of sugar never reached the harbor of New Or- leans, but went to the bottom of the MiShissi[)pi, the ship sinking just outside the harbor, and the cargo beconiing a total loss to Mr. Dent, who had just paid for it. Not long afterwards Dent and Abner Scribner met in Louisville, when the former during the conversation remarked: "Abner, that was a bad thing for me — the purchase of that cargo of sugar before its arrival in the harbor." "Yes, Mr. Dent," replied Abner, "it was a bad thing for you, but a good thing for me.' With this money the Scribners were enabled to pay for their land and to survey and open up for sale the lots of their new town.
Some years later, when their town was growing and the brothers were in a prosperous condition, an opportunity occurred by which they were en- abled to reciprocate the kindness and generosity of their brother Eliphalet in furnishing the money to establish their town. A ship belonging to Eliphalet having (as before mentioned) sunk in mid-ocean, carrying down a valuable cargo, he was so embarrassed financially that he sent an agent to New Albany with a note of $jo,ooo to recei\e the endorsement of the brothers, w-hich was given; but it is said that Eliphalet died before he entirely recovered from the loss.
In the new town the Scribners, of course, be- came very intluential. Joel, the elder of the
142
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
ihrcc, and the only uiic who brought a (aniily to this wilderness home, became tiie first postinas- ter.the first clerk of the new county, also auditor, and held various otlier offices. All the early records of the county comniissioncrs for several years are in his liandwritiiig, and are jilainly written. He died of bilious fever in October, 1823, brought on, no doubt, by the malaria inci- dent to the swampy condition of the new coun- try, dying, therefore, a martyr to his undertaking. The house in which he lived is yet standing on Main street. He was a very pious man, a Pres- byterian, and highly esteemed by his acquauit- ances. He was a quiet business man and a good counselor.
Joel and Nathaniel went back to New York to settle up their affairs in 1815, making the journey on horseback. On this occasion they brought back with them their sister Esther and Nathan- iel's betrothed, Miss Elizabeth Edwards. They were married soon after their arrival here. Es- ther soon after married David >.I. Hale, of New- Albany, subsequently a promment man in all the affairs of the new town. Elizabeth Scribner was married to Mr. Wood in 1S18, and the two brothers-in law subsequently formed a partnership and went into business for a time in Vincennes. Dr. Ashel Clapp.also a prominent citizen of New Albany, married one of the Scribner sisters.
During the session of the Legisl.iture at Cory- don in the winter of iSiS-19, Nathaniel Scrib- ner and John K. Graham were sent by the people of New Albany to lobby for the establish- ment of a new county, and it was on this occa- sion that Nathaniel lost his life. His health had been somewhat impaired before starting on the trip, and as the weather was quite severe and the journev had to be made on horseback its exposure and hardship were more than he was able to bear. On their return he was com- pelled to stop at the house of Richard Watson, two and a half miles east of New Albany, where he died in December, iSiS.
Abner, the youngest and only remaining brother of the three founders of the town, was continually engaged in mill building until his death. He made a discovery, at one time, on Ottawa creek, Kentucky, of a beautiful fall of water. The water poured over a cliff of rocks at just the right height and volume to furnish a splendid power. The temptation was too great
for Abner, and he purchased the site for a mill, intending to ])lace his water wheel under the fall He erected here a very fine brick mill, which cost him seventeen tliousand dollars, a very large sum for those days; but Abner determined to ha\e the finest mill in all the ^Vest, and so it was. When the mill was finished and ready for operations, it was found that the water did not strike the wheel at the e.xact angle desired, and a dam was constructed for the purpose of turning the current slightly to one side. The result was fatal to the project. The water sank, and the. fall disappeared forever. The ground in this region being full of caves, the water probably found an opening into one of them, and disap- [leared. Thus the mill was a total loss. Abner died of yellow tever in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1827, where he had erected his last mill.
Thus it will be seen that the Scribner brothers did not live long after establishing their new town, but they lived long enough to stamp so thoroughly upon it their individuality that it re- mains to tliis day. They were public-spiiited men, and were foremost in all benevolent and liberal enterprises for building up and bettering the community in which they lived. Their money, influence, and energy were freely spent in whatever contributed to the building up of their town and to the interest of its inhabitants; and their children stepped into their shoes when they were gone, and continued to work for the welfare of the city.
They had nmch to contend with in the estab- lishment of their town, built as it was upon the borders of a slave Statev and so e.xposed to the evil influences of slavery and the ignorance com- monly begotten by that institution. Many of the people who came to the new town from the South were ignorant, and brought with them their superstitious notions and false ideas of life. These were hard to combat, and the Scribners, who were educated and came from the land of churches and Puritan ideas, labored hard to fill up their city with emigrants from New England, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and other Northern States; and their efforts were not with- out success. Hundreds of Eastern families, im- bued witii the spirit ot freedom and enterprise, came to the new town; in fact, the New En. gland element was continually and largely in the majority, and has always ruled the town and
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALT.S COUNTIES.
143
city; the result is seen in a city of r.hurchcs and schools, and the high moral and intelk-ctual character of its citizens, and in the moral tone of the entire community. It will be seen that the Scribners first gave sixty lots in their new town for school purposes, and sixty for church purposes, besides establishing a permanent fund of five thousand dollars for schools. This shows liic spirit witli which tiiey entered upon their work, and their efforts in this direction never flagged. It is not easy at this time to sum up in figures or words the amount uf good accom- jjlished in these energetic preliminary steps taken by the Scribners; but-the general result is plainly visible to the stranger who may sojourn even for a few days in the now beautiful city.
EARLY SEITLEMENT, ETC.
At the time the Scribners purchased the site of New Albany, there were several squatters upon the land. John Aldrich, the hunter and trapper, had probably disappeared, but McGrew and the colored man who lived with him were on " Mc- Grew's point;" old Mr. Trublood was living with a considerable family in a log hut on Falhng run, and had a little log mill in the neighborhood of the present depot of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago railroad ; his son, Maitin, and James Mitchell were occupying a cabin which stood on the site of the present Carpenter house, on Main street, and were running a ferry, though it is not likely that there was much business in that line at that time — an occasional hunter and Indian was to be ferried across. In addition to these, Elihu Marsh, a lerseyman and a Baptist with a considerable family, had erected a cabin and squatted near Trublood's mill. Ihesewere prob- ably all that were then occupying the original plat, but Jonathan Carson occupied a cabin fur- ther north, near the Shanty spring. The whole tract was covered with a dense forest, except in the immediate neighborhood of the cabins men- tioned, where little clearings had been made.
The Scribner purchase comprised fractional sections two and three, "together with the sole right of ferriage across the river from said land." As soon as the purchase was made the brothers returned to Cinciimaii and prepared to move their family and effects to their chosen home. On the 2d dav of March, 1S13, the first tree was cut by the Scribners by way of coumiencemcnt
in clearing a place for their cabin, to lie occupied by Joel and his family, \Villiam Waring and lamily,
"and the two younger brothers of Joel Scribner as boarders. 'I'his particular spot was just above what is now Captain Samuel Montgomery's resi- dence, on Main street (corner of Sixth and Main). Mr. Williain A. Scribner, who died April 16, 1S6S, v.rote thus regarding this settle- ment :
On the 2d dny of May, just two months from the day on which the first tree was cut, the two famihes before mentioned, to wit, n\y fathers and William Waring's, landed at the place now knoun as the Upper Ferry landing, and found this dwelling house of two months in building to be a double log cabin, with quite a wide hall between the two buildings, a large kitchen attached to one of the wings, 'as yet in an un- finished stale, and although made of green logs just from the woods, we were of course compelled to occupy it in the condition it was in, make llie best of it, and finish it up dur-
i ing the following summer.
' The same writer says regarding the condition
: of the ground, etc.:
i The entire bottom v.as heavily timbered with poplar, birch, and sugar; and the surface of the ground thickly covered with spice-wood, green-briar, pawpaw, and other varieties of
' underbrush so thick that when the leaves were out one could not see a rod ahead.
The first thing to be done was to procure a suiveyorand conmience the survey and platting of the town. I can hardly
] tell where the proprietors found the gentleman who had the honor of doing it, but his name was John K. Graham, and
i my first recollection of him is that he moved his family, into
' a small cabin built after we came here, located some two or three hundred yards this side (west) of ours; and I soon be- .
i came acquainted with him, as I often assisted him as chain- carrier. After some time he bought a tract of land some
J three or four miles north, and moved to it.
I The plat of the future city made at this time ' by John K. Graham included but an insignificant .
portion ot the present site. It extended east and
, west from Upper Fifth to Lower Fifth streets,
; and north and south as follows: From the river
to Spring street for all that portion below Lower
First street, ancl from the river to Oak street for
all that portion above Lower First. This was
the regular plat. In addition, however, tiers of
out-lots were laid out from Spring and Lower
Fifth street to the river and Lower Eighth street.
Another tier of out-lots was laid out from Upper
' Fifth to the Grant line, running on th.it line from
Oak street to the river. These out-lots averaged
from one to one and a half acres in size. They
were soon included in the plat of the town.
i From this small plat the city has grown in every
■ direction, but principally east and north, though
it has extended west down the river, its length
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144
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNl'HiS.
from east to west being now from two and a half to thifc miles. Its width is not so great, thous^h the upper part of the city extends' northward more than a mile from the Ohio.
As soon as the Scribners were ready tor the sale of lots, they issued the following in the form of a poster or hand-bill :
"nkw .\IJ'..\NY. "Tliis town is just l;ii'l out, with spacious streets, jnililic squares, markets, etc. It is situated on the bank of tlie Oliio river, at the crossing place from Louisville to Mncennes, about two miles- belou the falls, in the Indiana Territory, and affords a beautiful and commodious harbor. The beauty of the prospect is not surpassed by any in the western country. The bank adjoining the tiver is hiijh, and not subject to in- undations. At the distance of si.\ hundred and sixty feet back from the bank is a second rise of about iw enty feet, from which there is an extensive view up and down tlie rner. There is a sufficient number of excellent and never-failin? springs for the supplyint; of any number of inhabitants.
"These advantages, together with that of the country around being dry and clear of any stagnant waters, being a sufficient distance below the Falls to avoid the fogs and any noxious exhaltment arisiiig therefrom in the warm season, and the winds gcncr.iUy blowing up the river at thii time, are a sufficient reason to induce a belief of the healthfulness of the situation.
"The advantages Xew Albany has in point of trade are perhaps unrivaled by any town on the Ohio, as it is im- mediately below all the dangers which boats and ships are suljject to in passing over the Falls, and is the only eligible situation for a depot for all the exports and imports of a great part of the territory, and may export and import while ihe river is low and the market good, as well as when the river is high.
"From the vast quantity of excellent ship-timber, the great abundance of iron ' ore w ithin a few miles, and the facility with which hemp is raised, it is presumed this will be one of the best ports in the United States for the building of vessels as well as the loading of them. Tlie erection of a saw-mill to go by steam is contemplated this fall, and a grist- and flour-mill next summer.
" Lots will' be sold at auction on the first Tuesday and Wednesday in November next. The terms of payment will be one-foutth ready money, and the remainder in three an- nual installments, to be secured by deed of trust or otherwise; one-foutth part of each payment to be paid into the hands of trustees (to be chosen b\- the purchasers) until such payments shall amount to $5,000, the interest of w hich to be applied to the use of schools in the town for the use of its inhabitants forever.
"Manufactories of iron, cotton, hemp, wool, etc., are much wanted, as is all kinds of mechanism.
"The Pkoi'rietoks. " New Albany, July 8, 1813."
It will be seen by the above advertisement what inducement the Scribners were enabled to hold out to settlers in their town, and what iheir own ideas of its future was. The "sufficient number of excellent springs" jiroved more valu- able than they probably then sup[joscd. This
spring water seems to lie underneath the entire city at a distance of twenty-five to thirty feet, and the water is pure and exhaustless. Without doubt, however, there were swamps and more or less malaria about New Albany, as in every new, uncleared, and uncultivated country. The Whitehill tract, now built over by beautiful residences and by business and manufacturing establishments, w^as at that time densely wooded and contained more or less swampy ground, which so remained for long years afterwards, to the great detriment of the health of the city. There were also spots of marshy ground to the north of the plat, some of which have not yet en- tirely disappeared. Like every other new place in the West, it was for many years an unhealthy town, but is now, and has been for years, per- haps as healthy a location as any on the river.
The circular, it will be noticed, sets forth the great advantages of the place as a trading point, and its brilliant prospects cornmercially. In this the proprietors did not exaggerate, and have not probably been greatly disappointed, as it grew rapidly into a manufacturing city, and still con- tinues such; but the circular indicates that the proprietors supposed that New Albany would become headciuarters for much of the river trade below, as well as a great shipping point for pro- duce bound down the river, on account of being located below the falls. At the time the town was laid out but one steamboat, the "Orleans,'' had passed down the river, and although it was sup- posed the Ohio would become the great highway of commerce, it was also thought that the falls would be an insurmountable barrier, and that the commerce of the river would divide at this point, Louisville getting the up-river business, and New .-\lbany all that below the falls. This beautiful air-castle, however, vanished with the completion of the Louisville and Portland canal, which passes around the falls, thus enabling the largest steamboats with their cargoes to pass in safety. The canal was notexj^ected nor thought of when New Albany was laid out, hence there was much calculation on a great city that could never be realized.
The quantity and quality of shi[)-timber found on the Silver hills caused New .-Mbany to be- come an important ship-buildmg point, as will be seen in another chapter.
According to announcement the sale of lots
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAIJ5 COUNTIES.
H5
took place on the first Tuesday and \\'ednesday of the following November.- The deed, however, for the land upon which the town was platted was not made to the Scribners by John Paul until October 13, 1813.
The following extrarcs are from the manu- script of \\'illiam .\. .Sciibner:
During the summer of 1813 they h.id a numbLr of men hired lo cut and clear ihe plai, build cabins, and grub under- growth, especially on the streets, and the proprietors began the building of a steam saw-mill, and afterward connected a grist-mill with it. This mill was on the lot where ih.e foundry of Lent, South & Shioman now stands.
[The jeffcrsonville, Madison Sc Indianapolis station has since occuDied this site'].
Of the other buildings, one among the first after the family residence was a large squ.ire cabin for a school-house on one of the four public squares of the town on each side of the in- tersection of State and Spring streets, not far from whore the court-house now stands, which said building was also occu- pied frequently for a meeting-house until we could build a larger one.
The first public sale of lots in the town of New .Albany took place on the 2d and 3d days of \ jvembcr, by which time there were several log-cabin residences along down Main street fiom the one we occupied, reaching as far down, perhaps, as Lower Second street, and in the course of the summer quite a number of families had moved in.
The first lot sold at the above-mentioned sale was to William R. Summers, and the deed ap- pears by the records in the recorder's office to have been placed there November 15, 1S13. It was lot number nine on Upper .Main street, at the southeast corner of Upper Main and Pearl streets. Its size was si.xty by one hundred and twenty feet, and the price paid for it was two hundred and fifty dollars, " lawful money of the United States." The lots next recorded are those of David Poor, six in number. These lots were located as follows: Lot two, on the north- west corner of State and Water streets: lot six, on the northeast corner of Water and Lower First streets ; lot two, Lower Market street, north side from the alley to the corner of Lower First street; and lots two, four, and six, Lower Fiist street, west side, from the Plummer property to the alley, between Main and \\"ater streets. The price paid by Poor for these lots was seven hundred and twenty-five dollars. A considerable number of lots were disposed of at that time.
THE NEW ALB.WV PIONEERS.
The following names appear among the earliest settlers of the town: Francis .\. Hutcherson, from Kentucky, 1815; Stephen Seabrook and his two sons, 1814; Samuel Marsh, 1S14;
Hopson, 1S12; McCleary, 1812; James
Crook, 1S15 ; John Jones, 1S16; James Mc-
i Afee, ; James R., Henry B., and Pleasant
S. Shield.s, 1S17; David Hedden, 1S17; Green H. Neil, 1817; Howell Well.s, 1817; iNLatthew Robison, 1S17; John Nicholson, iSio; Dr.
: Ashel Clapp, iSiS; and John K. Graham.
I These are in addition to the Scribners, and those
' already mentioned. Of these, only David Hed- den and Daniel Seabrook, one of the sons of Stephen Seabrook, are now living. The latter
1 resides on Main' street, and is a fine specimen of the early pioneers of New Albany. Pie has
I seen nearly a century on earth, but yet meets his
i friends with a cordial shake of the hand, a smile, and a cheerful "good-day." His step is remark- ably firm for one of his age, his complexion clear, and eye bright, giving evidence of a well-spent
I life; but his speech gives evidence of age.
The following is clipped from the New Albany Ledger as some of the early recollections of
: Daniel Seabrook:
.August 26, i8i.(, New .Albany, then a village of six log houses, received three emigrants whom the villagers welcomed with the greatest cordiality. These were .Stephen Seabrook, Daniel Seabrook, and Samuel Marsh, Sr. They came over the mountains from New Jersey to Pittsburg, where they took passage on a flat-boat for Cincinnati. At Cincinnati they purchased a small skiff, and in this they descended the Ohio to Louisville. Stephen and Daniel Seabrook came over the falls in the skiff to New Albany, while Mr. Marsh walked down on the Indiana side from JeffersonviUe, then a village six years old.
The next day after their arrival, Mr. Marsh and the Messrs. Seabrook purchased property. Mr. Marsh pur- chased two lots on Water street, running from Broadway eastward to the alley; the Seabrooks purchased the lot on
i Main street now occupied by Mr. Daniel Seabrook. and lying between West Second and Broadway. Upon this lot they built a residence, and on it Daniel Seabrook has resided con- tinuously for sixty-seven years.
When Mr. Seabrook arrived at .New .Albany, the village contained six log houses. The Scribners, the proprietors of the town, lived in a double cabin on the lot on Main street, between State and Pearl, now occupied by H. N. Dcvol's stove and tin-store. Work had been commenced that season on the present hotel building at the corner of Main and West First streets, by David Hale, which, when completed, was called "Hale's Tavern." Ihis was the first frame house
' built in New Albany.
' Mr. Seabrook worked at carpentering first, and at'terward
i at boat-building. He worked upon the first steamboat built around the F.ills of the Ohio. He prospered in his business, for he was in<lu3trious and frug.d. and accumulated consider- able property. He says the first post-otfice in New Albany was established in 1814. andwas kept in a cabin at the south- east corner of Main and State streets.
Daniel Seabrook is now in the ninety-second year of his
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
age. He is quite feeble, but cliccrful and luippy. He hns seen, a I.irge and prosperous city grow up from tlie uilderness.
The writer of this further interviewed Mr. Sea- brook, and the following is the substance of what the veteran pioneer said regarding the' early days of New Albany : The Scabrooks are from Monmouth county, New Jersey. Stephen and his two sons, Daniel and James, came here m 1814. James died m a few years after their ar- rival. The father bought a little property in the new town, and entered a quarter-section of land out on the Silver Hills, but did not stay long enough to become attached to the new country, and went back to his old home in New Jersey, where he staid until his death. His sons re- mained, but Daniel was soon left alone by the death of his brother. Daniel and James accom- panied their father, on his return journey, as far as Cincinnati, the journey being made on foot. Here they separated forever, and the two boys walked back to New Albany, where they rented a log cabin of the Scribners for two dollars per month, in which they lived until thevcould erecta cabin on the lots they had purchased. They built a hewed-log cabin down on the flat near the end of Lower Third street, which he says was the first of the kind in the place. There were five or six round-log cabins on NLiin street at the time, mostly built by the Scribners, for the temporary accommodation of the incoming settlers.
Joel Scribner was then building a double log house nearly opposite the stone bank on Main street. A little log building had been erected on the rear end of the same lot, in which the Scribners kept the post-office. The High Street house was being built at that time by David M. Hale, who married into the Scribner family, and when finished was known as "Hale's Tavern.'' Another cabin stood on Main street, on the op- posite side of the street from the Scribners, and a little further east. The man who lived in it kept a "doggery," and it was known as the "Lick." They were then engaged in cuttmg the timber out of Main street, and the stumjjs and logs were very thick, the latter being rolled to one side and piled upon either side of the road- way. Very little if any clearing had been done anywhere on the plat, except on Main street, and all the cabins on the plat stood on this street except a little one down by the river occu- pied by Stroud, the ferryman. The ferry landed
I about where the upper ferry now lands, and con- I sistcd of a scow ijropelled by oars. The Scrib- ners afterward established a horse-ferry. It was constructed by fastening together two flat-boats or scows and laying a deck ovqr both. They were placed far enough apart to admit a large wheel or propellei between them, in the tenter. This wheel was turned by horses working upon a tramp-wheel, such as ^vas ordinarily used for grind- ing corn in tiiose eaily days. John Nicholson, one of the earliest pioneers before mentioned, was the village wag. He could make more fun in the same space of time than any other man m the country. He happened on this ferry-boat one day, and finding on board a rather stolid- looking personage from some back county m Kentucky, he pretended that he was captain of the boat, and in conversation with the country- man ascertained that he was looking for some- thing to do, and offered him the position of "bailer" on the ferry-boat. The man readily agreed for a stipulated price to occupy his time in bailing out the "captain's" leaky boat. The "captain" thereupon lifted the door or hatch that covered an opening between the two boats and set tiie young man to work with a pail to bail out the Ohio river. It is said the man worked some hours before he was made aware of the joke that had been played upon him.
Nicholson played a great many practical jokes, and was one of the queer chaps of the village. When at a certain party all the young men were taken suddenly ill, it was generally believed that Nicholson had placed a little croton oil in the whiskey bottle, though cer- tainly nothing could be proven. He was an unmarried man for a good many years after he came to New Albany, but finally married at the age of forty. His wife had a hard time to get along, for John didn't" believe in work; his constitution required an immense amount of rest. He could whittle store-boxes and tell stories with the best of them; kept a pack of hounds and several guns, and spent a great deal of time hunting, which, however, he never turned to any profit. His wife kept boarders down on the flat near the river. He came from Salt river, Ken- tucky, and was a stone mason by trade, but sel- dom worked, remaining out in the woods often for several days at a time with his gun and d02S.
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THE FIRST HOTKI,.
Elihu Marsh, who had been here several years when Mr. Scabrook came, kept the first tavern in the new town, in a little log house on Main street, just east of the stone bank. Hale's tavern opened soon after.
In addition to the early settlers already named, Mr. Seabrook adds the following names: Elias Marsh, Mr. Genung, ' the blacksmith; Mr. Sproud, the ferryman; Henry r!oi:;aTt, whose daughter, Mrs. Waring, yet resides in the city, and Benjamin Conner. Elias and Samuel Marsh were from Staten Island, and the former was the first blacksmith, and erected a hewed- log shop near where the Jeffersonvillc, Madison, & Indiana[)olis station now stands, in 1814, but before he could get fairly to work he con- tracted the fever and ague from the malaria of the swamj^y bottom near the river. An Indian doctor came along, froiii whom he was induced to take some medicine, of which he died in about an hour. This was probably the first death in the town. Genung was the ne.xt blacksmith, and is well remembered by all the older settlers. He was a man of family, and lived on the bluff overlooking the river about the end of Upper Fifth or Upper Sixth street. Some of his descendants are yet living here.
Benjamin Conner had a family and lived in a cabm just north of the first plat of the town. His son Thomas became connected with the ferry, and in time accumulated considerable property out of the business. This family has been connected with the fe'ry from that time to the present, the name '"Tiiomas Conner," ap- pearmg on the steam ferry-boat now plying be- tween New Albany and Portland.
When Mr. Seabrook first came to the town he engaged in making oars and poles for propelling skiffs and flat-boats on the river. Considerable trading w'as then done with New Orleans by means of flat-boats or scows; no other means of transportation for heavy freight had been brought into use so far down the river. Parties would load a flat-boat with pork, flour, whisky, and tiie products of the chase, and transport the cargo to New Orleans for sale. These boats would carry fifty to seventy-five tons. After disposing of their cargo and boat in New Oileans, they would return on foot or by stage, or perhaps pur- chase a horse or mule to rice home. Sometimes
the boat could not be sold or traded to advan- tage, and in such cases it was often brouglit back up the river by means of the poles and oars that Mr. Seabrook made. There was on each side of the flat-boat a board about a foot wide, called a "running board," upon which, the men would walk in "poling" the boat. The poles were eighteen feet long, with a ball on the end to place against tlie shoulder in pushing the craft in coming up the river. The poleman would go to the bow and, standing on the running-board, strike the bottom of the river with one end of his pole, placing the other against his shoulder, and walk toward the stern, thus shoving the boat forward. When the water was too deep for poling, a party would go ahead with a skiff, carry- ing a line, which would be made fiist to a tree on shore as far ahead as possible, and thus the boat would be drawn forward by this hne. In this and various other ways the boat was slowly and toilfuUy worked back from New Orleans to New Albany, the journey often occupying three months or more. By keeping the boat closely to the shore, the pole could generally be used. This flat-boating, however, did not con- tinue many years before steamboats came into use and put an end, for the most part, to other neans of river transportation.
OTHER FIRST THINGS.
Mr. Seabrook thinks the first steamboat built here was the Ohio, constructed by Joseph Mc- t^larey for Captain Henry Shreve, in 1816. Roberts & Dehart built the second one the same year.
Paxson & Eastburn were about the first mer- chants, their stoie being on the corner of Main and Pearl streets.
The first brick house in the village was erected by Sproud, the ferryman, near the river. It was quite a small building, about fourteen feet square.
The Scribners built the first mill. It stood where the Jeffersonville, Madison &: Indianapo- lis station now is.
Mr. Seabrook attended the first election held in the county. It was at Lewis' house, in the northern part of the township, and was a very exciting election, as the people were to decide whether they should have slavery in Indiana Territory. Everybody turned out at this election, Mr. Seabrook and several others going up in a
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
canoe, to which they attached horses, there being snow on the p;rouiul. It was an excellent sub- stitute for a sleigh. (What Mr. Seahrook has to say about many other matters will be found in other chaiJters).
The first post-office stood on the lot on the south- east corner of State and ^Lain stieets, where Benlly's office now is. In those early days they had but one mail a week, and that every Sunday morn- ing, when it stopped hereon the way to Vincennes from Louisville. When the roads were bad, and they were generally bad in the days before the countiy was cleared and bridges made, the mail was carried on horseback, the carrier having two horses, one of which he rode, and the mail was carried on the other, which he drove before him with a single line.
The Scribner double log cabin was located where Judge Houk now lives, on Main street above Si.xth, near where Dr. Sloan resides.
The first well dug in New Albany was on the corner of Pearl and Main streets. It was long since filled up, as it was in the way of grading the street.
The first hatter in the town was Isaac Brooks, who located here prior to 18 iS. This was a con- siderable business in an early day, but hats after a time began to be manufactured so extensively and cheaply that small manufacturers had to go out of the business, and such a thing as a hat- ter's shop has not been known here for more than a quarter of a century.
Mr. Hedden thinks Genung (before men- tioned) was the first blacksmith. Llis shop was on the northwest corner of Upper Main and Fourth streets.
THE FIRST CHILD.
It has been repeatedly asserted, orally and in print, that Mrs. Waring, daughter of Henry Bo- gert, one of the earliest settlers, was the first white child born in New Albany. This is a mis- take according to the testimony of the lady her- self, who is yet living, her dwelling being one of the oldest buildings in the city, and occupying the southwest corner of Lower First and Main streets. She says (if this be a matter of import- ance) that several children were born in the town before she was. Amongthem she mentions Maria Strong (now Vandeventer), who is living in .Mo- bile, Alabama ; also Nancy Marsh. Mrs. Van- deventer is about six weeks older than Mrs.
Waring. The way the story became gen- erally circulated was from a remark made by some one at Mrs. Waring's wedding, to the effect thai she was the first while child horn, reared, educated and married in tlie new tosvn. This list of accomi;lishments was soon abbrevi-. ated in popular tradition to "born."
John Austin is said (as appears by a map of the county published in 1S76) to have been the first white child born within the county limits. There is little doubt, however, that John Al- drich was the first, as is narrated elsewhere.
Harriet Scribner was born in New Albany in February, 1815, and was therefore among the first children born in the town.
Among the living pioneers, as before stated, is
DAVID HEDDEN,
who occupies a beautiful residence, one of the results of a long life of honest toil, upon the hill in the eastern part of the city. The house stands upon the spot where Epaphras Jones built his house, and around which he endeavored to build up the town of Providence. Mr. Lled- den has given much valuable information regard- ing the early days of New Albany, which is in- corporated in various historical chapters on this citv. Among other items he states he had oc- casion in an early day to return to his old home in New Jersey, and set out for that place August ID, 1825, being compelled to make the trip by stage and river. Just before starting he met Abner Scribner on the street, and the latter in- fornndhim that he had an important ^riessage to send East. .Abner was a little under the in- fluence of liquor, and said in a confidential way: " Do you know that they have made great im- provements in the East since we lett there ? They say now their land there is very rich — much ahead of ours. Why, you remember when we left that country the honey-bees had to get down on their knees to reach the buckwheat blossoms, but they say they cannot now reach them by standing on tip-toe !" With this important mes- sage for his eastern friends Abner limped sol- emnly away without a smile. Mr. Hadden always considered Abner a little wild, but very smart. Joel, he says, was a very excellent man, but thinks Nathaniel was the business man of the brothers. Harvey Scribner, a son of Joel, succeeded his father as postmaster of the village,
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149
and Harvey was in turn succeeded by General Burnet. The latter received his title from his connection with the militia. He is still living in California.
TOWN PLAT ALTER.VriONS AND EXPLANATIONS.
It ap])ears by the records that the first plat of New Albany was not placed on record lor three years after the town was laid out, to wit: Novem- ber 13, 1S16. The record begins thus:
riat of the town of New Albany, being plat of fractional sections numbered two and three, in township three, south of range six east; proved November 13, 1816.
Then follows the plat of the town, from which it appears that Water street is one hundred feet wide, extending alon^: the river; the next street running parallel was' called "High" street (now usually called Main), and is eighty feet wide; the next parallel street is Market (upon which are located the two long market-houses), also eighty feet wide; the next is Spring, eighty feet; the next Elm, sixty teet; and the next Oak, thirty feet. Of the streets running north and south. State extended through the center of the plat, while the streets below it (down the river) were called Lower First, Lower Second, etc.; and the streets above State were designated Upper First, Upper Second, Upper Third, and so on. Ujiper First and Upper Second are now generally known as Pearl and Bank streets.
The plat was first recorded in the records of Clarke county, to which this territory then be- longed, and was sworn to before George Ross, justice of the peace. Subsequently the Scrib- ners caused the following "alterations and ex- planations" to be added to this record:
Alterations and explanations by Joel Scriliner, Nathaniel Scribner, and Abner Scribner, the original proprietors of the town of New Albany,' agreeably to their original intentions on laying out said town, and not fully expressed and marked on the original plat, as first recorded.
AW those lots which are designated by the word church written upon them, are to be a;)propriatcd to the support of the First Presbyterian church established in New Albany; and all those lots designated by the word school written up- on them are appropriated for the support of a school for the Use of the inhabitants of the town. The slip of ground or square on the bank of the river is reserved by the proprie- tors, their heirs, and assigns forever, the exclusive right of ferrying from Upper and Lower Water streets, between the bonndaries of fractional section number two, of town three, swutli of range six east, which bound.iries are agree.iMy to th.jse in the license given by the court to John Paul. .\1! the narrow spaces running through the blocks of lots arc alleys, •ill of which are twenty feet wide. The four squares on the corners of L'pper and Loner Spring streets and State streets,
which are blank upon the original plat, are each one hundred and tutnty teet square, and are designed for the benefit of the public in said town. ](ir,L Scribner,
In behalf of the firm of J., N. & A. Scribner.
The lots marked "church " referred to above were No. 7, Lower Fifth street; No. 9, Lower Fourth; No. 40, State; No. 30, Upper First; No. 7, Upi^er Third; No. 13, Upper Third; No. 29, LTpper Third; No. 26, Upper Spring; No. 7, L'p- per Fourth; No. 15, .Upper Fourth; No. 35, Up- per Elm; No. 35, LTpper Spring; No. 30, Upper Fifth; and a whole square of ground between Lower Maiket and Spring streets, on Lower Third.
The lots marked "school" were two numbered twenty-ciglit and twenty-seven, on the Public Square, fronting on State street, and one num- bered nineteen on Upper First street. In addi- tion to the Public Square, upon which the county buildings now stand, a whole square was reserved on Lower Third street, between High and Market, and designated as "the Public Prome- nade and Parade Ground." This spot is still in use as a public park.
New Albany was very unhealthy for many years after it was laid out, on account of the sur- rounding marshy land and the thickets of un- derbrush and fallen logs, which dammed up the streams and made continual pools and lakes of stagnant water; especially was this the case on portions of the WhitehiU tract.
NEW ALBANY IN 1819.
In 181 7 this place had so far advanced in population that on January ist of that year it was made a town, by act of the General Assem- bly. Dr. McMurtrie, in his Sketches of Louis- ville, published in 1819, thus speaks of it:
New .-\lbany is situated opposite or r.ither below Portland, in the State of Indiiwa and county of F~loyd, of which it is the seat of justice. The town was laid out by the Messrs. Scribner, who were the proprietors, in 1814. It is built upon the second bank of tjie river, from which it presents a very interesting appearance, many of the houses being whitened, and one belonging to Mr. f'axson, built of brick and designed with consider.able taste, meeting the eye in a most consp c- uous situation.* The bottom or first bank is rarely over- flowed, and the one on which the town stands, being twenty feet higher, there hardly e.vists the possibility of its ever meeting that f.ite.
For some time after it was laid out New Albany, like other places in the neighborhood, increased but slowly, con- flicting opinions and clashing interests retarding its growth.
•Thishjuse is yet stanJinij, on the southwest corner of Pe;irl and Main 'Ireets, and b«lungs to .-V. XI. Fitth, a relative Ly niarriaje of Charles Pa.xson.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAT.LS COUNTIES.
TliL- many natural ,nJ\,uit.i^t;3 il po!>^c■^bos, liourvci, Iiavc at length surmounted every difticuUy, and its progress of l,Ue has been unei(u.dled by an)' town on the Ohio of so modern a date. Tlie good health generally enjoyed by the inhabit- ants (whieh I thinU is partly owing to the c.veellent water made use of, which is found in natural springs to the number of fifteen or twenty within the town plat, and which can anywhere be obtained at the depth of twenty-five feet), the great toad from this State to Vincennes passing through il, and the cjuantity and quality of ship timber which abounds in the neighborhood, are the principal causes whicii have contiibuted to this advancement.
It contains at present one hundred and fifty dwelling houses, which are generally of wood, it being impossible to procure brick in cjuantities suited to the demand. The num- ber of inhabitants amounts to one thousand, and fiom the infiu.x of population occasioned by the demand for workmen at the ship-yards, etc., it must necessarily increase in a much greater ratio than heretofore. The only public work of any description that is worth notice, is the steam grist- and saw- mill, belonging to Messrs. Paxson & Smith. Three steam- boats have been launched from the yards, and there are three more on the stocks. The inh.\bitants are all either Meth- odists or Presbyterians, the former having a meeting-house, and the latter have contracted for a church, which is to be built immediately. There is a free school in this place which has been partly supported by the interest of five thousand dollars, a donation from the original proprietors for that purpose; but increasing population requiring more extensive modes of education, other institutions are projected. Upon the whole, New .-\lbany bids fair to be a wealthy and important town, as it is becoming a depot wherein the inhab- itants of the interior of Indiana draw their supplies of dry goods and groceries, and, consequently, to which they send their produce in return.
In a foot-note tlie same writer says: At a little distance from the town, issuing from under a stratum of greenstone, is a spring of water containing a large quantity of sulphuretted hydrogen, which inflames on being brought into contact with a candle; and if the spring be covered with a close bo.\, furnished with a pipe and stop- cock so as to condense the gas, it continues to burn until it is purposely extinguished.
This was known as "the boiling spring/' and for many years was considered as very valuable, whenever capital could be employed to develoj) it; but it disappointed all expectations. Dr. Ashel Clapp and others, about 1S24, attempted by boring to find coal there. They went down about two hundred feet, but all attempts to utilize the spring failed and the gas long since disappeared.
It will be seen by the above extract that in six years the village had grown to be a place of one thousand peo[)le, and that ship building was then the most important industry. Indeed, this busi- ness seemed to have given the villa.-e a start it might never have secured without tlie proximity of good shipbuilding timber. It also had "one buck house." Dr. McMurtrie no doubt over-
looked the little fourteenfoot-square brick build- ing down near the river — the first one built in the place. And he says nothing about the
T.WEKNS OF THE PL.-VCE
at that time; but as these are always important in tb.e building up of a new town they must not be overlooked. There is Utile doubt that the first "place of entertainment'' on the present site of New Albany was Mrs. Robinson's tavern, mentioned in our chapter on New Albany town- ship, located in what is now the northern part of the city. It was there some time before the town was laid out, and served as a stopping place for the mail and for all travelers between Louis- ville and Vincennes. Just, when it disappeared is not known.
The second tavern was that of Elihu Marsh, as before stated. This was, no doubt, the first tavern in the new town, and was opened in 1S14, David M. Hale's tavern opening the same year.
Prior to the lading out of the town no license was jjrobably exacted of these tavern keepers; but after the incorporation of the village and the formation of Floyd county in 1819, they were not only required to pay license, but compelled to enter into bond with security for the faithful performance of their duties, as the commission- ers' records show.
Hale's tavern, on High street, was built of logs, but subsequently (in 1823) a frame addition was made. The house has been repaired and added to, and has been used as a tavern from that day to this. It is on the corner of Lower First and Main.
Seth Woodruff early opened a tavern on Main street. It was certainly there prior to 18 19, for on May i8th of that year the following appears upon the commissioners' records:
Seth VVoodruff, upon petition, was licensed to keep tavern in New Albany, on entering into a bond of S500, with Wil- liam L. Hobson ds security. The tavern is ordered to be taxed J20.
The records further show that, "May 19, 1S19, Summers B. Oilman is licensed and permitted to keep tavern in the town of New Albanv, for one year from the 27th day of March last." Mr. Oilman also gave a bond of $500 with Anderson and Elihu Marsli as sureties. His tax was also $20 a year. The same date "Paul Hoge is licensed to keep tavern in the town of New Albany ior one year from the twenty-
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
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fourth day of April last." The bund and tax were the same as in the other cases, and Henry Tur- ner, Sr., was security. On the same date David M. Hale is licensed in the same manner, with Charles Paxson as security; and Hugh Ferguson was also licensed at the same time, with Sylvester Perry as securitv. Same date (May, 1819) A\'yatt P. Tuley is licensed to keep tavern in New Albany, with Thomas Sine'x and Paul Hoge as sureties. In November of the same year Jacob Miller is licensed to keep tavern on the Vincennes road, probably at or in the neighbor- hood of the present village of Mooresville. In 1820 John Lamb ap|)ears as a tavern-keeper, with Thomas Aborn and Enoch Townsend as sureties. Wyatt P. Tuley, Seth Woodruff, and David M. Hale continue to appear on the rec- ord as tavern-keepers for many vears. \\'ood- ruff was probably Ioniser in that business than any of his contemporaries. After 1820 the names of James Howard, William r)rysdale, Adam Spidler, and others appear as tavern- keepers in New Albany.
Mr. Thomas Collins, who came to New Al- bany in 1S27 and is yet a resident, says that in that year the taverns in active operation in the town were Hale's, on High street; the New Al- bany hotel, kept by Charles A. Clark on Main street, between Upper Third and Fourth streets; and the Sv.an, kept by Mrs. Marsh on the cor- ner of Upper Fourth and Water streets. The Swan was a good-sized frame building, with double porches in the front (the style of nearly all the taverns of that day), and overlooking the river. It was pleasantly situated, was a very good house for the time, and commanded considera- ble patronage. The most conspicuous thing about it, perhaps, was the sign, upon which a large white swan was painted. Clark was at that time keeping the old Woodruff tavern. This was then the largest house in the town. It was a frame building, erected by \Voodrufr, was a popular place of resort, and became, in fact, the center of attraction for the town and country. The commissioners held their meetings here for several years; the first courts were held within its walls and all the county business transacted, as well as being continually o]ien to the traveling public. Woodruff himself was one of tlie moht prominent of the pioneers, as will be seen else- where. Apportion oi this building is yet stand-
ing. Atiout 1S32 the frame was moved back and a large brick building erected in front of it, wf.ich is yet standing, though no longer used as a hotel. More interesting reminiscences of the early days of New Albany are centered around this spot than any other in the city. The tav- erns kept pace with the city in improvement un- til they became "hotels," and at present there are several good ones in the city.
MILLS
were probably of even more importance in the building up of the new town than taverns, and the erection of a mill was among the first consid- erations of the proprietors. Abncr Scribner was especially anxious for a mill, even before the cabins were erected; but a firat-class mill, such as the Scribners desired, could not be put in operation, notwithstanding all the advantages of the place, without great labor and no little ex- pense.
Mr. Trublood's little mill on Falling run answered the purpose for a time, and was the first on the town plat.
Mills had been erected at the falls and were within easy access of the people of New Albany; but the Scribners determined that their people should go to no other place to mill. Trublood's mill was a primitive affair, the buhrs being man- ufactured of native "nigger-heads," and was in operation but a few months in the year, owing either to high water, which would wash away the dam, or to drouth, which would almost dry up the stream.
The first two mills erected by the Scribners were failures. Mr. Daniel Seabrook tells about these mills. It seems that a man named Parker came along soon after the town was laid out, represented himself as a mill-wright, and pro- jjosed to build a steam-mill, engine and all, for the Scribners if they would furnish the monev. He succeeded in persuading them that he under- stood his business, and they put him to work. He first visited a primitive foundry, then located somewhere on Salt river, Kentucky, where he succeeded in getting cast an iron cylinder and several heating tubes, both the cylinder and pipes being cast in two pieces. The pieces were brought over to New Albany and put together, but when done it was found that they did not fit, a large crack appearing in the joints. This crack Parker filled with lead, thus making the pieces
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
tight. His next move was to manuf;\cture a wooden boiler. Parker employed Daniel Sea- brook and his (Seabrook'i) brother-in-laW, Samuel Marsh, to make this boiler, which they did out of hewed timber ten inches wide and eight inches thick. These men were ship-carpenters and succeeded in getting the boiler water-tight. It was bolted together and strongly hooped. Into this the flues, before mentioned, were placed, they being about tuenty inches m diameter. When the engine was finished, ready for opera- tion, a fire was built, and as soon as the flues became heated the lead that filled the cracks' melted and ran out, and the machine which had cost so much time, labor, and money, was a complete failure.
Not discouraged with this, however, the Scrib- ners immediately discharged Parker and went to Pittsburgh, then the nearest point where steam- boilers were manufactured, and purchased a small engine. This was about 1S15. They erected a little mill structure on the spot where the Jeffersonville, ^Lldison &: Indianapolis depot now stands, into which they placed one small set of buhrs and two saws for sawing lumber. But this was before the days of steamboats or steamboat building at New Albany; the mill had little to do in the way of grinding, and the mills at the falls doing so much better work, this mill also proved a failyre. Mr. Seabrook says it only ran a few months, when it was abandoned and the building was occupied most of the time as a "roosting-place" for hogs The saw-mill part was run occasionally, and when it burnt down some years later, a large pile of logs was left on the ground to rot.
This was the commencement of the milling business in New Albany, a branch of industry which has attained to large proportions, as will be seen by reference to another chapter of this work.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
There was no road through the first plat of New Albany when it was made; the highway was the river. The road from the falls to Vin- cennes passed some distance north of the town. This road first followed up the old Indian trail - -or, in fact, the trail was the only road through the country for many years [)rior to the beginning of the present century. When settlers began to gather about Trublood's mill and the spring
there, the road deflected from the old trail so as to- accommodate this settlement, and in a short time that portion of the old trail between Clarks- ville and the Gut ford was almost entirely aban- doned, the travel going by way of Robinson's tavern, from which the road passed north and again joined the trail within New Albany town- ship, not far from tlie foot of the knobs. After New .-Xlbany was laid out this road branched into the town and thus became the first outlet for those in the village, except by river.
A road from Oatman's ferry, which was located a short distance below New Albany, was also one of the first made.
The following, from the records of the com- missioners, dated May 17, 1S19, shows what roads were earliest established in tlie county, and the names of a few prominent pioneers in con- nection with them:
Or;ui;i;i;u, that Jacob Bence be appointed supervisor of the foUouing roads, to wit: Beginning on the road at Xew- man's ferry, on the river Ohio, running to Corydon, and con- tinuing on as far as the county line, and so much of the road lying in said county as runs from George Clark's to the Grassy valley, in Harrison county. .And all the lands in Fr.rnklin township, lying under the knobs and south of the road leading from Newman's ferry to Corydon, over the knobs, including Thomas Smith and William Bai'ey, north of said road, do assist hiin in keeping the same in repair.
Ordered, That Michael Swartz be appointed supervisor of so much of the road leading from Oatman's ferry to V'incennes as lies in Franklin township, and the hands living on Big Indian creek are required to assist him in keeping the same in repair.
Anderson Long was, in like manner, appoint- ed supervisor of so much of the road leading from Oatman's ferry to Corydon as lies in Floyd I county, beginning at the forks of the road on I the top of the knobs. John Merriwether was I appointed supervisor of so much of the -road beginning on the Oatman road and leading to Greenville as lies in Franklin township. Samuel Miller was appointed sujiervisor of so much of i the road beginning at Oatman's ferry and leading j to Vincennes as lies in New Albany township. : William L. Flobson was appointed supervisor of : the road leading from New Albany to and in- tersecting the State road at Jacob Miller's, or so much thereof as lies in New Albany township. ' John Scott was appointed supervisor of so much of the State road leading from Gut ford, on Silver creek, to Jacob Miller's as lies in New Albany township. David Edwards was appoint- ed supervisor of "all that part of the road lead-
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ing froin New Albany that intersects the State road at Jacob Miller's and within Greenville township; and also all that part of the State road beginning at the -line dividing the townshi[) of New Albany and CTreenville east of the knobs, con- tinuing on said road west to the line that divides ranges Five and Six west of said Miller's." Jacob Frederick was appointed sii]iervisor "of all that part of the State road beginning at the line di- viding ranges Five and Six, and continuing west to the line "that divides the counties of Floyd and Harrison." John Lopp was. made supervisor "of all that part of the road leading from Oat- man's ferry to F'ngleman's mill and through Lopp's land, beginning at the line dividing the townships of Greenville and Franklin, on said road, extending westwardly to the line dividing Harrison and Floyd counties." Maurice Morris was appointed supervisor "of all that part of the State road in Floyd county west of Greenville, and also all that part of the road leading from Samuel Kendall's to Salem."
Following is a report made by Josiah Akin and the other commissioners appointed to view a route for a new road leading out of New Albany, made to the county commissioners at their session in August, 1819:
Floyd county, State of Indiann. We, the undersigned, having been appointed by the Board of Conmiissiuners at their May term, held in N'ew Albany, in order to view and make way for a Public road to be opened on a route from said Town to John Lopp's — to comply with said order we viewed and reviewed said route, and do report that we have marked by Blazes and chops the way as foUow- eth, viz: Beginning at the corner of Joel Scribner's post- and-rail fence, at the lower end of High street. New Albany, and running thence on the west side of the line of the out- lots of said Town, on a direction to the Boiling Spring on Falling Run; thence with a road laid out by Joel Scribner crossing the Knobs; thence as near to the straight line as possible to Isaac Lamb's, running through his improvement by consent; thence on a direction to said Lopp's, running through an improvement of D. H. .Allison by consent. We are of the opinion the opening and establishing that as a Public Highway would be of Public utility.
James McCutch.\n, I Josiah Akin, I
JONATH.\.\- SLVTHE. i
Ordered, That Josiah .Akin he allowed one dollar for ' one days service rendered in viewing a route for a road to be opened from New .Albany to John Lopp's. !
It appears that David .M. Hale was ap[)ointed supervisor to open so much of the above-men- tioned road as. lies in New Albany township; Asa Smith, supervisor to open that i)ari: lying in
Franklin township; and David H. Allison, super- visor to o\)cn that part lying in Greenville town- ship.
In 1820 connnissioncrs were appointed to view and lay out the liiie for a portion of the State road from New Albany to Hindooslan Field. The commissioners were: F. Shotis, John G. Clendenin, and John Easiburn; and there the report was filed with the commissioners Septem- ber 27, 1820.
In November, 1S22, the report of the com- missioners appointed by the Legislature to viev/ and mark out the route for the New Albany and Vincennes road, appears on record. The com- missioners were : John McDonald and John G. Clendenin. Several changes were early made in the road before it was finally located and fixed as it now stands. Prior to the laying out of New Albany it followed the Indian trail from Clarks- ville; after that it passed through New Albany, and thence up through the woods to the trail again, as before stated. Subsequently it was laid out further west, and passed over the knobs before striking the old trail; and for many years this was the customary route of travel between New Albany and Vincennes. This is now known as the "old, State road," and has been partly abandoned, though portions of it still remain. The new road now used was opened about 1832. It was macadamized and made a toll road, cost- ing a great deal of money. The section over the knobs alone is said to have cost $100,000. It is still a toll road. The old State road is the one mentioned in the above extract as being laid out by McDonald and Clendenin in 1822.
The present excellent macadamized toll road from New Albany to Corydon was surveyed and established in 1823; the commissioners ap- pointed by the Legislature being Levi Long, D. O. Lane, and William Boon. A most ex- cellent and substantial stone-arched bridge spans Falling run on this road. This little stream has here cijt a very deep channel, requiring an arch and bridge of unusual height. Money was ap- propriated for building this bridge in 1828, and also for building two other bridges across the same stream; one on the new State road, then in course of construction from New Albany to Vincennes, and one on the old State road before mentioned. These bridges were generally com- pleted within the next five years.
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The above-named were the fust roads located in the county, and gave New Albany abundant outlet to the interior. The roads bt the county will compare favorably with any in the State. Mr. Cottom, in his work on the interests of New Albany, thus writes re;^arding the turnpikes:
VVliile New .Albany is well provided with river n.ivig.-ition, her citizens have not been unmindful of their connections, with such portions of the interior as are inaccessible by river or rail. With a liberal, enterprise that has alw.iys been a characteristic of our wide-awake people, they have provided excellent turnpikes in several directions, that give the citizens of the county and neighboring towns facilities for reaching the city, and afford splendid drives for those ha'.ing leisure and inclination to t.ike advantage of these well-paved roads. More turnpikes are needed, but these will doubtless be pro- vided in due time, as there is a willingness manifested on all sides to engage liberally in such public enterprises as mak- ing good macadamized ro.ids; and the law of the State is very favorable to such improvements, providing that the lands benefited by "them shall be especially taxed to aid in their construction.
Regarding the great railroad bridge connect- ing the two cities of New Albany and Louisville, the same writer says :
Now .Albany is united to Louisville by the mogni.'iceiit iron bridge that spans the Ohio river at the Falls. Trains cross this bridge from New.Mbany and Louisville, on the Louisville & New Albany railroad, every hour in both directions, and so great is the travel by this route between the two cities that it will be hut a short time until the trains are run every half hour, and perhaps oftener.
The Ohio river bridge is probably the finest structure of the kind in America, and was built at a cost of o\er two mil- lions of dollars. Another bridge is projected to span the Ohio between the east end of New .-Mbany and the west end of Louisville, and there is little doubt that this bridge will be opened for travel in a few years. It is contemplated to give tracks for steam cars, street railroad, vehicles, and footmen. The two bridges will virtually make New .Albany and Louif- viUe one city in interest, if not in identity.
The above was written in 1S73, and now (Oc- tober, 18S1) the corner-stone of the new bridge has_ just been laid with imposing ceremonies. There were some si.x or eight thousand people present to witness the ceremony, which com- menced at 3 p. M., October 29th.
Colorel Bennett H. Young, president of the bridge company, delivered the introductory, after which Charles \V. Cottom, city editor of the Ledger, was introduced, and delivered the in- augural address, which was followed by the lay- ing of the corner-stone by the Masonic Grand Lodge of Indiana, Right Worthy Grand Master Calvin W. Prather, of JeffciSonville, conducting the ceremony. Lieutenant Gfivernor Hanna, of Indiana; Hr>n. Henry W'atterson, ol the Courier-
Journal; Colonel R. M. Kelley, of the Louisville Commercial; General J<imes A. Ekin, of Jeffer- SDn\ille; Mr. N. T. DePauw and Hon. J. J. lirown, of New Albany, and Hon. G. W. Marr, of Louisville, followed with brief addresses.
THE JONES TR.ACT.
Epajihras Jones was one of the most eccentric, perh.ips, of the early pioneers of New Albany. As before s'tated he, by virtue of being one of General (ieorge Rogers Clarke's soldiers, owned one hundred acres of land joining the Whitehill tract on the east and bounded on the south by the river. This eccentric person attempted to build up a town in ojiposition to Ne\^ Albany, calling the place Providence. Of this "neck of ■ woods," including also the Whitehill tract, Mr. Thomas Collins thus writes:
.At that time (1822) the town limits were Upper and Lower Fifth streets for the eastern and western boundary, with the river on the south and Oak street on the north. The adja- cent grounds were fields for farming purposes or forest.
The State of Virginia, just before the cession of the land belonging to her and known a^ the Northwestern Territory, by Legislative enactment m.ide a donation of the lands com- mencing near what is now Upper Ninth street, on the river bank, and running north to a short distance beyond what is known as the Muddy fork of Silver creek, thence north of cast through Clarke county, to within a short dist.mce of the Scott county line, thence south to the river, to General George Rogers Clarke and the soldiers of his command. A considerable portion of these lands remained in a wild state until within the last few years. The one hundred-acre tract immediately outside the town limits, originally belonging to Epaphras Jones, was covered heavily with timber, some of the trees measuring from five to seven feet in diameter. This forest in later years afforded delightful promenade grounds and conveniences for public gatherings of all kinds. In these woods, and within the two squ.ares above and below Eleventh street on Main, the Whigs had their barbeciie in 1840, just prior to the election of General H.arrison to the Presidency. In i8.t2-43 the clearing of the l.\nd began, and in 1844 Hon. Benjamin Hardin, of Kentucky, made the last political speech upon these grounds and under these grand old trees. The entire one hundred acres, and perhaps four times as much more adjoining on the two sides, are now apart of the city.
The spot upon which the barbecue was held is now the site of some of the finest residences of the city, and the De- I'.iuw .American Glass Works now covers the ground upon which Ben Hardin made his speech. On the grounds on that occasion were George D. Prentice, of the Louisville Courier Journal ; Charles N. Thurston and William P. Thomasson, both popular lawyers of the Louisville bar, and many other celebrities. This was in 1844, during the contest between' Henry Clay and James K. Polk for the Presidency, in which Mr. Polk was the successful candidate. The canvass of 1840 inaugurated the thorough organization and drilling of parties, the public processions and gorgeous displays that have since continued to be the prominent features of both parties during the c.invass prior to a Presidential election. The organization of parties by the found.ition of clubs in
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wards and townships was then first adopted ; and the first club of which the writer of this had any knowledge was formed in this city and called the "Tippecanoe Club," in honor of the battle of Tippecanoe and of General' Harrison and his comrades. Within three months from the time of its organization there were clubs to be found in every county in this State and in most of the States of the Union.
Epaphras Jones built his house toward the northern end of hio liundred-acre tract, upon tlie hill overlooking the river and a vast scope of level country in every direction. Such is the view at present ; but when Ejiaphras Jones flourished here, the view was much obstructed by forest trees in almost all directions. It was a beautiful spot, howevti, upon which to build a house, being a little south of wheie Graham's nursery now stands and west of Vincennes street.
David Hedden's house, as befoie mentioned, stands upon the spot. Jones' house was a long, low frame building. Fortunately, just before its removal for the purpose of erecting the present fine and commodious residence, one of Mr. Hedden's daughters made a drawing of the old Jones mansion, which the family have carefully preserved. It is a long, story-and-a half frame. It was first boarded up and down, then subse- quently weather-boarded over this ; some fine old forest trees stood in front of it. Jones had been a drummer-boy in the army of Washington dur- ing the Revolutionary war, and in fact possessed a good deal of military spirit, having been con- nected with the army many years, and was with General Clarke in his Vincennes e.xpcdition. For this last service he received the land, and settling here he called the place Providence because he <oU himself providentially cast on this spot. He was eccentric on the subject of religion ; consid- ered the Indians as the lost tribes spoken of in the Bible, and consequently almost worshiped them. He regarded them as far in advance of the white race in many things. After his retire- rvient from the army and settlement here, he ap- peared as a "gentleman of the old school" — that is, he was quite dressy, wore a blue coat with bright metal buttons, gaiters and knee-buckles, powdered wig, ruffled shirt-front, cockade, cane, etc., etc. He had been a traveler in Europe and nearly every part of the world, was well edu- cated, a good conversa'.ionalist, polite, genial, good-hearted, religious, and in every way, bar- ring a few eccentricities, a companionable and
superior gentleman. He was born in New England — one authority says in Rhode Island and another Connecticut — and was twice mar- ried, bringing his first wife from New England, who died here. He subsequently married Miss Ann Silliman, of this place. He was very ener- getic, fussy, and full of business. He proposed building up a town in opposition to N«w /Mbany, and considered that, being nearer to Louisville, he had a better prospect of making his town a respectable suburb of that city than had New Albany, then a little village a mile or more below his residence. But he had the Scribners to work against, and the opiiositioq was too formidable ; his town never grew to be anything, hardly a petty hamlet. He was nervous over the progress of New Albany, and, used to walk down to that village every morning, ostensibly for a morning walk, but really to see how much New Albany had grown during the night! He cleared' a road through the woods frorn his house to the river and established a ferry, which, Mr. Hedden says, amounted to no more than a skiff for carrying passengers. He tried hard to make his ferry a success, however, hoping to get people and freight from Louisville in the way of crossing there, instead of at New Albany. He also, after a time, built a warehouse on the river and a sort of landing called Jones' Landing ; and a little later induced some one to erect a saw-mill near by, which, however, did not prove a permanent success. In order more effectually to cut off New Albany, he secured the right of way through lands to the north of his tract, and attempted to build a road from his terry to intersect the State road or Indian trail in the northern part of the township. The whole country was then densely and heavily wooded, and this was no small under- taking ; but he put hands at work cutting the trees down even with the surface of the ground, and making a broad track through the forest for a distance of two miles from the river. He was compelled to give up this project, however — probably it was two expensive. It never became a road, but Vincennes street, of the r)resent New Albany, occupies the line of this old road, and his ferry was at the foot of that street. He had his town regularly surveyed and platted, and some of the streets graded. He succeeded in selling a few lots and gathering a few settlers around him ; but after a lime, when New Albany
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began to grow more rapidly, he gave up this scheme of building a town.
Later in life Mr. Jones undertook the produc- tion of silk from silk worms, but death overtook him be.fore he was enabkd to make this a suc- cess. He was buried on his own ground, and the place was subsequently known as "Jones' Grave5'ard," at the upper end of .^Llrl;et street. He talked on religious subjects a great deal for a few years prior to his death, and would get much excited over the subject of the "New Jerusalem."'
THE WHITEHILL TRACT.
During the days of his struggles to build up a town, the Whitebill tract was lying a desolate waste, full of frog-ponds and r.-ialaria, between his residence and New Albany. Whitehill never occupied the land, and died somewhere in the East. The property was held by his heirs and continued to increase in value as New Albany grew, until the town began to grow around it, when it was cut up into lots and sold. This was between 1830 and 1S40. It was conveyed by an agent of the Whitehill heirs named McBcth, and most of it was purchased at first by Judge Charles Dewey, of Charlestown (then State su- preme judge). Mason C. Fitch, and Elias Ayres. They subdivided it into smaller tracts and lots to suit [purchasers, and the ground, as well as that of Jones, was long since swallowed up by the city.
NEW ALBANY IN 1 849.
The followmg is from the Indiana Gazetteer, published in 1849, and gives a picture of New Albany at that date:
New Albany, eilher the first or second town as to popula- tion in the State, and the seat of justice for Floyd county, is beautilully situated on the Ohio, two miles below the falls, in latitude thirty-eight degrees eighteen minutes north, .and longitude eight degrees forty-nine minutes west. It was laid out in the summer of i3i3, uith wide streets running nearly east and west p.irallel with the river, and others crossing them at right angles, the most of which have been well mac- adamized and the sidewalks paved. In 1834 the population of New Albany was estimated at two thousand five hundred; in 1840 It was four, thousand two hundred and twenty-six: and at this time is over seven thousand. The number of, houses is about twelve hundred, of which one-fourth are brick. Steamboat building and repairing is carried on to a large e.xtent there, and in the different kinds of mechanical business connected with it, about five huiuUed liands are constantly employed. There are in the city three iron foun- dries and machine shops on a large scale, for the manuf.ict- ure of steam engines and machinery; one brass foundry; one patent bagging factory for the manufacture of hempen cloths, which cost fifty thousand dollars; and a marine rail-
way, which cost forty thousand dollars. There are also two printing ofticcs, a branch of the State bank, about one hun- dred and twenty stores and groceries; two Methodist, two Presbyterian, one Christian, one Episcopalian, om- Lutheran, and three Baptist churches; and the means to facilitate the instruction of the young and the coinmunicatiun of knowl- edge are highly creditable to the public spirit and liberality of tlie citizens. Anderson's Collegiate Institute, chartered by the Legislature; the Old-school Presbyterian Theological seminary; two large district school buildings, erected at the public e.xpense at a cost twelve thousand dollars; a city school endowed by the original pnoprietors, and a large num- ber of private schools, are in operation, and all generally well conducted. The railroad to .Sali-m, and intended to bt car- ried still further, will soon add largely to the business and prosperity of New Albany. The enterprise, industry, mo- rality, and public spirit which have heretofore contributed so much to its growth, will not fail to carry it onward hereafter.
The following extract is from C. W. Cottom's pamphlet:
In 1814 a large number of families removed to New Alba- ny, and from that time forward, notwithstanding the near- ness of Louisville and the start that town had gained in pop- ulation and business, the contiguity of Jeffcrsouville and Shippingport, and the laying-off and settlement of Portland on the opposite side of the Ohio, with the active competition those towns offered. New .Albany had a steady and substan- tial, though not rapid, growth.
July 14. 1S39, New Albany was incorporated as a city, P. M. Dorsey being the first mayor, Henry Collins the first re- corder, Hon. John S. D.avis the first city clerk, Edward Brown, Sr., the first treasurer, David Wilkinson the first col- lector of ta.\es and city marshal. Of these ofticials Hon. John S. Davis only survives, and has risen from the position of city clerk to be one of the first lawyers in the State.
The first councilmen elected in 1839 were Patrick Crowlay, James Collins, Israel C. Crane, FJdward Biown, Hezekiah Heeler, Samuel M. Bolin, Henry W. Smith, Randall Craw- ford, .Absalom Cox, William Uiiderhill, Preston F. Tuley, and E. \V. Benton. Of these Hezekiah Beeler is the sole survivor.
The valuation of the propertv of the city for ta.xation in i?36 was $1,760,735, and the rate of taxation sixty-five cents on the $100 of valuation. The population was four thousand two hundred. At this time New .Albany was famous, as at present, for the healthfulness of her situation, and began to grow more rapidly, many important establishments in me- chanics and manufactures, steamboat building, and mercan- tile interests having sprung up. In 1839 an eminent citizen of Boston visited the town and wrote back to the leading newspaper of that city as follows : "The scenery from the hills surrounding this chaniiitig town is beautiful and grand beyond description, and cannot fail toentiance and enrapture the traveler. The wide expanse of country, the sparkling La BilU Riviere, winding tortuously on its course from a point ten miles distant up the stream, to an equal distance below the city; the falls, with their never-ceasing yet musical roar; Jeffersonville and Louisville at their head; broad fields crowned with the glories of a golden harvest, and forests wreathed in carmine-tinted and yellow and green foliage; the Silver hills stretching away to the northeast, and intervening slopes and fields, and densely wooded glens, with the river hills towering from four to six hundred feet skyward to the west, form a view of grandeur and beauty such as is nowhere else to be witnessed and enjoyed in Indiana. "
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In 1850 the population of the city had incrfased to eight thousand one hundred and eighty-one, and the increase in the material interests of the city was . proportionately ad- vanced; in i860 the population was twelve thousand.
. THK ST.VrUS.
At the present time (1SS2) the population of the city is about cit;hteen tliousnnd. The folhaw- ing extract regarding New Albany is from a directory of the city published in 186S:
The city is situated at the foot of the Falls upon a liigh bench above the overflow, e.xcopt by extreme hi^h water, such as that in 1832. At that lime that portion upon the immediate bank of the rivet was inundated, but all the rest, forming the greater portion of the city, was then and always will be free from overflow. At the lower end of Main street a spur of the knobs overlooks the city and surrounding coun- try, and would furnish a site for waterworks of unsurpassed utility and general fitness. »«♦•■»
Xew Albany being at the foot of the Kails, it was early seen that she possessed some natural advantages, in respect to trade on the river below, which could not be held by her proud sister at the head of die P'alLs and on the other side of the river; and, notwithstanding the many disadvantages incident to her close proximity to that wealthy and powerful city, whose shadow chilled and perhaps stunted her grow th for a time, she has gradually grown apace, gained strength, and developed her proportions. As a shipping point the ad- vantages of Xew .-Vlbany have long been acknowledged, and since the completion of the Xew Albany iS: Salem railroad to Michigan City, that branch of business has greatly incieased.
IXCORPOR.\TED .-^S A CITY.
The following is an extract from the Act to in- corporate the city of New Albany, and to repeal all laws in force incorporating the town of New Albany, approved February 14, 1839:
Section i. Be it enacted, etc.. That so much of the county of Floyd as lies within the following boundaries, to wit: "Beginning on the Ohio river at the mouth of Falling Run creek, thence up the centre of the cliannel of said creek to the bridge at the Boiling spring; thence in a right line to the southwest corner of the Griffin tract; thence with the west line of said tract to the northwest corner thereof; thence with the north line of said tract to the northeast corner there- of; thence in a right line through Leona-d's spring on the Shilby tract, and onwards until it meets with the pro- duced line of Jones' clay turnpike; thence southerly along said produced line and the middle of said clay turnpike, to the Ohio river, and thence with said river to the place of beginning, extending across said river as far as the jurisdic- tion of said State e.xtends, and the persons residing within said boundaries, are hereby created a body corporate and politic, by the name and title of the citv of Xew Albany, and by that name may have perpetual succession, sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended against, at l.twand in equity, in all courts and places, and in all matters whatsoever, contract and be contracted with."
The above boundaries have been changed and extended to meet the requirements of tlie growth of the city. Changes were made January 26, 1847; February 14, 1S53; February 6, 1854;
March 7, 1854; September 4, 1S54, and July 22, 1.867.
CITY OI'FICEKS.
The following is a list of the officers chosen by the peo[)le of New Albany to administer its af- fairs and execute its laws, from the time it .was incorporated as a city until the present:'
MAYORS.
P. M. Dorsey 1839 40
Shepard Whitman 1840-43
Silas Overturf. . 1843-44-
James Collins 1844
William Clark 1844-47
William M. Wier 1847-49, 1^50-52
John R. Franklin 1852-53, 1859-63
Jo.seph .\ Moffatt 1853-55
Jonathan D. Kelso 1855 56
Franklin Warren i85'3-59
Dumer M. Hooper 1863-65
William L. Sanderson 1865-68
William Hart 1868-71
Thomas Kunkle 1871-74
William B. Richardson 1874-75-77
Solomon Malbon 1877-79
Eela C. Kent 1879-81
\ COUNCILMEN.
FIRST VV..\RD.
Patrick Crowley 1839-40
James Collins 1839-40, 1855-56
E. W. Benton 1839-40
Leonee Hoover 1840-45
William C. Conner 1841-42
G. C. Shively 1842-43
John Austin 1842-43
John Miller 1842-43
Thomas Sinex 1843-46
James E. Sage 1S43-44
George Gresham 1844-48
Oliver Casseil 1845-47
Thomas Conner 1846-47
William Clark 1847-48
Peleg Fiskc 1847-48
A. P. Willard 1848-49
.Alexander McCartney J848-45
Isaac Hunt 1849-50
James B, Russell 1849-50
Martin H. Ruter 1849-50
James C. Mordy 1850-53
James Montgomery 1850-51
I. P. Smith 1850-51
H. R. Mathias 1851-52
Blaine Marshall 1851-52
ApoUos Casseil 1852-53
Stewart Sanford 1852-54, 1856-58
Charles Van Dusen 1853-54
Hiram Wilson 1854-55
V. A. Pepin 1855-56
J. B. PowjU 1855-56
L. G. Mathews 1857-58
Benjamin Lockwood 1858-60
John McCuUoch 1862-64
Daniel Sittason 1863-65
158
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
i:. M. Hubbtrl 1865-67
Cliristopher Fox ' 1867-69
John S. Duvis ' .....1S69-77
' Henry Wagner .'....... 1869
. James Pierce '869
George Beck 1S72-74 , 1877-79
M. ^^, Hurley 1874-76
George F. Penn 1876-80
A. J. Kiitler ■ 1879-81
SECOND WARD.
Urael Crane ' 1839--IO
Edward Brown 1839-40
Hezckiah Bccler 1S39-40
P. C. Smith 1840-42
James Brooks ...1840-41
Silas Overturf 1840-41
Jacob LoughmiUer 1841-42
William iM. Wier 1841-45
David Hedden 1842-45
John V. Frank 1843-44
H. N?. Howling 1844-45
P. M. Wilco.x 1845-47
Stephen Beers 1845-46
V. A. Pepin i84'5-47-i852-53
John S. McDonald 1847-4S-49-50, 1852-53
John l.oughmiller 1847-48
P.M. Kent 1847-48
Samuel H. Owen 1S4S-50
Alfrt^ft S. Rager 1848-49
Oliver Dufour 1849-50
John S. Davis 1850-52
Francis Jennings 1850-51
( i8:;t-52, iS:;3-:;4 George \. Howk -^ 1856-57, 1355-63
Henry Turner i85'-5-
William S. Culbertson 1851-52
Bela C. Kent 1853-54. 185^-5/
Adam Knajip 1854-55
George Greshani 1855-56-57-59
David Crane 1855-56-57-59
John Renshaw 1859-61, 1863-65, 1809
John H. Lee 1861-65
G. C. Camion 1865-69
Prof. James Brown 1867-69
Edward Ford 1871-73
Edward M. Hubbert 1872-76
Sherman Frisble •'' 1873-75
Emery L. Ford 1874-76
H. A. Gifford 187577
Jacob Hangary 1876-78
William Dunbar 1S77-81
Frank Dishman 1878-80
Louis Vetnia iS8t-
William Dunbar 1881-
THIRD W.ARD.
Samuel M. Bolin 1839-40
'Henry \V. Smith 1839-40
Randall Crawford 1839-40
Peleg Fiske i840--4i
Henry Bogart..^ 1840-42
William L. Sanderson 1840-42
Thorn is Danforth 1841-42
J. M. Morrison 1842-43
J ohn Sloan i&4=-43
John C. Conner 1842-43
John G. Hoff 1843-45
.'\brani Case 1843-4S
Benjamin GonzaUes iS43"44
N. H. Cobb 1844-46-47-49
William Plumer 1845-48-49-50
Jacob Hise ' 1846-47
George H. Harrison 1848-49
James Brooks 1849-50
John K. Woodward 1849-50, -1852-53
George V. Hawk -1850-51
John ,\IcBride 1850-52
Peter R. Stoy 1850-51
William B. Lent 1851-53
William H. Fogg 1851-52
L. H. Xaghel 1852-53
John S. Davis '. i853-54. 1856-57
William M. Wier '■ 1857-59
Augustus Bradley 1854-55. 1857-69
Ed. Q. Xaghel 1855-56. 1865-67
P. M. Wilco-"c 1855-56
John B. Winstandly 1856-57, 1867--7
James M. Rawlins 1857-58
Samuel H. Owens 185S-63
Ludwig Hurrle 1863-65
Charles H. Fawcett 1S69-71
John Renshaw 1S69-70
Wesley G. Hammond 1871-73
John H. Butler 1877-74
"p. M. Kepley 1873-75. 1879-81
Alfred Hofield 1874-/8
Frank Hofler : 1875-77
James G. Harrison 1877-79
Charles E. Schiveley 1878-80
Philip Kep!ey 1881
. Ferdinand HoUman ": 1881
FOURTH WARD.
Absalom Cox 1839-40
Wiiram Underhill 1839-40, 1843-55
Preston F. Tuley 1839-40, 1849-50
David ^L Hall 1840-42
John Evans 1840-41, 1848-49
Dumer M. Hooper 1840-41
William Plumer 1841-42
John Thompson 1841-44. 1S46-49
Charles Tyler 1842-43
Seth Woodruff 1843-44
Peleg Fiske ., 1844-46
John Q. A. Smith....! 184^-46
Joseph A. Moffatt 184549
Andrew Scholars ■, 1846-47
T. C. Shiveley 1846-47
John B. Anderson 1849-50
Louis H. Brown 1849-50
William Jones 1850-51
John Miller 1850-53
James Pierce 1850-53
William B. Lent 1854-55
Peter R. Stoy i854-55
S. S. Marsh 1855-56
John F. Anderson 1855-56
A. W. Bentley 1856-57. 1858-61
C. A. Dorsey .' 1856-57. 1858-60
E. Q. Xaghel 1857-58. 1859-63
Benjamin South 1857-38
John W. Girard 1861-62
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAIXS COUNTIES.
159
Charles Sackett 1863-C7
Jolin U. Dorst 1862 69
John Shnider : 1807-69
John M. Winstaiidley. i85g-7i, 1875-77
John Kndris 1869-70
M. McDonald 1871-73
Lewis Veniin 1872-74
Frederick Wundeilich 1872-73
Michael Doherty 1873-75
Thomas J. Fullenlove J874-76
Israel P. Parks 1876-78
John J. Richards iSjc.-yg
Reuben P. Main 1877 80
Robert C. Knocfel 1879-81
FIFTH WARD.
James Pierce 1853-55, 1863-6S
John P.iishnell 1853-55
John \V. Roberts 1855-57
Wesley G. Pierce 1855-61
D. M. Hooper 1857-59
W. P. Swift 1859-63
Thomas F. Jackson 1861-71
Alexander Webster 1S6S-69
Peter R. Stoy 1869-79
George H. Devol 1S71-73
Frank E. Dishman ...1873-76
James Slider 1876
Charles E.Jones 1876-80
George P. Huckely 1876-77
Charles E. Wible 1879-81
John Newhouse i88i
SIXTH WAKD.
Jonathan D. Kelso 1853-54
Thomas Humphreys 1853-54
George M. C. Townsend 1854-59, 1869-71
Joseph St. John 1854-53. 1837-61, 1S67-73
Aaron Lyons 1856-57
Dewitt C. Hill. 1856-57
William Jones 1858-65
Charles Wible 1861-67
John Busby 1867-69
Epaminondas Williams 1872-74, 1875-77
Joel Cogswell .... 1873-74
William , Terry 1874-75
Jacob Alford 1874-76, 1877-79
Henry Koetter 1876-78
William H. Stephens, Sr 187S-81
Charles C. Jones 1879-81
RECORDER.
Henry Collins 1839-43
Peter A. Roan 1843-47
(Office abolished).
CITY JUDGE.
Henry Collins 1848-52
George V. Howk 1852-53
(Office aboiistted).
Jacob Herber 1873-74
(Office reinstated and again abolished).
CITV CLERK.
John S. D.avi5 ' 1839-42
Joseph P. H. Thorton 1842-44
Stewart C. Cayce 1844
William A. Scribner 1844-52
Elijah Sabin 1852-55
Robert WiUi.ims 1855-56
W. W. Tuley 1856-61
Robert M. Wiei 1861-67
Mat hew I. Hiiettc 1867-77
William B. Jackson ' 1877-81
TRE..\SURER.
Edward Brown , . 1839-44
Thomas Dan forth 1844-50
Abram Case .' 1850-51
S.imuel M. Dorsey 1851-55, 1859-61
Michael Streepy ' '855-56
William M. Wicr 1856-57
Theodore J. Elliott 1857-59
George Gresliam 1861-67
Solomon .Malbon 1867-75
Samuel M. Wier 1875-81
COLLECTOR.
David Wilkmson 1839-40
Peter A. Roan 1841-43
Martin C. Foster ; 1843-46
Stewart C. Cayce 1846-48
Obediah Childs 1848-50
(Office abolished.)
CITY M.^RSHAL.
David Wilkinson 1839-40, 1849-51
I Jacob -Anthony 1840-41
Martin C. Foster 1841-44
Augustus Jocelyn 1844
Robert Mercer 1841-45
James Xeubank 1845-48, 1855-56
William B. Green 184S-49
Jeremiah Warner 1851-53.
Paul E. Slocum 1853-54
Samuel M. Bolin 1854-55
Berry Gwin 1856-58
Thomas .Akers 1858-71
Thomas Kendall 1871-75
David W. Carpenter 1875-81
ASSE,SSOR.
J. C. Jocelyn 1847-56, 1858-66
Reuben Robertson 1S56-5S
.A. W. Monroe 1866-69
Lvnian S. Davis, '. 1869-71
John E. Meyer • 1871-73, 1S75-77
George Cook 1873-75
Theodore Marsh 1877-79
(Office abolished).
CITY ATTORNEY.
James C. Moodey 1843-46
John S. Davis 1846-47
Theodore J . Barnett 1847-48
P. M. Kent 1849-50
Elijah Sabin 1850-51
William S. Hillyer 1851-52
D. C. .Anthony 1852-54, 185^-56
M. C. Kerr 1854-55
John H. Stotsenliurg 1856-59
F. G. Dannachcr 1859-61
.Alexander Dow ling 1861-65, 1871-75
William F. L. Morgan 1805-67
James V. Kelso 1S67-71, 1877-79
vK A v;.1
i6o
HISTORY OF THE OPHO FAT.T.S COUNTIES.
Jacob Herter 1875-77
David \V. LifoUette 1879-81
Cl-Vll, ENGIN'F.F.R.
Horace h. Wilson 1850-56
L. B. Wilson : 1856-58
lohn Taylor ■ 1858-63
George M. Smith , '863-77
Harl Vance. . ■. 1877-79
Charles O. BradforJ 1879-81
STREET COMMISSIONER.
Martin C. Foster 1842-43, 1844-46
Seth Woodruff. 1 843-44
janies Ncwbanks - 1846-47
John Bruner 1847-4S, 1849-52
G. C. Schively, Sr 1848-49
John Farrel ■ 1849-53
F. A. I lutcherson i8S3-55
D. M. Hooper 1855-56
William Boslcy 1856-57
Jacob Evans ; 1857-63
Fred Ailer 1863-69
Charles McKenna 1869-73
John F. Anderson 1873-75
Mike Doherty 1875-77
David W. Miller 1877-81
CITY WEIGHER.
A. K. Taylor 1847-48
Isam Key 1848-49
John Watkins 1849-5°- 1851-55
C. A. Dorsey 1850-51, 1859-64
Eli Harlan 1855-56
Thomas Boardman '856-59
Samuel Sisloflf 1864-81
CHIEF OF FIRE DEP.\RT.MENT.
V. A. Pepin 1853-54
William M. Wier 1854-55
Charles Wible 1855-56
Peleg Fiske 1856-57
Ed Q. Naghel 1857-59
Jasper Ely the 1859-62
Thomas Akers 1862-63
John H. Dorst 1863-64
Stephen Stuckey 1864-65
William B. Plumer •. 1865-67
William Merker 1867-78
Everett Watt.im 1879-80
William Merker i88i —
CHIEF OF POLICE.
D. B. Star 1870-71
Joel D. Smith 1871-73
William .X. Carpenter 1873-75, 1878-79
Benjamin Bounds 1875-76
David \V. Carpenter 1876-78
Thomas E. Spence 1879-80
Thomas Smithwick i88i —
FIRE nEP.\RTMENT AND WATER WORKS.
For more than half a century the town and city were without water-works, and for forty years the fire fiend was fought by volunteer fire com- panies in the usual way — first with the old leather
bucket and later with hose and hand engines, and still later with steam engines. In the early days when a fiie occurred the men ranged themselves in lines from the fire to the nearest water, and the leather buckets were passed rapidly along the line from hand to hand, until the fire was extin- guished, •■^s the city grew the dangers arising from fire increased in jjroiinrtion, as did also the city's efforts to org.mize and more thoioughly [)repare for fighting the fiery element. In 1854, it is ascertained that the city con- tained five well organized and equipped fire companies, numbering in all thiee hundred and sixty-five mernbers, with $20,500 worlh of material for the extinguishment of fires, includ- ing steam and hand engines, hose, hose-carts, ladders, etc. It was not until 1865 that the city began to pay its firemen for their services, and since that time the fire department has been considered a paid one.
As at present constituted, the material of the New Albany fire department consists of but one 'steamer, which is retained principally for use in case of possible failure of the water-works dur- ing a fire; one hook-and-ladder truck, and three reel-carriages. The department, including all expenses, is sustained at an annual cost of about $12,000. Fire-plugs are placed at convenient distances throughout the city, and the larger number of families keep in their houses a suf- ficient amount of hose to put out an ordinary fire on their premises without the aid of the fire company. William Merker has been for many years the chief engineer.
The present water-works were constructed in 1S75; the company formed for that purpose con- sisting of Messrs. Morris McDonald, Hiram C. Cannon, John F. Gebhart, John K. Woodward, Jesse J. Brown, William S. Culbertson, and Rob- ert G. McCord. These gentlemen associated themselves together under the corporate name of The New Albany Water-Works. The ordi- nance passed by the city council at that time stipulates "that the capacity of the proposed water-works shall be such as to supply water upon demand during any hour of any given twenty- four, and for three hundred and sixty five days of each year during the prevalence of fire in said city." Hydrants were to be conveniently dis- tributed throughout the city by the company, and drinking hydrants to be maintained at each
■M ..;.-..; 1^.1
HISTOR^' OF THE OHIO FAIJ.S COUx^fTiI^S.
i6i
of the public parks. Tlie coniiinny not being able to complete the works within the time first specified in the contract, the time was extended by the council to July i, 1S76, and the works were finally accepted by the council August 11, 1876. The following regarding these works was published in the New Albany Ledger-Standard in 1877 :
ThiTc is no city possessing superior water-works to New- Albany. Thev arc on the high-presiure system. The res- ervoirs, two in number, are located on top of the knobs about five thousand feet from and about luo hundred fi-et ahovc the city, giving a force to project water to the height of one hundred and fifty-five feet. The pump-house is about four thousand feet distant from the reservoirs. The water is taken from the Ohio river, and is raised two hundred and si.xty-seven feet above luw-uatcr mark. The erection of the works began during 1875, and were completed so far as to supply the city, July i, 1876. On July 12th the first test of the efficiency of the works, as a fire service, was made. At this test tight streams of water, one inch in diameter, were thrown simultaneously for one hour to an altitude of one hundred and twenty-five fret. The capacity of the works is ample for forty-five thousand people, and can bo easily in- creased when consumption requires it. The engine and en- gine room are specimens of beauty and substantiality. The reservoirs are united by one heavy seam, and are ar- ranged to settle and clean the water before passing into the city pipes. There areovcr fourteen miles of distributing pipe laid, upon which there xre one hundred and thirty fire- hydrants. The price for uater is but half that charged by other cities in the West and South. This, in itself, is a great consideration for those using large quantities of water for manufacturing purposes.
The works are owned by a stock company, and have cost thus far about two hundred thousand dollars. The officers are: J. F. Gebhart, president; W. N. Mahon, secretary; F. SchefTold, superintendent; Charles Fitch, Sr., engineer, J. J. Brown, \V. S. C'ulbertson, G. C. Cannon, R. G. Mc- Cord, J. K. Woodward, Morris McDonald, and J. F. Geb- hart, directors.
While building tlie works, many persons apprehended that the pipes would not bt; sufficient to sustain tlie pres:aire, but all such apprehensions were without foundation. Not a single break has occurred in the entire distributing system. The_ pipes were made by Messrs. Dennis Long & Co., of Louisville, Kentucky, whicli is tlie largest manufactory of its kind in the United States. » ♦ * *
By the building of water-works. New ,\lbany has oI)tained large advantages over other cities. The city being nearly level, an equal pressure of water is maintained throughout all its parts. Many of the manufactories have abandoned force- pumps, and use only the natural pressure of the water to force itself into the boilers, thereby saving machinery and ex- pense. In the matter of fire insurance, prices have been re- duced twenty to fifty per cent, from former rales. Steiim fire-engines are no longer appreciated, fire-hydrants being far more efiicicnt. Persons wishing to run small machinerv, can do so by the use of water motors, at a cost of not more than fifty ci'nls per day per one-horse-p^wer. The water is soft and well adapted for all manulacturiui; purposes, as well as for family uses. In short, no city possesses more efficient water-works than New Albany.
THE GAS CO.Ml'ANY.
A number of attempts were made to furnish "the city with gas before the work was fully and finally accomplished. The first company was formed in .April, 1S51, with a capital of $50,000; works were erected, and the city first lighted with gas December, 1S53. The charter of this company had twenty years to run, and having expired a' new company was formed m 1870, acting by authority granted by the city council. By an ordinance passed March 22, 1870, author- ity was granted to Washington C. Del'auw, Nel- son Fordice, and George V. Howk, and their associates, who were generally interested in the old company, to form a new company with the corporate name of The Gas Light and Coke company of New Albany. Their charter ex- tended twenty years from April i, 1871. In 1 87 3 Mr. Cottom thus wrote of the city gas- works :
There are now nine and one-half miles of main-pipe laid doWn, and at nearly every meeting of the city council, peti- tions for the extension of the gas are received and granted. Water, Main, Market, and Spring streets, th.at traverse the city from east to west its entire length, are lighted by gas; also a large number of cross streets. This is done at the public expense and retjuires three hundred and fifteen street lamps, lighting one hundred and five squares. All the churches, public halls, and other public buildings are lighted by gas. Few cities in the West possess equal, and none superior advantages in regard to light.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
The first board of health was authorized by the city council, and organized August 21, 1S55. Since that time the city has been generally kept in excellent sanitary condition. At this date (18S1) Dr. John Sloan is president of the board.
BENEVOLENT, SECRET, AND OTHER SOCIETIES.
Societies of every kind' are plentiful in the city; those of a benevolent and charitable character being es[)ecially conspicuous and strong. Head- ing the list of charitable institutions is the
OLD ladies' home,
an account of which appears in the Ledger- Standard of November, 1873, as follows:
Never was there a time or season more fitting than the present to inaugurate and set into active operation an insti- tution that will touch ail hearts with .sympathy and good-will as the Widows' Home, which opened yesterday in our city. The very name is suggesti\e of comfort, good cheer, and contentment.
Eleemo-iynary institutions in this or any other country are rarely conceived and supported and endowed by a single in- dividual, which is done in the instance which we are about
l62
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
to mention. But wherever they arc found, they arc 'monu- ments along the track of tlie ages to ninrk the progress of civilization, hur.i.mity, Christianity. .A heart imbued, ex- alted, and sublimed, with plans and purposes to relieve and rescue suffering humanity in this sin-sick world, lives not only to some purpose, but carries .with him the spirit and precept of our iJivine Lord' and Master.
Mr. William S. Culbertjon. our esteemed fellou-towns- . man, has to-day, by the erection of this Widows' Home, reared unto himself a monument that shall be inore enduring than the marble wliich will decorate his own tomb some dis- tant day. He is now the prince of gift-makers. He docs this good deed in a quiet, unostentatious manner. 'VVe chal- lenge the parallel in munificence within the boundaries of our State, or anywhere this side of the Allcghanies.
Mr. Culbertson possesses among his many rare traits, _ a quick, intuitive gras]) of mind, which reduces everything to a speedy practical turn, whether it be business or benevolence. His charity begins at home, where he can see the good it dees. It was no doubt in such a mood as this that he con- ceived and e.tecutcd the enterprise which to-day has resulted in ornamenting our city with a building worthy of the name of "Widows' Home." The selection of that class of worthy ladies whose unfortunate circumstance^ have bereft them of the comforts of home and made them too often fiiendless and alone, was certainly eminently proper and wise. Al.as, how often these truly de;erving and praiseworthy women have suffered the pangs of penury and want, suffered of dis- ease and misery, suffered for home, suffered for friends, and "found them not." Each and atl of us know rhany instances in life, similarly .situated, wherein Mr. Culbertson's benevo- lence would be to them as a beacon light to a home-bound sailor.
The situation of the Widows' Home, among the costly and pleasant residences on Main street, was judicious, as there is nothing to distinguish it from any other large and handsome private dwelling. Two gates and one carriage way are entrances, tlirough iron and stone fence of desirable pattern, which lead to this mansion and abode of widows. The neatly sodded turf, serpentine and gravel walks, together with easy rising stone steps, lead up to the doorways. Iron verandas, bay windows in front, massive balconies in rear, and ample ground stretching out to vie^v. together with other conveniences, form no inconsiderable part of the externa! surroundings. In the artistic merits of painting, much taste has been displayed. There are four stories, including the basement and attic, which are no inferior parts of the domi- cile. Fifteen or sixteen rooms, high cciHngs, large and airy, comprise the apartments. What renders these rooms more particularly desirable is the front view given to so many of them. The kitchen has all the modern utensils usual to such culiriary establishments. A dumb waiter, a cellar full of coal, wash-room, bath-room, water-closet up stairs, wide halls, easy flights of stairs, are the features of this establish- ment. All are papered and painted. The doors are superbly done. We never saw any before done as these are. Gas chandeliers and burners are abundant all over the house. The heating arrangement has been peculiarly regarded, and nopart of the building in use has been omitted in this particular. The carpets are of tasteful pattern and produce a pleasing effect to the rooms. The bedsteads are iron, of unique pattern, furnished by sorr^e Boston tirm. They are single beds three feet anrl a half wide. The iron bedstead is the most popular now of any throughout En- gland. The dining-room. 26 .x 16 feet, is, as it should be. one of the pleasantest rooms — wainscotted and otherwise
decorated to make it serviceable. The sleeping apartments are commodious, cheerful, and well ventilated. Very few peojjle in our city occupy dwellings near so luxurious as our friends here. The visitor goes over the Home feeling really this is a home indeed. Nothing stingy, nothing mean, be- cause it would be cheap, can be detected in any part of the workmanship, but every part is grand, massive, just the thing for ages. Mr. Bane, the supervising aichitect and builder, has embodied the magnanimity of the generous giver, who never did anything by halves in his life. The Widows' Home will accommodate thirty or more inmates. Mr. Cul- bertson has already endowed it to the amount he deems necessary, but if, on experience, he finds the amoimt insufii- cient, he will make the provision ample to run it long after his death. It will not be sectarian in religion, though re- ligious .services will be held therein daily. The rules and regulations respecting the moral and religious government of the inmates certainly seem more generous and tolerant than in institutions of this kind generally. Miss ^Iary Baldwin, a d.aughter of Captain Baldwin, Sr., will be matron, and the selection of this lady was very proper, on account of her many estimable qualities, besides her good judgment in household matters. Under the advisor)' counsel of Mr. and Mrs. William S. Culbertson, who will be sole directors, we cannot doubt but that the Widows' Home will become an institution of much good, but the honor which shall be reflected from so praiseworthy a benefaction as Mr. Cul'oert- son's may be imitated in some other form equally substantial by others of wealth, who are citizens of our city.
Next to the Old Ladies' Honie comes the orphans' home, a charitable institution which does the city much credit. It is situated on the southwest corner of Bank and Spring streets, and was established three or four years ago by charitably inclined ladies of the city. It has been since its establish- ment in charge of the ladies of the different city churches. The building, a commodious brick, was presented to the society by Mrs. W. C. DePauw. It is in charge of a matron, and quite a number of homeless children are being cared for and educated here. The officers are Mrs. Augustus Bradley, president; Mrs. Martha Mahon, secre- tary; Mrs. Haskins, treasurer, and Mrs. Mary P. McClain, matron.
Steps are being taken to erect a new home above Vincennes street, between Oak and Elm, in which New Albany's philanthropist, William S. Culbertson, is prominently interested.
MASONIC.
The ancient and honorable fraternity of Free Masons is in a most flourishing condition in the city, twelve lodges of various kinds and degrees being at present in active operation.
The first lodge of Masons established here was known as Ziff lodge, No. 8, and was organ- ized September 14, 181 8. Dr. Asahel Clapp
v.
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALTS COUNTIES.
i6-
was influential in securing tlie organization, and was chosen the first worshipful master. Cliarles I'axson was the first senior warden, and Lathrop Elderkin was the first junior warden. The charter for this lodge was granted by the Grand lodge then in session at Madison, Indiana, with W. H. H. Sheets, M. W. G. M., and W. C. Keene, secretary.
. Ziff lodge was sustained a number of years, but failed for some reason, and for a few years New- Albany was without a lodge of Masons. The present New Albany lodge. No. 39, took the place of the Ziff lode in 1834. The lodge for a short time worked under a dispensation granted by the Grand lodge October 3, 1S33 ; the charter was granted and the lodge regularly insti- tuted December 11, 1834. The first officers were Stephen Whiteman, \V. M.; William Hurst, S. W., and Alexander McClellan, J. W. The present officers of this lodge are J. Peters, W. M.; Frank Brooks, S. W.; J. J. Richards, J. W.; M. A. Wier, treasurer; F. ]). Connor, secretary; J. M. Nichols, S. U.; L. B. Huckely, J. B.; Louis Lash, tyler. The times of meeting are on the first and third Thursdays of each month.
Jefferson lodge, No. 104, came itito exist- ence in 1849, dispensation being granted Oc- tober 20th of that year. The lodge received its charter May 29, 1850. The charter members and officers were Thomas Oscar Johnson, W. M.; Francis A. Hutcherson, S. W.; William H. Fogg, J. W.; Peter Tellon, treasurer; Ed F. Shields, secretary; William Hart, S. D.; A. Baxter, J. I).; and P. Y. J. Armstrong, tyler. The present of- ficers of this lodge are Thomas Deming. W. M. ; J. B. Mitchell, S. W.; B. B. Stewart, J. W^; W. F. Tuley, treasurer; C. O. Bradford, secretary; R. E..King, S. U.;- Robert Morris, J. D.; and G. L. Eisman, tyler. The times of meeting are the second and fourth 'I'hursdays in each month.
The third lodge in the city, known as DePauw lodge, No. 338, was organized April 27, 1867, and meets the second and fourth Tuesdays in each month. The officers are F. M. Tribbey, W. M.; Joseph Jutton, S. W.; Levi Pierce, J. W.; Stephen Scharf, treasurer; T. E. Fogle, secretary; James Atkinson, S. D.; John Pierce, J. D.; and John B. Crawford, tyler.
Besides those named, there is a German lodge known as Pythagoras lodge. No. 355, which meets the first and third Wednesday in each
month. Its officers are A. F. Sharff, W. M.; Joseph Reibel, S. W^; A. Hoflield, J. W.; Freder- ick Wunderlick, treasurer; G. Gerst, secretary; Jacob Kreutzer, S. D.; Charles Sloemer, J. D.; and Henry Denny, tyler.
The four above-named lodges are known as Blue lodges of the Ancient York Masons.
Of the higher masonic bodies, there arc the New Albany Chapter, No. 17, of Royal Arch Masons; Indiana Council, No. i, of Royal and Select Mas- ters; and New Albany Commandery, No. 5, Knights Templars. The first-named was or- ganized May 24, 1 85 1, its meetings being held the second Monday of each month. The officers at present are Joseph Jutton, M. E.' H. P.; S. W. Wells, E. K.; H. J. Needham E. Scribe; Robert Brockman.C. H.;F. T. Wilson, P. S.;T. E. Fogle, R. A. Cap.; L. L. Pierce, G. M. Third V.; W. P. Davis, G. M. Second V.; D. E. Sittason, G. M. First v.; Henry Beharrell, treasurer; M. D. Con- diff, secretary; B. Crawford, G. and J. J. Indi- ana Council, No. I, was organized January 7, 1854. It meets the third Monday in each month. Its officers at present are Joseph Jutton, master; S. W. Wells, Dep. I. M.; W. P. Davis, P. C. W. K.; E. E. Sittason, C. Guard; H. Be- harrell, treasurer; M. D. Condiff, Rec; and T. B. Crawford, Sen. The New Albany Com- mandery, No. 5, Knights Templars, was organ- ized December 22, 1854; and meets the fourth Monday in each montli. Its officers are H. J. Needham, Com.; W. Breyfogle, Gen.; W. P. Davis, Capt. Gen.; Robert Brockman, prelate; Seth AY. WeWs, S. W.; D. G. Hudson, J. W.; H. Beharrell, treasurer; M. D. Condiff, recorder; T. E. Deshinan, sword bearer; Joseph Jutton, standard-bearer; F. Wilspn, warden; T. B. Craw- ford, sentinel.
The Masonic General Relief committee, for pur[)0scs of benevolence, was organized January 28, 186S.
Added to the above lodges are the following lodges of Scotish Rite Masons, to-wit: De Mo- lay Consistory, No. 5; Mount Moriah Chapter Rose Croix, No. 5; Burning Bush Lodge of Per- fection, No. 7; and Zerubabel Council Princes of Jersualem. DeMolay Consistory, No. 5, meets the first Wednesday in March, June, Sep- tember, and December. The officers are : J. G. Shields, 33", commander in chief; S. Albert, 32°, First L. C; John Nafus, 32^ Second L. C; C. C.
I i:..fP'i .r, l.r/T(in
164
HIS'IORY OF TMK OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Haskins, 32', M. and G. O.; J. P. Ilannan, 32% G. C; i\I. n. Condiff, 32\ CI; C. and K. ofS.; Henry Boharrel!, 33", (l '1'.; C. F. Cutter, 32', G. E. and A.; George FJirhart, 32', G. H.; H. J. Reamer, 32°, G. S. B. ; Louis Goodbub, 32', G. C. of G.; L. L. (lorner, 32°, G. S.
Mount Moriah (Jliapter Rose Croix, No. 5, meets tlie fust Wednesday in February, May, August and November. The oihcers are: George H. Kocli, 32°, M. W. and P. M.; George Ehrhart, 32°, S. W.; J. P. Hannan, 32=, J. W.; J. Lose)-, 32°, G. O; H. Peharrell, 32', treasurer; M. D. Condiff, 32", secretary; H. J. Reamer, 32°, H. O. S. P.; \V. W. Tuley, 32°, M. of C; L. L. Gormer, 32', C. G.
Burning Bush Lodge of Perfection, No 7, A. and A. S. Rite, meets the first Monday in each month. George H. Koch, 32°, 'J\ G. P. M.; J. P. Hannan, 32", B. P., Louis Goodbub, 32°, G. S. ^\^; Fredeiick WunderUch, 32 , C;. J. W.; C. C. Haskins, \.\\ G. O.; M. D. Condiff, 32% G. S.; H. Beharreik 32^ G. T.; (ieorge Ehrhart, 32°, G. M. of C; John Nafus, 32', G. C. of G.; H. J. Reamer, 32°, G. LI. P.; L. L. Gormer, G. T.
Zerubabel Council, Princes of Jerusalem, meets first Wednesday in January, April, July, andj October. The officers are; George M. Ehrhart, 32', M. ¥.. Son P. G. ^L; John P. Harman, 32", I). G. M.; Louis Goodbub, 32^, M. E. S. (;. W.; George H. Koch, 32 , M. E. J. G. W.; M. I). Condiff, 32°, G. Sec. K. cf S. and A.; H. IJeharrell, 32°, G. Treas,: \V. \V. Tuley, 32°, G. M. of C; H. J. Reamer, 32", G. M. of E.; L. L. Gorner, 32^, Gen Sen.
All the Masonic lodges above named met at their hall, located on the southwest corner of Pearl and Market streets. The Independent Grand Imperial Council of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine, for the State of Indiana, holds its annual meetings in June in New Albany. '
In addition to the above, there is a colored lodge known as St. John lodge. No. S, Free and Accepted Masons, whose meetings are held the first Monday in each month, at their hall on the west side of State street, between Elm and Oak. This lodge claims to work under dispensation granted by the Grand lodge of England.
INDKI'KN'[)t"NT ORLiER OK ODD FELLOWS.
There are eight lodges of this order in the city, and the Mutual Benefit .-V.ssociation.
The first lodge of Odd Fellows here, and the first in the State of Indiana — New Albany lodge. No 1 — was organized November 12, 1835, and was reorganized August 13, 1851.- It meets every Monday evening. Charles W. South, N. G; William Scales, R. S.; J. 1!. Friend, treasu- rer.
New .Mbany lodge, No. 10, meets eveiy Thurs- day evening. William R. Graves, N. G; George Larke, V. G.; J. W. Buck, secretary; C. Iv Jones, P. S.; I. G. Strunk, treasurer.
Hope lodge. No. S3, meets every I'riday even- ing. E. W. Fawcett, N. G.; R. M. A\ilcoxson, V. G.; Andrew Lite, R. S.; J. B. Banks, P. S.; J. W. Seabrooks, treasurer.
Humboldt lodge. No. 234 (German), meets every Wednesday evening. Jacob Weber, N. G; M. Fronmiller, V. G.; Jacob Young, R. S. ; Charles Fogel, P. S.; John Irion, treasurer.
Jerusalem Encampment, No. i, meets every first and third Tuesday in e.ich momh. L. Bir, C. P.; George Edmondson, H. P.; George Lark, S. W.; Alexander Webster, J. W.; James Phillips, S.; W. M. Mix, V. S.; E. Wattam, treasurer.
Pierce Fjicampment, No. 100, meets every second Wednesday in each month. Christ Whiteman, C. P.; George Webler, H. P.; Conrad Kraft; S. W.; Philip Schneider, S.; Stephen Scharf, treasurer.
Ruth lodge. No. i. Daughters of Rebckah, meets every second and fourth 'J'uesday in each month.
New Albany Degree lodge. No. i, meets every second and fourth Saturday in each montli.
Odd Fellows Mutual Aid x\ssociation of New Albany, meets first Thursday in each month. J. B. Mitchell, president; Llew Ru.ssell, vice president; ^Villiam M. Mix, secretary; Charles F. Jones, treasurer.
The place of meeting of the above-named lodges is at their hall on Market street, north- east corner of Bank.
The following colored lodges of the city claim to work under charter granted by the Grand lodge of F^ngland :
Edmonds lodge. No. 1544, meets first and third Tuesday in each month at hall, west side Stale, between F^lm and Oak.
St. Paul's lodge, No. 1540, meets second and fourth \\'ednesday in each month at hall, north- east corner Lower F'ourth.
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
165
KNIGHTS OK P\ IHIAS.
The first society of tliis secret and benevolent order in New AFoany was instituted in Septem- ber, 1870, since which time its growth has been so rapid that there are now three lodges in this city. Their hall is situated on State street, be- tween Main and Market.
Friendship lodge, No. 10, meets on every Wednesday evening. C. M. Nutt, C. C; John j Stafford, V. C; Thomas Parke, P.; Louis Brown, j K. of R. and S.; J. B. Banks, M. of F.; Andy | Weir, M. of E.; Theodore Deming, trustee; Nor- | man Cam[ibell, P. C. |
Ivanhoe lodge. No. 15, meets every Monday j evening. P. C. Smith, C. C; George H. Ed- mondson, V. C; Albert Young, P.; H. M. Cooper, K. of R. and S.; R. Robinson, M. of F.; P. H. Barrett, M. of E.; John Seabrook, trustee; H. Stacy, P. C.
Rowena lodge. No. 2S, meets every Friday evening. Brewer S. Senix,C. C. ; E.A.Graham, V. C.; George H. Beers, prelate; James W. Buck, K. of R. .^- S.; W. A. Loughmiller, M. of F.; James Phillijis, M. of E.; E. Wattam, trus- tee ; W. A. Manor, P. C.
KNIGHTS OF HOXOR.
New iMbany lodge, No. 922, meets every Tuesday night at hall. Cannon block, east side of Pearl, between Main and Market street.
Osceola lodge. No. 47, meets every Wednes- day night at hall. Cannon block, east side Pearl, between Main and Market.
IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEX.
Pawnee tribe, No. 37, meets every Wednes day evening at hall, Market, northwest corner of Pearl.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
Red Ribbon Reform club meets every Thurs- day evening at hall, south side of Main street, between Pearl and Bank. C. W. Cottom, presi- dent ; W. H. Stevens, secretary and treasurer.
Ladies' White Ribbon rlub, meets the first Tuesday in each month, at hall, Bank, southeast corner of Spring.
Ladies' Christian Temperance union, meets every Thursday afternoon, at hall, southeast cor- ner of Spring.
TEMPLE OF HONOR AND TEMPERANCE,
Dudley Temple of Honor and Temperance,
No. 7, organized in 184S, meets every Wednes- day evening, at hall, Nos. 273 and 275 Main.
New Albany Council No. 3, Temple of Honor and Temperance, meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month, at 273 and 275 Main.
Excelsior Social Temple No. 8, Temple of Honor and Temperance, meets every Friday evening of each month, at hall, 273 and 275 Main.
New Albany Puritas lodge. No. 15, Independ- ent Order of Good Templars, meets every Tues- day evening, at hall, Pearl, southeast corner of Spring. Organized in 1856.
YOUNG men's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
This society was first organized about 1858, and made considerable progress prior to the war, That great struggle caused the suspension of many enterprises, and among others, the Young Men's Christian association of New Albany. In 1S6S it was again organi.^ed, with tlie follow- ing officers: 1). W. Voyles, president; William Day, vice president; William C. Shaw, recording secretary; Charles Stewart, corresponding secre- tary; and James G. Shield.s, treasurer. For some reason this organization was not a permanent one, and it was a third time organized June 9, 1S71, and became a corjioratc body October 17, 1S71. The association has a large and active membershi[), a library, and a [lublic reading- room, where a large number of newspajiers and periodicals are on file for the accommodation of the public.
SOCIETY OF N.XTURAL HISTORY.
This society was organized in 1866, with John Sloan, M. D., president, and E. S. Crosier sec- retary. The society has a considerable collec- tion of specimens of the stone age, shells, fishes, birds, reptiles, and insects of various kinds, as well as in mineralogy, fossils, geology, Indian remains, etc., and the nucleus of a library.
OTHER SOCIETIES.
There are many other secret and benevolent societies in the city, of which the following are the principal: American Bible society; Meth- odist Episcopal Church ICxtension society; Ger- man American School society, organized in 1S66; Workingmen's Library association; New Albany Medical society; New Albany Townshijj library, with about fifteen hundred volumes; American Protestant association; St. Joseph's Benevolent
fi'', . .^•."•^•■
;if..i
1 66
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAf.LS COUNTIES.
society; United Order of American IVIechanics; St. Patrick's Benevolent society; organized in 1866; tlie Druids (German), organized in iS6o; New Albany Rifle club; I'irst German Benevolent so- ciety, organized in 1 851; Harugari society; Jae- ger Verein; French Benevolent society; Inde- pendent Turner society, organized in 186S; Ship Caulkers' and Carpenters' union, organized in 1863; Engineers' association; Puddlcrs' union; Typographical union; Glass Blowers' union; Cordwainers' union, and many other unions of the several trades.
AGRICULTURAL BOCIETV.
The first society of this character here was or- ganized in May, 1857. It officers were, Thomas H. Collins, president; William B. Lent, vice- president; Noah H. Cobb, treasurer; Peleg Fiske, recording secretary; W. W. Tuley corresponding secretary. At their first meeting the members discussed the propriety of having a field exhibi- tion the coming fall, and also the |iropriety of purchasing ground for that purpose, a committee reporting that ground suitable could not be had at less than from $150 to $400 per acre. Sub- sequently Thomas H. Collins, Martin Verry, and Thomas Dewey were appointed a committee to purchase grounds " whenever sufficient money was subscribed by the citizens of the county to pay for them." Many members advised against holding a fair alone, as the county was too small, and advocated uniting with Harrison or Clarke counties.
In the spring of 1S58 the present fairgrounds were purchased — or si.xty-three acres were pur- chased at that date, nine acres being subsequent- ly added. The sum of $7,500 was paid for this ground, or was to be paid for it, and $3,000 were immediately expended in the erection of suitable buildings and in preparing the grounds for use. The first fair was held in the firll of 185 8, and the second in the fall of 1859, neither of which was so successful as to enable the society to get out of debt. In the spring of i860 tlie" society made an effort to get the State fair to the New Albany grounds, and in order to accomplish this object agreed to raise $5,000 for a premium list and give the State fair all the receii^ts. This was a bad bargain for the society, and was instru- mental, together with the breaking out of the war, in successfully ruining the society. The State fair did well, taking away $8,000 gate
money. The ground was heavily mortgaged, and the society was unable to pay for it. No fairs were held during the war, and nothing done in the way of settling up affairs; and in 1S66-67 the mortgage was foreclosed and the [)ropcrty passed into the hands of the original owner, David Hedden. During the war the grounds were used as a camp for the soldiers. They have since changed owners, passing from Mr. Hedden to Bela C. Kent, and then to W. C. DePauw, tlie present owner. No fairs have been held since those named, and. no agricultural society is at present in existence in the county. The grounds are in good shape for a fair, having an amphi- theater and all the necessary buildings, an ex- cellent race track a mile in length, and a good fence around the whole. The grounds are only partly cleared, and in the grove of fine trees are held pic-nic parties and public meetings of various kinds.
CE.METERIES.
Mr. Cottom thus writes regarding the cem- etries of New Albany: "There are in the vicinity of the city four cemeteries. These are the North- ern burial-ground, under the control of the city, but really the property of lot owners. This is a most beautiful cemetery, very finely laid off, and ornamented with forest trees, evei greens, and flowering shrubs. It contains a large number of very fine monuments and other memorials of the departed, who there await in the silence of death the great awakening. It has been a public burial ground for over thirty years. The St. Mary's cemetery is owned by the St. Mary's Catholic church, and is a beautifully laid off and orna- mented burial ground.
"Holy Trinity Catholic cemetery is als,) loca- ted near the city, and is a beautiful spot.
"The Soldiers' National cemetery is located a short distance east of the city, upon an eminence overlooking one of the finest landscapes around the falls of the Ohio. Within this cemetery three thousand galla nt soldiers, who lost their lives in the late civil war, sleep in death, to hear of wars no more. . The Government has decorated this cemetery in a manner to make it one of the most beautiful in the country. An elegant house stands upon the grounds, in which the sexton of the cemetery, a soldier appointed by the Govern- ment, resides. A large number of wealthy and prominent citizens have formed a cemetery asso-
;v '■' "CvW
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAELS COUNTIES.
.67
ci.ition under the name of Forest Hill cemetery, and will purchase from two hundred to two hun- dred and fifty acres of land, which they will plat and decorate in ,a manner to make it as attractive as any cemetery grounds in the country. The capital stock of this company is $150,000.
THE TAX ASSESSMENT FOR 1 88 I.
Floyd county — Number of polls, 2,481; male dogs, 1,269; female dogs, iii; value of lands, $1,121,045; value of improvements on lands, $275,300; value of lots, $1,981,165; value of im- provements on lots, $2,239,433; corporation stock, $979,275; personal pro])erty, $2,546,345; total taxables, $9,142,565. The total taxes to be collected on this assessment is $76,117.61. Of this the city of New Albany has the following: Polls, 1,498; male dogs,395; female dogs, 152: value of lots, $1,924,295; improvements on lots, $2,098,205; corporation stock, $979,275; per- sonal property, $1,463,350; total $6,465,125, upon which the taxes are $47,300.87.
POPULATION.
The following table shows in a condensed form the population of New Albany, at thv. dates named: in 1840, 4,226; in 1S47, 5,996; in 1850, 8,i8i;in 1852, 10,968; in 1853, 13,500; in 1854, 16,590; in 1870, 15,396; in 1880, 17,570.
CHAPTER VII.
NEW ALBANY— FERRIES AND STEAMBOATS. FIRST FERRIES.
"Ferry rights" were among the most iiiiport- ant considerations in the purchase of land on the river bank, and were always mentioned in the deed conveying the land, and thus transferred from one owner to another. It was many years before ferrymen were compelled to pay for the establishment of a ferry other than as above mentioned, but during these years there was lit- tle to be made out of the business. Ferries that were established prior to the establishment of the town or county were not compelled to pay license.
There is little doubt that Moses McCann was the first regular ferryman in this neighborhood; but his landing was at Clarksville, then the only
village on this side of the river for many miles. There was no occasion for any one to cross the river at any other point for a number of years after Clarksville was established.
Martin Trublood, son of the old miller,. was probably the first to establish a ferry- at New Albany. This was prior to the purchase of the ground by the Scribner brothers, and was mainly for the convenience of the few squatters around Trublood's mill on Falling run. After the Scribners purchased the land of John Paul they had control of all ferry rights along the river at this point as far as their land extended. It is probable that the first man to secure' the right to run a ferry of the Scribners was a Mr. Sproud, and no doubt Martin Trublood retired trom the business at that time. "Sproud, the ferryman," was a well-known character for a number of the first years of the existence of the nev.- town. Although Trublood's ferry was the first at New Albany, it was not the second one in this neigh- borhood; that honor probably belongs to the Oatmans, who established their ferry prior to ]8ii, probably as early as 1808, or even earlier, below New Albany some two or more miles. The Oatmans entered some land below the John Paul tract and were in the habit of carrying emi- grants across at that place long before there were any permanent settlers on the site of New Albany. This subsequently became a noted crossing place, and "Oatman's ferry" is promi- nently mentioned in all the early records of the county.
Stroud's ferry landed about where the ferry- landing now is, at the foot of Bank street. It was superseded by a ferry established by. the Scribners themselves, this ferry being propelled by horses working on a tramp-wheel as before mentioned.
As all the early ferries have been mentioned in the early history of New Albany township and city, it is not necessary to go into details here. John Connor early took hold of the ferry busi- ness in New Albany, and was succeeded by his son, Thomas, who has continued it to this day. Epaphras Jones, Caleb Newman, and Charles Paxson were among the earliest ferrymen here. After the establishment ot the county in February, 1819, the records of the county commissioners sliow what ferries were established. The subject of ferries came up in the following spring, as
i68
HISTORY OK 'IflK OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
soon as the ice was out of the river. Then it . was that all the ferries along the river within their jurisdiction were granted licenses upon ■ap[)lica- tion, entered upon the records, taxed, and thus became regularly estahli-^hed and recognized. Thus it apptars that Oatman's ferry, "established on fractional section number seven, township Three, south of range Six east,'' is made a public ferry, at the third meeting of the commissioners, in May, 1819. At the same meeting the peti- tion of "Charles Paxson, Mary W. Smith, Phoebe Ann Smith, Rebecca vSniiih, and Catharine Smith, heirs of Ste[)hcn Smith, for a ferry across the river Ohio at New Albany," was considered, and the ferry established under the name of ■ Charles Paxson & Ce\, John Connor's ferry having been previously established and made a public ferry. The records further state that Mr, Connor, feeling himself aggrieved by the establish- ment of Paxson's ferry so near to his own, appeals to the court for redress of grievances, entering into bond of five hundred dollars, with Sylvester Perry, Thomas Aborn, William L. Hobson, Elijah ^Lltthews, Joseph ^^'hitcomh, Abraham Buskirk, and Thomas Hand as sureties.
At this same meeting Caleb Newman's ferry was also recognized as a public ferry.
It was during this meeting, also, while the commissioners were upon the subject of ferries, that th^y established the rates to be charged by ferrymen in carrying passengers and freight. The following is copied from the records:
ORr)KKF.l), that the following rates he est.ihlisliL'd and I observed at all the ferries in Floyd county on the Ohio river, viz: F"or each four-wheeled carriage and wagon, fifty cents; for every horse of said wagon or carriage, twenty-five cents; for a two-wheeled carriage or cart, thirty-seven and a half cents; for a single horse, mule, or ass, twelve and one- half cents; for every person except the driver with the team, twelve and one-half cents; for every head of neat cattle, twelve and one-half cents; for every sheep, hog, or goat, six and one-fourth cents; for every barrel of flour or liquids when taken over without a carri.ige, twelve and one-half cents; and all other articles in the same proportion.
Other ferries were established from time to time, at different points along the river. Thus it appears that in May, 1827, Peleg L'nderwood is granted a ferry-right across the river from New Alljany. In May, 1S24, William Wright is granted a ferry-right across the mouth of Silver creek, at the place where John Carson and Rich- ard Aston's old ferry had been, mentioned in an- other chapter.
In May, 1821, Epaphras Jones sent a petition to the coini.nissioners asking for a feriy-right across the river from his town of Providence, which, however, was at that time refused. In August of the same year Mr. Jones was more suc- cessful, and the a|)plication is granted with the statement that "the ferry is to be across the river Ohio from his land in the town of Providence, situated on lot letter D in the Illinois or Clarke's Grant in New Albany township."
In 1S24 Caleb Newman's ferry is vacated. In May, 182 I, the following appears on the records: "Ordered, that the ferries be taxed as follows: Smith & Paxson's, $15; John Connor's, $15; George Oatman's, $10; Snider's, $5; Newman's $5." This record probably includes all the fer- ries then in existence and within the jurisdiction of the commissioners. Quite a number of per- sons engaged in the ferry business from time to time. At present there are two fine steam ferry- boats running, and the business is managed by Moses Irwin. These boats have attachments for fire purposes, and in cases of fire in the neigh- borhood of the river banks render most efficient service. The new bridge, whose corner stone has just been laid will, probably, somewhat re- duce the ferry business, and may put an end to it.
STEAM BOATING.
McMurtree, in his Sketches of Louisville, published in 1819, says the first boat to pass down the Ohio river was the Orleans, a small boat of about four hundred tons, constructed and owned by Mr. P\i!ton. It left Pittsburgh, where it was built, in December, 18 1 2, [October, 18 n,], and arrived in New Or- leans about the. 24th of the same month. As it passed New Albany, some of the inhabitants who had never seen nor perhaps heard of such a thing, were greatly frightened at the whistle, as the little boat let off considerable steam in the neighborhood of the Falls, it being supposed to be a somewhat difficult and dangerous undertak- ing to pass this natural obstruction. At this time the southwestern country, along the Lower Mississippi river, was being shaken with the great earthquake, and the little boat arrived at New Madrid just in time to witness the great shaking-up of that place. This great earthquake began December 16, iSii, at 2 a. m., and the earth continued trembling, without much inter-
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
169
mission, iinlihTboul May, 1S12, a period of nearly five months. The greatest destruction was in the neij^liborhood of New Madrid,- but the shocks were very unpleasantly felt at New Al- bany, and hundreds of other places alont; the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The Orleans con- tinued running on the Lower Mississippi, be- tween, Natchez and' New Orleans, about two years, when it was wrecked near Baton Rouge. Mr. MrMurtree gives the name, number, date, and tonnage of all the boats built on the river prior to 1819, when his book was published. From this it appears that but two boats were built- at New Albany prior to 1S19; these were the Ohio (No. iS), built in iSiS by Messrs. Shreve & Blair, and the Volcano (Xo. 20) by Robison & DeHart, in the same year. The first was about one hundred and forty feet long and a boat of four hundred and forty-three tons, and the last of two hundred and fifty tons. The carpenter who built the Ohio was Joseph McClary, and Samuel Marsh did the carpenter work on the Volcano, as- sisted, by his brother-in-law, Daniel Seabrook, yet living in New Albany. Captain Henry Shreve, of the Ohio, was long and popularly known on the Ohio river as a successful captain, and as a builder of many steamboats. Mr. Seabrook says the lumber for the Ohio and Volcano was sawed out by hand with "whip-saws,"' there being, it seems, no mill in successful operation at that time.
In the year 18 19 two boats were built in New- Albany, but the name has not been ascertained. From 1S20 to 1825 but one boat appears to have been built here, but from the latter date to 1S30 tw-elve were built. It was about this time ascer- tained that the very best of ship timber existed on the bottoms north of New Albanv, and thei-e being a demand for stcan-iboats, the business grew and developed rapidly. Six of these twelve boats were built by Washington Garrison, who hailed from Cape May. He located his establishment at Gut ford on Silver crctk, in the midst of the best ship timber. It is said his boats w-ere roughly built, but strong and substantial. As fast as they w-ere completed he floated them down Silver creek to the Ohio, where he sold them.
The following, tal.)le taken from a map of the county published in 1S54, gives the tonnage, value and number of boats launched at New Albany up to the date the map was issued:
|
\o. |
Tonnage. |
Value. |
|
I'rior to 1820 4 |
880 ■130 2,124 4.381 8,294 15.763 23.087' 26,652 |
$ 75.856 |
|
From 1820 to 1825 i |
||
|
From 1825 to 1830 12 |
183.089 ' 377.642 714.942 i,359;202 ■i.9',o,o99 2,297,403 |
|
|
From 18:50 to 1835 17 |
||
|
From i8j5 to 1840 3^ From 1840 to 1845 54 From 1845 to 1850 6g F'roni 1850 to 1854 59 |
||
|
■ Total 1 249 |
8r.3i6 |
$7,009,439 |
It will be seen from this table how rapidly the business of ship building developed, and to what great pro|)ortions it grew. From the follow-ing communication, published in the Ledger-Stand- ard in 1877, it will be seen this list is continued until 1S67 :
Sometime since we endeavored to set fortti ttie advantages of an entt-rprisc that was conceived to be practical, which would jirove of immense profit to the city, especially the re- tail trade, and afford employment to a large number of men. Reference is made to the re\ival of the boat-building interests of \ew Albanv. The former reputation of the sliip-yards located here and tlie master builders who gave them direc- tions, was unsurpassed by that of any localitv in the country. In a large degree the characterof the floating palaces, so many of which at one time plied tlic western and southern rivers, was clue to the very excellent timber which was to be found north and west of the city, and which is known to possess qualities vastly superior to that used in localities fartlicr up the Ohio. There are various reasons given by practical men for this superiority, which are unnecessary to rehearse, since the fact is indisputable. Xor is the timber alone worthy of attention. The well known reputation of our engine builders will not be forgotten by those who have a memory of the power which was obtained and the superior manner in which it was util- ized in the excellent construction of the great motors, which was applied in the propulsion of these crafts.
In recurring to this subject again, it is hoped that we shall be able to present such facts before the public as will satisfy those interested, not only of the feasibility of the enterprise, but that shall convince them tliat other and most important facts, that the establishment of a well appointed boat-\ard here will prove remunerative. To this end the following table has been prepared, giving the number of steamers built at this port, extending over a period of twenty years> including j a portion of the years 1847 and 1867, with the tonnage and I total cost; from which can be drawn some crude notion of the amount of money annually distributed among the peo- ple. Priar to the first year named, it is possible that a greater number of steamers had been constructed at this port, since the first steamer built here was something over I thirty years before 1847. It is probable that some of these • were not so costly as the latter steamers, as greater speed, luxury, and comfort have been the prominent objects in the construction of steamers of late years. Among those built I prior to 1847, m.\y be named such steamers as the Louisiana, ! Mississippi, Randolph, Homer, Orleans, Sultana, Diana, Shakspeare, Flelle ^lieridan, and dozens of others, some of which for speed, capacity, and durability, stand without riv.its at the present day. The tabic below gives the year in which the boats were built, the names assigned them, ton- nage, and cost. These facts have been gathered from the
f ,/n.,.:ll.
170
IIISTORV OI' THIC OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Ixjst data attaiiuililc at this time, and will be fo cieiitly valuable for all practical piirposi-s, having [• fler the revision of experienced men.
1847.
NAMF'. TONS
Luna \o./2 320
'J'^'l'' 430
Lowtides, Jr 350
Olive 500
Mtmlgomcry ^85
ConeiuiTor 630
General Lafayette 600
Daniel Pratt 3_|o
C. K. Watknis 250
Iroquois i;8o
1848.
Monioe 300
Atlantic ^00
Clara 250
Uncle Sam g-o
Kouma 275
Tom Brown 275
Forest Monarch 300
Mohican .... ^^t
1849.
Dove 300
Captain Greenlow ^20
Nashville 710
Belle Key 7-0
Bunker Hill No. 3 c-q
America 850
Anna 200
B. C. Oglesby 323
Anna Sinmiington 230
Mary Clifton.... 330
Isabella 290
Tribune ^go
Texas 130
Oregon ; 6,0
Empire 650
1850.
• Cora N'o. 2 ^oo
Cherokee roo
Swan 300
Sarah Gordon 300
Julia Dean 400
Cuba -,.,.
3-3
Ophelia 250
New l^tona '. c^o
Bulletin .,30 '
Saxton 280
Magnolia 895
Martin HofTman 310
Brilliant ,00
> i8si.
Diving-Bcll Boat 170
Glendy liurkc 620
1-ashion No. 2 -00
Fa-ihion "Mobile" 3^0
Bell Gates 300
B^"-" 270
J. iNL Clendeuin 310
und sutTi- 1 im-
COST.
$27,000 36,000 36,000 45,000 50,000 30,000 45,000 32,000 22,000 40,000
$28,000 35,000 25.000 40,000 25,000 25,000 28,000 45,000
$25,000 35,000 55,000 60,000 40,000 65,000 22,000 30,000 22,000 35.000 23.000 23,000 15,000 40,000 45.000
$28,000 35,000 25,000 25,000 28,000 25.000 22,000 38,000 30,000 22,000 65,000
25,(_XX)
35,000
$ro,ooo 45,000 40.000 30.000
22,"oOO
18,000 30,000
N.\ME. ' TONS.
Tevas R.inger 260
Ambassador, " Mubile" 438
1'. F. Kimball 430
George Collins 326
Black Diamond 275
Francis Jones 210
Reindeer 320
1S52.
Lucy Robin-son 300
L.clipse " F.xlra" 1,288
\'ulante 275
Argyle 300
K. Hou.ird , :;37
Octavia ' 270
Belle Gould 280
Sallie Carson 275
I'iota 300
Sallie Sharon 3x0
Cremona 290
Magnolia "Mobile" '. 290
Sam Dale 610
H. R. \V. Hill 956
Opelousas 220
Eliza Battle 500
Tishomingo 275
1853-
Kastport 587
A. L. Shotwell 1,050
John M. Stockwell '. . . 300
Robert } . Ward 800
Sangamon 200
Alida 200
Lticv Bell 250
r,aurel Hill 550
Sultana 300
. Lucy Robinson 300
Hunts\ille No. 2 9^6
Peter 1 ellon 800
.\ntelope 700
Four sn.ag boats 18,000
1854.
'•^L-lipse 400
S. F. J . Trabue 650
Belle .Shcrnlan 680
T. S. Archer 300
T. C. Tuitchell 610
Fannie Bullitt 350
Judy Towns 300
1855-
W. N. Shipman 300
R. W. I>owell 4-0
Kapides 600
Niagara 700
I . E. WoodrulT. 270
Republic 300
Choctaw 768
William Dickenson 270
Scotland 3Q0
Kate Dale 300
Pelican 220
COST.
$22,000 38,000 35,000 24,000
25,000 15,000 35,000
$25,000 140,000 22,000 26,000 40,000 20,000 27,000 27,000 25,000
25,000
23,000 3S.OOO 45,000 65,000 20,000 35,000 20,000
$45,000 85,000 21,000 80.000 15,000 15,000 22,000 45,000 22,000 35,000 63,000 55>ooo 45,000
120,000
$35,000 45,000 40,000 38 000 50,000 35.000 25,000
$25,000 35,000 40,000 45,000 20,000 25,000 45.000 20,000 25,000 25,000 18,000
ll-.'l , .' . ... 1
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
171
NAME. TONS. 1856.
J.-\nif5 Montgomery 650
(Ji)veriior I'owell 4°°
White Bluff 250
Henry I. King 35°
J. N.- Eaton ' ^00
Saracen 2S0
Cor.i Anderson 250
II. IX N'ewcomb b56
Chancellor 35°
John Warner 280
Arkansas Traveler 130
Ixgrande 250
Bloomer 220
Bell Memphis '. 4°°
St. Charles , 295
St. Nicholas 295
I'rima Donna 295
Alice Vivian 295
John Briggs . . 250
Baltic 737
\V. S. Kwing 400
Boneta 200
1857-
B.iltic, tow boat 600
Alice Parrott 250
C. W. Dorrance 35°
i:. H. Fairchild 610
Xew I'ncle Sam 1,100
B. L. Hodge 400
Vicksburg 825
Caddo Belle 300
W. Biirtor. 300
Pacific 730
1S58.
W. V. Gillam 300
Submarine No. 11 75
Submarine No. 12 75
Bell Boat Southerner 50
J. D. Perry 300
B. J. I.ockwood .. 350
John Raine 700
Piota 200
Aline 200
1859.
Black Hawk 300
Empire Parish 300
Lizzie Simmons 700
Magnolia 900
Chei okee 400
Arkadelphia City 200
Jim Barkman 300
Peytona 650
< leneral (Jnitman r 900
■Jennie Kirk 200
^ 1S60.
\V. S. Borry 400
B. J . .\dams loo
James Battle 550
I .. C. Ferry 350
W. M. Eevy 250
Mary Keene 765
$45,000 35,000 18,000 28,000 25,000 22,000 20,000 50,000 28,000 22,000 12,000 18,000 18,000 35,000 45,000 45,000 45,000 45,000
Z2,000
60,000 35,000 i:;,ooo
$40,000
32,000
40.000 40,000 85,000
45.000
70,000 25,000 25,000 60,000
$25,010 10,000 10,000 8,000
35,000
40,000 50,000
35,000
20,000
$35,000
40,000 70,000 65.000
45,000
20,000
35,000 45.000
85,000 20,000
$45,000
45,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 75,000
N.\MF,. TONS. COST.
.■\c.adia ; 200 $20,000
Iberville 400 45.000
Ben South, fei ry 75 10,000
Nina Simms 250 30,000
DeSoto 306 35, 000
T. W. Roberts 400 .45.000
Magenta • 940 75,000
1861. Louisville 300 $35,000
1862.
Glasgow : 35° $40,000
Des -Arc 350 40,000
1863.
Gunboat Tuscumbia 8co $150,000
Huntress 220 28,000
1864.
Woodford 600 $ 60,000
Leviathan 1,300 125,000
Magenta 800 80,000
Avenger 240 25,000
Vindicator 200 25,000
Luna 200 25,000
Burd Levi 220 28,000
Cora S ". . .. 220 37,000
Huntbville 220 32,000
1865.
St. Charles 4°° $50,000
Montana 3<» 35,ooo
St. Nicholas 403 50,000
Lucretia 240 25,000
Emma Brown 150 25,000
Sarah 240 25,000
Jennie Browne _ 150 25,000
St. James 4°° 50,000
i866.
Will S. Hays 3°° $25.°^
Mary Anient 15° 25,000
Frank Bates 45° 55,ooo
R.E.Lee 1,227 iSo.ooo
Empire 3°° 35,°oo
1867.
Legal Tender 45° •$55,°°°
Total cost ..$7,347,000
The above comprises a list of two hundred and four steamers built at this point dunng the twenty years, at a cost of $7,347,000. Nearly the whole of this vast sum was ex- pended in this city; and the profit upon the trade which it indicates went into the pockets of manufacturers, mechanics, merchants, and laborers. Now let us see who are the parties that have been benetlted by the business. First in the list we note the ship-yards, of which, during a portion of the time, there were live, employing in the aggregate four hun- dred and fifty mechanics and laborers direct. The founders employing about two hundred skilled mechanics and their assistants, the cabin builders were another class of cojitrac- tors. who gave employment to a large number of workmen: the furniture men were also largely benefited and gave em- ployment to numerous mechanics and laborers; the tin and copper-smiths came in for a liber.d share of the necessary
172
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
work in completing an OLitlil for steamers; while the black- smiths, with nimierous employes, cut_ a very considerable figiiri^ in tlie construction of these vessels.
The Chandler's, etc., comprising the many smaller estab- lishments at which weic oblaiiied the various necessary articles for outfit."!, employed hundreds of men; and in the aggregate came into possession of large sums of the grand total expended.
These are the parties most directly interested in this enter- prise, giving employment to from two thousand to two thou- sand five hundred able-bodied mechanics, artisans, and laborers. Upon the labor of these men depended from eight to ten thousand of the population for support — no inconsider- able city as to nurabers. Besides, the building of such a large number of steamers at this point attracted numerous men who are engaged as ofl'icers and employes, so that it is safe to say that twelve thousand of our population in a large degree depended upon the business of steamboat building for support. As a matter of course, this large number of people collected together gave employment to merchants and mechanics, who were indirectly benefited by the trade which arose for the demand for the necessaries of life. It would be difficult to determine what were really the profits thus directly and indirectly gained by people of all classes in the city. But it was large, and those who remember the prosperous days of fifteen years ago, know that many of the mechanics had built themselves comfortable homes, and were in the en- joyment of more than the usual share of happiness. They will be remembered too, as among the most worthy and thrifty of our people. In this one branch of industry there has been a most marked change within the past ten years. The ship-yards have been idle, the foundries closed, the smith shops almost gone to wreck, and hundreds of idle men are wandering around the streets, while others have removed from our midst.
While this marked decline in the ship-building interest here has been apparent, it is known that other localities, less favored, have been busy. There is a cause for this, which is patent to many of our people. Just prior to the war, the system of credit was very e.vtensively practiced by the master builders, and the war caused the loss to these enterprising men of thous.ands of dollars, so crip]iling them that they were compelled to abandon the business. Had it been pos- sible that these men could have received temporary aid, they could have drifted over their calamities and continued their business.
Now the need is a comparatively small amount of capital, at either a very low rate of interest, or, for that matter, with- out interest, to enable them to once more open their yards and manufactories, with an assurance that they would not be cramped in carrying out their contracts, which would enable them to invite owners of steamboat shares to give them a visit and invite competition for the construction of the large number of steamers which are annually set afloat on the western and southern rivers.
A few years ago a feeble eflbrt was made to organize a company here to renew the business of steamboat building, but the means were entirely inadequate, and nothing was ac- complished. If this localitv is to be benefited by this prof- itable business a sufficient sum must be placed at the disposal of competent men to secure the necessary m.ichinery for the building of sheds, the erection of ways, and for other modern appliances, to enable a company to enter in competition with builders at other points. How much will be required for this purpose can only be known to experienced men. Prob.ably .rom $75,000 to $too,ooo would be ample. Such a sura judi-
ciously applied would prove more profitable to every business interest of the city than an equal amount in almost any branch of manufactures. The mechanics, the skill, the timber, and all other needed material is at hand, and what is now required is the necessary capital.
'I'here is not a business man in 'the city but is interested in this matter. Every owner of real estate, eveiy landlord, and in fact all classes have an interest in building up manu- factories in this city, which will attract population and-wcalth, and none of these manufactories are of more importance than that of steamboat building. Within a short time Mtssrs. Hill & Co. have opened a yard at this point, and have made one contract. This yard will be supplied with all the necessary machinery to enable it to compete with the most favored yards in the country. We understand that it is the design of the proprietors to connect a ship-joiner's estab- lishment with the yard, unless some one of our master build- ers shall undertake it. Messrs. Hill & Co. are accomplished master builders, and have had large experience, and it is hoped they will meet w ith that degree of encouragement and success to which they are entitled.
It will be seen from the above table that ship- building at New Albany advanced steadily until 1S56, at which time it reached lis zenith, and from which time it began steadily to decline. In that year (1S56) twenty-two boats were built, and the business kept up fairly until t'le war came and nearly put an end to it. After the war had progressed two or three years, there was much demand for steamboats by the Government and from other sources, and plenty of money to carry on business of all kinds, and the sliip-building • revived in 1864, promising to become as great' as ever; but the collapse of the rebellion caused a collapse in the ship-building at New Albany, and it has never revived. The expected revival of the business, according to the above commu- nication, upon the advent of Hill & Co. in 1867, did not occur, and few if any steamboats have ■ been built since 1867. Messrs. Murray & Co. are the present ship builders of New Albany, but they are principally engaged in building fiat- boats and barges for the transportation of coal and other heavy freight. These boats are towed by steamers, and carry immense loads.
The steamboat business north of Mason and Dixon's line has greatly decreased in the last score of years, owing in great part to the nu- merous railroads, and the consecjuent cutting of freight rates; and also to the more rapid transit, and the growing desire of the people to save time, do business rapidly, and get through the world as rapidly as possible. Steamboats are too slow for the age. Men can so utilize their time now that it becomes of more value than cheap transportation.
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
173
CHAPl'ER VIII.
EDUCATION IN NEW ALBANY. THE E.VKLY SCHOOLS.
Tlie proprietors of New Albany, coming as t-liey did from a land of schools and churches, where the moral and secular education of the young was considered a matter of primal y im- portance, endeavored from the first to implant this idea in the wildcrn'ss, and immediately set about laying a solid foundation upon which to build the educational institutions of the infant city. The seed thus early sown and carefully nurtured has grown and' flourished, until the schools in New Alban\- have been pushed to the front rank of the schools of the State.
The first school-house was erected by the Scribners, and was a large square cabin standing on one of the public squares of the city. The site of this building is on State street, opposite the court-house, the large brick building belong- ing to John Briggs and John Mann now occupy- ing the lot. The old school-house is yet in ex- istence, and should be preserved. It stands on the corner of Lower First and Spring streets, be- ing used as a blacksmith shop. John Aston re- members this building, and says Stephen Beers taught school here in 1S17. School-houses were not generally constructed on the lots donated by the Scril)ners, but the lots were sold from time to time for the benefit of the schools. In 1820 a log school-house stood out on the commons north of the village, in the neighborhood of Trublood's old mill. It was in use many years, but caught fire and burned to the ground while the school was in progress. About this date a man named Corcelius was teaching a "select" school in the village, in the upper part of James Anderson's dwelling, located on the northeast corner of Pearl and Main streets. Corcelius after- ward became a doctor, and moved away from the village. These were the first schools of which anything is known at present. The first school- house was used for religious meetings and public gatherings of every kind.
As a brief history of the schools is given in a communication which follows, it is only neces- sary hc'e to state that they grew and develo[)ed as ra[)idly as schools everywhere in the new country, and perhaps, owing to peculiar advan- tages, more rapidly than in most other places.
F>om a map of the county published in 1S54, it ■is ascertained that there were at that date in the city, one high school, six primary schools, twenty-eight teachers, and three thousand one hundred and two children enrolled. 'lire value of public school property was $55,000. In ad- dition to the public schools and the Scribner high school, there was Ayers' university, then in a flourishing condition, and three colleges, to- wit : tlie Asbury Female college, Anderson's Female college, and the New Albany Theologi- cal seminary.
The Directory of 186S speaks as follows re- garding the schools of that date :
Tbeic are eight scliools including the Scribner high school Tlie cost of school buildings is seventy thousand dollars ; five thousand five hundred and fifty-five scholars are enrolled, and there are thirty-five teachers. The schools are graded, and all classes are taught, the pupil beginning at the A, B, C, passing through many classes and departments, and final- ly gr.iduating in the higli school, after which he is prepared to eiiti;!r the freshman class of any college. In addition to the public schools of tlie citv there are twelve private schools, some of them, notably Townsley's academy and Morse's academy, equal to any private schools in the State. The St. JMary's (Catholic) high sciiool building is the finest in the city except DePauw college, it being fifty by seventy feet, and five stories in height. It cost twenty thousand dollars. Here pupils are given a thorough scientific course. The higher branches are also taught in many of the private schools of the city.
This Catholic school is more especially men- tioned in the history of the Catholic church, in another cha[)ter of this work.
AN OFFICIAL HISTORY.
In 1S79 H. B. Jacobs, then and now superin- tendent of the schools of New Albany, furnished the following at the request of the State superin- tendent of public instruction :
It is evident that the founders of New Albany were thoroughly imbued with the idea that the happiness and per- manent prosperity of a community depend largely upon the intelligence of its people, and that the education of youth was an object of the highest importance, for very early in the history of the town steps were t-tken to raise funds for edu- cational purposes. The town w.is laiil out by Joel, .Abner, and Nathaniel Scribner, who purchased the original plat, comprising an area of eight hundred and twenty-six acres, of John Paul. Lots were sold by the .Scribner brothers at pub- lic auction November, 1813. In the advertisement of the sale there was a stipulation tliat "one-fourth part of each payment upon the lots sold should be paid into the hands of tru.stees, to be chosen by tlie purchasers, until such payments shall amount to five thousand dollars, the intercut upon which to be applied to the use of schools in the town, for the use of its inhabitants forever."
Upon a petition of the citizens of the town the Legislature passed an act entitled, "An act incorporating the New
I. J -iJ bif.V
. ..id.'
174
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Albany schoul," wliicii was appiuvctl January 8, 1821. By this act Setli Woodiufl, Jolm l-:astl).)rn, Cliarles Woodruff, Samuel Miller, anil Samuel Marsh were incorporated a body politic and corporate by the name and style of the " Presi dent and Managers of the N'ew Albany school." They were appointed to serve until the first Monday of the following May, at which time and annually thereafter the citizens of the town were to meet at the place where the school was kept and elect five trustees, who were householders and resi- dents in the town." 'I'he provisions of the act referred to, \sith several sn|)plenients to ii, were strictly observed by the different boards of trustees that were successively elected during' a long series of years. Projicr steps were soon taken to organize a school, employ a competent te.icher and in every way carry out the design of the founders of the town.
The first school was opened in the fall of 1S23, with John A. .Spauldiiig as teacher. . It was continued in successful operation, without much change in the plan at first ado]ited, until 1838, when an assistant teaelier was employed, and separate departments for the male and female pupils or- ganized.
With a part of the aceunuilation of the interest on the money donated by the Scribncr brotlicrs as a sinking fund for the use of the schools, the Scribncr high school, a ueiit two-story brick building on tlie corner of Lr>wer Fir:it and Spring streets, now known as the Boys' high scliool of New Albany, was built during the summer of 1S49.
It will be seen by this brief account that the early settlers of New Albany, even while it w.is yet a very small forest town, nestling on the banks of the majestic ri\er that flows past a now prosperous city, manifested a deep interest in the edu- cation of the youth within her borders.
The first school established grew in importance and efii- ciency until 1S53, and, together with the district school^ or- g.inized under the old district or local school law. I'urnished school accommodations for all the children of school .age in the tow n.
From the time of the passage of the district school law, t<j which we have just referred, until 1833, the schools of the city were controlled by three separate boards of trustees. The one had coTUrol ofthe Scribncr school fund, and the city schools, and the other two bodies, acting under the district law, had control, in separate districts, of what are now called common schools. The latter bodies organized n number of ungraded schools in dltTerent jvirts of the city, and erected several brick I>uildings, one of the most substantial of which is the Main Street school house, which was built under the supervision of Hon. John B. WinstaiuUey, who was one of the trustees when it was erected.
In February, 1853, the city assumed control of the district or common schools within her borders. During the summer of the same year the president and managers of the .Xew .\l- bany public schools passed a preamble, setting forth that they believed that the intention of the original donors of the Scribner lund can be carried out as well under the present law and organization of the common schools of the city as under their management, and ui'on the passage of an appro- priate resolution, all funds, property, books, notes, etc., in their possession were transferred and assigned to the citv of New Albany for the use of the common schools, since which time all public schools of Xew .\lliany have rem.iined as one corporate body, and have been tiiuler control of one manage- nient.
The board of trustees, or superintendents as tliev were then called, under whom the schools were consolidated, were Judge T. L. Smith, Cliarles Van Dusen, Dr. 1'. S.' Shields,
V. A. I'epin, and James Collins. They soon began to make arrangements for grading all schools under their control, in- cluding the necessary arrangements for establishing a central high school, and on the first -Monday of September, 18,3, a complete system of graded schools was orgariiz(-d. The high schoul, however, was not openfcd until the first Monday of the following October. The fust teachers of the New Al- bany High school were George H. Harrison, princiiJal, and Miss Eunice h'.lderkin, assistant. The schools thus organucd were continued in session till July, 1854, a period of ten months; and although numerous difficulties, consequent upon inaugurating a new system, wete encountered, the re- sults of the year were entirely satisfactory, and the success of the system was apparent. There w ere twenty-eight teachers employed — si.\ males and twenty-two females ; the number of pupils enrolled was 1,570, with an average attendance of 970.
During the summer of 1854 better and more extensive ac- commodations were provided for the schools. .A new three- story brick building was erected, and two smaller buildings rented, and on the eighteenth day of September all the schools of the city were again opened. But in the fall of the same year the supreme court of the State declared the one hundred and thirtieth section of the law entitled, ".An act to provide for a general and uniform system of common school," unconstitutional. By this decision the taxes levied for the support of the schools could not be collected, and the superintendents found that the money in their possession was sufficient to pay the expenses of the school for only half the year. They petitioned the common council for aid, but without success, and Friday evening, February 2, 1855, the schools were closed until the law was so amended as to enable the superintendents to reopen them.
It will be observed that the graded schools of New Albany were commenced under very favorable auspices, but owing to the decision of the supreme court referred to, and a subse- quent decision declaring the first section of the .act of 1835, entitled an Act to authorize the establishment of free public schools in the incoiporate cities and towns of the State, un- constitutional, they were kept in an unfmished condition for a long time and could not be made efficient for the want of funds. The trustees (the school officers were called trustees after May, 1865.) had no power to levy and called a local tax .for tuition purposes, and hence the length of the term each year depended entirely upon the amount of funds received from the State department. The schools were opened at ir- regular times, and when the money in the treasury was ex- hausted they were closed s^i/is ccrt»n'i/ic.
-August 16, 1855, Charles B.inies, of Madison, Indiana, was elected to the double office of [)rincipal of the high school and superintendent of all the schools of the city, at a salary of $1,000 per annum from and .after the time his services were reijuired. He did not enter upon his duties until the open- ing of the schools January i, 1856. Mr. Barnes was re-elect- ed in July, 1856, and was connected with the schools unti .May, 1S57. July 2, 1867, Professor James G. May, a teacher of experience and scholarly attammcnts, was elected to suc- ceed Mr. Barnes. Professor May held this position over two years. The schools were opened September 5, 1857, but were closed JaniKiry 29, 1858, immediately upon receiving the second decision of the supreme court mentione<l .ibove, and the rooms were rented to the teachers in which to oi'en private schools.
In the spring of i8')2 a number of the school buildings of the city were leased to the L'nited Statics for hospit.ils for sick soldiers by John R. Nun;'.maclier, Esij., president of the
HISTORY OF THE OfHO I ALLS COUNTHCS.
175
board of trustees, through Capt.iiu W. Jcuks, aisistaut quar- t.niiLisltr of tlie United Stales army. The Cioveriinient cc- cupied the biiildhigs for a little Tiiore than a year, when, upon the retjuest of the trustees, they were vacated and turned over to the school officers. They were thoroughly cleansed and lefittcd, and on the first Mouday of September,- 1R64, the .schools, which had been closed for over three years, from June, 1861, to Sejitcmber, 1864, «crc again reorganized; and as llie law in the meantime had bc-n amended so that the trus- tees wcJ'C enabled to obtain moie funds for tuition purpo.ses, they lune been continued reyuh'.ily in session a full term each )ear ever since.
M a meeting of the trustci-s held July 30, 1S64, Trolessor (ieurge P. f'.rown was elected to fdl the position fonnerly held by Mr, I'arncs, and at a suViseqttcnt period by Professor May. -Miss .Ada Farrington was elected assistant teacher of the higli school. The duties of tin; double oflice held by Mr. Brown becoming too great for one individual to perform with credit to hmiself or justice to the schools, in- January, 1865, the trustees elected Virgil P. Hall assistant principal of the high school. By the election of Mr. Hall, Professor Brown was enabled to devote all his time to the genera! supervision of the schools. Aptil 17, 1865, Mr. Brown tendered his resignation as superintendent of the New .Albany schools to the board of trustees, which they accepted, and from that date unti! 1S73 the schools of the city were conducted without a general superintendent.
The public schools made slow progress for a number of years after they were reorganized, and although they kept open ten montlis each year, they were not as efficient as they might have been. During the period of three years — from 1861 to 1864 — that they were cIo.sed, a number of private schools were organized and were in a flourishing condition long after the public schools were reopened. They were patronized by many of our best and wealthiest citizens, so that in 1868 there were only two more teachers employed, and only about three hundred more pupils enrolled in the schools than m 1854, yet there were double the number of children of school age in the city; and as late as 1870 only twenty-eight per cent, of the school children attended the public schools. '
In the fall of 1870 the male and female pupils of the high school were separated, and the female high school organized in another liuilding, which h.ad been especially fitted up for that purpose with J. M. Bloss as principal and Miss Maggie Hamilton and Miss Fannie Fuwcett assistant te.achers. .Mr. VV. VV. M,ay was elected principal of the boys' h'gh school, and Miss C C. Warren assistant. About this period new life was infused into the schools and they have gradually im- proved ever since. Each succeeding year has added to their efficiency and popularity, and to-day all classes of our citi- zens serid their children to the public schools. All the pri- vate schools,, except the parochial (Catholic) schools, have been closed; and consequently the attendance at the public schools has greatly increased. As to thoroughness and uni- formity of instruction, methods of discipline and economical management we will let others speak. There are In the city thirteen school buildings^ten brick and three frame. They furnish accommodations for fully thirty-th.ree hundred pupils. Three of the buildings mentioned are used for the colored schools of the city. The number of pupils enrolled in the schools this year is about thirty-one hundred. There are fifty-si.x teachers employed, to wit: One music teacher, si.v in the high school, and forty-nine in the grammar, interme- di.ite. and primary dep.irtments. .Since tile est.ibhslimi?nt of separate high schools for male and female pupils eight classes
have graduated at each school.' The total number of female graduates is one hundred and fortv-three. The number of male graduates is forty-nine.
The people of New Albany point with just pride to the graduates of their high schools. Three of the male gradu- ates have gone to the United States Military academy at West Point, where they have taken honorable position.s in the clas.ses; while a large number have cither entered one of the professions, or are hlling responsible positions in banking or other business houses. Of the female graduates twenty- eight are nosv teaching in the schools of the city, and others are teaching elsewhere, while not a few are at the heads of interesting and happy little families. Dr. J. P.. Reynolds is ■ principal of the boys' high school, and Dr. (ieorge F^ Weaver of the female high school.
The system of graded public schools now in succes.^ful op- eration in Xew Albany is complete and thorough in every particular. These schools afford the poor and. rich alike su- perior advantages for giving their children an e.xcellent prac- tical education, and no man who lives in the city can have the least e.xcuse for permitting liis sons and daughters to grow up in ignorance.
In the history of these schools some of the most intelligent and influential men of the city have filled the position of trustee. In June, 1873, the trustees elected H. B. Jacobs (the present incumbent) superintendent.
In closing this brief history we wish to state that during an experience of nearly eighteen years in school work, we have never labored with school oflicers who discharged their duties more conscientiously than those with whom we have been associated during the last six years, viz : Colonel W. W. Tuley, Colonel W. P. Davis, E. S. Winstandley, and Charles H. Fawcett.
Mr. Jacobs is yet (1S81) superintendent of the schools of New Albany, and no important changes have occurred since the above statement was made. The number of teachers in the schools is now fifty-four, a reduction of two in the high school having been made.
Following is a list of the trustees of the New Albany public schools from the time it was in- corporated as a city until the present :
SCHOOL 'JKUSTEES.
Ashel Clapp , 1839-40
.Ashbel Steele 1839-40
William Plunier 1839-42, 1844-51
William M. Wier 1839-40, 1853-55
Obadiah Childs 1835-43
-Abram Case 1841-42, 1843-52
.Seth Woodruff. 1841-44
Israel C. Crane 1841-42
Eli.is Thoniason 1842-44
R. R. Hickman 1842-43
Noah H. Cobb 1843-52
David Crane rS43-48
Henry M. Doroling 1844-51
Peter A. Roan 1846-47
Salem P. Town 1846-47
John Brunner 1848-51
William A. Scribner 1851-52
Mich.ael Streepy 1851-52
P. S. Shields 1852-53, 1855-57
176
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
T. L. Smith
Cli.irles VaiiDiisen
V. A. rcpiii
James Collins
J esse J . P.rouii
R. R. Town
(Jeorge V. Howk
Thomas Humpliroy
Hiram Wilson '853-54
Horace R. Wilson .
.Peter R. Stoy :
John D. Rodgers '. . .
Charles Wible
Thomas R. Austin
John LoughniiUer
William Jones
William C. Conner
John R. Xunemacher
Thom.is Rucker
I. P. Smith
K. Sabin
John Q. A. Smith
John Culbertson
J oh n B. Ford
William A. Tabler
James A. Doll
Joseph St. John
James Johnson ;
George W. Laping
P. M.Wilcox
Augustus Bradley
James G. Marshal
Daniel Snively
D. W. Lafollette
William Cooper
E. Benjamen
Wesley Pierce
Elijah Newland
James V. Kelso
George Lyman
W. P. Swift
W. W. Tuley
I. S. Winstandley
M. A. .Wier
W. P. Davis
Charles H. Pawcett
M. McDonald
G.E. Sackett is the present secretary of the school
85--53 852-53
852-53 852-53 853-55 853-55 853-51 853-54 857-58 854-55 854-63 855-58 855-61 855-61 S55-57 855-59 855-60
855-63 355-56 856-58 857-58 857-65 858-59 858-59 858-61
858-59 858-62
859-65 859-61 859-61 859-60 860-61 860-61 861-68 862-65 863-65 863-65 365-72
868-73 872-79 872-79
873-74 874-78 878-81 879-82 board.
MR. COTTOM's account.
In 1S73 .Mr. Cottom wrote as follows regard- ing the schools :
There are in the city ten elegant and very large brick school buildings, and one frame scliool building. The value of tliese buildings is about $150,000. and they furnish ac- commodations for fully three thousand pupils. Eight of the buildings are used for. the primary, intermediate, and gram- mar schools, and one as a male high school, and one as a female high school. The system of grading is a most perfect one. and works admirably and etikiently. Tuition is abso- lutely free in all departments; and the pupils who pass all the grades and graduate through the high school receive a thorough English and scientitie education, and are compe- tent for any department of business, or for any of the pro- fessions. The city has erected a first-class brick edifice as a
school-house for the colored inhabitants of the city, who have the same rights to admission in their own scliools as tlie whites have inlo theirs— the same law governing both. Forty-five white and two colored teachers are employed in the.sc public .schools, while the average attcndAf.ce of pupils is about two thousand three liundred. The annual cost of the schools is not far from $30,000, and the total number of school children in the city entitled to the privileges of the schools is .seven thousand one hundred and thirty. The schools are managed by a board of three school trustees, elected by the city council, which secures to them perma- nency, and the best educators in the way of teachers. A? THKY ARE NOW.
The fullowiii.f; list shows the present number and character of the schools, and location of the school-houses :
!Male high school — situated on Lower First street, southwest corner of Spring. J. B. Rey- nolds, principal; S. A. Chambers, assistant.
Female high school — situated on Spring street, northeast corner of Bank. Dr. George Weaver, jjrincipal ; Mrs. Maggie Shrader, first a.ssistant ; Miss 1'annie F\aucett, second assistant.
Upper Spring street school — situated on North side of Spring street, between Upper Fifteenth and Vincenncs. William Rady, principal.
Independent German-American school — sit- uated on Market street, between Upper Eighth and Ninth. J. B. James, principal.
Upper Main street school — situated on Main street, between Upper S'eveiith and Ninth. John R. Weathers, principal.
Upper F'ourth street school— situated on Up- per Fourth street, between Spring and Elm. John T. Smith, principal.
Upper Eleventh street (colored) school — sit- uated on Market, southwest corner of Upper Eleventh. William J. Scott, principal.
Lower Second street (colored) school — situat- ed on Lower Second, southwest corner of Elm.
Lower Market street school— situated on Mar- ket street, between Lower Fifth and Si.xth. Miss Sue E. Hooper, principal.
Lower Spring street school — situated on Spring street, between Lower Fifth and Sixth. Jacob B. Starr, principal.
Lower Albany school — situated on the west side of Jackson street, between Second and Third. E. T. Leach, principal.
West Union school — situated on Jackson street, west of Hildreth. William S. McClure, principal.
West Union (colored) school — situated on Pearl street near Union. J. B.Jones, principal.
HISTORY OF THE OPHO FALLS COUNllES.
177
In the last report of tlic State superintendent of public instruction, much valuable statistical matter is found regarding the schools of the State and the different counties. From this it is ascertained that the number of children enrolled in Floyd county in 1S7S was 9,116, an increase of 629 in the county in the last ten years. There arc in tlu' county i^iS square miles:, the number of children to the square mile on an average be- ing 61. 'I'hat but little more than fifty-four pt.r rent, of the children of the county is enrolled in the public schools seems a somewhat startling statement, and shows that there is much room for improvement in the school laws. Out of the 9,116 children in the county the number who did not attend school in 1S78, was 4,107. This state of affairs cannot but lead to more stringent laws, and probably to compulsory education. On this subject the report contains the following:
It is not ruoiigh that tlic State makes by its laws a system ol schools possible. Tlie system must be a compulsory sys- tem. Tlie ,'^t:ite should compel tlie location, e^l.tbli-Jimi^nt, and iiiaintcnanco of a sufficient number of schools for the education of all its children.
If it were left to each locality to establish schools or not at its will, the system would in no sense become a general system. A permissive system would soon beconje no S)stem at all.
There were 689 colored children in the county, of whom less than fifty per cent. (325) were enrolled in the public schools. The enuna- eration of children in the city of New Albany in 1878 was 6,342. The length of the school year was 127 days. The number of teachers in Floyd county was 91. Throughout the State the aver- age pay of teachers in the city was $3.17, and the average pay of teachers in the country $1. So per day; this average of country teachers was ex- ceeded in this county, it being $2.10. The amount of Congressional school fund, arising from the sale of every sixteenth section, was $14,753.50, or $1.62 per capita.
SELECT SCHOOLS .WD COLLEGES.
Many schools of this character have been es- tablished from time to time in New Albany, but most of them, after q, brief career, have either been compelled to close for want of proper sup- port, or have been merged into the public schools.
.METHODIST EPISCOI'.\L CHURCH SEMIX.\RV.
The Methodist Episcopal church started a seminary here about 1S35, with the expectation
of making it a permanent establishment for the education of young people in their religious faith, as well as in secular matters. A frame building was erected on Market street, on the corner of the alley below State, west side. The school was placed in charge of George H. Har- rison, from Ohio, and was continued with varying success for something less than ten years. The building has long since disappeared from this site, having been moved to Spring street, above Thirteenth, where it is now occupied as a tene- ment house.
Anderson's female college.
I'his was an important educational institution in its day, but long since disappeared. It was a private school started by John B. Anderson about the time the above mentioned seminary went out of existence. A commodious brick had been erected fronting the park for a private dwelling; Anderson purchased it, and, building an addi- tion, ojjened at first a school lor girls, but after a few years the building was enlarged and a depart- ment for young men added. The noted Confed- erate general, John Morgan, was one of his pupils at one time. The school was continued until about 1S54, when Mr. Anderson went into the printing business and gave up teaching. The school was closed, and buildings converted into a board- ing house, in which condition they are found at present.
Soon after the closing of Anderson's college Rev. Mr. Woods started a select school on the corner of Lower Fifth and Market streets. He erected here a brick building for this purpose, and cor.tinued the school three or four years.
avers' university.
The New Albany Theological seminary, or Ayers' university as it was generally called, was started with the most flattering promises of fut- ure success about 1S47. Elias Ayers was the founder, and gave $15,000 as an endowment to the institution. This gentleman was a great friend of the cause of education, making a donation of a large sum to Hanover college, lo- cated in Jefferson county, in this State. Build- ings for the purpose were erected on the corner of Seventh and Elm streets. The institution was intended for the education of ministers of the Presbyterian church, and was conducted here several [years, ^but for some reason was
,u<:-: -v n
I7S
HISTORY OK THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
moved to Chicago about 1854-55. Rev. Dr. McMasters was president, aild Rev. James Woods and Dr. Sroville were jjrofessors. ' Two years after the removal of tb.e school to Chicago a Mr. Mines occupied tiie buildiniis with a select school, but for many years the buildings have not been used for school purposes. Lhey aie now occupied as private dwellin^^s, anil for an undertaking establishment.
DEPAUW COLIJiGK FOR VOUNC, WOMKX. .
This is a living and live mstitution of to-day, ihouf^h it has had its -U].is and downs m life, and has only stuvived by being more fortunate than its contemjioraries above named in finding stead- fast and jjowerful friends to assist in time of trouble. The institution is the property of the Indiana conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, and occupies a [)Ieasant and command- ing situation in the most beautit'ul part of the city, being on Main street at the corner of Ninth. The building, or a portion of it, was erected in 1S52 for a young ladies' boarding-school, under the name of the Indiana Asbury Female college. The institution struggled along for fourteen years under many discouragements, its principal trouble being a debt and mortgnge that hung over it and continually threatened its existence. During that time five different presidents had charge of it at different periods, but the accumu- lation of debt retarded its progress, prevented its success, and finally resulted, in 1866, in the transfer of the property to other owners.
In the above-named year the Methodists de- termined to celebrate the anniversary of Ameri- can Methodism by a repurchase of their college, and, through the liberality of the citizens of New Albany, and especially by the munificence of Hon. W. C. DePauw, the object was realized and the college presented, free from debt, to the Indiana conference, and accepted by that body. Rev. Erastus Rowley, D. D., a graduate of Union college. New York, was elected president, and the college reopened in September, 1866.
Under the stimulus of the good times succeed- ing the war, the college began a prosperous career. As the number of students increased, additional room was much needed, and again Mr. DePauw came to the rescue, erecting, at the expense of $ro,ooo, a large, handsome, and commodious wing to the building, and the name
of the institution was changed to DePauw Col- lege for Young Ladies. The name has been since slightly changed, as will be seen above. .Since that time Mr. DePauw, by the donation of a well-selected and valuable library and other gilts, has added much to its success and useful- ness. At the present time the college is free from debt, and its friends are sanguine of its future success. .About two years ago the building was partially destroyed by fire: but being refitted it is more commodious and attractive than before.
'I'he building is of brick, three stories in height, v.ithi main building in center and two wings, its capacity being sufficient to accommodate seventy students with room and hoard, and as many more day pupils. During the first ten years of its existence, forty-eight young ladies graduated at the institution, and since it changed to DePauw college, seventy-three young ladies have been enrolled on its graduating list.
At present it is in charge of Mr. F". A. Fried- ley, a graduate of Asbury University of Green- castle, Indiana, v. ho is now in his second year. Rev. W. R. Halstead had charge for one year prior to Mr. Friedley becoming principal. I,ast year there were sixty-eight students; this year about ninety, with eight teachers. There are five school-rooms and two recitation-rooms in the building. The rooms for boarding pupils and teachers are all carpeted and comfortably furnished.
This is probably, with one exception, the only strictly Protestant female college in the State. It is the purpose of its trustees to make this an institution that shall embrace every advantage of Roman Catholic schools in discipline, and at the same time impart a thorough and substantial education. The very best teachers are employed to give instruction on the piano, organ, guitar, and in vocalization, through whom this has be- came one of the most popular departments ot the institution. The government is of a mild and parental character, equally removed from weakness and austerity. Pupils boarding in the institution are treated as members of the family of the president, and submit to such wise regula- tions as will, in his judgment, most promote their interest and that of the college. The domestic and social life of the college is com- mitted to the responsible direction of the resident lady teachers, under the supervision of the presi-
" I
'1 •■!
HISTORY OF THF, OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
179
dent. The president resides in the college building, and with his family presides at the same table with the pupils.
The following-named gentlemen are the pres- ent officers of the institution : W. C. DePauw, president; A. Dowling, secretary; P. R. Stoy, treasurer; W. C. DePauw, P. R. Stoy, ivev. G. I). Watson, Rev. J. L. Pitner, S. J. Alexander, M.U., J. H. Conner, Asa Igleharl, W. H. Sul- livan, J. H. Fornian, M. A. Wier, J. G. Hanison, E. R. Day, F. E. Dishman, Rev. I. N. Thomp- son, J. A. Wood, M. Wood, A- Dowling, board of trustees.
CHAPTER IX.
THE PRESa OF NEW ALBANY. THF. FIRST PAPER.
The history of the press of New Albany, as of probably every other city, shows a continued succession of failures. It would seem that the business of printing, especially newspaper print- ing, were one of the most precarious in which men could engage. It is difficult, perhaps im- possible at present, to enumerate all the news- papers that have been started in New Albany since it was laid out in the woods in 1813. Nearly all, however, of importance, have left some record behind, enough to establish the most prominent fact — that of repeated failure be- fore final success was assured.
So far as can now be ascertained, Ebenezer Patrick was the pioneer publisher; but the name of his paper has been lost. It has been repeat- edly stated, both orally and in print, that the Microscope was the first journal published here; but this has been ascertained to be a mistake. The first number of the Microscope, at this time in possession of a lady of New Albany, bears the date of April 17, 1S24. It was then printed at Louisville, and was subsequently brought to this place. Mr. David Hedden, yet living, says he came to New Albany in 1S20, and Ebenezer Patrick was then publishing a paper, his office heing in the upper part of a two-story double log cabin that stood on the corner of Bank and
Main street, where the stone bank now stands. He does not remember the name of the paper, but says it had only been published a few- months when he came, and did not last long — perhaps a year or two. John Anderson was a comjiositor in the office. The lower part of this cabin was occupied as a saloon, and kept by a man named Abbot. Patrick's paper failed jirob- ably for want of patronage, as the settlements were few and far apart at that early period, and New Albany was a mere hamlet of log cabins, surrounded by dense woods. Patrick was an erratic sort of a fellow; he never remained long in one place or at one business. It is under- stood that after leaving New Albany he w^ent up to Salem and tried to establish a paper there called the Tocsin. He was unsuccessful, how- ever; after a few years' trial became a Methodist preacher, and drifted around considerable until about 1850, when he committed suicide in Tip- pecanoe county by cutting his throat. He had a son who went to Kansas, and was somewhat prominent there during the jjolitical troubles be- fore the war. His son was a Free Soiler.
It is not unlikely, however, that the Micro- scope was the second paper published in New- Albany, and it has something of a history. The initial volume, containing the first year's issue, is now in the hands of Mrs. Waring, of this city. It was a sensational sheet, and being driven out of Louisville by a mob, sought refuge in New Albany. It was a small six-by-ten-inch paper, publised weekly, by T. H. Roberts, alias "Tim Tickler, Jr." According to the first number, dated, as before mentioned, April 17, 1S24, it appears to have been published by "Johnston & Roberts, No. 12 Van Buskerk's row. Third Cross- street, Louisville." That the reader may under- stand somewhat of the character of the paper, which must be considered one of the pioneer papers of New Albany, the opening address of the editor is here given verbatim, as follows:
" To the Public, our Friends ami Patrons/
ADDRESS— Ladies & Gentlemen— Belles & Beau.\— Old & young — Rich & I'oor — Wise & Simple — Be on your beauti- ful guard ! — ♦ « » • — _ Here I come like the point of a Coulter-plough to tear up, root and branch. Immoral Customs — Piilse principles and Evil habits — Like so in.iny old rotten roots which have prevented the t;routh and vegetation of their opposite virtues, in the field of Science, of Religion, and Literary Knowledge — See what rapid strides I make, from Maine to Georgia, and from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains — I level hills and fill up val-
i8o
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
lies! thus mailing all a beautiful plain, where the sweet Ivy may twine round and bloom with .the Honeysuckle— the • Rose shed its fragrance and be foreviT renewed by the life and niiidiiess of eternal Spring; unsullied by the pestifer- ous breath of CourU~ans, or tlie exhalations of pestilential Brothels.
To be serious gentle reader, I wish you to understand, that I have just furnished myself with a coniiilete set of 0//;V glasses, together with the necessary Miri-ors and Rejtcct'rs to suit every state of human life, from the sehool-boy to the !Slipper'd pantitlaon,' by the aid of which I can condciue space, and tow/rt-.u distance, so as to become familiar with the transactions of men, however remote or concealed. The proud statesman and cunning office-hunter may smile sarcas- tically, but I can assure them that I ha\e a Concavo-convex, that will expose their vile machinations to. the world.
The enemies of the Union of the American States, shall have their due: I have a high polished Convex ghss to suit them.
Traitors and political vagabonds of every kind shall be duly looked after, and a regular account given of them, through a highly polished Concave glass, invented for the puipose by Tom Seestraight of Georgia memory 1776.
Libertines, Black-Z:,-^.f and Coxw^x-Lour.gers are informed that I have a set of Concave glasses purchased expressly to suit them.
9ne concave glass of curious workmenship, for the pur- pose of examining the inside of Magistrate's offices.
One large high-polished Concave glass with a double Re- flector, for inspecting Miscellaneous subjects — such as the practice of some ill-bred men have of staring at modest women— peeping under their bonnets— whistling as they pass, &c.
One neat little Convex glass to inspect the quality of Dirks, Dirk-knives and Little Bull-Dogs with the intention of carry- ing them concealed. Invented and patented by Peter Peace- able, L. L. D. & F. R. S.
The Ladies, O, how I blush for having placed you last; but though last you are not the least provided for by me, as I have reserved that highly polished, large and elegant Con- vexo-concave glass, invented, improved and patented by Jer- emiah Candid of Sincerity School, Long Knogg, for the ex- press purpose of shielding you from the %ile aspersions, and ill demeanor of the other sex.
Thus furnished with the necessary implements of warfare, I advance to the contest with the zeal of a patriot; well know- ing the strength of my antagonists. To the good and wise I would beg leave to drop a word— vou have nothing to fear from the weapons which I carry; they are blunted in your presence, and if attempted to be hurled at you, diey will re- coil with double force upon myself. To exalt virtue to her prerogative in the human heart— to award the meed of praise where merit spe.aks it due is my ostensible object; in doing which, I shall tear the flimsy garments from the hypocrite, and direct the finger of scorn at vice and im- morality. TIM TICKLER, JR., Esq.
Louisville, April, 1824.
A paper of the character indicated in the above address is aUv.iys, to use a common phrase, "in hot water," and Mr. Timothy Tickler's bed was not one of roses. Mr. Johnston appears very soon to have retired from the firm, when the paper was published by T. II. Roberts, iL D.,
until in September, 1824, when for good and sufficient reasons the editor concluded to move his office to New Albany. Such freedom of the press as Mr. Roberts desired was not to be found in Louisville; he soon got into all sorts of trou- ble, and his life was openly threatened. But in proportion as his troubles grew the ciiculation of his paper increased, until its patronage was quite extensive, considering the sparseness of the pojiulation. Quite a number of citizens of New Albany took it. It had no regular subscription list, but people bought it freely, in order to find out what Tim Tickler had unearthed during the week.
In the issue of September 22, 1S24, the editor places the following paragraph at the head of his editorial column:
Distant editors who exchange with us will please forward their papers to New Albany, Indiana.
He then proceeds to explain the reason of the change, the first paragraph of the explanation reading as follows:
Be it remembered that on the night of the 4th of Septem- ber, 1824, a mob of unprincipled vagrants made an attack upon ray office in the town of Louisville, broke open the door of the printing office, then and there did rob me of a- POCKET-BOOK containing $12 Commonwealth Paper, OXE DOLL.\R on the bank of the State of South Carolina, and sundry papers; broke my printing press and destroyed my 'type; broke down the door of my bed-chamber and struck several times at me with an axe, forced me from a sick bed, dragged me to the river, where they proposed hid- ing their diabolical' deed by sinking my body in the river with a stone ! ! ! And but for the interference of one man, they would have completed their deed of cruelty, and put Turks and Indians to blush I !
Mr. Roberts had the leaders of the mob ar^ rested and although the evidence appeared con- clusive, they were cleared by the jury, and fail- ing as he thought to obtain either justice or \)\o- tection at Louisville he removed his establish- ment— what was left of it — to New Albany. He claimed damages in money stolen and type and material destroyed to the amount of two hun- dred and sixty dollars and seventy five cents, and remarks that the good citizens of Louisville "kindly subscribed a sum nearly sufficient to repair all my losses and relieve me from the dis- tress incident on the destruction of my office and the stop[)age of my business.''
Thus under adverse circumstances did the second paper ap[)ear in the future city. The tone of the Microscope appears to have been rather low, and probably Mr. Roberts received
HISTORY OF TME OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
i8t
his JLisl deserts; at least but little if any sympa- thy was shown t)y tlie better classes of [icople at his unceremoniuus- removal.
Roberts continued the publication of the Mi- croscope at New Albany. a year or more-, during which time he went so deeply into the private affairs of people, especially in Louisville, that h.e came, near being again mobbed. A pany came uver from that city for that puriiose, but Roberts, being apprised of it, secured a sul'ficient force in New Albany to protect him, and the would-be niobbers were driven again to the other side of the river. Roberts died some thirty years ago. ■
TWO OTHKR TAPERS.
During the next few years after the Microscope went out of existence, two or more papers were published here. One was called the Crescent, and one the Aurora. The latter was edited by Edward P. Shields, who afterwards became professor in Princeton college. The Crescent probably followed the Microscope, and was conducted by Settle & Nelson, Cooper Nelson being the editor. Reuben W. Nelson was prob- ably also interested in the paper. He was a practicing lawyer, and a smart, sprightly, go- ahead bachelor, who died in 1S28 or 1829. Settle was originally from Ohio but came to this place from Kentucky. He died in Louisville within the last decade.
VARIOUS WHIG ANIi REPUBLIC.\N PAPERS.
'' The next venture in the newspaper business was by the Collins brothers — James, Henry, and Thomas — the latter of whom is yet living in New Albany, an old and nmch respected citizen and a justice of the peace. They called their paper the New Albany Gazette. It was Whig in politics, and the first really political paper started in the town. It continued to be put)lished many years under various names — as the Gazette, the Bulletin, and the Commercial —and by man\' dif- ferent owners, and finally ceased to exist in New- Albany about 1S70. It supported the Whig party as long as that party existed, then was kept up as a Republican paper.
The Gazette was started in November, 1830, the same week in which the first number of the Louisville Journal (now the Courier-Journal) made its appearance. The Collins brothers were originally from Virginia, but came here from Kentucky. Henry Collins was a lawyer, and
seemed to be the principal manager of the paper for se\eral years. He died here in 1S52. After a few years the entire establishment was pur- chased by Thomas Collins, and in 1S37 Mr. Collins started the Daily Gazette, the fust of the kind established in the State. The daily and weekly (gazette grew quite prosperous under his management, notwithstanding the competition of 'the . Democratic paper, the Argus, which came into existence about this time.
In 1839 Ignatus Mattingly came to New Al- bany from Lexington, Kentucky. He was a practical printer, and, forming a partnership with William Green, they purchased the Gazette of Mr. Collins, and Messrs. Mattingly & Green continued editors and proprietors of the same until 1845, when, being unable to jiay for it, the office went back into the hands of 'I'homas Col- lins, who was an endorser on their paper. Mat- tingly is still in the printing business at Ply- mouth, Marshall county, Indiana. Mr. Collins kept the paper only a few months, when, in January, 1846, he sold it to Leonard Green, his brother-in-law and a brother of William Green. The new editor employed Theodore J. liarnett to edit the paper until he sold it in 1S49 to Col- hns & Green — Thomas Collins and \Villiam Green. Under Leonard Green the name of the paper was changed to the Daily and Weekly Bul- letin. The Greens were Hoosiers, born in Clarke county, Indiana, and after leaving New Albany they established a paper in Bedford, in this State. Leonard died in Texas in 1855 or 1S56, and William is now publishing a paper in Brook- ville, Indiana.
In 1852 Collins & Green sold out to Milton Gregg & Sons, who changed the name of the paper to the Tribune. Gregg was from Law- renceburg and Madison, in both of which places he had been publishing papers. He was a strong, vigorous writer, a man of a good deal of ability, and a staunch Whig. The Greggs con- ducted the paper with considerable success four or five years, when the family nearly all died, and the paper went out of existence. Subse- quently J. P. Hancock, a man of literary tastes and habits, who had also married a literary woman, undertook to revive the paper, but with indifferent success. Mrs. Hancock was the author of two or three works of fiction, and in their hands the paper assumed a literary rather
:y,U
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
tfiaii politiial character, so it was not a success. They conducted it perhaps si.vnionlhs, when 'it again became extinct.
During the greater part of the war the Repub- licans were witliout an organ in New Albany; but in the summer of iS64ajoint stock company was foinied, principally through. the efforts i.-f J. P. LubC, since connected with the Indianapolis Journal, for the purpose of cstablishingaReinibli- can pai)er in New Albany on a sound basis. Some of the material of the old paper was probably used, but new type and new presses were purchased, and the New Albany Commercial established. Its first editor was William 13. Curry, an energetic young man, a Universalist preacher, a gentle- man, a scholar, and a vigorous writer. He did not, however, succeed in making the paper pay largely, and it became financially embarrassed at one period, so that it was compelled to suspend for a time. Mr. Cuny took sick, and retired from the editorial chair. He subsecjuently went into politics, became a high officer in the State government, and is yet living at Indianajiolis. At that time the otilice was on the corner of State and Main streets, where the stocking factory now IS. After Curry left and the pajjer had been dormant a few weeks, J. P. Luse took hold of it with Messrs. Schuyler and Harriott, and the paper was conducted by these gentlemen with considerable success for two or three years, when, about 1S70, it was removed to Louisville, where it is yet published as a Re[)ublican pa[ier, and known all over the country as the Louisville Commercial.
Mr. Luse is a Hoosier and a graduate of the State university at Greencastle. When Andrew Johnson became President he was appointed collector of customs at Louisville, and has since been engaged in newsi)aper enterprises in In- diana. His partners in New Albany, Schuyler and Harriott, came trom Lafayette together. Mr. Harriott is now living in the northern part of the State.
The Republicans of New Albany and vicinity seem not yet to have recovered sufficiently from the blow given by the removal of the Commercial to start another paper, devoted principally to party interests. Democracy being in the majority here, is able to sustain a paper; but the K.epublicans still look to Louisville for their nearest political reading.
nEMOCR.VTIC JOURNALS.
The first paper to sujjport Democratic princi- ples in New Albany was started in the fall of 1836, and was called the Argus. Dennison &: Hineline were the editors and proprietors. They were from New Jersey; the former was. club- footed, a fair but not a high-toned writer. Hine- line was a man of considerable ability; and after getting through with the Argus, which he did in only two yeais, he went back to New Jersey and l)ublished a paper there, and subsequently be- came a member of the ],egislature of that State. They purchased new type and material for the Argus, and established their office on High street, above Third. About 183S they sold out to Hutc:hens >.S: Thompson (Charles W. Hutchens and George W. Thompson). This partnership continued only a few months, when Hutchens sold his interest to a brother-in-law named \'irden, and retired from the paper. Mr. Hutchens was a practical printer from Ohio. Lie went trom New Albany to Louisville, where he worked at his trade awhile. The last that was heard of him by his friends here he was in Paducah, Ken- tucky. Thompson was a Virginian, and also went to Louisville, where he worked some years in the Democrat office. Virden & Thompson, conducted the paper a few months, when the former sold out his interest to the latter, who be- came the sole proprietor. Virden got into some difficulty with Prentice, of the Louisville Journal, which very likely caused his retirement from this vicinity. For something published in the Jour- nal he threatened to shoot Prentice on sight. The latter heard of the threat but paid no atten- tion to it. One day he saw Virden sitting in an eating-house, and walked in to see whether Virden would "shoot him on sight." Courage was one of the well-known characteristics of Prentice. Vir- den did not appear to see Prentice at that time, thus showing the white feather so conspicuously that he was not able thereafter to live comforta- bly in the community. Thompson continued publishing his paper until 1S41, when he was compelled to suspend. Not long after Jared C. Jocelyn used the press and materials for a time in an effort to establish a literary sheet, which was, however, unsuccessful. This paper was called the Register, and was issued tor nearly two years. Jocelyn was a Connecticut Yankee,
..V
HISTORY OF 'J'llE OHIO FALLS COUNTIKS.
183
but came here from Ohio. He was subsequently a magistrate, and died here about 1868.
In 1S43 or 1844 the press and material were [lurchased by P. iM. Kent, and the name of the paper changed to the Southwestern Democrat. Kent was a Marylandcr, but came here from X'evay, Indiana. Fie is yet li\'ing, and is in White county, in this State, farming. He con- nected tlie Democrat only a short time, when (about 1S44) he sold out to Charles D. Hinelinc, who in turn soon sold to Firadley &: Lucas (Au- gustus F>radley and Oliver P. Lucas). I'his firm conducted the papqr but a single year, v. hen they sold out to Norinan iJv: Bosworlh. Mr. Bradley is yet a citizen of New Albany, the pro- ])rietor of a large flouring-mill, a man of much ability and experience in public affairs, having been county auditor and member of the Legis- lature, and held also other offices of trust and profit. He was the first president of tlie New Albany & St. Louis Air Line railroad. Mr. Lu- cas has been a member of the school board of Louisville for the last twenty years.
Norman & fJosworth changed the name of the paper to the Ledger, a title that has clung to it to the present time. Bosworth soon retired, and Phineas M. Kent took his place, putting in considerable capital; and the firm became Nor man & Kent. John B. Norman continued with the paper up to the day of his death, and con- tributed greatly to its permanent success. He was an Englishman, but came here from Indian- apolis. His partners changed frequently, among them bemg L. G. Mathews and James M. Mor- rison. The latter continued with the paper un- til his death. He had been a chair-maker to the time of engaging in the printing business. When he died the surviving partners purchased the widow's interest, and the firm became Norman & Mathews.
In 1 87 7 the following history of this paper appeared in the Ledger-Standard :
WitI) the present issue of the fifty thousand co[iles of tlie [-ef1i;er-Standard, it is deemed proper to speak fully of the .idvant.iges New Albany possesses in the industnal and manufacturing points of view. While other interests are spoken of elsewhere in these columns, none are of greater importance in a community than the printing-press. In almost ••\ery business in which tliere has been achieved, by enterprise a nd energy, instances of success so marked as to e.\cite imi- tation ami competition, it may be safely asserted that ten liilurcs m.iy be recorded for e.ach such conspicuous success. Of no business does this statement hold good with riiore
emphasis than of newspaper undertakings. The failures are numerou';, and not seldom ruinous ; the average successes are but moderate"; and yet there are instances of exceptional and brilliant success in newspaper enterprises that are worthy of note. .Among the most marked and promine'nt of tl.ese in the West is the Ledger-.'^tand.iid. The history of this paper affords a prominent illustration ofwhat enterprise, liberality, and correct business managenienl will achieve.
The first number of the Daily Ledger was issued on the 2ist of September, 1849, from the second-stocy of an old building which was tlien situated on the northeast corner of Pearl and Main streets, and the piesent site of the .Mer- chants' National bank. It w.is established by Phineas .\I. Kent and John P-. Norman, and was nearly the size of the Daily Ledger-Standard. The location of the office, for tlie space of about twenty-five years, was changed but three times, and in that tiine there were but few changes in proprietorship. For over twenty years John B. Norman gave his undivided attention to the paper, and was the leading spirit that gave it tone and character. He was editor and chief proprietor i from its Ijirth until the time of his death, which occurred j October 30, 1S69. The interest of Mr. Norman was dis- posed of to L. G. Matthews, junior partner in the firm, who I in June, 1S72, transferred the paper to Merrill & Moter, and j they consolid:\jed it with the Standard August 14, 1872, and j a stock company was formed, composed of C. E. Merrill, C. I R. Moter, Josiah Gwin, ]. V. Kelso, and Charles E. John- ston.
The Standard was bom in troublous times — almost in the midst of the greatest and most depressing panic that has ever swept over this country, but, Minerva-like, it sprang into be- ing full grown, equipped for work, and shoulder to shoulder with the veterans of newspaperdom. Its tiring was heard all along the line, and its thousands of readers felt that a new power had arisen. With the staunch and trustworthy old Ledger it was at once a worthy competitor in circulation, a model of typographical neatness, editorial ability, and dash as a local newspaper. The first number of the Daily Standard was issued July 31, 1871, from our present quarters, and the weekly issue began August 9th following. The Standard was established and owned by Josiah Gwin, James V. Kelso, and Charles E. Johnston, \\ho continued as pro- prietors until the Ledger material was removed to the office of the former, corner of Main and State streets. The two papers combined were then named
THE LEDGER-ST.\ND.\RD. A short time after the consolidation, Messrs. Merrill, Moter, Kelso, and Johnston retired from the company, their respective stock being purchased by Messrs. James P. Apple- gate, Jonathan Peters, Josiah Gwin, and .\dam Himer. An election of officers was held, resulting as follows: Jonathan Peters, president; James P. .Applegate, secretary; Josiah Gwin, manager and treasurer. There has been no change in the officers of the company, all having been re-elected from year to year since. Shortly after the consolidation of the two papers, very extensive additions were made to the ma- terial of the office throughout, and much of the earnings of the concern have been added to the original capital stock, in- creasing it from twenty-one thousand dollars to thirty thou- sand dollars, about twenty-five thousand doll.trs of which is paid up. .\nir)ng the most extensive additions was a com- plete bindery, which furnishes something like fifteen counties in the State with records and blank books. New type was also furnished for the job and news department; and it can be said without boasting that the Ledger-Standard, in all its
1 84
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
dop;irtmeiUs, is oni; of the most complete bl.ink-book manu- facturing, printing, ami job offices in the West.
Tlie liuilding is prob.ibly better adapted for -the. business for which it is used than any other in the city. 1 he dimen- sions arc 20 .\ Qt feet, four stories high, incUiding the base- ment. Tlie basement is used as a newspaper and job press- room, and is excellently liglncd. Here is a ten-horse-power engine, used for running two large cylmder presses, of the Oottrell & Kabcock and Taylor patterns, and a quarto Gor- don. Besides, there is a large stock of paper, fuel, and ap- parattus used in running the presses, cleaning the forms, etc., etc.
The floor above the basement, or properly the first storv, contains the counting-room, which is about 20 x 40 feet in size, and the job-room, 20 x 55 feet. The counting-room is supplied with all necessary furniture, and the shelves are well filled with printers' stock-, blank bonks, and articles used in job printing and blank-book manufacturing. The job oftice contains hundreds of fonts of type, from agate to the largest poster size, cabinets, stands, cases, imiiosing stones, proof press, a Gordon press, and many otiier needful articles, too numerous to mention.
Upon the second floor are the editorial rooms, completely furnished with furniture, extensive and valuable libraries of books pertaining to the newspaper business. On the same floor the bindery and stock rooms are situated. The bindery is complete in every respect, and is supplied with ruling ma- chine, large power paper-cutter, presses, board-cutters, tools, and in fact everything used in the manufacture of blank books. Tile stock room contains a large stock of papers and ready-made records of the various sizes and patterns.
The upper story is occupied as the news-room. it is large, roomy, and probably the lightest in the citv, being lighted from both sides and front and rear by large windows, and not obstnicted by other buildings. The room contains .stands, cases, imposing-stones, type, and other material to run half a dozen ordinary papers. A hoisting apparatus connects with the lower rooms, and the forms are lowered four stories safely and rapidly to the basement.
That the condition of the conipanv niav be known, we hereby submit the annual report of the company for the year ending December 31, 1876;
Capit.al stock authorized $30,000 00
Amount of capital stock subscribed and paid up to date (including all engines, presses, materi- al, material and fixtures in said printing ofhce and machinery and fixtures in bindery, and fix- tures, furniture and library in editorial rooms
and counting rooms') 25-300 00
Material on hand not included in above 850 00
Bills and accounts receivable t5.542 36
S41.692 36
LIABILITIES.
Bills and accounts pay-able $ 5,216 08
Total surplus over all liabilities $3'5.476 18
THE "ledger" AG.-\I\.
August 15, iSSi, the name of the Ledirer- Standard was clianged to the Ledger. The change called forth the following letter from Mr. John W. McQuiddy, who ran the first power- press and first steam-press in New Albany. The
reminiscences of the
letter is full of interesting later days of the Ledger :
EuiTOKS Lkdc.ki;:— The recent change made in the name of your excellent paper calls up some reminiscences which may possess some interest.
During the winter of i'853-54 .Mr. John B. Norman, then the proprietor and editor of the Ledger, purchased a power- press of tlie cylinder jjaltern, known as the Northrop press-- a cheap affair and very difficult to manage. In February, 1854, I w.-js sent by Mr. George Thompson, then foreman of the Louisville Democrat, with a letter of introduction to .Mr. Norman, in which 1 was recommended as a qualified and competent power-pressman. I was received by Mr. Nor- man in his characteristic quiet style. The result of the inter- view- was an engagem'ent to run the pres'^es in the oflice, which at that time consisted of the power-press and a hand- press.
I was then living in Louisville. On Monday morning. February 3, 1854, I came over and went to work. I was an entire stranger in the city, but soon became attached to those with whom I came in daily contact in my duties about the office, and have ever since held them in the highest esteem. Mr. Norman was editor, book-keeper, put up his mails, and made a hand on the paper. Mr. C. \V. Cottom was local editor, type-setter, and general utility, man. Sam William- son was job workman, D. Mcintosh, Henry Heath, William Hardy, and Kdwird W. .^iiiex compositors. Of these all are living except Mr. Norman and Mr. Williamson. Mr. Sincx is still with the Ledger, and has been continuouslv in the service of its various proprietors since the first issue of the paper. In the spring of 1874 Mr. Hugh Gordon, who had during the winter been employed on the steamer Peter Tel- Ion, returned to the oftice and continued to act as foreman of the news and job department until his death in i853^a faith- ful employe and a true friend.
The oftice in 1853-54 was located on Main street, on the north side, between Pearl and Bank streets, in the two upper stories of the three-story building on the corner of the allev. '1 he paper was small, had been established but a few years, and was by no means a pronounced success as a dailv. The proprietor worked hard, and the result was the establishment of one of the best papers and one of the most flourishing printing-offices in the State. Mr. Normr.n was a practical- printer, and never hesitated to take a case when necessary. Before he died the office had iramenselv increased in patron- age, and the old power- and hand-press had been superseded by two new and imiiroved power-presses.
Before, however, this success had been reached, Mr. Nor- man associated with him Messrs. James M. Morrison and L. G. Matthews, and a large share of credit -is due those gentlemen, to whom the business affairs of the office were entrusted. The office was moved to Pearl street, to the three-stoiy building in the rear of the New York store, occu- pying the entire building. Soon the business increased so raoidly that the late David Crane was induced to add a third story to his building, and the presses were nio\ed in and steam power introduced to the establishment. The business continued to grow, and soon it became neccssarv to rent the third story of the corner building and the one next below, and when no more buildings in that locality were to be ob- tained, DeF-'auws Il.ill, corner of Pearl and Spring, was fitted up expressly for the Ledger, and the ollice moved into it. This building was used from the cellar to the ganet. .Messrs. Norman and Morrison having died, Mr. Matthews became solo proprietor, who shortly after the last removal
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAT,LS COUNTIES.
185
sold the newspaper to Merrill and Moter. Thesf gentlemen cnr.^olifUited the Ledijor with the Sl;indard, and the p'.iper wjs ci'.lled the Lcdger-Standrird.
During the sixteen years 1 was connected with the Ledger nuiny fcUovv-craftsinen were employed on the paper and in ihf various departments; among them I may mention Aug. Jocelyn, as foreman of the job department; A. M. J.ick- son, fnieman of the news department, and afterwards assist- ant editor; William nodenhanimer, afterwards editor of the Noblosville 1-edger, and Dewees Hcneks, all good workmen and men of intelligence. Mr. Heneks was something of a poet. On one occasion the carriers were unable to gel a New Year's address written. But one day was left before it was needed. Heneks, ascertaining the trouble, said he would get them up one. He immediately went to his case, and in the course of an hour produced, without . copy, one of the best addresses ever published by the paper. .All of these are dead.
The best years of my life were devoted to sen-ice on the I^'dger. My relations with its proprietors were always pleas- ant, and I became closely attached to it; and the restoration of the old name struck a responsive chord, which induced me to write the foregoing. May the paper profitably con- tinue to furnish the news for the good people of Floyd coun- ty and surrounding country for many years to come.
Mr. W. C. Cottoni still continues to do faith- ful work on this paper in the editorial depart- ment.
GER.M.\N P.APERS.
The German element in and around New Albany is a strong one, thus creating a demand for a paper printed in the German language. Several of this kind have been started from time to time', and two are now in e.xistence in the city.
The first German paper was started here about 1850. It was called the Sun, but soon became permanently eclipsed and nobody seems able to tell when or w^here. In 1S61 a second German paper made its appearance, called the New Albany Democrat. It was published by Messrs. Weiss & Lauber, at the southwest corner of State and Market streets. It closed about six months after the first issue, for the reason, it is stated, that it could not get compositors on account of the war. The office of the Democrat was transferred to Evansville in 1S62, and there became the Evansville Democrat, which is still a flourishing paper.
The third German paper to make its appear- ance in New Albany was the Deutsche Zeitung, the present paper. It is a weekly, eight page sheet, and was started June 28, 1875, by Otto l^almer, a wide-awake, active German, who is editor, proprietor, publisher, compositor, etc., and fills all these positions in the front room of his own dwelling on Pearl street, between Elm
and Oak. His paper is Democratic in politics, the Democratic German population in the county being about five thousand, including children. It is a five column quarto, jirinted in the German language, and has remained m Mr. Palmer's hands since it was established.
About a year after the Zeitung was established another German paper was started by F. W. A. Rcidel, of the German Protestant church. It is called the New Albany Das Echo der Gegcnwart und der Zeitgeist, and is a liberal Christian, unde- nominational journal, printed in German, and devoted to a record of religious progress and other matters interesting to the German commu- nity. It is semi-monthly. Mr. Reidel, who came here from Cincinnati, where he had been connected with a paper, began his labors in the German church about 1870. He purchased a press and the type, and for the first three years had his paper printed in Louisville; after that it was transferred to his own dwelling in this cit}-, on Bank street, between Elm and Spring, from which place it is yet issued.
otheTr papers.
In 1875 J. H. and W. S. Conner started a job-printing establishment in the rear end of J.. H. Conner's drug store, on Spring street. After confining themselves to job printing about two years they issued the Saturday Herald, simply an advertising sheet, which has smce been con- tinued. In 1880 the office and material were purchased by J. H. Conner, who is at present sole proprietor.
The next year (iS8i) was a propitious one for the establishment of newspapers in New Albany, two entirely new ones having giade their appear- ance. The first of these is the Weekly Review, the first number of which was issued February 19, 1 88 1. It is a si.x-column folio, and devoted to the interests of the colored people. It is is- sued by the Review Publishing company, a stock association composed entirely of col- ored people. The Rev. Richard Bassett is the business manager, and W. O. Vance the editor. It is Republican, but makes neither politics nor religion prominent specialities. It is compar- atively prosperous, having a circulation of about eleven hundred.
The Public Press was established June 22, 1881, by Messrs. Josiah Gwin & Sons. It is a
1 86
HISTORY OF THK OHIO FAM.S COUNTIES.
weekly eight column folio, and iJeinocratic in politics. It is published at No.' 6 1 Pearl street. Mr. Gwin has long been connected with the press of New Albany, and it will be remembered started the Standard in 1S71, which was sub- sequently consolidated witli the Ledger. Mr. Gwin retained his interest in the Ledger-Stand- ard until February 14, iSSi, when lie sold it to Captain John 15. Mitchell, now clerk of the county. Mr. Cwin was county recorder nine years and has been prominent in the affairs of New Albany.
Mr. Thomas Collins started ar\ agricultural paper here in 1S58, called the Review of the Markets and Farmers' Journal; which however, he only published about six months. No doubt other efforts were made from time to time to es- tablish pajjers in New Albany, but the above re- view includes all the publications that amounted to anything. /
CHAPTER X.
NEW ALBANY— THE CHURCHES.
There are at present in the city twenty-three churches, viz: nine Methodist, four Presbyterian, two Baptist, two Christian, two Catholic, one Episcopal, one United Brethren, one German Evangelical, and one Universalist. As intro- ductoryto the history of these churches, it may be well to give the following extract from Mr. C. W. Cottom's Material Interests of New Al- bany, published irt 1S73:
New Albany may justly be termed the city of churches. Ever since the city was founded it has been distinguished for the religious character of its citizens and its church privileges. The first religious meeting held in the city was under the auspices of the Methodists. It was held in a little log cabin in which spruce beer and ginger cakes were sold by a widow woman named Reynolds, and the meeting was brought about in a very singular manner. A gentleman named lilam Genung started out one moonlit evening, after the day's labor had ended, to take a walk in the forest, in the midst of which the few cabins then constituting the town were built. He he.Tjd the widow lady who kept the cake and beer shop sing- ing a (to him) familiar religious hymn. He was attracted by hor sweet voice to the cabin, and as he entered it she ceased singing. He requested her to repeat the hymn, and as she did so joined with her in siiiging it. .At its close he asked her if she was a church member. She replied she had been
in the East, before she came to Indiana Territory, a member of the Methodist I'^piiconal Church.
"I, too, was a Xlethodist before I came here," replied Genung, "let us pray."
The singing had drawn a dozen or more of the settlers to the cabin, and had touched every heart by its sweet tender- ness, waking memories of homes fat; away in the East, and religious privileges that were held dear and sacred, and when prayer was proposed all entered the cabin, and iliere, "under the giant trees, llie silver moon pouring down .a flood of mellow light over the scene, the first public prayer was offered in New Ath.iny. One who was pre.sent at that meet- ing says of it : " It was an occasion to be remembered for a long lifetime, for God came down among us in his fii-st temples, the trees, and all were blessed."
There is but one survivor of that first religious meeting in New .Albany, and her feet are still traveling the "straight and nan-ow pathway " she that night, now more than fifty- five years ago, found it so pleasant to walk in. At the close of this meeting another was announced for the night of the same day the following week. .At that meeting a Methodist class was formed, and this contmued to meet until June, 20, 1817, when the Methodist Episcopal church was regularly organized in New Albany by Rev. John Shrader, and the first sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered by him in a liotel kept by a widow lady named Hannah RufF. On No- vember 25, 1817, the first Methodist church in the town was dedicated by Rev. John Shrader. There are now in the city ten Methodist church buildings, two of them Methodist mis- sions.
The next church organized here was the F'irst Presbyter- ian. The organization was effected on the 7th of December, 1817, with nine menjbers. The first meeting was held in Mrs. Scribner's residence, being now a portion of what is the Commercial hotel — formerly High Street house. The first communion of the Piesbyterian church of New Albany was solemnized on the day of the organization. Rev. D. C. Ranks officiating at the ceremony. The first baptism solemnized in New .Albany was that of the infant daughter' of Dr. Asahel and Elizabeth Clapp, Lucinda Ann, yet living in this city, and the wife of Mr. W. C. Shipman. There are now in New .\lbany three Presbyterian churches and two Presbyterian -Mission churches. The next religious society organized in tlie city was the Baptist church, the organiza- tion taking place, as near as we can learn, in the autumn of 1821. From this brief sketch it will be seen that the pioneers of New Albany were scarce installed in their log cabins when they commenced the organization of churches. This early religious work gave a moral and Christian tone to societv in the then village, which has "grown with its growth and strengthened with its strength." Now New .Albaay can bo.ast nearly thirty churches, and in the superior cultivation and moral and religious character of her society is not sur- passed by any city in America.
THE RELIGIOUS nENOMIN.A.TI0XS. The following embraces a full list of the several religious denominations of the city, and the number of cliurch edifices: Presbyterian, three regular and two mission churches, valued at $125,000; Methodist (white), seven regular, one German, two mission, colored two; property of all valued at $140,- 000; Baptist (Hhite), one ; colored, two; value of property. $30,000; Protestant Episcopal, one regular and one mission church, valued at $25,000; Lutheran German Evangelical, and German Evangelical (Saleml, with property valued at 550,000; Catholic, two large churches, one German, the
^^STC)R^' of t]]k ohio fai,ls counties.
187
other Irish, and with properly valued at $135,000; Christian church, valued at $30,000; United Brethren church, valued at $3,000; Universalis! church, valued at, $20,000. The Southern Methodist church worship in the Universalist church. There is a society of SpiriHialisIs in the city that meets in one of the public halls. There is • also a small . society of .Second Adveniists.
W.ESI.KY CH.\PEL.
This proves to have been the first church in the city, of any denomination, though it did not receive its present name for more than twenty years after it was establi.shed, or until after the separation which took place wlien the Centenary church came into existence. During all the first years of its life it was simply known as the Methodist church of New Albany, the Method- ists of this place worshiping in one building for nearly a (}uarter of a century. .Aaron McDanicls, the father of Rev. William McDaniels, at present residing in New Albany, came to the town in December, 18 17. There was, says the son, no Methodist church here at that tin.e, but within a few months, that is during the year 1S18, a church was organized. He says that Widow Ruff then occupied a large frame dwelling, the best house in the town at that time, and in her house, she being a devoted Methodist, the first Method- ist class was organized. This statement differs somewhat from that in the extract above quoted, but is probably correct, as Mr. Daniels has all his hfe been a devoted Methodist, the greater part of it being spent in preaching, and probabl)' understands the history of the ^[ethodist church in this city better than any other person now living. The year was probably 181 8 instead of 1817, as stated in the above extract. Mr. Daniels' father was one of the members of this organization ; he was a ship-carpenter and came from Philadelphia to Maysville, Kentucky, thence to New Albany where he found employ- ment in the ship-yards. Peter Stoy, Henry Pitcher, Edward Brown, and Obediah Childs were also members of this class. Stoy and Pitcher were also from Philadelphia, and carpen- ters too, and worked at ship and house building. Mr. Brown was from Baltimore and was engaged in buying and selling cattle and other stock for many years. Their place of meeting was usually at Widow Ruffs house, but was sometimes at the house of Obediah Childs, and it was here, says Mr. Daniels, that the first Methodist prayer
meeting in New Albany was held, being led by Aaron Daniels.
Among the first ministers of the Methodist church through this region were Revs. John Schrader, John Strange, Pettr Cartwright, Chailes HoUidny, George Locke and William Shanks. These were all pioneer Methodist preachers, and during the greater portion of their lives were found in the front rank of advancing pioneer settlers. Their labors were in the wilderness among wild beasts and savages, encountering always great danger, hardship, and suflering for the purpose of advancing their religious views and establishing ciiurches. The name of Peter Cartwright is especially well known in Ohio and Kentucky, and indeed throughout the Ohio val- ley, and his character and jjower as a preacher are well known. He was "a diamond in the rough," a natural orator, a riian without educa- tion or polish, but a giant in intellect as well as physical strength. Indeed, the same may be said of most of these early preachers, of other denominations as well as Methodist, but Cart- wrigh.t was probably superior to most of them, and so fearfully in earnest in his religious labors that he left an imperishable memory behind.
Rev. John Schrader, as above stated, organ- ized the first Methodist class in New Albany. He was perhaps one of the best known of the pioneer Methodist pieachers in this county, as he spent most of his life here. He subsequently organized a church in Greenville township in this county, which built a log church known as Schra- der's chapel, one of the oldest in the county.
It must have been soon after the first Method- ist class was organized that the church was erect- ed. It was a small frame building and stood on the lot where the Wesley Methodist chutch par- sonage now stands. It was probably built in 181 8, for it was standing there in 1S19, accord- ing to McMurtrie's Sketches of Louisville, pub- lished in that year. Speaking of New Albany he says: "The inhabitants are all either Meth- odists or Presbyterians, the former having a meet- ing house, and the latter have contracted for a church, which is to be built immediately."
The native forest trees had to be cleared away for the erection of this first Methodist church, which cost, perhaps, five hundred dollars, though most of the labor upon it was voluntary. This building was in use by all the Methodists of the
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
town and country around for a dozen yi-.ars or more, when they erected a brick church on the corner of First and Market streets, wliich is yet standing. A frame addition has been placed in front of it and it is used for mercantile purposes by Dr. August Kncefcl. In tliis building the Methodists worshiped for twenty years or more. During the years between 1S30 and 1S40 it in- creased so in numbers, and the town grew away from it to the eastward so rapidly that it was thought best to have another church building. The town became a city in 1839, and those liv- ing in the upper part of tlie city desired the new . church to be erected in that direction for their accommodation. This was accomplished in 1839, ^''lien the Centenary church was erected. Both congregations continued under one charge, however. Two years later, when they separated, two churches were organized, and the old church was thereafter known as Wesley chapel. They continued worshiping in the old brick church on the corner of First and Market until 1S54, when the congregation had grown so large that it was necessary to erect a new building, and the pres- ent beautiful and substantial brick structure was put up on the north side of Market street, be- tween Lower Second and Washington streets.
From the forty-ninth annual report of the In- diana conference, which held its session in New- Albany commencing September 8, 1880, the fol- lowing facts regarding Wesley chapel are gleaned: Total number of members, 482; value of chuich, $20,000; value of parsonage, $1,500; improvements during the year on church and parsonage, $1,306. The church gave for mis- sion work $80.25, anjd the Sunday-school gave for the same $19.89. The church gave for other benevolent purposes $59.20. The current ex- penses of the church — sexton, gas, fuel, etc. — were $366. Rev. Joseph S. Woods is pastor.
The Sunday-school was one of the tirst es- tablished in the city and is yet in a flourishing condition.
CENTENARY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The origin of this church appears in the his- tory of Wesley chapel above given. In 1875 this church had printed in a little paper called the Centenary Advocate such items in her his- tory as it was desirable to have preserved. These items are here given in part as follows:
One hundred years after the opening of the Old Foundry in London, 1739. Centenary church was built. Methodism had extended herself, in the mean time, over England, Scotland, Ireland, and the whole of the United States and C'anada.
The old society, since called Wesley chapel, then worshiped in the quaint old building now occupied by Dr. Aug. Knajfel as a warehouse for drugs.
Both churches united in the building of the new house, the division not taking place till two years after it was com- pleted. The original construction of Centenary differed somewhat from the present appearance. There was then no recess in the rear, and no vestibule in front. The stairways to the main audience room ran up on the outside with no pro- tection from the weather.
A wide gallery ran across the front end inside. As first built the church had no spire and no bell, there then being a strong prejudice on the part of many persons against such things.
The stand, the altar-railing, the seats and even the windows and doors were of quite a different style of architecture from what they now are. The pulpit was quite high, and minis- ters ascended to it by a coTisiderable flight of steps.
All this seems quite carious and out of taste to the youth of this day (1875), t)ut, at that time, Centenary was con- considercd to be, and really was a great improvement on the church buildings that preceded it. Our Puritan fathers, in the reaction against the fripperies and fopperies of the Eu- ropean churches, had gone to an absurd extreme of plamness and severity. Their houses of worship were unadorned within and unpainted without; even a stove or a fire-place was not allowed to invade their sacred precincts, it being supposed that the fire of God's love would keep truly pious worshipers warm, ana all others deserved to freeze. A re- action against this unreasonable plainness hds taken place; but, at the time of which we speak, it was in the first stages of the transition.
.•\fter the church was completed the two pulpits, — those of Wesley and Centenary, — were occupied alternately by the preacher in charge, and his assistant. This arrangement, however, closed at the end of the second year, since which time Centenary has been an independent charge.
The following are the names of the pastors of Centenary church from the first to the present time: John C Smith, two years; William Knowles, assistant, one year; Silas Rawson, assist- ant, one year; Richard Robinson, two years; Isaac Crawford, two years; Allen Wiley, two years; T. H. Rucker, two years; Williamson Ter- rell, two yeais; C. B. Davidson, two years: John C. Smith, one year; L. C. Bfrry, Thomas H. Lynch, one year; B. F. Rawlins, two years; S. J. Gillett, two years; Daniel Mclntire, two years; Elijah Fletcher, one and one-half years; R. L. Cushman, one and one-half years; N. P. Heth, two years; James Hill, three years; H. R. Nay- lor, three years; S. L. Binkley, two years; J. S. \^'oods, two years; W. F. Harnard, one year; Dr. James Dixon, one year; Dr. George D. Watson, two years; E. T. Curnick, present pastor.
L. C. Berry, having been elected to the presi-
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dcncy of a college, his year was f.llcd out by Dr. Lynch, then president of Asbury Female college, now Del'auw college, of this city. Jaines Hill was the first preacher after the pastorate was changed from two years to three. Oneof the most notable revivals in this church took place under his administration. Other churches also had an unusual awakening about this time, such a one as the cit> had never before witnessed. Though some have fallen away, there are very many persons in the various churches who date their religious life from that period, and whose conduct has evinced the sincerity and reality of" the change. James Hill has been a remarkably successful minister.
The presiding elders who have served the church in this district are as follows: W. McK. Hester, Daniel Mclntire, William C. Smith, John Kerns, William V. Daniels, John J. Hight, C. 15. Davidson, John Kiger, Edward R. Ames and Enoch G. Wood. During the years the first of these were in active service there were no railroads in Indiana; they went to their various appointments on horseback, carry- ing the needed clothing and books in their sad- dle-bags behind them. ^Lany of the most noted preachers composed their sermons while slowly making their way through dense forests along some Indian trail. From an old manuscript it is ascertained that the salary of the pastors, in- cluding rent of the house, for the years 1S40-45 averaged $461. The rent was $65 per annum. The salary of Bishop Ames, then a presiding elder residing in New Albany, was about the same. The amount paid by Wesley chapel as her share of his claim in the year 1845 was $55-40.
The Indiana conference then included the whole State, and a district was, in some cases, halt as large as the conference now is.
Weddings in churches were not so common in the earlier years of the church as at present. Prob- ably the first marriage in the Centenary church was that of Mr. Augustus Bradley, yet living, and with his worthy wife still a f.iithful worker in the church. This event took place September r^, • 846. Calvin Ruter, then superannuated, and a very noted minister, officiated at the wedding.
The location of the church is on the north side of Spring street, between Upper Third and Fourth.
CENTEN.\RY SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Immediately on the opening of Centenary church the Sunday-school was organized. The first su]ierintendent was Robert Downey. He is still living and resides at Chicago, Illinois. He was an old superintendent, liaving filled that office in Wesley chapel as far back as 1829. The following is a list of the superintendents, though firobably not in the exact order in which they served: Robert Downey, Dr. E. S. Leon- ard, James E. Sage, James Johnson, Dr. R. R. Town, George A. Chase, John N. Wright, M. M. Hurley, John C. Davie, Jefferson Conner, Henry Beharrel, Sr., Dr. Thomas H. Rucker, Jared C. Jocelyn, John EX Rodgers, J. H. Conner, James Pierce, William ^^'. May.
The first secretary of Centenary Sunday-school was Louis W. Stoy, and the first librarian was J. R. Parker. Andrew Weir w as" secretary for about five years, but by far the senior in this office is J. R. Parker, who served the Sunday- school as secretary about twenty years in all, leaving that place and assuming the one he now holds about a year since. '
For a number of years the Sunday-school was held in the basement, but the room was so dark and uncomfortable that, for a few years, the school was held in the audience room above. In the year 1867 the floor of the old room was lowered about four feet, iron columns were sub- stituted for the old wooden ones, and the whole interior refitted, so that it is now one of the neatest Sunday-school rooms in the city.
The managers of the school from the begin- ning took an active part in the uniform lesson movement, at once adopted the system, and lent their in influence introducing it elsewhere. Cen- tenary is entitled to the credit of having one of the oldest and best sustained teachers' meetings
in the State of Indiana. \
M.\IN STREET .METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This is an offspring of Wesley chapel, and was established about 1S47, being first called Roberts' chapel, in honor of Bishop Roberts, who was serving in this part of the State at that time, and who was a very po[>ular and earnest worker in the church. As the old church, ^V'esley chapel was generally known, before it receivea its present name, as the "Old Ship," so this little chapel was often called the "Yawl."
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
At first it was a "mission," or simply a Sunday school, established here because there were many children in the neighborhood that the good people of the church hoped to bring under the infiiiences of the church. The church owned a lot here, and about the date above mentioned, a small frame hou^^e was purchased, moved upon the lor and a Sunday-school opened. This school was continued with marked success for several years, and meanwhile preaching was oc- casionally had. at the house. As Methodism grew and strengthened, and the other two churches became filled with members, regular preaching was maintained at Roberts' chapel and a separate church organized there. By the aid of the present church and the people generally the present neat brick church edifice was erected iiri87 7, at a cost of something more than four thousand dollars. The total value of church property now here, including parsonage, is about si.K thousand dollars. The membership at pres- ent is one hundred and twenty-eight, and the Sunday-school, established in 1847, '* still in a flourishing condition.
The church is located on Main street, between Lower Fifth and Sixth streets.
VINCENNES STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This church is located on the corner of Mar- ket and Vincennes streets, and was formerly known as the Ebenezer church. This church was erected' to accommodate the Methodists of the town of Providence, mentioned elsewhere. Epaphr.:is Jones undertook to build a town here and gathered about him a few settlers, among them the family of Grahams, who were Method- ists. For many years the Methodists of this part of the town and city attended the Wesley chapel and the Centenary, but the nearest of these two churches was a mile away, and a de- sire was thus created for a church nearer home ; and the Methodists up here especially felt the need of a Sabbath school in the neighborhood. There were many children who could not or did not go to the Sabbath school down town, so Mrs. Ferdinand Graham (now Mrs. Inwood and yet living) determined to try starting a Sabbath school in her own house. This she successfully accomiilished, about 1S50, with about fifteen children to start with. This was the beginning of a Sabbath school that has kept up in this
neighborhood from that day to this. The school soon increiised to foity or more scholars; more than her dwelling could well accommodate, and thus it was determined by the people of tlie neighborhood to erect a church, not only for the accommodation of this flourishing school, but for preaching also. A subscription paper was circu- lated and the money for building the- present frame church soon raised. It was erected in 1 85 1, and since that has been repaired and added to somewhat. This church grew and flourished, and became a large church compara- tively, but probably received its death blow when the Johns Street chuich was erected, about 1857. This latter church, standing between the Vincennes Street church and the Centenary, drew to it the larger part of the congregation. One pastor served both churches for a time. After some years this church was unable to pay its pastor and the society disbanded. After this the church building was rented to the German Methodists for five years, and they undertook to build up a church here, but also failed, keeping it only two years. There has been no preaching by the Methodists here for several years. The Sabbath school has for some years been in the hands of the Presbyterians, who rented the church and established a mission. The school numbers about forty or fifty scholars and is reg- ularly attended. One of the earliest preachers in this church was an eccentric character named Garrison. One of his peculiarities was that he would not accept any pay for preaching ; he did not believe in ministers laboring for money ; he thought the Lord would provide for him if he was faithful in preaching the gospel. He was frequently urged to take pay for his preaching but refused it ; the consequence was he was very poor and was compelled to give up preach- ing for fear of starvation.
JOHNS STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This building is located on Eleventh street, between Spring and Market. It is a substantial brick, and was built about 1857. Mr. John Conner donated the lot upon which it stands, and its first members and originators were mem- bers of Centenary and Ebenezer churches. The donation of the lot and the number of Method- ists living in the neighborhood were the induce- ments *for building the church, though its estab- lishment probably caused the downfall of Eben-
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czer. Its first minister was William B. Mason, and some of its first members were Mrs. William Akin, Miss Sue SHively, Mrs. Genung, Mrs. Kate Petrc, James Turner, Mrs. Martha Turner, and others. Eleventh street'is sometimes kiiown as Johns street, so named in honor of Mr. John Conner, the' donor of the church lot. At the time the church was built Rev. John Krciger was presiding elder on this circuit, and the same gen- tleman is at this time acting in the same capacity. J. Ravenscraft and Robert Kemp, both now ministers, were also among the original members, as was also James Forman, who was the first Sabbath-school superintendent. Mr. Kemp was also among the first superintendents of the Sab- bath-school.
The ministers of this church have been as fol- low: William B. Mason, J. H. Ketcham, Joseph Wharton, Lee Welker, Benjamin F. Torr, George Telle, Charles Cross, J. J. Hite, John Julian, J. H. Klippinger, George F. Culmer, William McKee Hestor, T. D. Welker, Ferdinand C. Iglehart, Henry J. Talbot, Hickman N. King, Francis Walker, E. T. Curmick, and Dr. Walter Underwood, the present minister. The present membership of this church is about two hundred and thirty.
The organization of the Sabbath-school was coeval with that of the church, and has been kept up with a good degree of success, the mem- bership at present being about one hundred and twenty.
KINGSLEV MISSION.
This religious institution was established through the munificence and great interest in the Methodist church of Hon. W. C. DePauw, a wealthy and infiuenlial citizen of New Albany. In 1864 the Episcopalians, desiring to build a new church, sold their old one to the Lutherans, who in turn sold it to Mr. DePauw, who caused it to be moved out on \'incennes street, where he is the owner of considerable properly. He placed the building on one of his vacant lots, put it in good repair, and opened a "mission school," or Sunday-school. There were many children in this part of this city that did not at- tend the Sabbath-schools down town, and Mr. DePauw hoped that much good could be ac- complished here by the establishment of a school. He has not, jirobably, been "disap- pointed, having labored faithfully himself for the
establishment and permanent success of the school. He has been the superintendent of the school since it started, attending every Sunday afternoim, with Mr. J. H. Conner as assistant.
The mission was named in honor of Bishop Kingsley. Meetings tor preaching and prayer are freijuently held at the mission house, and like the other mission mentioned it may, as it is hoped, become an established and regularly or- ganized church.
THE GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The organization of this church occurred prior to 1850. Before tiiis the (ierinan Method- ists had never felt themselves strong- enough to su].iport a church, and had been attending the English churches. The originators of the first organization were the L")irkings, the Meistors, the Ehrharts, and probably some others. The fol- lowing list of names appears on the church rec- ord: Frederick Dirking and his wife Anna, John G. Smith, Frank Graf, Agnes Graf, Christian Dirking, Catharine Dirking, Eva Graf, Frederick Sieveking, Christiana Sieveking, William Arns- mann, Catharine Arnsman, George Ehrhart, Anna Ehrhart, Gerhard Niehaus, Anna Maria Nichaus, Adelheit Neih.aus, Barbara Nevvbaur, Catharine Fuhrmann, Conrad Helm, Barbara Helm, Simon Knauer, Anna M. Knauer, John Knauer, An- dreas Menzinger, Gotleib Menzinger, John Mor- gen, Elizabeth Morgen, Anna C. Zeilmann, Henry Jesberg, Phillip Seitz, Jacob Green, Phillip Sharf, T. Seitz, and Frederick Dauber.
The few German Methodists at first met for prayer and conference at each others houses, and after forming a class, their meetings were held in one of the city school-houses until 1S63, when their present church edifice was erected. ■ They have had but three regular pastors, the first I being Rev. Mr. Heller, the second, Rev. Mr. Moot, and the third and present pastor, Rev. C. Fritchie. The church building is a neat, sub- stantial brick located on Fifth street, between Market and Spring. It is 40 x 70 feet in size, high ceiling, and comfortably furnished. The society is in a flourishing condition, having, at present, about one hundred and seventy-five members.
The Sunday school was organized in the early days of the church organization, and still contin- ues in a flourishing condition, with a membership of one hundred and fifty.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
COLORED METHODIST CHURCTIKS.
In addition to the above Methodist churches there arc in the city two colored churches of this denoniiiialion, known as Jones chapel and Cros- by chapel. The colored element has always been an ini[)ortant one in the city. In an early day there was quite a communily of colored peo- ple in what was known as West Union, north of the town of New Albany. Here the first colored Methodist church was organized about iS-io, and flourished more than a quarter of a century. Their services were conducted in the houses of the members for a few years, when they erect- ed a frame church, known as Bridges chapel. In 1859 a few colored people of this congrega- tion having located in New Albany, determined to establish a church here. They first organized with ten members, and their meetings for several years were held in their houses and in the school house. About 1872, the old church in ^Vest LInion having been abandoned, was taken down, and a portion of it used in building the present church, known as
CROSBY CH.VPEL,
so named in honor of BishopCrosby. It is located at the corner of Lower Second and Elm streets. The first pastor of this church, after locating in New Albany, was Rev. W. A. Dove. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles Burch, F. Myers, R. K. Bridges, J. W. Malone, T. Crosby, Jesse Bass, Morris Lewis, Richard Titus, A. Smith, and H. H. Thompson, the present pastor. The present church building cost about one thousand dollars. The present membership is about one hundred. The Sunday-school of this church was organized in West Union about the time of the church or- ganization, and has been kept up since.
JONES CH.\PEL,
named in honor of Bishop Jones, is located on the corner of Lafayette and Spring streets, the proper name being Zion African Methodist Epis- copal church. Mr. Jones is at present and has been for years a very popular bishop. An old colored preacher from Louisville, known as Father R. R. Briddle, was the principal organizer ot this church, meetings for organization being held on the corner of Lower Fourth and Main streets, in what is known as London hall. He remained with the church four years, and was followed by Elder Bunch, during whose pastor-
ate the present church building was erected in 1872. The ministers who loUowed Mr. Bunch were Elders Forman, T- B. Johnson, Samuel Sherman, and William Chambers, the present in- cumbent. The membership of this churcli is about one hundred and fifty, and the church property is valued at $2,000. The organization of the Sunday-school was coeval with that of the church, and now numbers about forty scholars.
FIRST PRESKVTERI.W CHURCH.
The followmg history of this church is chiefly abridged from a centennial sermon delivered June 25, 1876, by the pastor. Rev. Samuel Conn, D. D.:
In 1S16 there was but one settled Presbyterian pastor within the limits of Indiana and Illinois Territories, and half a dozen missionaries. Nev,- Albany was a village of three years old with a population of about two hundred. On the i6th of February, 1816, the few Christians of the Presbyterian faith and order living at New Albany and Jeffersonville tiiet at the latter place and organized the Union church of New Albany and Jeffersonville. The minister offici- ating was Rev. James McGready, a Scotch-Irish- man from Pennsylvania, who, after laboring in the Carolinas and Kentucky, had been commis- sioned by the general assembly to do missionary work and found churches in the Territory of Indiana. The Lord's supper was administered, and the following members were enrolled: Gov- ernor Thomas Pos'='y and wife, John Ciibson and wife, James M. Tunstall, James Scribner, Joel Scribner, Phcebe Scribner (the mother of Joel), Esther Scribner (the sister of Joel and afterward Mrs. Hale), and. Anna M. Gibson. Thomas Posey and Joel Scribner were chosen elders. A little later Mary Meriwether (wile of Dr. Meriwether) and Mary Wilson (a widow) were added to the number.
Within a short period the Jeffersonville mem- bers all withdrew. Thomas Posey and wife re- moved to Vincennes; John Gibson and wife removed to Pittsburg, and united with the church there; and James Tunstall, Mary Wilson and Anna M. Gibson joined the church at Louisville; leaving only four members,'all of whom resided at New Albany, namely: Joel, James, Phcebe, and Esther Scribner.
The church havintr thus lost the character ot
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
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a "union church," it was proper that it should be re-named and re-organized. The members assembled, therefore, on the 7th of December,
181 7, in the back parlor of Mrs. Phcehe Scrib ner's. house, being what is now the middle part of the old High Street house, or Commercial hotel. The moderator of the meeting was the Rev. D. C. Banks, pastor of the church at Louis- ville, by whom many of the earlier churches of Indiana were organized. It was then "Resolved that, as all the members of this church residing at Jeffersonville have withdrawn, and all the present members reside in New Albany, the Union church shall, from this time, be known as the First Presbyterian church of New Albany." At the same time Jacob Marcell and Hannah, his wife, were received as members of this church, from the church at Elizabethtown, New Jersey; and Stephen Beers and Lydia, his wife, and Mary Scribner (wife of Joel), were received on letter from the church at Louisville, Ken- tucky. The church then proceeded to vote for two additional elders, and Jacob Marcell and Stephen Beers were unanimously elected and subsequently ordained and installed as ruling elders. These, together with Joel Scribner, con- stituted the session.
The Lord's supper was administered as is usual, in connection with there-organization, and "there bemg no communion service, two large pewter plates, belonging to Mrs. Phcebe Scribner, were used for the bread, and, being of a very fine quality, were considered very appropriate."
The church closed the year 18 17 with nine members, whose names have all been mentioned. The church had no regular preaching until the autumn of 18 18, but were dependent upon occa- sional supplies from missionaries and others In October, 1818, Rev. Isaac Reed began his labors as stated supply with this congregation, and remained until October, 1819. During his min- istry twenty-five members were received, and at the close of 18 19 there were thirty-two in com- munion. Up to the time of Mr. Reed's arrival there had been no additions to the church from the world, but his work was so greatly blessed that of the twenty-five received during his stay fourteen were admitted on profession of their faith, the first of such additions being Calvin Graves, received on examination October 3,
1 818. Mrs, Elizabeth Scribner — then the widow
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of Nathaniel Scribner, and afterward the wife of Dr. Asahel Clapp — and the late Dr. William A. Scribner, were among those who were received in 1819, up)on evidence of a change of heart.
Under Mr. Reed, a small church building was also erected — a very plain frame structure, about forty feet long and thirty feet .wide, having un- plastered walls, and with rough board floors, seats, and pulpit. The congregation had been occu- pying it only a few months when it was destroyed by fire. After this they worshiped, for a time, with the Methodist brethren, and at the house of Mr. Joel Scribner — the present home of Mrs. Dr. Scribner. The congregation becoming too large for Mr. Scribner's house, they afterward went to the old court-house — a rough, half-fin- ished building, which remained in that condition until it was replaced with a new one.
In February, 1819, a confession of faith and a solemn covenant were adopted by the congrega- tion, and these were to be subscribed by all ap- plicants for admission. The confession included all the points of the Calvinistic system, in its strict integrity. A few years later a simpler and briefer confession was substituted, but, like the former one, it contained the main doctrines of the confession of faitli.
In this year, also, a Sabbath school was organ- ized in connection with this church, which is believed to have been the first Sabbath-school in Indiana, and was certainly the first in New Albany. The distinguished honor of inaugurat- ing this enterprise belongs to Mrs. Nathaniel Scribner and to Miss Catharine SiUiman — after- ward Mrs. Hillyer, and a sister of Mrs. Lapsley.
At the close of Mr. Reed's year he was com- pelled to abandon the field on account of the in- ability of the church to support him, Nathaniel Scribner, the principal supporter, having been removed by death. The church was again dependent upon occasional supplies until 1822. The congregation, however, met regularly for worship on the Sabbath, one of the elders lead- ing and reading a sermon. These meetings were said to have been very profitable, and were remembered with the greatest interest by those who engaged in them. At the close of the year 1820 there were thirty-five members; in 1821 thirty-three, and the same number at the close of 1822.
After various unsuccessful attempts to secure
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAILS COUNTIES.
a minister, the church succeeded in employing the Rev. Ezra H. Day. He commenced liis labors as stated supjily in October^ 1S22, and died at his post, September 20, 1823. At tl'e . end of that year the number of communicants was reduced to twenty-lour.
The month following the deatli of .Mr. Day the congregation met with another grievous blow in the loss by death of Joel Scribner, a ruling elder from the beginning, and the life and main- stay of the church.
The church was now seeing its darkest days, the loss of nme prominent members by death and removal leaving it in a truly destitute and affli'ted condition. Of the twenty-four mem- bers remaining there was not one, actually re- siding in New .Albany, who would pray in piil)lic. It was then that the female members came to the front, and several ladies, among whom were Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Ayers, Mrs. Robinson, and Mrs. H. W. Shields, met in Mrs. Hale's room at the High Street house to organize a female prayer-meeting and gather up whatever material might be left. This prayer-meeting has been a source of blessed influence and spiritual power during almost the whole of our church's history.
The church remained without the regular ser- vices of a minister from the death of Mr. Day until July, 1824, when the Rev. John T. Hamil- ton became stated supply, and acted in that ca- pacity until February, 1S2S. Mr. Hamilton gave the congregation one sermon in two weeks and received a salary of $160 a year, of which $100 were contributed by Mr. Elias Ayers. Near the close of his ministry here, Mr. Hamilton re- moved his family to Louisville, where he engaged in teaching, and preached there three times while he preached once here. Thirteen members were received under him, of whom seven were ad- mitted upon profession of faith and six upon certificate from other churches. At the date of his resignation there were twenty-seven members in the communion of the church.
It was during Mr. Hamilton's ministry that the Female Bible society of this church was formed, an institution which has had a vigorous and use- ful existence and which still survives. It was organized at the house of Mrs. Pheebe Scribner, September 20, 1824. The first officers were Mrs. Margaret Robinson, directress: Mrs. Ayers, treasurer- Mrs. Hannah W. Shields, secretary.
Mrs. Joel Scribner, Mrs. Abner Scribner, and Mrs. Jones constituted the executive committee, 'i'he names of sixty-six ladies appear upon the original list of subscribers. Ai first it was nom- inally a union society, but soon passed entirely into the hands of the Presbyterians, although the name (;f The T'emale liihle Scjciety of New .Albany, was not changed for that of .The Female Bible Society of the First Presbyterian church* of New Albany, until 1844. F>om the beginning until now, this society has been the means of great good, and a very large amount of money has been raised for the dissemination of the word of God. Besides the regular annual col- lections, extraordinary offerings were frequently made. I may mention a jubilee offering of $100 in 1 866, in thankfuJ acknowledgment of the com- pletion of the fiftieth year of the .American Bible society; and one of $267 in 1868, for the pur- pose of sending Bibles to Spain, then happily opened for the first time for the free circulation of the Scriptures.
The next installed pastor was the Rev. A.shbel S. Wells. He was born in Vermont in 1798; was graduated at Hamilton college. New York, in 1S24. After a short course in Auburn Theo- logical seminary, he was ordained as an evangel- ist by the presbytery of Oneida, and came with his wife, as the pioneer of the Western Fraternity I in Auburn seminary, and as a missionary of the i American Home Missionary society, and under ] the direction of the Indiana Missionary society, to the village of New Albany, where he arrived in May, 1828. He was warmly welcomed by the few remaining members of the church, and earnestly desired to stay and labor with them. .At a meeting in the court-house Air. Ayers ]:iroposed that Mr. Wells' salary should be raised by sub- scription, and the whole amount of four hundred dollars for the first year was subscribed upon the spot. There were at this time only twenty-seven members and very little wealth. .
After laboring among the congregation for six months', Mr. Wells was installed as pastor, by Salem presbytery, December 17, 182S, Rev. John j T. Hamilton preaching the installation sermon. ' Mr. ^Vells' ministry was the turning point in the history of this church. He received one hun- dred and thirty-eight members into its com- munion; at the close of his pastorate, the num- ber of members was one hundred and thirty-one.
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The new cluirch having been so far conij'LtLcl that it could be used, was dedicated l''ebruary 26,
■ 1S30. The dedicatory sermon was preached by .. the Rev. J. M. Dickey, the fatlier of the Pres- byterian church in Indiana; and Rev. Leander Cobb assisted in the service. The church was situated on State street, between Market and Spring, on the ground now occuijied by I\Ir. ^Linn's mill, and Mr. Loughmillt;r"s store. , It was aone-stoiy brick building, with a steeple and a bell, and was very creditable to a small j^lace and congregation.
In April, 1832, Mr. Wells requested leave of
■ presbytery to resign his pastoral charge, and the relation was accordmgly dissolved. .At the same time Messrs. Ayers and Adams resigned their office as ruling elders.
After Mr. Wells' departure the church secured a new minister almost immediately. On Sabbath, izthof June, 1832, the congregation met after public worship, and gave a call to the Rev. Samuel K. Sneed to become the pastor of the church, and he entered immediately upon his dyties. Mr. Sneed's ministry was a period of great activity and continuous growth, but a time also in which there was frequent occasion for discipline. Under his ministrations one hun- dred and thirty-nine members were added to the church.
One of the first things to be done was to strengthen the session, William Plumer being the only active elder remaining. On October 7, 1S32, six additional elders were chosen, viz: James R. Shields, Jacob Simmers, Harvey Scrib- ncr, Charles Woodruff, John Bushnell, and Mason C. Fitch.
In November, 1S35, ^^^- Sneed began preach- ing at a pri\ate liouse in the neighborhood of the present Mount Tabor church; usually, on ' every alternate Tuesday evening. At the same time he formed a Bible class of young persons, who met on Sabbath afternoon. Many serious nnpressions were produced by these means, and in a short time almost all the members of tiie class were indulging in hope in Ciirist. In the sunmier of 1S36 a few of the members of the New ,\lb.iny church purchased three acres of .ground fur about $60; and an acre more was •liinated by an unconverted man whose farm aujoined. I'his plat of ground was set apart as a camp-ground and solemnly named Mount Ta-
bor, in commemoration of the place where our Saviour was siipjiosed to have been transfigured. Canjp-mcetings were held here annually, and sometimes twice a year, until 1S43. I'he first camp-meeting was held in June, 1836, when quite a number were awakened and converted, among them the donor of part of the land. An- other was held in September, 1837; and, as the result, thirteen persons weie received into the church upon examination. L^pon the division of the church the camp-meetings were continued under the auspices, of the Second church, and the direction of Mr. Sneed, and a house of wor- ship was erected at Mount Tabor in 1838.
Although Mr. Sneed had received a call at the beginning of his labors in this church, he was not installed as pastor until June 14, 1S37. Diffi- culties and dissatisfaction, chiefly of a personal nature, and involving a difference of view be- tween the pastor and a portion of the people, led to a division of the church in November, 1837. The presbytery granted permission for the organ- ization of a Second church; and one hundred and three of the members, including Jacob Sim- mers, one of the elders, went into the new enter- [)rise. A committee of presbytery was appointed to make an equitable distribution of the church property. The Second church became con- nected with the New School body. An excellent state of feeling has always been preserved, how- ever, between the two churches; and into the same brotherly circle came the Third chu^^ch, upon its organization, in 1S53.
Mr. Sneed remained with the Second church until 1843, when he removed and took charge of the Walnut Street church, in Evansville, as stated supply.
At the division, the First church was left with seventy-one members, including Elders William Plumer, M. C. Fitch, J. R. Shields, Charles Woodruff, and John Bushnell. Elias Ayers and Benjamin Adams, who had retired from active service in the eldership, were also among the number.
December. 18, 1S37, Rev. W. C. Anderson, of the presbytery of Wasliington, was unanimously elected [lastor. at a salary of $Soo; and a call was forwarded to him, signed by Rev. ^\'. L. Breckenridge. On the first Sabbath of February, 1838, he entered upon his duties as stated sup- ply, but seems never to have been installed pastor.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAT>LS COUNTIES.
The church was entirely united and ready for work. At the end of the first pastoral year thirty-six persons had been received into rnein- bershi[i, and the number of communicants amounted to one hundred and two; the attend- ance at Sabbath services and prayer-meetings had doubled; the tone of i^iety in the church was plainly ele\ated, and the benevolent contribu- tions were greatly increased. The second year was likewise prosperous; twenty-seven members were added to . the church; perfect union pre- vailed m the session and congregation; no exer- cise of discipline was required; and, though it was a year of great financial embarrassment, the contributions of the church were larger than ever before, amounting to $2,865, includmg $1,500 for the support of the minister. The third year, however, was one of great deadness, the pastor being sick and unable to attend to his duties during a large part of the time. Ninety- seven persons were added to the roll during Mr. Anderson's connection with the church. Ill health compelled him to resign his position in November, 1841, and his loss was deeply re- gretted by all.
Upon Mr. Anderson's departure the church was without a pastor for a year, but was supplied by Drs. Wood and Matthews, professors in the theological seminary. Through their faithful labors, this year of vacancy was one of the rich- est in results in the history of the church, forty- nine members being received, chiefly upon pro- fession of faith.
In December, 1842, Rev. F. S. Howe was unanimously elected pastor, at a salary of $600. He never accepted the call, but continued to supply the church until April, 1844. During his stay tsventy-three persons were added to the church.
The Rev. Daniel Stewart was elected pastor, with the usual unanimity of this church, June 6, 1844, the salary being increased to $800. Mr. Stewart was graduated at Union college, New York, in 1833, and at Princeton Theological seminary in 1838; and, previous to coming to New Albany, he had passed through a short pastorate at Balston Spa, New York. During his pastorate here one hundred and three mem- bers were received, the last year being one of precious revival.
With the sanction of the session, the pastor
began, in 1848, giving two lectures a week in the theological seminary, upon ecclesiastical historj'. In 1849 ''*^ made application for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, that he might accept a reg- ular professorship in the seminary; and the con- gregation, expressing the hig^liest regard for him and undiminished confidence, reluctantly acqui- esced in his decision. He remained in .the the- ological seminary until 1853, when the professors resigned and gave the institution, which had been under synodical control, into the hands of the general assembly.
Rev. John M. Stevenson, D. D., was the next pastor. He was born May 14, 1812, in Wash- mgton county, Pennsylvania; was graduated at Jefferson college, Pennsylvania, in 1836, and was ordained April 14, 1843, while professor of Greek in Ohio university. He resigned his professor- ship and took charge of the Presbyterian church in Troy, Ohio. Having lost his health at Troy he resigned his charge in 1846, and accepted an agency for the American Tract society. He ar- rived at New Albany September 15, 1849, ^"^ began his labors at a salary of $1,000.
An outpouring of the spirit began in De- cember, 1853, which lasted for several months, and resulted in the addition of a large number of members to the church.
A new church edifice began to be spoken of as early as 1850, and preliminary steps were taken for its erection. The old church on State street was torn down in the spring of 185 1; and the congregation worshiped through that summer in the second story of Mr. James H. Shields' iron- store, on State street, between Main and the river. In the fall oi 1851 they began holding services in the lecture room, which had been fin- ished. The present church building was com- pleted, with the exception of the spire, in 1854, and dedicated in the spring of that year. The spire and bell were added fifteen years later, during Dr. Anderson's second term of service.
The whole number of members received un- der Dr. Stevenson was two hundred and one. His pastorate was the longest in the history of the church, lasting nearly eight years. He re- signed in June, 1857, in order that he might ac- cept the position of secretary of the American Tract society. He was an excellent preacher and a man of superior e.xecutive ability.
Dr. Thomas E. Thomas occupied the pulpit
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for several months after Dr. Stevenson's resigna- tion, but relinqui^>hcd his position and left" the town in April, 1S5S, to the great re;qret of the congregation. During his stay James W. Sprowle and Silas C. Day were chosen elders, and were inducted into ofTTice January 10, 1858. On the same day the first deacons of the church were ordained and installed. These were Thomas S. .Hall, William C. Shipman, Alfred W. Bently, James H. Shields, and Miles D. Warren.
Rev. R. L. Brcck was unanimously elected pastor July 19, 1S5S, and was installed on the 17th of April, 1859. He was a man of most gentle and courteous manners, a good pastor, and highly successful . and popular, until the beginning of the war. His feelings, however, were with the South, and, on this account, a con- tinuance of the relation became undesirable, and it was dissolved, in May, 1S61. During his pastorate one hundred and five members were added to the roll.
After an interval of more than a year, in which Rev. S. S. Potter supplied the church, Dr. J. P. Safford took his place in the succession, being chosen pastor in October, 1862. His elec- tion was unanimous, like that of all his prede- cessors and successors. He was born at Zanes- ville, Ohio, September 22, 1S23; was graduated at Ohio University in 1843, ^""^ ^^ Princeton Theological serninary in 1852, and was ordamed pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Frankfort, Kentucky, February 19, 1S55. He began his work in this church in December, 1S62, and was installed on the 23d of April, 1S63. One hun- dred and thirty-four members were received by Dr. Safford into the church by examination and certificate.
A short time before Dr. Safford's arrival, the Mission chapel Sunday-school began its career. It was organized by A. W. Bentley, May, 1S61, in the United Brethren church, corner of Spring and Lower Seventh streets, and was intended for soldiers' children and the destitute classes. In August, 1862, the school was compelled to seek new quarters; it was held for a few weeks in the lecture room of this church, and afterwards in the second story of a building on the corner of Main and Lower Fourth streets. In 1S66 a small building, which had been attached to one of the Government hospitals, was donated lor its use; and about thirteen hundred dollars were con-
tributed by various persons in the city, for the purpose of . moving it to its present location, making additions to it and fitting it up. After 1866 the school was supported by this church, which also supplied its officers and most of its teachers; but it did not come under the control of the officers of this church until 1S76, when they purchased the ground and assumed all the responsibilities, l-'ro"! its beginning until 1870 Mr. Bentley was the efficient superintendent. Since then it has had a series of excellent superintendents and a corps of devoted teachers. The Mission-school bell is the same one which formerly summoned the worshipers to the old State Street church, and it has lost none of its music. It was the first large bell cast in New Albany, and is said to be one of the best bells, for its weight, in the country.
Dr. Safi!"ord gave up the pastoral charge of this congregation in June, 1S67, and removed to Ohio.
In August, 1867, Dr. W. C. Anderson, a former minister of the church, returned and re- mained as stated supply until July, 1S69. Eighty- three members were received during his term of service. A rich outpouring of God's spirit was received in 1S68.
Dr. Anderson was a man greatly beloved. He was a wise expounder of the word of God and an interesting preacher. Upon his removal from New Albany, he spent some time in Europe in the unavailing search for health, and died in Kansas, August, 1870, much lamented.
Rev. Samuel Conn, D. D., began his regular labors with this church on the first Sabbath in July, 1870, and was installed on Sabbath even- ing, October 30, 1870, Rev. Dr. Lapsley, of the Presbytery of Nashville, preaching, by request, the mstallation sermon. Within this pastorate, to July, 1 8 76, ninety-four members were added, of whom fifty-one were received upon examina- tion, and forty-three upon certificate. Hand- some and commodious church parlors were at- tached to the lecture-room ; additions have twice been made to the Mission-school building, and a comfortable parsonage was purchased. The present membership of the church [January, 1 882,] is about two hundred and twenty-five, and the strength of the Sabbath-school one hundred and forty members. The officers of the church are as follows : Pastor, Rev. J. W.
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MlsrORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Cloakcy ; ruling elders, John Bushnell, Silas C. Day, Harvey A. Scribner, James M. Day, and John F. Gebhart; deacons, James R. Riely, Robert G. McCord, Samuel W. \'ance, James W. Snodgrass, and John E. Crane; .trustees, John Bushnell, William S. Culbertson, and Silas C. Day.
William H. Day is superintendent of the Sab- bath-school, with Mrs. Mary L. Jlragdon as as- sistant. Of the Mission Sabbath-scliool John 1". Gebhart is superintendent, and Mrs. Charlotte P. Needham assistant.
Forty young men or more, who subsequently became ambassadors for Christ, were members of this church for a longer or shorter time. Some are scattered over tlie United States, and others laboring on missionary ground. A majority of them were connected with it only during their course in the Theological seminary. Among this class the most conspicuous name is that of Dr. Jonathan Edwards, a man of commanding intellect, who has occupied various high posi- tions. Otliers, although brought to Christ else- where, had th.eir home here and were connected with the church for a longer time. It does not take a long memory to recall Dr. S. ¥. Scovel, for some time chorister here, afterwards ihe able pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvrwiia, and Joseph S. Potter, a missionary in Persia. Still others were trained here in the knowledge of Christ, and here made their profession of faith m His name. The first of these was Allan Graves, who was received upon examination in 1S28. The next was Dr. Charles W. Shields, pastor for some years of the Second Presbyterian church of Philadelphia, and then professor in the College of New Jersey. "A srholar, and a ripe and good one."
The next was Dr. John M. ^\'orrall, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Covington, Ken- tucky, one of the ornaments of the .American pulpit. Then comes Edward P. Shields, who, after spending one year in the New Albany seminary, went to Princeton to have the best possible back-bone inserted into his theology, and fell so in love with the Jersey tlats that he has clung to them ever since. He became pas- tor of the Presbyterian church, Cape Island, New Jersey. Others are Edward P. Wood and John R. Wood, sons of Dr. James Wood. The atter of these two brothers was a man of sweet
and gentle nature, who died in the bright day- dawn of a most promising ministry.
The total number of communicants in this church to July, 1876, was 1,252, of whom 714 were received upon examination, and 538 upon certificate. Four hundred and thirty-five were males, and 817 females.
I'he following is a complete list (to the middle of 1876) of those who had held the office of ruling elder in the F'irst church, with dates of their election:
Thomas Posey, iSi6; Joel Scribner, 1016; ]acob Marccll, 1817; Stephen Beers, 1817; EHas Avers, 1827; Benjamin Adams, 1828; William Plumer, 1831; Mason C. Fitch, 1832; Charles Woodruff, 1S32; Harvey Scribner, 1832; Jacob Sim- mers, 1832; James R. Shields, 1832; John Bushnell, 1832; \V. A. Scribner, 1847; Pleasant S. Shields, 1847; David Heddcn, 1847; James \V. Sprowle, 185S; Silas C. Day, 1858; F. L. Morse, 1870; Thomas Danfortli, 1870; Harvey A. .Scribner, 1870, James M. Day, 1S75; John F. Gebhart, 1875-
THE SKCOND PRF..SBVTERIAN" CHURCH.
As has been observed from the record of the First church, this church came into existence in November, 1837. It was organized on the 24th of that month by authority of the undivided Presbytery of Salem, in session at Livonia, and was originally composed of one hundred and three members, who had been connected with the First church. Of the causes of the separation Mr. Conn, in the history of the First church, merely says: "It is enough to say that difficulties and dissatisfaction, chiefly of a personal nature, and involving a difference of view between j^astor and a portion of the people, led to a division." This church became what is known as New-school Prtsbyterian.
On Sunday, December 3, 1837, the church first met for public worship in the court-house. Rev. S. K. Snecd, who had been for sonie time pastor of the Fii-st church, was the pastor in charge, and so continued until 1843. The second meeting qf this chuich was held at the house of Mr. James Brooks on the 4th of De- cember, 1837, at wliich time the officers of the church were elected. On the 5th the presbyterial commission appointed to divide the church property, assigned to the Second church the fe- male seminary on L'pi'cr Fourth street, in which building, suitably remodeled, religious services were held nearly twelve years. This building was subsequently disposed of to the German Pres- byterians, who used it as a place of worship-,
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until thcii cliurcli was merged into other organi- ?ations, after which it was occupied as a German sthnol.
The first communion season of this church was observed J-'^miarv 7, 1838, and for several years the Lord's Supper was administered every monti) with occasional exeeiitions, after which it was celebrated bi monthly on the second Sabbath of the month, beginning with January.
Camp-meetings were favorably regarded dur- ing the earlier history of this church, and were repeatedly held amid the beautiful gro\es of Mount Tabor, during which many members were added to the church. The church con- tinued to increase rapidly in strength until in 1849 it became evident that more ample accom- modations were needed, and the building of the present beautiful church on the corner of Main and Upper Third streets began that year. It was enclosed in this year and the basement first oc- cupied for services in the s[)riiig of 1850. August I, 1852, the whole building having been finished and paid for, it was publicly dedicated to the Service of God, Rev. W. S. Fisher, I). D., preaching the dedicatory sermon. The church edifice is of btick, one of the finest in the city, having a clock in the tower, and cost $24,500. In 1853, the growth of the city and congregation having made it desirable that the Third Presby- terian church should be organized, twenty-four members of the Second church were, on the 31st of October, at their own request, dismissed for that purpose and efficient aid was rendered them by the Second church in erecting a house of worship.
In 1S60 the benevolent efforts of this church were thoroughly systematized ; ceitain causes being specified for public presentation at stated periods, and in addition a monthly payment be- ing solicited from every member in behalf of home and foreign missions. The .system exer- cised has, beyond doubt, greatly augmented the charitable gifts of the ciiurch.
A female prayer-meeting was formerly an ele- ment of considerable strength in the church, and the continued weekly prayer-meeting is a never-failing source of spiritual comfort. For many years, also, the church has observed a week of special prayer near the beginning of the new year, and at different periods of its history there have been times of more protracted effort.
It is said that during the great revival of 1842 one hundred and fifty persons were converted, of whom, however, but eighty joined this church, the remainder following their preference for other denominations. .As the fruits of a revival in 1849, o^'C ("I'ty new members were received; in 1853 seventy-six were received, and in 1S67 lhirt\--si\ persons joined during a revival. Up to that time the church had received seven hun- dred and forty-two persons in all into the church since the first organization. Up to the present time the whole number enrolled on the church books IS about one thousand. I'he present membership is about three hundred and sixty.
It has been cu.;tomary to grant the pastor an annual vacation of six weeks, during which the pulijit has usually been filled by ministers resi- dent in the city. It was occupied in 1S65 for several months by Rev. D. M. Cooper, while the pastor was in Europe. The church partly sup- ported the Rev. T. S. Spencer from February to September, JS62, as a city missionary; and in February, 1867, they jointly, with the First church, employed Rev. William Ellers in that capa- city. In seasons of revival, when pastoral cares and duties were greatly multiplied, the temporary services of many different clergymen were se.- cured. The eloquence of Rev. Lyman P.eecher, D. D., gave its charm to some oT the carnjj-incet- ings held at Mount Tabor. Rev. L T. Avery rendered -essential aid during the protracted effort in 1S42. Similar help was given by Rev. James Gallagher in 1849; the Rev. Henry Little, D. D., in 1853; Rev. W. \V. Atterbury in 1858, and Rev. F. R. Gallagher in 1867.
A Sabbath-school has been maintained from the beginning, and has ever been regarded as the nursery of the church, from whose classes its choicest accessions have been received. The management of this institution has always been in the hands of the session, and under the care of the pastor, through the more immediate con- trol of its interests has been exercised by a suc- cession of superintendents. In addition to the school held every Sabbath in the year in the church, mission schools have attracted the con- tinual attention of the congregation, and several have been establi>hed at different times. A mission school, which had for some years been sustained as a union school by the various churches in the city, was, by unanimous consent
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
of its officers, placed under the especial care of the Second church in iS6i. This was probably their fust effoit in this direction. A great many children were thus reached who might otherwise have been neglected.
A mission Sabbath-school foi the benefit of the colored children was formed by authority of the session in 1867, which did much good work among those for whose benefit it was organized. .In 1S72 a third mission was started, which, un- der its present management, is known as
STATE STREET CH.-\PEI>.
It is located at the corner of State and Clay streets. A zealous Presbyterian, Joseph W. Gale, now of Boston, Massachusetts, has the honor of originating this mission school. He was an agent for the establishment of Sunday-schools in the New Albany presbytery {then the Salem pres- bytery), and believing the neighborhood of the present school a good one for Sunday-school work, he secured an empty house in which the school was first opened. The building was a small one, and at the end of si.x months Mr. Gale found his efforts so successful that a larger house was necessary to accommodate his scholars. He went to some of his brethren of the Presby- terian church, among whom were John Lough- miller and William E. Allison, and together they leased of W. C. DuPauw a vacant lot for ten years, upon which the present building was erected. It is a frame building, about thirty-five by fifty feet in size, and cost $2,400, the money being mostly contributed by the Presbyterians. William E. Allison became superintendent, and has continued in that position ever since. Satis- factory progress has been made, and the mem- bership of the school is at present about one hundred. It is thought that a fourth Presbyte- rian church will soon be established at this place.
The regular Sabbath-school of the Second church now numbers about two hundred mem- bers.
Following is a list of officers of the Second Presbyterian church from the first to the present: Pastors — Samuel K. Snead, from November, 1837, to May, 1843; E. R. Peadle, D. D., from August, 1843, to July, 1843,; John Black, D. D., from August, 1S45, '^ August, 1846; John M. Bishop, from November, 1846, to October, 1850; John G. Atterbury, D. D., from August, 1S51, to
July 1 866; Horace C. Hovey, Dr. Daniel Stew- art, Dr. Dickson, Charles Little, and Rev. Good- low, the present incumbent. Elders — Jacob Simmers, from 1837 to iS.iS; John Loughmiller, 1837; James Brooks, from 1837 to 1866; Wil- liam C. Conner, from 1837 to i860; Ralph H. Hurlbut, from 1S44 to 1S57; James M. Haines, from 1852 to 1S53; J. N. Graham, from 1852 to 1857; Charles N. Hine, from 1857 to i860; Walter Mann, i860; Edward H. Mann, i860; Charles A. Reineking, 1866; William H; Lewis, W. M. Lewis, A. S. McClung, W. E. Allison. Deacons — -James M. Hains, 1848 to 1852: Jesse J. Blown, 1848; Walter Mann, 1S48 to i860; Charles A. Reineking, 1852" to 1S66; John M. Renshaw, 1852; John T. Creed, 1859; John Mann, 1859; W. Henry Lewis, 1867; S. Addison McClung, 1867; C. H. Conner, G. C. Graves, John Hutton, W. J. Hisey.
THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church originated in the Second church, and was organized in November, 1853. Rev. John G. Atterbury was then pastor of the Second church, and on the evening of the 6th of Novem- ber, just prior to the separation, he preached a sermon which was subsequently published in pamphlet form, and from which a few extracts are taken. In a prefatory note the reasons of the separation are fully set forth. In the summer of 1853 it seems to have become the general con- viction of the officers and menibeis of the Second church that it was their duty to make a contribu- tion to the evangelical instrumentalities of the city. The church had greatly prospered, there having been continual and steady accessions to their numbers and incre:tse of their means. The population of t,he city had increased until it was largely beyond the measure of church accommo- dation. An entirely new suburb in the north- eastern part of the city was rapidly filling up, in which there was no house of worship. An eligi- ble lot in that quarter had recently been do- nated to the church by the heirs of the late Judge Conner in fulfillment of the intention of their venerable father. The money was prompt- ly subscribed to build a house upon this lot, and its erection at once begun. As the completion of this building drew near, the pastor and session made application to the presbytery for the ap- pointment of a committee to constitute a new
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
church of such of their numbers ns might volun- teer for that purpose. Up to this time it was not known who would offer themselves for this enterprise, with the exception of one or two per- sons who had early agreed to lead in it. A nat- ural reluctance was felt by the members to leave the fellowship with which they were so pleasantly coimected, and the pastor under whose ministra- tions they were sitting. The obligation of the church to colonize was obvious enough, but not so the obligation of any particular persons to go off in the execution of the enterprise. Necessa- rily it was left to the individual sense of duty. On Monday evening, October 3i5t, a meeting was called in the lecture room of the church, at which time twenty-four persons, members of the Second church (ten males and fourteen females), offered themselves in the formation of the new- church; and having received the proper certifi- cates of dismission, were thereupon formerly constituted a separate church, under the name of the Third Presbyterian church of New Albany. It appearing in the course of the week that these members would not be able to occujiy the new house, as had been exi^ected, on the follow- ing Sabbath, Mr. Atterbury took occasion to preach the printed discourse before referred to before the whole congregation as they worshiped together for the last time before separation. The following extracts are from this sermon:
Two churches that have hitherto been one are worshiping together this d:iy (November 6, 1853) for the first and last time ere they separate to their respective fields. Since last Sabbath a portion of your number have solemnly covenanted to walk together and labor together as a separate church of Jesus Christ, and henceforth will not form a constituent part of this congregation.
Si.xteen years since this church began its di.^tinctive hi5tor\' with little that was promising in human judgment. The ■feeble band came out from the parent church under the in- fluence of domestic alienation, bringing with them little else but faith in God and devotion to principle. They were most- ly poor in this world's goods, but some of them, we believe, were rich in faith and heirs of the promises. They brought with them little social influence. They had none of that prestige whose power is felt in churches as in ail other so- cieties. All this they left behind. They were viewed as an insignificant band, not so much for number as position, and little was antici[)ated for them but a struggling existence.
To-d.ay the church is "two bands," not divided by strife or alienation, V)Ut separ.ited in love. Every step and turn in its history has been attended with tokens of Di\ine favor. It has waxed strong unexpectedly each year. Crises that threatened it with disaster have been overruled for its pros-
perity. The spirit of the Lord has been poured out upon it repeatedly, and multitudes have been added by conversion from the world; multitudes of others from churches abroad and at home have united themselves with its interests. At this time, after all the removals and deaths and- diminutions that spring from various causes of change incident to human society, it numbers over three hundred members.
It is asked why this division? Why not remain together in one bod\ ? I answer, because God has so greatly p'rospered and enlarged us that it has become expedient for the spiritual interests of the whole and all its parts to divide the body. I answer again, because by a division we can hope to accom- plish more in behalf of the great object for which God has established a church in the world and has so greatly pros- pered this particular congregation.
Let me add a few words in reference to our separation. We are now become "two bands," each henceforth having its distinct and separate field. Let there be no strife between us, for we are brethren. Let us not forget that though two hands we are of one family. Our strength will be found in our affectionate oneness. • Though our specific fields are separate, the interests we prosecute are identical. We regard you who go out, not as expatriating yourselves, not as be- coming aliens, not as occupying a position of rivalry, but as going forth in the name of the whole church to do a work which the Lord has called upon his church to do. It is men- tioned in the history of the church at Antioch that ".-\sthcy ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, separate me Barna')as and Saul for the work whereunto I have sent them." And the church promptly gave up these brethren and sent them away on their missionary field. So do we, the p.astor, officers, and members of this church feel, that in obedience to the voice of God, speaking to us in his provi- dence, we have separated you, dear brethren, and now send you away to the work whereunto you are called. It will ever appear upon the records of our presbytery, that, at the' instance of the pastor and session of this church, their com- mittee was appointed to organize this band.
The present pastor of this church is Rev. C. Hutchinson. The church is in a flourishing condition and maintains a large, healthy Sabbath- school, with a library of over five hundred vol- umes connected with it. The church edifice is of stone, very substantial, and cost something more than twenty-thousand dollars.
THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.
After the Methodists and Presbyterians the Baptists were probably next to cultivate fhe field of religion in New Albany. Preachers of this denomination were among the first religious teachers in the county, but were not sufficiently numerous in New Albany to form a church until some years after the Methodists and Presby- terians. The pioneer Baptists came to be known in later times as "Hard-shell ''from the peculiarly stern and unyielding quality of their religion. The Baptists in New Albany were largely from Kentucky and other Southern States, though not
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HISTORY or THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
a few were from the East. Among the latter was Seth Woodruff, a leader in this denomination in New Albany, and he might alsobe called a repre- sentative man among the Hard-shell baptists, as well as a representative j^ioneer. He was from New Jersey, and was a man of considerable natural ability and force of character, but en- tirely uncultivated. He was comparatively vvith- outeducation, but made his way in the world through the superabundance of his jihysical and mental energy and great will-power. He became a Baptist preacher and held the Baptist church here in his iron grasp for many' years, running it pretty inuch to suit himself. He was also promi- nent in county affairs and his name became the most familiar one an the early county records. It was \\'oodruff who organized the
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
of New Albany, about the year 1825, and it was mainly through his efforts thai a large and active church was built up here, and which continued fairly united and prosperous until 1S35, when trouble came which di\ided the congregation. Soon after the organization the society erected a frame "meeting-house" on one of the public squares of the town. This building was in use until 1853, when it was destroyed by fire, and was never rebuilt by the old church society, which was at that time weak, having been torn to pieces by the dissensions of a few years be- fore.
As Mr. Woodruff had been instrumental in building up the church, so he was probably the cause of its division and downfall in 1835. He had been a trusted and honored leader, his will had generally been recognized as law in the church, and he was able with his native elo- quence and strength of mmd, for many years, to hold his followers together; but there came a time, after the church had grown strong in num- bers and intelligence, when men grew tired of listening to the sermons of Mr. Woodruff, or at least desired a change. They wished the Gospel presented in a new and perhaps more attractive way, and therefore voted for a new pastor. This was borne for some time with ill concealed im- patience by Mr. WoodrutT and some of his de- voted followers, but after a time produced a division in the church. Mr. Woodruff declined to abdicate the position he had filled so many years, or the power he had struggled so hard to
possess. It is said that he often insisted on occupying the pulpit to the exclusion of the regular pastor. This state of affairs could not be long endured and a large portion of the mem- bers withdrew and formed what has since been known as Park Christian church. Forty-three members were engaged in this enterprise, as ap[iears by the records of the latter church. The church building was sold at auction, and purchased by the Baptists for $1,010. After the secession of these members the First Baptist church struggled along for ten years more, when trouble came again, and in 1S44 the
SKCOND BAPTIST CHURCH
was organized. But few, if any, facts can be gleaned from the records of the Baptist church, and properly so, perhaps, regarding the troubles of the church or the history of the causes that not only led to divisions, but nearly swept the old church out of existence; but the above lets simply a glimmer of light upon these causes. The following regarding the formation of the second church is taken from the records:
The members of the regular Baptist church of N'ew .Al- bany, whose names are hereunto annexed, after mature de- lilieration, came to the conclusion that a second Baptist church of the same order and faith, situated in the upper part of the city, would be a most efficient means of promot- ing the dissemination of the Gospel and religion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It was, therefore, resolved that we present our considera- tion; to the church for a hearing. It was acco.'dingly done at one of the regular meetings of said church, and after dis- cussing the subject at several church meetmgs it was finally resolved, on the third Saturday in October, 1844, by said chinch, that the following members have the privilege of forming themselves into a new church to be styled the Second Baptist church of N'ew Albany, Indiana.
Folowing is the list of names of the members at the or- ganization of this church: Oliver Cassell, John Knepfiy. Charles Earth, Charles Roose-, Alfred Scott, Caroline Cas- sell, Mary Montgomery, Martha J. Johnson, Magdaline Kneplly, Xancy Barth, Hannah Hutching, Mary Tubbs, Elizabeth Murphy.
The record further says:
On Saturday afternoon, November 23, 1844, the following brethren assembled as a council with reference to the forma- tion of a Second H^iptist church in New Albany:
Rev. G. G. Gates, from the First Baptist church of New .Mli.iny; C. \'an Buskiik and .Absalom Cochell, trom the First Baptist church of Louisville, Kentucky; Rev. T. S. Mal- com, C. Forbes, A. S. Woodruff, and C. C. P. Crosby, from the Second Baptist cliurch of Louisville, Kentucky; Rev. William C. Buck, from the Last Baptist church of Louis- ville, Kentucky; John McCoy, and Thomas E. Veatch, from the Baptist church of Jeffersonville. Indiana.
Rev. William C. Buck was appointed moderator, and Rev. T. S. Malcom clerk. Prayer was oftered by Rev. T. S. Mai-
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203
com. A letter of dismission was read dismissing thirteen members of tlie Bapti.^t cluirch in New Albjny for the pur- [iusc of constituting a new church of tlie s.inie faiili and ouier, of yvlioni the following ten were present: Oliver Cas- .sell. John Knepfly, Charles Birth, Caroline Cassell, Mary Montgotr.cry, Martha Johnson, Magdaline Kneptly, Xancy H.irth, Mary Tubbs, and Elizabeth Murphy.
'I'he articles of faith, church covenant, and rules of de- corum were read, to wliicli the members of the proposed church gave their assent; thereupon it was moved and sec- onded that we proceed as a council to rerorganize this as a separate and distinct church of Jesus Clirist. The right hand of fellowship was gWen by the members to each other and to the council.
I'rayer was offered by Rev. G. G. Gates for the blessing of God upon the new church.
This closed the proceedings, and the Second IJaptist church entered upon its career. Soon after the organization the foUowino; members were received by letter: Susan Knight, Aman- da Tubbs, William Pusey, Rev. Sidney Dyer, Abigail T. Dyer, and Ann Wilson.
Tlie first preaching was November 26, 1S44, by Rev. T. S. Malcom, of LouisviUc.
A second meeting was held December i, 1844, at which Elder Smith Thomas [ireached.
The first deacons were John Knepfly and Oliver Cassell; the latter was also the first clerk, and the former the first treasurer, and is yet liv- ing in New Albany.
The first permanent pastor was Rev. Sidney Dyer, chosen at a meeting held January 31, 1845, ^^^ compensation being $300 per annum. He was from the South Baptist church, New York.
The society secured a room on Main street, where its meetings were held. The separation of the churches did not seem to end their troubles; both congregations were rendered too weak to sustain two regular pastors, and both so- cieties felt that something was wrong, and that the cause of Christianity was not being advanced as it should be by a Christian cluirch, so in November, 1S45, propositions were made look- ing to a reconciliation and to the reuniting of the two churches.
Nothing came of this effort, however, and again, as appears by the record July 12, 1846, a committee from the First church made a proposi- tion to the Second church to again unite with them; the proposition was considered, but the niatter was again postponed. These frequent failures created ill feeling, and the churches be- came more widely separated than ever. Many
of the members of both churches desired to re- unite, but others were stubborn, and this feeling produced the present or
B.WK. STKKUT B.\PTIST CHURCH,
now the only white church .of this denomination in the city. May 11, 1848, as apiiears by.thc re- cords, several members belonging to both churches, presented the following memorial:
Several members of the regular Baptist church in New Al- bany, being for a long time under a painful conviction that the cause was not advantageously, nor the denomination fairly represented before the community by that body; believing also that the recent e.vclusion of their minister and one of their deacons was not only hasty but without sufficient cause, bemg effected b) the zeal of a few prejudiced persons; and having frequently seen points of discipline and other business transactions decided in the same manner by that body to the grief of many, believed themselves, in humble reliance upon God, called upon by his providence to constitute a new Baptist church in this city.
As several of these members, at one of the meetings of the church, did ask for letters of dismissal, but were refused such letters, though acknowledged to be in full fellowship and regular standing, they thereupon agreed to organize them- selves into a regular Baptist church to be called the Bank .Street Baptist church.
The organization of this church was effected by choosing for pastor Rev. George Webster; for deacons, Oliver Cassell and John Knepfly; clerk, John Woodward; treasurer, Benjamin Williams; trustees, Samuel Montgomery, John Knepfly, and John Woodward.
This organization seems in a short time to have absorbed the best elements of the other two, and resulted in their dissolution.
The old First church, however, continued to hold its organization for a nutiiber of years, and had occasional but no regular preaching. In 1878, under the preaching of Rev. William Hildreth, of the Bank Street church, the two churches were united, the old church turning over its property to the Bank Street church. This church seems to have been united and harmonious since its organization.
As soon as organized, the society purchased a lot, 4S.\6o feet in size, on the corner of Bank and Spring streets, and during the sum- mer of 1848 erected thereon a brick church, which served the purposes of the congregation until 1878, when the present beautiful brick structure was erected, 'llie old church was sold, and is now in use as a warehouse. The new church was dedicated January 4, 1880, the de- dicatory sermon being preached by Rev. John A.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Broadus, of Louisville. The church is said to possess tlie finest auditorium in the city, and cost about ten thousand dollars. The church membership is at present about two hundred and sixty.
The Sabbath-school was established many years ago, and now has an active membership of about one hundred and forty.
THE SECOND E.-M'TIST (cOLORI-D) CHURCH.
This is located on Upper Fourth street, be- tween Main and Market, and was organized March 28, 1867, by Rev. C. Edwards, a colored minister of considerable ability, who continued its pastor nine years. Some of the original mem- bers of this church were George Cole, David Cole, Isabella Williams, Unitary Murphy, E. Howard, A.McCruicher, G. D. Williams, M. Sales, and Simon Hall. The organization took place in Woodward hall, on Main street, where meetings were held until a lot \\as purchased on Second street, where the society erected a frame church about 1868, which cost about $[,Soo. This church building was occupied until 1S71, when they purchased of the Lutherans the old brick church on Fourth street, erected about 1S40 by the Presbyterians, which they have since oc- cupied, and which cost ihern about $2,500. The society still owns both church buildings, renting the first one for a private residence. The society has been a prosi)erous one, and now numbers about three hundred members. Rev. Richard Bassett is the present pastor, succeeding Rev. C. Edwards.
The Sabbath school was organized in the fall of 1867, and now numbers about one hundred members.
ST. p.\ul's episcopal church.
This was the next religious society to organize after the First Baptist church. The following extract is taken from the first records of this church:
At a meeting of the citizens of New Albany, held at the house of Lathrop Elderkin in said town, on the nineteenth day of July, 1834, agreeably to a notice given and in con- formity to an act of the Legislature of the .State of Indiana friendly to the Protestant Episcopal church — was formed the Parish of St. Paul's church, of New .-Mbany, county of Floyd, and State of Indl.ina; subject to the powers and authority of the Protestant Episcop.il church of the United States of America, and suliject to the laws of the same. Rev. Dexter Potter was called to" the chair, and L. Elderkin appointed clerk.
At this meeting the fijllowing oflircrs were also elected: Lathrop Elderkin, warden; Josejih Franklin and A. S. liarnctt, vestrymen; and Joseph Franklin, Alexander S. Barnett, and La- throp Elderkin, trustees. This ended the pro- ceedings of the first meeting for the organization of St. Paul's church.
Prior to this meeting occasional services had been held at the houses of the members, and fre- fpient meetings for prayer and conference.
Two days after this first meeting (July 21, 1834,) the following appears on the record:
W'e, whose names are hereunto affixed, deeply impressed w ith the importance of the Christian religion, and earnestly wishing to promote its holy influences in the^hearls and lives of ourselves, families, and neighbors, do hereby associate oui selves together under the name, style, and title of the Parish of St. Paul's church, in the town of New .Albany, county of Floyd, and State of Indiana, and by so doing bind ourselves to be entirely subject to the power and authority of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States of .America, and subject to the laws and canons of the same. At New Albany this, the 21st day of July, 1834.
• ' ■ r . L. Elderkin,
a. s. bck.n'ett, Joseph Fr.^nkli.v, .'■ I C. H. Besso.vett,
Willi.am White.
Among other names signed to the above, and who thus appear as the original members of this church are the following, who are yet living: .Mrs. Anastasia Robinson, Mrs. Elizabeth Senex, Mrs. Charlotte Riddle, Charles L. Hoover, and George Lyman.
At a meeting of the trustees held in Septem- ber, 1834, it was resolved to purchase lot twenty- six on State street for $250, paying half October I St and half January 1st following.
At a meeting held April 20, 1S35, C. H. Bes- sonett and Lathrop Elderkin were elected war- dens, and Josejjh Franklin, William White, and C. H. Bessonett trustees. These meetings were generally held at the houses of the members. The following IS the report of an important bus- iness meeting taken from the church record:
M a meeting of the congregation of St. Paul's, in the village of New Albany, held at the ofiice of W. Griswold on Easter Monday, March 27, 1837:
Present, Rev. Ashbel Steele, Messrs. Franklin, Robinson, William White, Brown, Griswold, Beers and S. White.
On motion, Rev. Steele was called to the chair, and W, Griswold appointed clerk.
On motion, resolved that we proceed to elect by ballot five trustees agreeably to the laws of Iiidi.ina, who shall be con- sidered as vestrymen of this church for the ensuing year.
Whereupon the Rev. .Ashbel Steele, Stephen Beers, Joseph
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
205
Franklin, William Robinson and Whitney Griswold were elected trustees.
On iiiolion, resolveil that we proceed to elect by.ballot two u.irdeni for the coming ye.rr; whereupon Stephen Beers and ■\\ illiani Robinson were duly elected.
On motion, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted:
W'llK.RliAS, The geiioral convention of the I'rotcstant Epis- copal church of the United States of America have appointed tlie Ki^ht Rev. Jackson Kemper, D. D. , missionary bishop of the States of Missouri and Indiana; and ■
\\'HEKF.v\S, The board of Domestic Missions of said Church liave designated New Albany as a missionary sta- tion and appointed the Rev. .Ashbcl Steele as missionary to said station, therefore
Kesolvt-d, That we hail with delight and gratitude to .\I- mighty God the new impiiUc given to the cau«o of missions and the church in our western land, and that we do consider ouisehes as under the supeivision of the Right Rev. Jack- son Kemper as missionary bishop.
/Resolved, That we gratifully recognize the appointment of kev. Ashbel Steele as missionary of the station, and that he be the pastor of St. Paul's church, New .Mbany, according to the canons and usages of the Protestant Episcopal church of the United States of .America.
A'cso/vcd. That we will cheerfully co-operate w ith the said general convention, board of missions, bishop, and pastor in the great and good work in which they are engaged.
At a meeting held in March, 1S37, Rev. Ashbel Steele, Stephen Beers, Joseph Franklin, S. White, and W. Griswold were appointed a building committee, and empowered to adopt a plan for a new church, and proceed to the erec- tion of the same. They sold the lot on State street and purchased a lot on Spring, between Bank and Upper Third streets, where they pro- ceeded to erect their first church. It was a frame building, very comfortable and commodious for the time, and cost about five thousand dollars. This church building was occupied from 1S37 to 1864, when they, having determined to erect a new church building, sold the old one to the Lutherans, who in turn disposed of it to Mr. \V. C. De Pauw, who moved it out on \'incennes street and establislied the Kingsley mission.
The church had previously secured the present lot, on Main street, between Upper Si.Kth and Seventh streets, where the present St. Paul's church was erected in 1864-65, the corner-stone being laid by Bishop Smith, of Kentucky, the senior bishop of the United States at the time. It was consecrated by Bishop Joseph C. Talbot. It is frame building, and cost about fourteen thousand dollars. There are at present about three hundred members of this church in the city, but only about one hundred and fifty regu- lar communicants.
The Sabbath-school was organized soon after the organization of the cinirch, George Brown being the first su[)erintendent. This school has- greatly prospered and numbers now some three hiuidred members. It is divided into two schools, called the mission school and the parish school. r.oth scliools are conducted at the church, the jiaiish school in the morning and the mission school in the afternoon of each Sun- day. The former is under the immediate charge of the rector. The mission school was for many years held in the lower part of the city. Charles L. Hoover was superintendent of the school about thirty years. The followitig list comprises the names of the rectors of St. Paul's Episcopal church: Ashbel Steele, J. B. Britton, B. W. Hickox, William K. Saunders, Edward Lonsbery, T. H. L. Laird, J. B. Ramsdell, J. N. Goshorn, John Martin, John A. Childs, J. S. Wallace, J. E. Purdy, Dr. Thomas G. Carver, D. D., Dr. David Pise', D. D., John A. Gierlow, F". B. Dtinham, and Walter Scott, the latter just called to the charge.
PAKK CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The organization of this church followed close- ly that of the Episcopal, being organized May 19, 1S35, t)y forty-three members (or rather se- ~ ceders) of the First Baptist church of New Al- bany. The causes of the division of the Baptist church were numerous, and some of them have been mentioned in the history of that church; but among others the following extract from an address of Elder Hobson, of Louisville, may be mentioned:
It is claimed by the members of this church that they dis- card all hum.in creeds and rely alone upon the Hible as tlie rule of failh and church government; and that obedie.nce to all that is required of man in the New Testament is necessary to salvation. This and some minor considerations caused the split between this people and what is known as the Reg- ular Baptist organizat on.
The following is a list of members of the first organization of the first Christian or Disciple church in New Albany:
Isaac S. -Ashton, Samuel C. Miller, Robert Luckey, John Miller, Ashbel Smith, Henry Moore, Nathaniel Webb, Mary .Ann Wells, Elizabeth Beck, Nancy Miller. Mary Ann Smith, Hannah Garvey, Matilda Duncan, Lucy Brazleton, Caleb C. Dayton, Eliz.^beth Dayton, Eli,;abcth Beebe. Perry Gaivey, Edward C. Duncan, Peter Sallkild, Eli Brazleton, Isaac A^ Ramey, D. W. Voshall, Sophia Moore, Charlotte Carter, Melinda Sassel, Rebecca .\kin. Charlotte Scribner, .Abigail Brown, Lydia Shanon, Elizabeth .Akin,- Priscilla Akin. Mary Ramey, Sophia Ashton, Saruh Hallock, Nancy Draper,
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Sarah Lacan, l.ovinu McCov, Sarah Monroe, Amelia Webb, John Bell, Sarah Bell, Isaac Hough, ]ul!a Hough, Matilda Hough, Jacob Cassel, Thomas J. Murdock, Julia Ann Mur- dock, Nathaniel Price, Ann Price, Mary Ann Montague, B. O. Austin, Cynthia Rickey, James G. Spalding, Ann Cham- berlain, Sarah Sowards, Sarah Anthony, Elizabeth Guftey, Sister Sanford, and Nancy Luckey.
The first forty-three on the above list seceded from the First Bajjtist church.
Tlic following regarding the ' origin of this church is taken from the church record:
State of Indiana, New Albany, May 19, 1835.
Wherkas, The Baptist church of the town of New Al- bany did, on the I St day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three, for divers causes as to the then members did appear, amicably and unanimously enter into the following agreement, as appears from records found recorded in the record book of said church, ill the words following, to wit:
Whkrk.as, There has been existing in this church for some time past some difficulties which seem to threaten the peace of the church, to remedy which we have agreed to unite upon the Scriptures alone as the only infallible .rule of our faith and practice, and from this day do agree to exercise in our- selves a spirit of Christian forbearance and recognize in e.ich other the same fellowship that e.xisted in the church twelve months ago when we met together in love and hailed each other as brethren and sisters in the Lord; and
Whekeas, It has been made manifest that some of our brethren have not lived in accordance with said agreement, but have been living at variance with the spirit of the same, and have used their influence to separate or divide said church, which has rendered her, as a body, and as individu- als, a distressed people for many months past; and
Whekeas, Said church, in her distress, at her stated meetings on the i6th day of May, A. D. 1S35, did agree to divide the time as relates to the use of the meeting-house, as appears from a copy of said proceedings in the words fol- lowing:
"The reference respecting the house was taken up, there- fore, and we have agreed to divide the time, brother Wood- ruff to let us know which time he would occupy on Sunday, the 24th inst.
"The above is a true copy from the minutes.
"Isaiah Townsend, "Clerk of the B.aptist church of New .Mbany.
"B. .0, Austin, Recorder."
Now be it known that we do lament that such a division of time has appeared necessary, notwithstanding we do enter- tain toward those brethren who have thus destroyed our peace and have drawn away some of our brethren and sisters from the preceding agreement as aforesaid, the most friendly regard, and stand ready, whenever circumstances will admit, to walk with them upon principles set forth in the first above- mentioned agreement, and recorded as aforesaid, and are re- solved, by the help of the Lord, to live in accordance with the same, and in order that we may know what persons — members of said church — are still resolved to keep in good faith the above and first-named agreement, have mutually agreed to enroll our names this the 19th day of May, .-V. D. i835.
The forty-three members of the Baptist church who signed the above agreement soon after pro-
ceeded to organize a Camijbellile or Uisci[)le church as they were then called, but now known As the Christian church. A special meeting was called for June 27, 1835, over which Samuel C. Miller was chosen to jueside, and the body then pioceded to the election of officers. Isaac S. Ashton was chosen bishop, John Miller deacon, and 1'.. O. Austin clerk. During the next few months the following were the chosen officers of the church: Nathaniel Price, bishop; Ashbel Smith and Caleb C. Dayton, deacons; D. G. Stewart, elder; and Henry Moore, deacon. Thomas J. Murdock was given a certificate as minister of the gospel.
A question of some difticulty was now to be settled — the division of the church property, in which both congregations (Disciple and Baptist) were interested. Conference committees were a])pointed by both congregations, and August 23, 1836, it was agreed that the property should be sold at auction to the highest bidder, the two churches to be the only bidders. The agreement stipulated that the successful bidder was to have possession of the church and to jiay for the same within one month from the date of sale. It was ratified by both churches, and signed by Thomas Herndon, Isaiah Townsend, and Thomas B. Walker on the part of the Bajnist church; and Ashbel Smith, Caleb C. Dayton, and John Mil- ler on the part of the Disciples. In accordance with the agreement the property was sold Sep- tember 1, 1836, to the Baptist church for $1,010, and the Disciples mimediately made prepara- tions for the erection of a new church. The following is from the records :
New Albany, September 28, 1836.
After the committee had settled with the Baptist church concerning the meeting-house and given them full and entire possession, the bi(Ethren met to consult and make the neces- sary arrangements for building a convenient and comfortable house of worship. For the furtherance of the same the following brethren, viz., Isaac S. .Ashton, Jacob Cassel, D. G. Stewart, and John Miller were chosen a committee for the purpose of selecting a suitable lot that could be obtained for the above named purpose. Said committee found one situ- ated on the corner of Lower Third and Market streets and purchased the same for the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, said lot being sixty feet front and running back from Market street one hundred and twenty feet. The lot contained two small frame dwellings which were moved to the rear of the lot, fitted up .uid sold to Joseph L'ndenvood for the sum of rnne hundred dollars, with si.xty by sixty feet off the rear end of the lot, reserving the front on which to erect the church.
The brethren then proceeded to collect material with which to build. They also drew up a subscription paper to
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
!07
be circulated fur the purpose of raising funds for. building purposes, but not being able to raise a sufficient sum by sub- scriiition to complete the house tlv; brethren called a special [meting foi the purpose of devising the best means to effect ttiat object. After various plans were proposed and rejected, they finally agreed that each one should be taxed according to his property, or what he was worth, and that each brother should estimate his own wealth. The whole being added together it was ascertained that three. per cent, on the sum total would pay the debt. The brethren thereupon e.xecuted their notes individually payable to C. X. Shields, Jacob Cas- scl, and Isaac X. Ashtou, committee for the three per cent., and the committee were to attend to the liquidation of debts arising from the building of the meeting-house.
The work of building the new church went forward rapidly during the fall of 1S36, and when completed it cost $4,667.87, which amoant was made up from the following sources: From the sale of their portion of the Baptist church property, $1,010; from the sale of a portion of the church lot to Mr. Underwood, $900. Some private subscriptions were obtained, and the re- mainder was made up from the three per cent, fund, so that the church was paid for as soon as finished. The following extract is from the rec- ords of the church:
LdKD's D.\Y MORNl.s'G, January 15. 1S37. The Deciples of Christ met for the first time in the new- brick meeting house situated on the corner of Lower Third and Market streets in the city of Xew .\lbany, Indiana.
Elder D. G. Stewart was the first minister, though not regularly appointed. He resigned November 12, 1S37, and Thomas Vaughn was authorized in his place December 24, 1S37. Vaughn was followed by J. E. Noyes, who in turn was succeeded by James Shilder. None of the above named were regularly appointed pas- tors. It was not until 185S that the first regular pastor, J. J. Moss, was called.
The old brick church was used until 1S67, . when it becaine necessary to build anew, and it was taken down and the present beautiful struct- ure erected, the congregation, meanwhile, wor- shiping in the Universalist church, which they rented for two years, from September i, 1867. The building committee was John E. Noyes, D. W. LafoUette, Isaac Craig, T. F. Jackson, and A. D. Graham. Davis R. Robertson and O. Sackett were subsequently added to the commit- tee, and in May, iS6g, the contract was made with John F. Anderson to do the brick work, and with McNeff & Sackett for the carpenter work. The old building was somewhat unsafe, and for the two years the church occupied the
Universalist's building the members were some- what divided as to the manner of disposing of the old church; hence the building committee was not appointed until. April 7, 1S69, after which the building of the new church went rap- idly forward. The corner-stone was laid with imposing ceremonies July 13, 1869, Elder Dr. Hobson, of Louisville, jireaching the sermon. The following list of articles was deposited in the corner-stone: One copy of the New "J'esta- ment (Anderson's translation) ; Christian Record of June, 1869; Christian Standard, of July 3, 1869; Apostolic Times, of May 20, 1869; Christian Pioneer, of May 27, 1S69; American Christian Review, of April 20, 1869; New Al- bany Evening Ledger, of July 12, 1S69; New Albany Commercial, of July 13, 1S69; a list of the members of the church, three hundred and eighteen in number, and one silver and one paper dime.
The building is a beautiful gothic structure, forty feet front on Market street, by ninety-five feet in depth, with ceiling twenty-four feet in height, and cost about twenty thousand dollars.
The church and Sabbath-school are healthy and well sustained at the present time.
CENTR.\L CHRISTI.W CHAPEL.
On the 17th of January, 1S75, this churchheld its first anniversary, a short sketch of the pro- ceedings and of the church history being pub- lished at that time. From this it appears that the church was organized on the evening of January 15, 1874, with thirty members, and its first regular meeting held on the succeeding Sab- bath. Overseers and deacons were chosen at this meeting, and J. L. Parsons was selected as its first regular pastor. The Universalist church edifice was rented for a time until the new church could be built. A lot was soon purchased on L'pper Spring street, between Fourth and Fifth, upon which the present beautiful and com- modious house of worship was erected in the months of May and June, 1S74. But fifty-five days were occupied in building this church. It is a frame Gothic structure, with stained glass windows of beautiful pattern, baptistry, dressing rooms, and study. It is carpeted and other- wise handsomely furnished. It was formally dedicated July 12, 1874, John C. Miller, of In- dianapolis, preaching the discourse. The property
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
with furniture cost $6,ioo. The cunent ex- penses of this cluirch are defrayed by voluntary contributions, hence the seats are all free. Up to the present time the church has had but two regular pastors, Rev. John P. .Tully suc- ceeding; Mr. Parsons and being the present pastor. Mr. Tully is now in his fuinth year of service. One hundred and thirty-nine jiersons were added to the church during the first year of its existence, and the membership is at present two hundred and twenty-seven.
The oflkers of the church at present are A. C. Williamson and O^em Sackett, overseers; George K. Sackett, James S. Peake, Isaac Craig, Joseph Pratt, J. \V. Bracken, C. Eilis, and W. T. Ellis, deacons.
A Sunday-school was organized immediately upon the organization of tiie cl^urch, and great interest has been kept up, so that at present it is one of the most efficient in the city. It secured the prize — a beautiful silk banner — in 1S79 at Columbus, Indiana, for general efficiency. The school numbers at present two hundred and- sixty scholars.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN AND REFORMED CHURCH.
This was the next Protestant church organized in New Albany after the Park Christian church. It was organized in October, 1837. The first meeting for organization was held on State street at the dwelling of one ot the members, where the church was organized by Henry Evers, who became the first pastor. The first trustees were John Plies, Henry Kohl and John H. Radecke; these, with thirty others, were the orig- inal members, and nearly if' not quite all of them have passed away. The names of a few are yet prominent, however, in New Albany, among them being Niehaus, Frank, Merker, Bertsch, Reineking, Meyer, Schaffer, Lindner and others. The first property of this congregation was on State street near the bridge over Falling run, where a lot was purchased upon which a small brick church edifice was erected, in which the congregation worshiped about twenty years. At the end of that time they purchased of the Epis- copalians the lot and frame churcli belonging to that denomination, situated on the site of the present German Lutheran church, on Spring street, between Bank and L'pper Third. In this frame building services were held until 1S69,
when tlie present beautiful brick building was erected at n cost of about $18,000. The old brick church building remained in possession of the congregation a number o( years, but was sold and is now used as a business house. When preparations were made for building the present church the old frame building was purchased by the Methodists, who moved it to Vincennes street where they established a mission Sunday- school. The neat frame parsonage attached to the present church was erected in 1S73, at 'icost of $2,500.
The following pastors have been connected with this church: Henry Everp, George Brau- dan, Carl Daubert, Henry Tiulsen; Frederick
Dulitz, Carl Blecken, Alois Anker, ■ ■ Kling-
sohr, F. A. Frankenbery, Carl Mayer, Frederick Abele, Christopher Uroung, F. W. A. Riedel, Carl Nestel, John Bank, and Gottlob Deitz, the present incumbent.
The membership is at present about two hun- dred, only about half of wiiom are full members. The congregation has been a member of the American Evangelical Synod of North America since 1S65, in which year it was united with a small German Presbyterian congregation which had been struggling along for several years. A Sunday-school has been connected with the church nearly ever since its organization, and is yet in a flourishing condition with a membership of one hundred and sixty. The present superin- tendent is John Baer.
UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
This society, known as the United Brethren in Christ, was organized in 1848, and a church building erected on Spring street at the corner of Lower Sixth, which is yet standing, a weather- boarded, weather-beaten frame on a brick founda- tion. The first pastor was Rev. Daniel Shuck, and during his pastorate about forty people were mem- bers of the church. Mr. Shuck was succeeded by Rev. John W. Bradner, under whose preach- ing the membership increased to about one hun- dred. Subsequently the interest in the church declined until at present there are but twenty- eight members. No regular preaching and no Sunday-school hasi been held here for a number of years. Occasionally services are held and hopes entertained that it may yet start into new life.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
209
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
This church was organized at Woodward hall, corner of First and Main streets, in 1S57. Quite a number of people holding this religious belief early settled in and around New Alban}-, most of them being from the Eastern States and among tiie most intelligent and cultivated of the citizens. When the Rev. Mr, Moss was preach- ing for the Disciples, he made a remark intended foi the ears of the Universalists, that he intended to make them renounce their doctrine or the r.ihle; or, in other words, he would cieate against tliem a public sentiment that would comjjcl them to join an orthodo.x church or be considered in- fidels. The Universalists were not at that time organized, but they were people of means and education. They immediately sent to Louisville for \V. AV. Curry, a Universalist preacher of that place, and withal a very smart man, subsequent- ly an editor and at present in one of the depart- ments at Washington. Mr. Curry responded to the call and came over to New Albany to defend their faith'. A public discussion took place at the Disciple church lasting some ten days, and then was continued some time in Louisville, al- ways to crowded houses. Neither denomination, however, received a death blow by this discus- sion, but the Universalists certainly became stronger and more aggressive, and out of it grew the organization of their church and the erection of the present church building. The church edifice is located on Spring street between Upper Third and Fourth, and cost ten or twelve thous- and dollars. W. W. Curry was their first pastor, and so continued until the war called him into the service of his country. Among the principal originators of the church were John Kemble, Renjamin Lockwood, John Noyes, Dr. Lewis Nagle, Edward Nagle, John W. McQuiddy (the
old newspaper man), Kelso, and a few
others. The church was erected about 1S60, and preaching continued more or less regularly until 1879, since which time there has been no Universalist services held in the house, with an occasional e.xception. The building has been frequently rented to other denominations, and it is now in use by a society calling themselves "Southern Methodists."
THE HOLY TRINITY (c.\THOLIc) CHURCH.
The Catholic church of New Albany came
"7
into existence about 1836; prior to this time, however, and, -indeed, at a very early date. Catho- lic services had been held at the houses of the Catholic people by priests, traveling from one point to another. The first Catholic church in the county was the St. Mary's, located in Lafay ette township near Mooresville, and to this the early Catholics of New Albany resorted. The Rev. Father Neyroh was one of the earliest Catholic priests engaged in the establishment and building up of St. Mary's church. It is believed that Father Baddenwho, it is said, was the first Catholic priest ordained in America, was the first to say mass within the limits of this county. He was a Frenchman, and traveled much throughout the United States, but especially in the West, establishing Catholic churches and schools. He did not have any particular abode during many years of his life, but lived about among the brethren. Later his headquarters were in Kentucky. He and Father Louis Neyron secured the site, and established Notre Dame college at South Bend, Indiana. Father Abel, of the church at Louisville, was also one of the earliest priests to visit New Albany, and minister to the religious requirements of the few Catholics in the town. For many years Father Badden came to New Albany at least once a month, and held mass, and after a time, when Father Neyron and Father Abel came, services were held at the houses of the Catholic members at New Albany once a week or oftener.
Among the first Catholics in New Albany was Louis Brevette, a Frenchman, who kept a grocery on the corner of Lower Fourth and Main streets, at whose house Catholic services were generally held in New Albany. Another of the first Catholics in town was Nicholas Specker, also a Frenchman and groceryman ; another was Mr. Ferry, a laborer, and a little later came Henry Trustage, a shoemaker. There were some others whose names cannot now be recalled. All were poor and unable to raise the means to build a church, and therefore contented themselves with regular attendance at St. Mary's church, and oc- casional meetings at each other's dwellings.
In 1836 they had grown sufficiently numerous to be able to erect a church building, which, with some help by the Catholics of other churches, they succeeded in doing on the corner of Seventh and Market streets. It was a long, low, frame
'i ... ■., I„,»,
7 ;..•;•; :ti;
2IO
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS C0UNTIF:3.
building and is yet standing on the rear end of the same lot, and is used by the sisters as a school building. This lot is about one hundred feet front. When this church was built there were quite a number of Catholic people in town, among whom were the following: Jacob Massie, Nicholas Cortz, Henry Trustage (who owned property and kept a shoe store on State street), John Gladden, Henry Cotter, Henry Vohart, Coonrod Broker, Adam Knapp, Charles Mc- Kenna, John Geiiird, John and Michael Dough- erty, John MuUih' Timothy Flannagan, Mathias Flannagan, Patrick McGuire, Gasper T. Yoke, John Thy, Barney JitcMannus^ Daniel Orman, Lawrence Orman, John Pendcrgast, James Or- man, Patrick Leydcn, Thomas O'Brien, Thomas Riley, _and probably a few others, all of whom were heads of families.
It was not until 1S50 that the Catholics of New Albany were strong enough to contemplate the erection of a new and more commodious church edifice. Father Louis Neyron was at that time the officiating priest. He was a live, active, energetic Frenchman, who had been en- gaged in the Napoleonic wars, and it was princi- pally under his management, guidance, and assistance that the present building known as the Holy Trinity church was erected. So deeply was he interested in the success of the under- taking that he put about eight thousand dollars of his own money into the building, and is yet receiving a yearly income from this investment. He is now quite aged, and for many years has been connected with thcNotre Dame college at South Bend. Holy Trinity church probably cost thirty thousand dollars, which at that date was a large sum of money to put into a building.
At the present time about three hundred fam- ilies are connected with this church, and more than three hundred children attend the Catholic schools, five teachers being engaged. There are three school-houses and two dwellings, one of the latter for the teachers and one for the sisters. Both the church and the parsonage are situated on one lot, and both are brick, the latter costing about five thousand dollars. It was erected in 1871.
The Catholic church had a rapid growth from the date of the building of the new church edifice, and was probably nearly equally divided in nationality between the Irish and Germans.
About 1854-55 the German Catholics, feeling themselves .strong enough to support a church of their own, established
THE ST. M.\RV'S OERM.\N C.\THOI.IC CHURCH.
The building is located on the corner of Spring and Eighth streets and is one of the finest and most substantial churches in the city. Prior to the building of Saint Mary's church meetings were held several years in the parent church, Father Weit/. being the priest during the greater portion of the time services were held here, though Father Monsheno was the first pastor of the German organization.
After a few years u[)on appeal by the Ger- mans, the bishop divided the church property, giving one half of it to the Germans and requir- ing the parent church to pay for the same. With the fifteen thousand dollars thus secured they erected their present building, and have since made some additions. This is at present the largest congregation of any denomination in the city, there being about five hundred families con- nected with it. Father Edward Fealer was very active in the building of the new building and was the first officiating priest. Fie was suc^ ceeded by Father Casper Doebenir, who in turn was succeeded by the present pastor, Father I. Cline.
In 1879 this church erected a very fine school' building for boys on Eighth street, between f>lm and Spring, costing them about $8,000. On the same lot upon which the church stands, but fronting on Elm street, stands what is known as St. Mary's Female academy, a first-class Catholic institution under the charge of the society of Sis- ters of St. Francis to whpm the building belongs.
It is a commodious brick building five stories in height and cost originally $24,000, but was purchased by the Sisters for $iS,ooo, and is kept for the sole use and benefit of the German Cath- olic church, under whose supervision and general control ic remains. A large number of Catholic children, not only of New Albany, but the sur- rounding country and from distant points are ed- ucated here. The male and female apartments of the different Catholic schools are separate, the larger boys being under charge of male teachers while the smaller children and the girls are under charge of the sisters.
The entire property of this church is probably
I U14 ROM
lIISrORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
valued at $50,000 or $60,000. Bolh churches maintain several schools and arc very prosper-
CHAPTER XL
NEW ALBANY-BENCH AND BAR. FROM THE RECORDS.
The following extracts from the proceedings of the commissioners regarding early court mat- ters and early legal proceedings are deemed proper in this connection. The duties of the commissioners were varied and much more ex- tended than at present, and included much busi- ness now belonging exclusively to the courts.
At a regular meeting May 17, 1819, S. Hob- son and John V. Bubkirk were appointed con- stables for one year for New Albany township, Patrick Leyden for Franklin, and Syrenus Em- mons for Greenville township. At the same date the first lister of Floyd county made his re- turn of the county levy for the ensuing year.
Ordered, That Dr. Ashel Clapp be appointed overseer of the poor for New Albany township, in place of C. Woodruff, viho is absent.
May 19, 1 81 9, the first county seal was pro- cured by Joel Scribner, as appears by the follow- ing entry:
Ordered, That ' the county treasurer pay Joel Scribner ninety-six dollars and seventy-five cents when in funds, it be- ing for books and county seal procured by him as per bill rendered.
At the regular meeting at Seth Woodruff's, August 9, 181 9, it was — -
Ordered, That Caleb Newman be allowed sixty-five cents for his services at the polls of election.
At the February session of 1S20 the treasurer was ordered to pay Clement Nance, Sr., $12 for his services as probate judge at the last Decem- ber term.
November 10, 18 19, the county treasurer, James Scribner, submitted his report of the re- ceipts and expenditures of the county during the year. The receipts were $251.11, and the disbursements $208.97, leaving a balance in the hands of the treasurer of $42.14. The total amount of the tax levy was $803.29, Sheriff Bes- ser being the tax collector.
The first grand jurors of the county were Charles Paxson,- James Hickman, Ashel Clapp, Jacob^, V'enawine, James B. ?>roore, Absalom Little, Joseph \Vhitcomb, Joseph Benton, Isaac Wood, Joshua Cooper, Thomas Akers, Wyatt P. Tuley, ApoUos Hess, Robert Stewart, Mordecai Childs, and George McDougal. Each of them received $3-/5 for his services at the December term of court in 1819.
At the February se5sion of 1S20 Seth Wood- ruff was paid $14 for services as judge of the probate and circuit courts; he was also paid $30 for the use of his house for the meetings of the commissioners for the year 1819.
At the >Lay term of 1820 Sheriff James Besse was ordered to take the enumeration of the in- habitants of the county over twsnty-one years of age.
At the x\ugust session of 1820 the county treasurer was ordered to pay "James Besse, sheriff, $197.50 for services of two men to guard the gaol," from jNIay 28th to August 15th, or at the rate of $1.25 per day. At this term Daniel H. Al- lison appears as commissioner.
May 22, 1821, "Ordered, that the county treas- urer pay the trustees of the Presbyterian church $10 for the use of their house for the meetings of the commissioners during this term." At this session a poll tax of fifty cents was levied on all male citizens over twenty-one years of age, and twenty-five cents on each work ox in the county. The August session of 1821 was held at the Presbyterian church, where they also met in No- vember of the same year, but "for convenience" adjourned to the house of Seth Woodruff, then kept by Apollos Hess. Wyatt P. Tuley is al- lowed $10 for house rent and firewood for the September and December terms of the Floyd county circuit court, which was held at Seth AVoodruff's.
At the February session of 1821 Preston F. Tuley is paid $12 for his services as an officer of the circuit court of the September and De- cember terms. Clement Nance is paid $10 and Seth Woodruff $14 for services as associate judges at the previous September term of court. At the August session of 1823 Harvey Scrib- ner was appointed treasurer in place of James Scribner deceased. Harvey Scribner was, there- fore, the second treasurer of the county. He did not seem to like the place, however, and resigned
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
in November of the same year, and Eti^vard Brown was appointed in his place. }3ro\vn held the place but a short time when he was suc- ceeded in February, 1824, by Richard Comly, wlio served as treasurer of the county until 1828.
In August, 1824, Walter W. Winchester ap- pears as a commissioner in place of Mr. Nance.
In September, 1824, by an act .of the Legisla- ture, the office pf county commissioner was abolished, and the justices of the peace in each county were required to take the place of the commissioners by meeting and organizing for business as a body. This organization was known as the county board of justices. The first body of this character that assembled in New Albany was composed of Chailes Woodruff, David Sillings, and Jacob Bence, of Fianklin township; David S. Bassett, Rowland S. Strick- land, ^ and Lathrop Elderkm, of New Albany township; and William Wilkinson, of Greenville township. 'Lhey met at Seth Woodruff's tavern on the 6th of September, 1824, and organized by electing Lathrop Elderkin president. Their second meeting, in the following November, was at the new court-house.
November 8, 1825, John K. Graham is au- thorized to make a map of New Albany, pi ovided the corporation will bear half the expense, the whole expense. being $6.
The board of justices did not last long, and was again superseded by the commissioners, which office has been continued to the j)resent.
THE FIRST COURT.
The following is the first entry in the records of the Floyd county circuit court:
Be it remembered, that this, the loth day of Mav, .-X. D. 1819, being the day appointed by an act of tlie Assembly, en- titled an act to amend the act entitled an act to divide theState of Indiana into four circuits, and to f\x the time for holding courts; and an act entitled an act for the formation of a new county out of the counties of Harrison and Clarke, which last-mentioned act directed that the court should be holden at the house of Seth Woodruff, Esq., in the town of New- Albany, on the day and year above mentioned.
The Honorable Davib Floyd, piesident of the second cir- cuit, appeared, and
Present the Honorable
Davis Floyd.
The proceedings of this court were not ex- tensive at this sitting, the court contenting itself by merely appointing the necessary officers to get the machinery in motion, and admitting to practice the few attorneys present.
Isaac Van Buskirk apjieared and produced a commission signed by Ciovernor Jonathan Jen- nings, appointing him judge of the circuit court. Joel Scribner appeared with a similar commission appointing him clerk of said court, and James Besse with a commission appointing him sheriff of the county. These were the first officers of the county. •
The lawyers admitted to practice in this court at the first session were John F. Ross, Reuben W. Nelson, Isaac Howk, !\Iason C. Fitch, Wil- liam P. Thomasson. James Ferguson, John A. Dunbar, Hardin H. Moore, Experience P. Storrs, Timothy Phelps, Henry Hurst, and John H. Farnham. Mason C. Fitch was appointed the first prosecuting attorney of the county.
F,.\RLY TRIALS.
One of the most important trials in this court in the beginning of its history was that of Dah- man for the murder of Notte, an account of which a[ipears elsewhere.
In the early days of New Albany there were many trials, generally before justices of the peace, in which the defendant was a runaway slave, or at least generally supposed to be. So near was it to the borders of a slave State that slaves were frecjuently escaping across the river, and many others who had been freed by their masters became residents of the place, and some of these were occasionally aaested and attempts made to force them back into slavery, which caused trouble. So many people from Pennsyl- vania and the New England States were settled here that the general sentiment of the people was averse to slavery, and inclined to assist the slave to freedom rather than retard his efforts in that direction.
Th the spring of 1S21 a negro named Moses was arrested here by a party of Kentuckians, who were about taking him across the river as a runaway slave. The n^gro protested that he was a free man, born in the adjoining county of Clarke, but his protestations were of no avail, and he was taken to the river bank t© await the arrival of the ferry-boat. It hap[)ened that Judge Seth Woodruff had been across the river and was returning on the same boat that was to convey the prisoner across. Immediately on landing the prisoner sought Mr. Woodruffs pro- tection. The judge was something of an abo-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Hi
litionist, and a man with a keen sense of justice and of great physical strength. He immediately informed the Kentuckians that the man could not be taken across the river in that way; he must have a hearing — a fair trial before he could be given up. He was not opposed to men claiming their own property, but the question as to whether the negro was their property must be thoroughly investigated. Woodruff was backed by a few friends, and the Kentuckians, not being stiong enough to resort to force, were compelled to return with their captive and stand trial. The trial was at Woodruff's tavern before 'Squire Bas- sctt, and the negro was able to prove very con- clusively that he was born in Clarke county, and had never been a slave. He was declared by 'Squire Bassett to be a free man. Meanwhile other Kentuckians had arrived, and all were well armed and determined to take the negro right or wrong, so when the decision was rendered a general and desperate fight took place for his possession, but the excitement had been consider- able, and the New Albanians had gathered in considerable numbers to see that 'Squire Bassett's court was not overawed. The Kentuckians were beaten and compelled to retreat without their man. Quite a number were hurt in the melee, but fortunately nobody killed. Subsequently the negroes, understanding that they would find protection in New Albany, flocked in there in such numbers that they became a nuisance, and the people at one time gathered and shipped a squad of them down the river with positive in- structions not to return.
THE LAWYERS OF THE COUNTY.
The following regarding the bar of New Al- b;;ny is, substantially, from a manuscript on the subject furnished by Mr. Thomas Collins, one of the oldest residents of New Albany, he hav- ing settled in the place in 1827:
When the county of Floyd was formed the first court was held at Seth Woodruff's tavern, Judge William Floyd presiding. The lawyers in attendance were from the adjoining counties of Harrison and Clarke, and of those in attendance Reuben W. Nelson was the first to locate in the town. He was a good lawyer and highly es- teemed. He was editor of the Crescent. His death occurred a short time after his settlement here.
About this tnne Lathrop Elderkin located here and began the practice of law; he was elected justice of the peace, and continued in office several years until he died. He was a gentleman of good education and many good qualities, but a careless manager. He had the good will of the citizens in a great degree.
Hardin H. Moore early established himself in practice here. He was better qualified,»both by education and inclination, for politics than for law, though he was very successful in his prac- tice, and was considered almost irresistible be- fore a jury. As a politician he was usually suc- cessful among tliose who knew him, and fre- quently represented his friends and neighbors in the State Legislature, but his efforts for higher positions were always failures, always receiving, however, respectable support. His last canvass was made against Hon. John Carr, of Clarke county, for Congress, and failing he left this sec- tion and svent to New Orleans in 1S33, where he died.
Randall Crawford came to the town about 1827-28; he was a scholar and a well read law- yer, perhaps the peer of any other in the State; a close student, and a man of good habits, but he lacked those social qualities so necessary to rapid advancement. Sternly honest and loyal to his clients, he slowly but surely made his way to a large practice and a handsome competence. He was an ardent Republican, and was placed upon the electoral ticket for Fremont in 1S56, and industriously canvassed the district in the interest of his jiarty. He was not an orator, though the matter of his discourses was always good and sound; his delivery was cold, impas- sive, lacking that s\m\i and fire that are neces- sary to carry a political audience with the speaker. He died about the close of the war.
Henry Collins came to the town in 1S30, and established the Gazette newspaper. He was a lawyer, and, in addition to his editorial duties, practiced his profession. He continued thus five years, when he gave up the paper, and ap- plied himself solely to the practice of law. He was a straightforward man, rather blunt in his manner, but with his friends social and jocose. He was exceedingly careless in his dress, rarely paying attention either to his own or other peo- ple's clothes. At one time when he was called to Bedford in some case, he met some of the
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HISTORY OV THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
first lawyers in tlic State, among whom were Richard W. 'I'hompson, late Secretary of the United States Navy, and Major H. P. 'I'hornton, ' who was his friend and former pieceptor. The major, wlio was somewhat fond of dress, and al- ways wore his best, thus accosted him:
"Henry, why the deuce do you not wear better clothes when you go away from home?" ■ "Well," replied Mr. Collins, "it makes no difference; nobody knows me here."
"But you do not wear any better clothes at home?" retorted the major.
"It makes no difference again," replied Mr. Collins; "everybody knows me there."
Henry Collins was elected recorder of the city under its first charter, and continued in this office until he died in 1852.
Ja'mks Collins, a brother of Henry, came to New Albany in 1833, from Orange county, where he had commenced the practice of k^w. He was the opposite of his brother in most all things except devotion to his friends. He and Randall Crawford had the bulk of the law business in New Albany for several years; they being on one side or the other of three-fourths of the cases before the courts. He was a good speaker and well read in his profession, but like most men of his time and profession gave much of his time to politics. He served six years in the Legis- lature— two years in the lower House and four years in the Senate. He was elected by the Legislature agent of the State in 1848, and after the expiration of his term settled down again to the practice of his profession. In 1S69 his health failed him and he retired to his farm in Washington county, where he died in 1881.
Major Henry P. Thorntox, one of the oldest lawyers in the^State, settled in New Albany in 1836. He was a man of great physical powers, and when sixty-five years of age would mount his horse and ride forty miles a day on his circuit without apparent fatigue. He was a lawyer of considerable ability but not enough of a student to keep pace with the more studious of the profession, yet he was fairly successful. He was several times elected by the Legislature to the clerkship of the House of Representatives, and also to the position of secretary of the Sen- ate. He removed from this city to Bedford about 1853, where he died at the age of nearly ninety years.
JoHx S. D.wis also came to this place in 1S36 and engaged in book-keeping for the large gro- cery house of Tuley & Brother, a position he held until he formed a partnership with Major Thornton in the practice of law. He always managed his cases with great shrewdness, and ranked high as a criminal lawyer; but with him as with others in the profession, he dabbled too much in politics to make a complete success as a lawyer. As a politician he was noted for his ability in organizing his party, and always man- aged his canvass so well that he generally secured a majority, or, at least, greatly reduced the ma- jority of his opponents. He was several times elected to the Legislature from this county. In 1847 he was a candidate for Congress against T. J. Henley, who had been elected two years pre- viously, and was now a candidate for a second time. The majority in the district was largely Democratic, being about seventeen hundred, but Davis was only defeated by forty-seven votes. An indefatigable worker in the party harness, his vote always exceeded the vote of his party. Al- though filling many positions his friends were unable to give him the position he most desired. In 1876 he was a candidate before the nominat- ing convention for Congress in opposition to Judge Bicknell, but was defeated. The same' convention nominated him for judge of the cir- cuit court, to which office he was elected and retained until his death in iSSo. He was a man of positive character and had many warm friends and some enemies. His loss was greatly de- plored by a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances.
Theodore J. Barnett came to New Albany in the same year (1S36), and was engaged on the editorial staff of the New Albany Gazette, and practiced law at the same time. He was a man of splendid attainments — an excellent writer, a fine speaker, and a superior scholar. He was ever ready to write an essay or make a speech, and his efforts in either direction would always command readers and listeners as would no other speaker or writer of his time, unless, per- haps, Joseph S. White, on the forum, or George D. Prentice on the trijjod. He went from New Albany to Indianapolis in 1S41 and assumed the editorship of the Indiana Journal. Remaining there only a year or so he returned to New Al- bany, where he remained a few months, then
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
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took his departure for New York city, and has since resided in the East, part of the time in Washington city. He was a genial, kind-hearted gentleman, and with his talents and industry should have occupied a high position in the State and Nation, but his erratic or vacillating disposition was the stumbling-block in the way of his advancement, and thus his s|:)lendid talents went for nothing. This defect in his disposition destroyed all the good that a genius like his might have accomplished. He is yet living, though quite aged, and retains , the respect and good wishes of all who know him.
It was also in the same year, 1S36, that a young lawyer by the name of Groves settled in New Albany. He remained but a short time when he removed to the northern part of the State. He was here long enough, 4iowever, to llnd himself a wife in the person of Miss Dorsey, a daughter of P. M. Uorsey, then mayor of the town.
The year 1836 seems to have been prolific in the advent of lawyers into New Albany. Young Mr. Griswold also came m this year, lie was a most amiable and cultured young man, well read in his profession, and a graduate of one of the best law schools in the country; but his somewhat aesthetic tastes and fine moral sense were not calculated for the proiession of law in a backwoods town, and he remained in New Al- bany but a short time. Returning to New York he prepared himself for the ministry, and in 1844 went to St. Louis to take charge of a church in that city. He was a thorough gentleman and a Christian.
Wii.Li.\M McKek l^iNX, at present advocate- general of the United States Military court, came to this city from Madison, Indiana, in 1838. He was a good lawyer, fine speaker, and did good service for the Whigs in the canvass of 1S40. He made many friends here, but removed to his old home in 1842, since which time his career has been one of usefulness to the country.
Pkter a. Roane, a young man of good nat- ural ability, but uneducated, began the study of law with John S. Davis in 1836, and was admit- ted to practice in 1S40. In 1839 he was elected city recorder, and held the otfice one term, after which he devoted his entire time to his practice until his death, which took place after a practice C)f four cr five years.
Thomas L. Smith located in New Albany about the year 1839, and was immediately taken in hand by the Democratic party, being the only lawyer of that faith in the city except Mr. Groves, to whom an old farmer said one day, "Groves, you may have been bred to the law, but I be blessed if the law will ever be bread to you." But Mr. Smith was a lawyer as well at a politician, and soon obtained an e.xcel- lent practice in his profession, as well as made himself popular with his party. He had some literary taste and ambition, also, and wrote a text book for schools in which the rudiments of law were explained, and which became a. valuable acquisition to the teachers' and pupils' library. He was several times before the people as a can- didate for oft'ice, and as the parties were pretty nearly tied hereabouts he would sometimes be elected and at other times defeated, but at all times he received a flattering vote. He served as judge of the supreme court of the State one term, at the expiration of which he retired to private life, his health^having I'ailed. He died at a ripe old age much lamented by a large circle of friends.
PhIxXEas M. Kent settled in New Albany in 1S41 ; went into the printing busmess and also opened a law office. He, however, paid little attention to the law, his tastes leading him into editorial life.
AsHCEL P. Wn,LL\RU was teaching school in Kentucky in 1S44. Having some reputation as a ready and forcible speaker he was invited by the Democracy to make public addresses during that political campaign m which Plenry Clay and James K. Polk were the o[)posing candidates. Mr. Williard so pleased his party that he was urged by the Democracy of New Albany to lo- cate here. This he did and began the practice of law, forming a partnership with Randall Craw- ford. It was not long, however, before he yielded to the political siren and left his practice for the hustings. He was elected to the Legisla- ture and afterward made Lieutenant-governor. In 1856 he was elected Governor over Oliver P. Morton, and died during his term of of- fice. Mr. Willard was an ardent friend and liberal enemy. He had his faults, but he also had his virtues, and no one retained a atronger hold on his party than he. When he died tlie Democracy felt that they had lost a champion.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Jamf.s C. Moody came here from Washington, Pennsylvania, in 1842. He wns a Lawyer of fair abihty and a gentleman of good address; his success in his chosen profession, however, was somewhat retarded by his desire to accumulate wealth rapidly, or make his fortune at a dash. He consequently indulged considerably in specu- lation. Becoming disj;atisfied here he removed to St. Louis, where he subsequently becanie a judge of one of the courts. In later years he gave way to the vice of intemperance, which has destroyed some of the brightest minds of the country. He died from his excesses soon after the close of the war. \Vhen himself he was companionable and kind.
George V. Howk. removed to New Albany from Charlestown in the adjoining county in 1S49. He was a young man of promise and has occupied many positions of trust, having been elected to the offices of city attorney, councilman, Senator in the State Legislature, and is at present one of the supreme judges of the State. He is a man of ability and an indefixtigable v.-orker.
RoEERT A. WiKR studied law with Judge Howk, and after completing his studies was admitted into partnership with his preceptor in 1854. He was very popular but died before his powers were fully developed.
William T. Otto,' a practicing lawyer, came to the city m 184S, and began practice in con- nection with John S. Davis. He had been here but a short time when he was made presiding judge of the circuit court, the district embracing the counties of Washington, Scott, Clarke, Floyd, and Harrison. The terms of holding court were one and two weeks in each of the counties except Floyd, the term in this county being extended to three weeks. Judge Otto was a man of fine attainments, a first-class lawyer and an upright judge. Personally he was very popular, but being a Whig in politics, and there being a large Democratic majority in this judicial district, he was defeated for a second term by Hon. George A. Bicknell. He resumed the practice of law and continued at the bar until 1861, when he received an appointment in the Interior depart- ment at Washington, to which jjlace he moved and where he has since remained. Judge Otto was a gentleman of easy and polished manners, much respected for his many good qualities as a man, and was rated by his contemporaries as one
of the best lawyers among them. He was origi- nally from Philadelphia.
Judge George A. Bicrnell came from Phila- delphia and settled in Lexington, Scott county, Indiana, where he remained a few years in the practice of his profession, when he removed to New Albany, 'and soon took first rank in his pro- fession in this place. In 1854 he was elected judge of the circuit court for this district, and continued to serve in that capacity until 1876, when he was elected to Congress from the Third Congressional district. He served two terms in Congress, but was defeated for the third term in the nominating convention of his party by Mr. Stockslager, of Harrison county. At tlie session of 1 88 1 the Legislature passed an act creating a commission to bring up the business of the supreme court of the State, which was very much in arrears. Judge Bicknell was appointed on this commission, a position he yet holds. Judge Bicknell's retiring and rather exclusive habits peculiarly fitted him for the position of judge, and it is questionable if any other ever gave more general satisfaction. His decisions were received with confidence and quietly acquiesced in. Socially he was a good conversationalist and a man of pleasant manners.
Michael C. Kerr was a native of the Keystone' State, and came to New Albany in 1848, while yet a young man just entering upon the practice of his profession. Lie had studied law at Louis- ville, and when he came here he became as- sociated with Judge Thomas L. Smith in the practice. His inclination, however, led him into politics, and his law business was in consequence somewhat neglected. He was a hard student, and did not confine himself in this regard to the law; he was ambitious, intellectually bright, ener- getic, but with more of these qualities than of physical strength. He was quite popular with the people, and his first office was that of prose- cuting attorney for the city, being elected by a handsome majority over his Whig opponent, though the Wliigs at that time had a clear ma- jority of two hundred in the city. Subsequently he was selected to represent the county in the State Legislature. From 1862 to 1S64 he was reporter for the State supreme court. In the fall of 1S64 he was elected to Congress from the Third Congressional district, and continued in the National House of Representatives four con-
HISTORY OF THE OIHO FALLS COUNTIES.
217
sccutive terms. He was reelected in 1874 for a fifth term, and in December 1S75, he was made Sjicakcr of that body, which position he held at liie time of his death. He was a genial, kind- hearted, gentleman, full of noble impulses, and hii'death was a severe loss to his friends and his country.
Thomas M. Brown, then located at Memphis, Temtessee, and John H. Stottsenberg, of New York, both young men, formed a partnership and oj^ened a law office in New Albany in 1854. Mr. Brown was one of the most persevering of stu- dents, devoted to his profession, and determined ' to make of himself a first-class lawyer. He was quite successful. After he was fairly established in his business he married the daughter of Hon. John S. Davis, who lived but a few years after- ward, and died leaving two daughters to his care. Mr. Brown continued steadfast in his profession and in devotion to his family, caring little for political honors, though once elected to the Leg- islature. He was in love with his profession, and quite successful. His death was distressingly sudden, though not entirely unlooked for. For several years he had been suffering with disease of the lungs, and the day of his death was in his office attending, as usual, to his duties, and in the afternoon started for home. Reaching the upper part of the city, and when within a few blocks of his home, he fell, and expired before those who were conveying him to his house could reach it. He was a Christian gentleman, an honest, faithful advocate, a good neighbor and steadfast friend.
JoH.N' H. Stottsexberg, who is still a resident of the city, is much the same type of a man as his partner, Mr. Brown. In this partnership, which was dissolved only by the death of Mr. Brown, there seemed to be a mutual feeling of regard and respect, a unity of sentiment, and a similarity of tastes rarely found in a partnership. The business was conducted so quietly and earnestly as to become the subject of remark, and to bring a large yiatronage. Mr. Stottsen- berg continued the practice of his profession af- ter the death of his partner, and soon became one of the leading members of this judicial cir- cuit. Two or more years ago he was appointed by the Legislature one of the conmiission to re- vise the State laws, and has been constantly em- ployed in this labor since that time. He is a
gentleman of superior business qualifications, pleasing manners and strict integrity. . The foregoing rather imi)erfect sketches in- clude those lawyers whose nativity was not with- in the limits of this judicial circuit, but who came from a distance and settled here for tlie purpose of prosecuting their business. The fol- lowing are brief sketches of those of the same profession who are to the manor born, and among them will be found some of the most talented and reliable in the profession:
DeWitt C. Anthony, now about fifty-two or fifty-three years of age, is a well read lawyer and a good political speaker. He studied under Randall Crawford.
Judge D. W. LaFoelette is a son of Robert LaFollette, who is said to have been the first settler of Floyd county. He was born Septem- ber 13, 1825, and graduated at the law school of the State university: was admitted to practice in 1849, and settled in New Albany, soon after forming a partnership with James Collins. In 1858 he was elected judge of the court of com- mon pleas of Floyd county, and in 1872 was ap- pointed by the Governor judge of the circuit court, but declined this honor and became prose- cuting attorney of the district. In 1873 he was appointed one of the law professors in the State university and filled the chair one year. Since that time he has devoted himself to the practice of his profession in New Albany, where he sus- tains a good reputation as a lawyer and citizen.
Alexander Dowi.ing stands in the first rank of lawyers in the city. His father. Dr. Dow- ling, reinoved to this city in 1836, when the sub- ject of this paragraph was a child. Mr. Dowling studied law under Judge John S. Davis, and'be- gan the practice in 1868 or 1869. He is a fair speaker but relies more upon his thorough knowledge of the law than upon his forensic powers.
Thomas L. Collins and Alfred B. Col- lins about the same time, having studied law under their father, James Collins, were admitted to practice. They soon after removed to Salem, the county seat of the adjoining county of Wash- ington, where A. B. Collins was twice elected to the Legislature, and in 1877 Thomas L. Collins was appointed judge ot the circuit composed of the counties of Washington and Jackson.
James Ghormlev was a student in the office
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
of Hon. M. C. Kerr, and was admitted to the bar in 1865. He was a young man of promise, but after a few years' practice died of consump- tion.
SiMKON K. WoT.F, son'of George 1. Wolf, one of the first settlers of the county, and who twice represented the courty in the Legislature, studied law in Corydon, and was elected to the Legis- lature from Harrison county. In 1870 he re- moved to New Albany, and entered into partner- ship in the practice of law with James V. Kelso and Alanson Stephens. In 1872 he was elected to Congress, and after serving one term settled down to the practice of his profession.
WiLM.\M W. TuLEV IS a native of New Al- bany, and among its best lawyers. The name Tuley has long been a familiar one in the place, the family being among the earliest settlers. Mr. Tuley's father was one of the first sheriffs of the county, and represented the county in the State Senate from 1S37 to 1840. Colonel W. W. Tuley was elected clerk of the circuit court in 1863, and retained that office eight years, when he began the practice of law with Judge Howk. When the latter was made judge, he formed a partnership with Judge LaFollette, where he is found to-day in the successful practice of his profession.
Judge Cyrus L. Dunh.am was a colonel in the late war, and at its close settled in New Al- bany, where he practiced until elected judge of the criminal court. L')uring his term of office he removed to Jeffersonville, where he died in 1874. Judge Dunham was very popular with the people, and was sent to Congress three terms. He was kind-hearted and generous in his dis- position, but at one time yielded to his appetite for drink to such an extent as to lose his popu- larity, although he reformed and continued stead- fast to the end.
James V. Kelso, when a small boy, came with his father to New Albany from Madison, Indiana. He has, by perseverance and close study, secured a prominent position among the attorneys of the city.
Jacob Herter came to this city during the war, and became a student in the office of Judge Dunham. He began practice with his preceptor and continued in this connection a few years, when he was elected to the office of city judge, which position he filled very satisfactorily to the
people and with credit to himself At present he is deputy city attorney.
Thom.\s J. Jackson is not a native of the city, but studied his profession here. He is a young man of social habits and kind disposi- tion.
Edwix G. Hkxrv, an educated and 'studious young man, located here about 1870, and is steadily working his way to a practice. »
Jacob Hisey came to the city from Coiydon; studied law with Hon. M. C. Kerr; was admitted to practice a few years since, and is building up a profitable business.
Samuel B. Kerr, son of the late M. C. Kerr, began the practice of law here since his father's death. He was elected to the Legislature in iSSo, and made an industrious and piromising member of that body.
Seth Woodruff, one of A. Dowling's pupils, and son of Israel C. Woodruff, of this city, after a short term of practice here removed to Te.xas, where he is building up a lucrative practice.
George B. Cardwell studied under John H. Stottsenbcrg, and has been practicing three or four years. He promises a successful career.
Many other lawyers located here from time to time, but remaining only a shoit time they did not become identified with the interests of the city. In every city there is a floating population representing every trade and profession, whose doings cannot properly be entered in the city's history.
MURDER trials.
Quite a number of trials for murder have oc- curred in the county, and a number of convic- tions have been secured, but only three persons have been hung, the others escaping the extreme penalty of the law by means only known to the parties most directly interested.
Dahman was the first person hung after the formation of the county. A Norwegian named Notte had established himself in the bakery business on the southeast corner of Upper High and First streets, where he was frequently vis- ited by Dahman, who was also a Norwegian. 'I'hey were on intimate and t'riendly terms. One night they remained together until a late hour, and when the world outside and in were asleep Dahman murdered the baker for some reason known only to himself, probably for money and the little property he possessed, and putting the
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
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body in a large cuffte-sack sunk it in the river. The. next da) 1 )aliman asserted that Notte had gone over the river (wliicli was true in one sense) and began removing Notte's goods and effects from the room he had occupied.
A few days after some fishermen were hauling in their lines and drew to the surface the sack and body of Notte. This led to an investiga- tion,and Dahman was arrested. He made his escape, however, and for some litne nothing
.could be heard of him. In an incautious mo- ment he attempted to communicate with his faiii-
. ily, and his whereabouts was discovered. He had made his way to Canada. James Besse was then sheriff of the county, and he and John Eastburn went to the Canada border to try to ar- rest him. Arriving there they ascertained that Dahman was in the neighborhood, but how to get him across the river and within the jurisdiction of the United States, was the problem. As the Norwegian had communicated with his wife, and might reasonably expect a visit from her, Besse dressed himself in women's clothes and walked up and down the river bank in plain view of tlie opposite shore, while Eastburn went across and informed the murderer that his wife was waiting to see him. Dahman, seeing a woman on the opposite shore, as he supposed, fell into the trap, made his way across, was arrested, brought to New Albany, tried in May, 182 r, and sentenced to be hung July 6lh following. He was accord- ingly executed near the site of the present jail.
'His wife subsequently married a colored man named Joshua Wilson, who owned a fine farni on the river bank about three miles below the city. This place is now occu[)ied by CeciHa B. Stoy. The jury in the trial of Dahman were John Chew, Joseph Kirk, Ciuirles Berkshire, John Hickman, Eiihu Tharp, Levi Brown, Hubertus Schmidt, Joseph Thackery, Henry Weber, Thomas Burns, Patrick Burns, and Thomas Thomas. Mason C. Fitch was the prosecuting attorney, and Wil- liam P. Thomasson attorney for the prisoner. This was before they had any court-house in New Albany, and the trial was held in the basement of the Presbyterian church.
The execution of Lamb was the second in the county. He lived in the neighborhood of Green- ville in this county, and was making his way home one hot summer day when he overtook a man about two miles from Greenville and the
two traveled together some distance when they sat down to rest in the shade of some trees at the roadside, about one mile from where the toll-gate now stands, on what is known as the Shirley road. While here they began playing cards, apparently for amusement, but soon got into a quarrel which resulted in blows during which Lamb seized a club and striking the man a heavy blow on the head felled him to the earth, and he did not rise again. After a little while Lamb started to go away when hearing the man groan he returned and taking off his coat put it under the man's head for a pillow and left him. The man died and when the body was discovered Lamb's coat -was recog- nized and led to his arrest. He was sent to Charlestovvn for safe keeping, but with three other prisoners broke jail and escaped. Instead of going away, ho\sever, he returned immediately to his home, where he was recaptured and re- turned to jail. At the next term of court he was tried, found guilty, sentenced, and subsequently hung. Nothing is at present known of his fam- ily.
The next case in which capital punishment was administered in the county was that of Peter Gross for killing a man in Clarke county. He was brought here for trial on change of venue. The trial lasted but a short time, the evidence being conclusive; he was condemned and hung in 1849 near the turnpike bridge on the Vin- cennes road.
In the earlier days of the court some of the best legal talent in the State were found in at- tendance; among them such men as Charles Dewey, Isaac Howk, father of Judge Howk, of the supreme court; John W. Payne, Jeremiah Sullivan, Samuel Judah, William P. and John H. Thomasson, and others of note both from this State and Kentucky.
CHAPTER XII.
NEW ALBANY— COMMERCIAL INTERESTS.
Regarding the mercantile, manufacturing, and other business of New Albany much has been written; and very much more may be said than space can be found for in a work like this. It
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has proved itself by far the 'argest manufacturing city in the State and its capacities in this direc- tion are unlimited. From the day the tow n was laid out in 1813 to .the present the fact of its ex- cellent situation for a manutacturing city has been kept continually before the people, and this has, in a great measure, perhaps, determined the location of some of its largest manufacturing establishments. The shrewd, far-seeing Yankee who laid it out and settled it knew that the im- mense commerce of the "Beautiful river" would, in a great measure, divide at the falls, and that a city located below the falls would, to a certain extent, become a natural terminal point. Upon this subject Mr. Cottom writes as follows, in 1873:
For at Icist seven months in the year New .-Mbany is the head of navigation on the lower Ohio river. The falls are a barrier to navigation during all seasons of the year except that of high or ordinarily high water, and steamboats aie unable to pass over them. With the grand railroad system that centers here (of vvhich particular mention is made else- where), New .Mbany is bound to become, within a very short time, the most important shipping point on the Ohio river below the falls; and this fact, and the existence of the ob- struction of the falls above referred to, must compel all steamers, except those running in the local packet trade (and those, too, to some extent,) to make New .-Mbany the port at which they receive all southern bound cargoes and discliarge for re-shipment all eastern and northern bound freights. The high rates of toll upon steamboats charged by the Louisville and Portland caniiJ around the falls precludes all, or nearly all, steamboats from the use of that improvement. Freights from the East, southward bound, are brought here by rail for re-shipment by boat southward, while freights from the South, the great staples of tobacco, cotton, sugar, and molasses, in particular, are brought here by boat for re-siiipment East and North. This gives to New .Albany an immense com- mercial advantage, which will continue to increase each year as the prosperity of the South becomes more fully developed and permanently established. It u ill add, too, very largely to the wealth and importance of New .Albany, as this city will not only become noted as a re-shipping point, but by the very force of circumstances, not to mention the well known enterprise and energy of her citizens, will become equally noted as a place for the mterchange, the purchase and sale of the commodities, agricultural and manufactured, of the two sections of the Union. The city is located upon the verge of both sections, and will become a great entrepot to the trade of both.
The river trade of New .Albany will compare favorably with that of any western city of equal population. The o>ec- retary of the United States Tre-as\iry gives the river trade of the city for 1869 as twelve millions of dollars; for 1870, as thirteen million five hundred thousand dollars; for 1871, as fifteen millions of dollars. This, we are told, does not in- clude the local packet business, which, if added, would swell the aggregate for 1S71, to not f.ir from si.xteen millions of dollars, while the value of the trade for 1872 will reach not far from seventeen millions. Here, of itself, is an immense trade; but to this is to be added the railroad, manufacturing.
mechanical, mercantile, live stock, and produce, and general trade oi the city, and not least, by any means, its coal and other mineral trade.
EARLY BUSINESS MATTERS.
Like every other city, in its infancy New .Mbany struggled through many years of hard- ship and adversity before it developed into a business town, and its struggles did not end even with its develo[)ment into a business city. It was fortunate at. the start in securing a class of settlers tliat were educated business men, who came here because they found an opening on the highway to wealth and prosperity. There is little doubt that its first merchants and traders were Messrs. Paxson & Eastburn, both from the East and both influential and highly honored citizens, and always taking part m every move- ment for the development of the place. East- burn was a young man from Bucks county, Penn- sylvania ; Charles Paxson was from Philadelphia, where he had been engaged in merchandising. He purchased some lots in the new town and settled here in 1817 with his family, the children being Catharine, Stephen, Phoebe, and Anna Maria, who are all living at this time except Stephen. One of the daughters married Mason C. Fitch, a prominent lawyer of the place, else- where mentioned, and is yet residing in New Albany. This family journeyed to Pittsburgh and thence down the Ohio in a pirogue to New Albanj'. They were accompanied by a German with his two sons, the boys having been bound to the ser- vice of Mr. Paxson for three years in considera- tion of his having paid their passage to America. In coming over the falls their "dug-out" became unmanageable and the Dutchman, father of the boys, fell overboard and was drowned. Mr. Pax- son purchased a lot on the corner of Main and Pearl streets, southwest corner, where he built a combined brick store-room and dwelling house. When he began this brick building there was no structure of that character in the town, but before it was coinpleted Stroud, the ferryman, had erect- ed a small brick building, the first in town. The Paxson building is yet standing; the family lived in the upper part of the building while the lower was occupied as a store. Paxson & Eastburn continued business here several years, trading largely with New Orleans, shipping t'urs, peltry and whatever produce the country afforded, and bringing back goods for exchange, as money
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
in those days was very scarce and exchange was the rule with the merchants. On one of his business trips to New Orleans Mr. I'axson died of yellow fever in that place. Mr. Eastburn's health at this time was in a delicate condition and tlie business was closed up, the goods being disposed of at auction, the son-in-law of Mr. Pflxson, Mason C. Fitch, being admini-^trator. At the sale while Mr. Eastburn was bidding on a book against Fitch, he beciime so much excited
■ that he dropped down in the room and died in a few minutes. He had been sick some time with chills and fever, and was much reduced in strength. He was about thirty-five years of. age, with no family. This ended the first mercantile venture in New Albany.
Elias Ayers was also one of the first mer^ chants of the place, and came here from Louis- ville, where he had been in the same business. His store was located on Main street near that of Messrs. Paxson & Eastburn. Mr. Ayers was here in the mercantile business many years, and became vs-ealthy, very influential, was identified with all the material interests of the place, and was considered a large-minded, liberal-hearted gentleman; being much associated in later years with educational matters, and a liberal contrib- utor to all educational and benevolent institu- tions, not only in New Albany but other places.
Mr. Oliver Cassell, who came to New Albany in 1S26, and who is yet a resident, says at that date New Albany was not much of a town. It consisted of a cluster of houses on Lower Fourth street and in that neighborhood — the bulk of the town being below State street. Straggling houses, however, extended as far as east as Upper Fourth street, beyond which point it was all woods; the woods including all the eastern part of the city, now the most beautiful part. The business was
■ mostly on Main street, between Lower First and Upper Second streets. There was also a little business on State street. The principal business firms at that time were Elias Ayers, James R. Shields & Brother, Alexander S. Burnett, after- wards mayor of the city, and James Brooks, all on Main street. These all kept what was then known as country stores; that is, they carried Keneral stocks — everything needed by a miscel- laneous conmiunity.
Steamboat building was also largely engaged in for that early date. Peter Tolone and Martin
Himes were the principal men in the business. Morton & Cox, from Cincinnati, established the first foundry here some time prior to 1826, as it was in full blast at that time, though, as a matter of course, not doing a large business. This es- tablishment was the pioneer of a business that has since been much extended, and which at present gives employment to a large number of hands and a large amount of capital. They erected a building for their purpose on the cor- ner of Front (River) and l]ank streets. • It v.-as a frame building about 40x60 feet in size. They manufactured castings and machinery and did a repairing business.
Mr. Thomas Collins, who came to the city in 1827, says the merchants at that time were Elias Ayers, near the corner of Pearl and Main, on Main street; William Urysdale, on ^Lain, below Upper Second; 'William and Jefferson Conner, on north side of Main, between LIpper First and Second; Alexander S. Burnett, on the north side of Main, between State and Upper First; Henry B. Shields, noith side ALain, between State and Upper First; Hale iv: Fitch, southwest corner of Pearl and ^Liin: James R. Shields, south side of Main, between Upper First and Second. These were all engaged in the diy goods and general merchandising business. The only drug store was kept by Robert Downey on the northeast corner of Pearl and Main streets. Those en- gaged in a general grocery and produce business were James Comby, on Pearl, between Main and ^Larket streets; Dorsey & Stephenson, on the south side of Main, between Lower First and State streets; James Lyons, on the southwest corner of Market and Pearl, and Henry B. Wil- son on the southwest corner of Main and Second streets. Charles Woodruff was engaged in the hardware business on the south side of Main, between Lower First and Second streets, and Bartlett Hardy kept stoves and iron castings next door to Woodruffs. These were about all that were engaged in the mercantile business at that time, and all these carried more or less mi.xed stocks.
A year later Ralph and Crovel Richards es- tablished a dry goods store at the southeast corner of L'pper Second and Main streets, and James Conner one of the same character on the south side of Main, between Upper First and Second streets.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Henry liogert was among the first business men of the place, settling here in 1814. His daughter, Mrs. Waring, still resides here.
SIAR G1,.\SS WORKS.
John B. Ford probably has the honor of originating the manufacture of glass in New Al- bany. Prior to his appearance in New Albany Mr.. Ford was a resident of Greenville, in Green- ville township, where he was prominently con- nected with various enterprises for the building up of that village. His residence there being in close pro.ximity to the great sand bed that lies in Washington county near the Floyd county line, probably led to inquiries by him concerning the manufacture of glass, from this sand, and culminat- ed finally in the establishment of the glass works of John B. Ford & Co. in 1S65. He was a good talker and succeeded in persuadmg some capi- talists in New Albany that this sand bed should be utilized, and tliat New Albany vras a most ex- cellent point for tlie manufacture of glass. Tliev secured a block ot ground on the river bank be- tween Upper Ninth and Tenth streets, upon which .they erected a frame building and began the manufacture of window glass. The works were soon disposed of for some reason to Messrs. Samuel Montgomery and Henry Hennegan in whose hands they burnt down in 1S66. This firm soon rebuilt the works and resold them to Mr. Ford, taking the steamer Dexter in the trade. The manufacture of glass at this time was not a success, however, owing probably to lack of both experience and capital, and the works were soon abandoned.
In February, 1867, Mr. Ford having secured help in the way of capital again established the wojks on a very much larger scale than before. These works were known as the New Albany Glass works. John B. Ford & Co. purchased ground on the river bank between Eleventh and Thirteenth streets, where the firm erected some very extensive buildings. The following extract from a directory of New Albany, published in 1868, gives a fair idea of the extent of these works:
New Albany Glass works, John P.. Ford & ."^on, proprietors, were eslablislied in February, 1067. ami oicujiy !,i\; Luild- in.5S. three of which arc brick. The one used in the manu- facture of window gl.iss is sixty-live by eighty-five feet; an- other for cuttiiij; the same is fifty by one hundred and fifty- four feet; then there are two buildings each twenty by one hundred fwet, one u&ed for a warehouse, and the other for
silvering and finishing plate-glass minors; then another ware- house forty by one hundred feet, and a bottle-house si\ly-fi\ e \jy eighty feei.'whieh is entirely new. The firm employs one hundred and twenty hands, four teams, and consiunes in their year's work (ten months) one hundred and sixty-five theni-and bushels of coal ; five hundred tons of soda asli; one thousand five himdred tons of sand; nine thousand bushels of lime, and six hundred barrels of salt. This does not include the stock in use in the manufacture of hollow w.ire. Value of manu- lactured goods .^300, 000 per annum.
It will be seen from the above that the New Albany Glass works were established on a some- what extensive scale. In 1S73 Mr. Cottom thus writes of these works:
The New Albany Glass works have suspended, and pait of the buildings converted to the use of other manufacturing com- panies. 7 hey were upon an extensive scale, and the last year operated employed a capital of $100,000, 'gave employ- ment to one luindredand sixty-five workmen, paid in yearly wages $75,000, and turned out an annual product of the value of $250,000.
In 1872 the buildings and grounds of the New Albany Glass works passed into the hands of W. C. De ]\auw, and became a part of the Star Glass works, which had been established by Mr. De Pauw. The Star works thus became the only glass manufacturing establishment in the city, and so remains to-day. With the addition of the grounds and buildings of Messrs. Ford i^: Co. it became one of the most extensive establishments of this character in America. In 1873 Mr. Cot- tom thus writes of these works:
They cover an area of fifteen acres with their buildings and necessary grounds, and manufacture the best quality of plate.' glass, in all respects equal to the very best French and En- glish plate, and also window glass, fruit jars, and bottles.' The manufacture of plate-glass in America is yet an experi- ment so far as it relates to profitable returns upon the very large investment of capual it requires to operate such works. There can, however, be little doubt that tFie experiment now maki.ig in New .-Mbany in the manuficture of first quality of plate-glass will prove successful, inasinuch as the capital em- ployed, the extent of the buildmgs, and the amount and superiority of machinery used, will coinpare favorably with the like conditiolis in the extensive plate-glass works of Europe.
The buildings of the Star Glass works arc as follows : Main building 580 by 115 feet in dimensions, containing eight smoothers and eight polishers, twenty-one furnaces and ovens, cutting and p iCKin.g-rooms and offices; one building (in the course of erection) 300 by 125 feet in size, for a cast- ing-house; one building 40 by 50 for ovens for roasting and caleiiiing gypsum, and for crushing and pulverizing emery and limestone, and a warehouse 2'5o by 40 feet. Tue Plate- glass works have a c.ipacity for the production of 1,000 feet per day of the finest qu.T.iity of polished plate, 92 by 180 inches in size. The window gl.iss houses, two in number, are 60 by 80 feet in size. There are two bottle and fruit jar houses, each 60 by 80 I'eet; one fl.ittening-house, 80 by i3e> feet; cutting-house, 20 by 80 feet; pot-house, 40 by 100 feet; inixing-housc, 40 by 40 feet; sand-house, 50 by 50 feet;
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNITES.
223
house for grinding fruit jars, 20 by 30 feel; warehouse, 30 by jio feet; steam box factory, 70 by 130 feet; store-house. 16 by ID feet; oO'icc, 20 by 40_feet.
Four large steam engines, receiving power from eight large boilers, are required to nin the machinery for this vast es- tablishment. These extensive works have a capital -$550,000; cnij'loy 250 opeiative's; annually pay $123,000 in wages, and the value of their products the past year was $720,000, and will probably considerably exceed $1,000,000 for the year 1873. .These works are the only ones of importance in America at present engaged in the manufacture of polished plate-glass. W. C. DePauw, the wealthiest and most enter- prising capitalist in Indiana, is president of the company.
Regarding the manufacture of glass at these works the following is taken from the Ledger-. Standard of 1S77 :
The Star Plate-gla^s works of New .-Albany, Indiana, are the most extensive and elaborate on the American continent, em- bracing three divisions of glass-making, viz: Polished plate, window glass, and fruit jars.
The works are established on what was originally supposed to bo an abundantly large property upon the bank of the river, but which has since been added to, until the present area — which is as completely covered with buildings as is safe — includes about fifteen acres and even this has not proved sufficient, but to use a comnion expression is still growing.
The plate-glass department, which includes the melting furnaces and annealing ovens, the beds on which the glass i.s formed into plates, the ovens for re-calcining the plaster of Paris, the ovens for calcining and preparing the polishing material, the rooms for grinding and preparing the emeiy, the grinding, smoothing and polishing rooms, the cutting rooms and the plate-glass warerooms, are all contained in one building.
Glass is the result of the combination by fusion of silex, pure sand with an alkali, and some ingredients for purifying, coloring, or tempering. These materials arc subjected to an intense heat in fire-clay vessels called pots, which are placed in huge furnaces, where they can be closely watched. \\"hen the fusion is complete the glass-blower inserts the lower end of a straight hollow iron rod into the molten mass, to which a portion of the w:i.\y material adheres. Now withdrawing the rod, he blows a huge bubble of glass. By constantly twirling the rod and other manipulations only understood by the blowers, such as inverting it in the air, swinging in acircle, etc., the brittle bubble assumes the shape of a long evenly formed cyhnder, or huge bottle, the neck being fast to the rod. -N'ow, by heating the other end, while the thumb closes the mouth-piece, the bottom of the bottle is softened, the air in the cylinder is expanded, and the glass opens at the other end. A few more twirls and the cylinder is ready to be sepa- rated from the rod. This is accomplished by rubbing the junction of the glass and rod with a small bar of cold iron, the sudden, uneven contraction breaking the glass at >hat point. Another separation is made at the shoulder or neck. hy encirchng the cylinder with melted glass. A perfect cylin- d>r or tube of glass is thus left, from ten to fourteen inches m diameter, and from sixty to seventy-two inches in length. Ihis is now split from end to end on the top, and carried to the fl.attcning oven, when it is pl.iccd upon a revolving table. The heat softens the glass, which soon assumes the form of ^ flattened sheet, and is carefully smootlied down by means ,"f a long-handled block of wood. It is then placed in a cooling oven or "leer," where It gradually cools, and it is
then cut with diamonds into the required sizes for window panes.
The fruit jars are handled similar to window glass, except that it is blown into iron moulds. Whin the bubble is of the proper size, the blower i>laces it within the ojien mould, closes the latter by stepping upon a lever, and blows w ith sufficient force to perfectly fill all the indentations of. the mould, at the same time withdrawing the pipe -sufiiciently to weaken its hold upon the jar. Removing the foot the mould opens, and the jar is raised by the pipe. A V shaped recep- tacle lies near by, with an iron edge at its farthest extremity, into which, with a dexterous movement, the jar is dropped, the thin glass being broken by the iron edge. The assistant 'now steps forward with a rod, attached to which is a metallic case, and this is slipped over the jar. The jar is now ready for the annealing oven, and from thence is taken to the filers, who rasp off the rough edges from the top. when they are wheeled to the grinding room and run through, the grinders, then washed, and are ready for packing, preparatory to ship- ment.
Plate-glass is properly poured, or cast glass. A smooth iron table with adaptable guides for size and thickness re- ceives the melted glass, as it is poured in mass from the pot. .A. hugh, heavy roller then travels the length of the table.' and the mass is uniformly spread like dough under a rolling pin. It is now pushed upon a traveling table, wheeled to and slid into the annealing oven, to remain until properly cooled. It is now "rough plate." It then goes through the process of grinding, smoothing, polishing, cutting, etc. This completes it as polished plate. Many similar establish- ments started in this country have failed in attempting the manufacture of polished plate-giass. Men of large means and possessed of abundant brains. ha\e experimented for a number of years and lost fabulous sums of money, and after all were obliged to abandon the enterprise. The .science is new in this country; but it has been left to W. C. UePauw to demonstrate the fact that polished plate-glass can be made equally successful hern as in Europe. Mr. DePauw has in- vested fully a million dollars in his enterprise and it is gener- ally understood that he has at least succeeded after years of incessant toil and investment, to make as good plate-<'lass as may be found in the world.
His employes are the most experienced men that can be found, his m.achinery and appliances the very best, and with the same facilities (and in some instances better) that Euro- pean manufacturers have to make their polished plate, Mr. DePauw duplicates their glass and sells it to the American market at a cheaper rate th.m the imported glass is offered. The reward that the gentleman so riclily deserves is certainly not far off if it has not already arrived.
Important improvements are constantly going on about the glass works. A new dock has been built to admit the large co.al and sand barges that are being constantly unloaded to supply the furnaces. Over two hundred and fifty men are employed about the different departments, each person mov- ing under the direction of experienced directors, a hive of in- dustiy that is seldom seen, even in cities of large metropoli- tan proportions.
The following from the Courier-Journal of August 24, 18S1, gives a picture of the present Star Glass works:
DePauw's American Plate-glass works of i38r is not what it was a year ago. It has been increased from year to year until now the buildings cover twenty-five acres of ground.
224
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
The greatest manufactory in New Albany, or in Indiana, is UePaiui's American Plate-g'.ass works, owned and operated by W. C. Dcl'auw. Take llie glass works out of Xc w Al- bany and every man, woman, and child who works for a liv- ing would feel its loss.' Tlie nifreliant who sells his goods to the workman, and the farjner'who sells tu the I'nerchant would all feel it sensibly. But it is hard to tell whetlier this loss would be- greater than that of Mr. DePaww him- self, whose money and business tact are used in every great enterprise in this city. Constantly improving his manufac- tories, never curtailing their capacity, he is, beyond doubt, a great benefactor to New Albany, and the nerviest business man in Indiana. .Always helping to start some public im- provement, or great enterprise, he invests his money as fast as he earns it, giving the workman eiriploymcnt and remun- eration for his services. Mr. DePauw has stock in every, manufactory in Xew .Albany, and he has frequently invested in enterprises which other men would dare not touch, and in most instances has made money.
The largest of his enterprises is the New .Albany Star Glass works, which annually pays out more money than any institution around the Falls, keeping hundreds of men em- ployed, and distributing its wares to all parts of the world. The class of workmen engaged are mostly mechanics, who do much to build up a city, erecting neat little homes here and there.
Although Mr. DePauw has an interest in all the great manufactories of New .Albany, he takes particular interest in the glass works, this property being his own. The works employ from 1,500 to 2,000 men. The capacity is 1,400,000 feet of polished plate-glass per annum, 150,000 boxes of windo-.y glass, and 30,000 gross of fruit jars.
The early mills of New Alban)' have been mentioned in another chapter, Trublood's "little log mill" on Falling run being the first. Water-power mills being the only ones that could be brought into use during the very early days of New Albany, not many were erected in its immediate vicinity on account of the want of good water power. True, the falls would fur- nish good power of this kind, but the cost of utilizing them was too great for the limited purses of the pioneers. Silver creek and Falling run both furnished sufficient water for running a mill a portion of the year, and upon these streams the earliest mills were built. Abner Scribner was the first to introduce steam for milling pur- poses, but his first mill was not a success, as will be seen elsewhere.
A steam flouring mill was erected in 1S47 in the city, which is still runnmg, and is known as the
STATE STkEKT MtLL,
now owned and conducted by Augustus Bradley and I. P. Leyden, who purchased it two or three years ago of J. F. Leyden & Co. The mill is a
large three-and-a-half-story brick, and cost, with alt necessary machinery, about $75,000. It is So.x 1 20 feet in si^e, and was erected by Marshall & McHarvy. It has four run of buhrs and a capacity of turning out about two hundred bar- rels of four m every twenty-four hours. The next mill erected in the city was the
PHiT.NIX Mir.L,
in 1848, Lee & Hoyle proprietors. Its dimen- sions were 80 x 80 feet, four stories in height, with four run of buhrs and capacity about the same as the State Street mill. The third mill was erected in 1856, and is yet in successful operation. It is known as the
CITY MILL,
Peter Mann proprietor. This mill is located on State street, between Market and Spring, and when first erected was a very fine brick mill with three run of stone. It was destroyed by fire December 4, iS/o, but Mr. Mann immediately built in its place the present fine brick mill, four stories and a basement in height, and again be- gan operations in August, 1871. The present mill has five run of buhrs. The inachinery was remodelled and reconstructed in 1881, and it is now one of the finest mills in the city. It turns out about one hundred and ninety barrels of what is known as general reduction, patent process flour every twenty-four hours. It has three pairs of rolls, one porcelain roll, one chilled iron roll, and one corrugated brand roll.
THE NEW PROCESS MILL
of McDonald & Co. was established in 1877, by Morris McDonald, Lewis Hartman, and F. W. Armstrong. This is a frame mill located one block west of the present depot of the ' New Albany & Salem railroad. Warehouses for this mill have been established at 169 and 171 Pearl street, where its products are on sale. The mill was formerly a slate mill, but this business be- coming unprofitable the building was furnished with the most improved machinery for the manu- facture of flour. It has four run of buhrs, and turns out about one hundred barrels of flour daily. The dimensions of the building are 50 n 60 feet on the ground, and three stories in height. Mr. Cottom writes as follows regarding the milling interests in 1S73:
The Louisville, New Albany, & .St. Louis Air Line road passes through the very best wheat and corn growing counties
Wl ..J ,-
i: ui
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
225
of Southern Indiana andSouthern Illinois; the Louisville, New Alb.Tiy »< Chicago railroad passes entir.ely through the S^^ate
.from north to south, penetrating a famous wheat growing country; the Jeffcrsonville, Madison, & Indianapolis road
• and it:, hmnches reach into the central, eastern, and norther!i counties of the State, all excellent wheat growing counties ; while the Ohio river taps evcrv cuvuity on the lower borders of Kentucky, Indiana, and a portion of Tenncssee.and its tributa- ries reach far up the valleys of the Wabash, Green, Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. Thus New Albany is pl.'.ced in speedy and cheap communication with the best wheat and com plowing sections of the West. There are already five large mills in New .Albany — three flour and two corn mills. The flour mills have a capacity as follows: Phocni.'c mill, R. P. Main proprietor, 212 barrels in twenty-four hours, consum- ing 1,050 bushels of wlieat, and operating a. capital of S50,- 000. State Street mill, ofj. F. Le\den &Co., with a capac- ity of 200 barrels in twenty-four liours, consuming 1,000 bushels of wheat, and operating a capital of $60,000. The City mill of Peter Mann, with a capacity of 250 barrels in twenty-four hours, consuming 1,250 bushels of wheat to the twcnty-fouv hours, and operating a capital of $70,000. If these mills were run to their full capacity si.x d.ays in the week for fifty weeks m the year, it would give an annual prod- uct of 202,600 barrels of flour, which at $7 per barrel would amount to $1,418,200 as the value of the product, aside fiom offal; and to manufacture this would require 950,000 bushels of wheat per year, allowing five bushels to the barrel of flour, which at $1.25 per bushel would cost $1,272,500, leaving a profit (not counting tho offal) of J145.700, or an equal average to each mill of $.18,566.66. The two corn mills tutn out an annual product of not far from $25,000. With tlie advant.iges in favor of the milling business at New Albany, that interest must largely increase.
COTTO.N' AND WOOLEN MILLS.
The first cotton mills in New Albany was started in 1820 by Messrs. Badger & Jarvis, both from the East. A man named Garside was the practical man about this mill, but the busi- ness was not a success at that time. This mill was located at the corner of West First and Market streets, on ground afterwards covered by Wesley Chapel, and at present occupied by Dr. August Knoefel's drug store, and Mr. Frank Smith's clothing store. The mill was, in its day, the pride and boast of the New Albanians, and the manufacture of cotton fabrics, it was thought, would become an immense business in New Albany. The machinery for cotton manu- facture in those days was very crude as compared with that of the present day, but that of this New -Mbany pioneer mill was sufficient for the produc- tion of cotton cloth and cotton yarns. The ma- chinery was propelled by bull power. A large m- cliiied wheel known a tread wheel, and elsewhere described, was used in place of the steam power ot to-day. Upon this wheel a pair of bulls or o.xen Were tied to an upright post, and furnished
the power by constantly trying to walk up the wheel.
liiit two persons are now resident of this city who worked in this mill. One of these is Mr. John li. Winstandly, the other a lady residing on East ¥Am street. The wages paid were not ex- travagant. Mr. Winstandly, then a boy, received one dozen of spun cotton per week, the value of which was thirty-seven and a half cents. This cotton yarn lie and his brotlier — who also worked at the mill— allowed to accumulate until they had enough to work up into cloth, and this cloth they had made into clothing. Even at the very low wages paid to emplo^-es and the economical manner in wliich the business was conducted the mill did not pay at New Albany, and was, after a few years trial, moved to Doe rim, Kentucky. The building in which the business was done is yet standing, having been moved to the corner of Upper First and Main streets, where it is used as a dwelling by Mrs. Waring.
TH£ M'CORD and BRADI.EV WOOLEN MILL COM- PANY
was incorporated in 1S66, and the main building erected in the following year. Its dimensions were 65x180 feet, and subsequently an addition was built 30x40 feet. It is three stories in height, and cost, with machinery, about one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Cottom speaks as follows regarding the manufacture of woolen and cotton fabrics in 1873:
The wool and cotton, and woolen and cotton fabric inter- ests of New Albany are of very considerable importance. Not less than three hundred thousand pounds of wool are annually puichased here This was the amount for 1871, and the average price per pound paid was sixty cents. This would give the total yearly business, in this one staple alone, at $180,000. Probably <is large a woolen mill as there ia in the West is located at New Albany. It has. a capital of $25o,ooo,employs one hundred and seventy operatives, annu- ally pays otit $75,000 in wages, and produces goods valued at $450,000. This would give the total annual value of the wool and woolen fabric business of the city as $659,000. There is also in the city, owned by the Woolen Mill company, an extensive cotton mill. This mill has a capital of $150,000, and annually produces cotton warps and sheetings of the value of $275,000. The yearly consumption of raw cotton is 600,000 pounds, which, at twenty cents per pound, would cost $120,000. thus giving the annu.al value of the business in cotton fabrics and cotton at $395,000. The mill employs one hundred and ten operatives, and pays out in wages to operatives $32,000 per annum. The aggregate of the annual business in wool and woolen fabrics, and cotton and cotton fabrics, reaches the large sum of $1,034,000. These interests, by the eniployment of capital and the use of discreet enterprise, could be indefinitely extended. Both the
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vooK'n and coUon niill^ cnjov a most satisfactory prosperity. Mr. J. I". Gel)luirt, a thorou;;hly coiiipettnit and most enter- prising gc-ntlenian, is supi.'nntt.-ndrnt of boili the woolen and cotton mills.
The following re.i^ardine the niaiiufacture of woolen goods in the city is from the Ledger- Standard of 1877 :
The manufacture of woolen goods at this city was inaugu- rated by Mr. J. T. Crfcd iS; Co., in the building now owned by the Louisville, Xcw .-\lbany & St. Louis Railroad com- pany, corner of State street and Railroad avenue. Mr. J. F. Gebhart, the present superintendent, was the other mem- ber of the firm forming the company. Mr. Creed was a na- tive of this city and had a small amount of capital, but in- domitable energy and pluck. Mr. Gehh.art was a stranger here, coming from the East, wjiere he had a large debt hang- iiig over him, but w lich he had resolved to liquidate, if indus- try and economy could accomplish it. The writer of this sketch formed his acquaintance at that time, and calls to mind the assiduity with uhich he labored. The factory had but- fairly been ' put in operation, when the interest of Mr. Creed was sei;^ed and sold to liquidate debts con- tracted while engaged in another line of business. This left Mr. Gebhart to struggle alone against old and new dobt.s, compelling him to borrow money from day to day on the streets. But he met these difliculties bravely, convinced that success must finnlly crown his efforts. This condition of affairs continued until one of Xew Albany's noblest men, one of capital, seeing the unequal struggle of the propnetor, and having confidence in his integrity, came to the relief of the establishment. From that period mav be dated the days of prosperity which have since been the lot of the con- cern. The firm ha\ing established itself on a firm basis, it began to attract the attention of capitalists, and the present company was organized, the machineiy purchased, and build- ings erected, which they now occupy. Its growth since that time has been almost marvellous, and it is now one of the largest and most prosperous woolen mills in the West or South, fully justifying the faith of the original proprietor of the enterprise, that here was one of the best points in the country for a manufactory of this character.
A few years ago the company resolved to erect and put in operation a cotton-mill upon their capacious grounds. This was almost a necessity, to furnish yarns for the maiml'actorv. This enterprise proved as remunerative as the woolen-mill. The capacity of this mill when first erected, was two thou- sand five hundred spindles. But this soon proved inad- equate to supply the demand for their own use and the mar- ket, and a large addition was made, increasing its capacity to more than double the original requirements. The yarns manufactured are chiefly m.ade into jeans warp, and it is but justice to the establishment to state that they rank among the best in America. Mr. W, H. Dillingham, of Louisville, Kentucky, is the sole selling agent for these yarns, and he has at no time since their introduction Into the market been able to supply the demand for them in his trade. A portion of this cotton yarn is wove into brown sheetings, which is equal to the best and most popular brands in the market.
The unbounded success which has attended this enterprise, when the embarrassments and difficulties which surrounded it at its inception are considered, has demonstrated most clearly that Xew Albany possesses e.vcellent facilities for the manufacturing of woolen and cotton goods. The city is favorably locited, both in regard to the raw material, aud
the procurement of fuel. The wool crop ot southern Indi- ana and a large portion of Kentucky, finds a market at these inills, and the'conif-any has the immense territory west and north to draw upon in addition to the home supply. Coal is to be procured cheaply and abundantly, while cotton can be laid at the doors of the mills at less prices than in the East- ern cities.
These mills are situated in the eastern portion of the city, and occupy a large sp.ice in that locality, one of the most pleasant in the city, as though the proprietors were studvmg the personal comfort and health of their employes in the selection of the grounds for their buildings. The buildings were erected with special reference to convenience in the various processes in the production of woolen. and cotton goods. They are all of brick, and substantially built. The m.achinery is first-class in every particular, and was selected and erected under the careful supervision of .\Ir. J. F. Geb- hart, \s ho has had large experience and possesses such skill as makes him the " right man in the right place." The chief products of the mill are flannel and jeans, but there is com- plete machinery for the manufacture of blankets, fancy cover- lets, cassimeres, and stocking yarns. . All the goods bearing the brand of these mills are appreciated and cominand the highest prices among dealers from Xew York to California. The capacity of the mill aggregates ten complete set, which the intelligent reader will readily comprehend enables the company to turn out large quantities of their various prod- ucts. The machinery is all of the best employed in any manufactory in the world.
The paid up capital of the company is $350,000, which will give the public some idea of the character of the works. Upon this capital the company is enabled to pav fair annual dividends, probably the largest dividends paid by aiiv similar institution in the country. The present officers of the com- pany are L. Bradley, president; J. M. Haines, secretary; and J. F. Gebhart, superintendent. It is hardly necessary to speak of these gentlemen as they are all well and favorably known among the people and in a w ide district of the coun- try as thorough-going and enterprising men, who are fully equal to manage the aff.iirs of this great mill. The board of directors is composed of the following named gentlemen; \V. C. DePauw, R. G. McCord, J. M. Haines, and j. F. Gebhart, under whose direction the affairs of the conipany are managed. This is the present status of the Xew .-Xlbany woolen and cotton mills.
The woolen mills mentioned in the above ex- tract were first firmly established in 1S61, under the firm name of J. F. Gebhart & Co., and lo- cated on Vincennes street. The main building then erected was brick, 50x120 feet in size, and three stories -in height. A twenty-five horse- power engine was put in, and the machinery cost $35,000. The present officers are: Law- rence iJradley, president; J. M. Haines, secre- tary and treasurer; and J. F. Cebhart, superin- tendent.
R A X K I .\ G .
This business in New Albany dates back about half a century; even prior to this time some little miscellaneous banking was done by the earlier merchants of the place. In 1S32 the New Al-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
227
bany Insurance company was incorporated, with acajjilal of $100,000, which lor t^ose days was a very large capital. Although organized for the •putpose of carrying on a general insurance busi- ness, it was an independent corjjoration, and in- cluded other legitimate business in its transac- tions, among which was the business of bank- ing.
.'J'he original incorporators of the New Albany Insurance company were James R. Shields, Matthew Robinson, Charles Woodruff, Ashel Clapp, Harvey Scribner, Elias Ayeirs, and Robert Downey. Elias Ayers was presi- dent and Harvey Scribner secretary. The charter was granted for seventy-five years. The powers of this company were much greater, ])robably, than companies incorporated at a later day; it not only was authorized to insure against loss by fire, lightning, or any other destroying ele- ment or agent, but could also insure the life of a man, dog, cow, horse, ox, or any other living creature or thing. Its charter also gave it other powers and liberties not now granted to corpora- tions, among which was the privilege of loaning money at whatever rate of interest could be agreed upon between the parties.
The business was successful, and gradually grew in the direction of banking until, in 1857, the Bank of Salem was organized, its charter having twenty years to run. It was at this time that Mr. John B. Windstandley became con- nected with the institution, and has remained its leading spirit from that time to the present. He was made assistant cashier January i, 1S57, and i subsequently cashier, which position he held un- til the expiration of the charter in 1S77, when he, with others, organized the present bank known as the New Albany Banking company. The first location of this institution, in 1S32, was at the corner of State and Main streets, in the old Bently building, yet standing. The bank was removed to its present location, on the corner of Bearl and Market streets, about 1S70. It is only during the last four or five years that this institu- tion has done an exclusive banking business. Its present officers are J. B. Winstandley, presi- dent; Isaac S. Winstandley. secretary and cashier; Ale.xander Dowling, W. W. Tulcy, Louis Vernia, Paul Reising, J. B. Winstandley, and G. C. Can- non, directors. The present cash capital is $ 100,000.
FIRST N.'VT10N.\L KA.VK.
This v.-as the first regular banking institution organized in New Albany. It began business in 1S34, as a branch of the State bank of Indi- ana. Its first location was on the south side of Main street, between Bank and Pearl street.s, where Conner & Sackett's insurance office is at ])resent located. The first officers weie: James R. Shields, cashier; MasonC. Fitch, president; General Alexander Burnett, Mason C. Fitch, John Brown, Frank Warren, and — ~ Franklin, directors. The present substantial stone bank building on the corner of Main and Bank streets was erected in 1837 by the above named parties, at a cost of about $40,000 the stone [icing taken from the knobs. To this build ing the bank was transferred in the latter part of the year 1837 and early in 183S; its capital stock was $200,000 and its charter had twt.'iity years to run. After the expira- tion of the cliarter in 1S54, the bank was merged into the Bank of the State with the same capital as before. It settled with the stockholders {laying to them a handsome divi- dend, and began business anew with the same officers and managers.
In 1S63 the bank was merged into the First National bank of New Albany, and again a satis* factory settlement of its affairs was made. In the new bank Walter Mann was cashier, and John J. Brown, president. The directors were : J. J. Brown, William S. Culbertson, Peter R. Stoy, Walter Mann, and John S. McDonald. The present oflicers are: J. J. Brown, Morris Mc- Donald, W. S. Culbertson, P. R. Stoy, Alexander Dowling, directors; J. J. Brown, president; W. N. Mahon, cashier; Ben B. Stewart, teller. Dividends for 1S81 twelve percent. The capital stock is $300,000; surplus $85,000. This bank has always been largely successful, its stock being worth at present $1.35.
About the close of the war in 1865, two banks were organized here; one, the
NEW ALB.-VNY NATIONAL BANK,
was organized January 4, 1865, its location at that time being on the corner of Pearl and Main streets, where the Merchants bank is now located. The officers were— James M. Hains, president; Harvey A. Scribner, cashier; and W. C. DePauw, James M. Hains, Randall Crawford, Clark
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Devol, and John Briggs, directors. The present directors are W. C. DePaiuv, James M. Hains, John Briggs, John McCulloch, Silas C. Day, Moses Irwin, and N. T. DePauw. The other officers are unchanged. Tliis bank did business at their first location until 1869, when, having purchased the brick block on Main, between Pearl and State streets, the bank was moved to its present location. The capital stock of this bank was at first $300,000, but in July, 1874, was increased to $400,000. This was found, however, to be . more capital than could be profitably employed, and in January, 18S0, the capital stock was reduced to $200,000.
It is a safe and successful institution. Divi- dends for 1 88 1 twelve per cent.
TUK MERCHANTS NAT10N.\L BANK
was established three days after the New Albany National above mentioned — that is, January 7, 1865 — its officers being A. S. Burnett, president, and James .K.. Shields, cashier; and the diiectors A. S. Burnett, James R. Shields, Lawrence Bradley, J. Hangary, and Robert G. McCord. Mr. Shields is a son of Patrick Shields, the first settler of Georgetown township, and one of the first in the county. James R. Shields had been connected with the bank at Corydon for several years, of which Judge Thomas C. Slaughter was president. The Merchants National bank was first located on Main street, between Pearl and Upper First streets, and remained there until they purchased the present location on the cor- ner of Pearl and Main streets. The brick build- ing on this corner was destroyed by fire in 186S, and the bank erected the present brick at a cost of $12,500. The capital stock was then $200,- 000, but February 23, 1S7S, it was reduced to $100,000. Directors— J. H. Butler, N. T. De- Pauw, C. H. Fawcett, J. K. Woodward, Jr., Ed- ward C. Hangary. Officers — President, John H. Butler; cashier, P^dward C. Hangary; teller, Charles E. Jones. The total dividends of the current twelve months' business will aggregate twelve per cent. The surplus fund is $48,000.
THE SECOND N.\TIONAL BANK
was chartered August 12, 1874, and began busi- ness in the basement of the Merchants' National bank building. Lawrence Bradley was presi- dent, M. A. Wier cashier, and Lawrence Brad- ley, M. A. Wier, R. P. Main, Robert G. McCord,
and S. W. Waltz, directors. There has been no change in thes^ officers up to the present time. About two years after starting in business the bank purchased its present location on the north side of Main street, between Pearl and State streets. The building is a substantial brick, and the bank is doing a safe and paying business, a regular semi-annual dividend being paid to its stockholders. Its surplus is $20,000, and its capital $100,000. The directors at present are: Lawrence Bradley, M. A. Weir, R. P. Main, R. G. McCord, S. W. Waltz. Officers: President, Lawrence Bradley ; cashier, Merrill A. Weir; teller, Edward B. Lapping. Total dividends of the year twelve per cent., or six per cent, semi- annually.
The following from Mr. Cottom's pamphlet shows the number and condition of the banks of New Albany in 1873, just before the panic:
New Albiiny ha^ five regular banks, three of them National banks, and therefore banks of issue. These banks have a united rapit.1l of 51,300,000, as follows: First National bank, capital $300,000; New Albany National bank, capital $300,000; Merchants' National bank, capital $200,000; B.mk of Salem, capital $200,000; Savings bank of Brown, Culbert- son & Co., capital and deposits $300,000. The last regular quarterly report of the First National bank showed its total resources to be $937,51203, showing the verj' large business transacted. The quarterly report of the Merchants' Nation- al bank shows its assets to be $.133,528.35. The quarterly re- port of the New Albany National bank gives its entire re- sources at $813,357.38. The total resources of the Bank of Salem foot up $450,000; while the total resources of the banking house of Brown, Culbertson & Co. are $300,000. The total circulation of the New Alliany banks is as follows: First National bank, $522,400; Merchants' National bank, $178,422; New Albany National bank, $268,500. Total cir- culation of the three National banks, $969,322. Total re- sources of all the banks of New Albany, $2,984,397.76. The indivic'ual and United States deposits of the National banks of the city are as follows: First National bank, $189,893; New .•\lbany National bank, $i4t,842.5o; Merchants National bank, $52,263.65. From these figures it will be ob- served that the baiSks of New Albany are not only upon a most solid and substantial basis, but that their resources are sufficiently ample to enable them to meet all the demands of business, and aid in those manufacturing enterprises that are so rapidly giving this city reputation abroad. Every banker in New -Albany of any note, whether as a large shareholder or officer (except two officers), is also a large stockholder in one or more of the manufactories, and the money of the banks is liberally furnished in loans to aid these industrial establishments and build them up.
MEDICAL.
Probably no city in the State or among the river cities of the West has less use for physi- cians than New Albany. The health of its in- habitants is proverbial ; and this is without
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAi.LS COUNTIES.
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doubt owing in a great measure to the very ex- tt Uent water that the peojile of New Albany use. As a general thing the river towns and cities of the West ate supplied with water from the stream upon which they are located, which, with all its iiiiijurities, would seem to be a sufficient cause of diseabC, as water enters so largely into the com- ponent parts of the human system. Not so with New Albany ; her people are as free from the destructive influences of river water as any in- terior town ; and not only ^his, but the water they use is exceptionally pure and wholesome. It is a soft spring water resting upon beds of limestone, and is found under every part of the city. This of itself is enough to discourage the medical fraternity ; yet there are doctors here as elsewhere, and no doubt they find something to do, for even the good water and pure air is not proof against old age, abuse and ignorance.
The place has been considered a healthy one ever since it was established in the woods, in 1813, yet in those earlier years there was consid- erable sickness arising from the swampy, and therefore malarial nature of the adjoining grounds ; from the fogs that rested on the river ; from the great amount of decaying vegetation prior to the clearing up and draining of the country, and probably from some other causes. Contagious diseases have occasionally made their appearance, and although, probably, not as malignant or fatal as in other places, have caused considerable distress.
One of the most notable and best remembered periods of this character was in 1822, when the little town was nearly de[)opulated by a severe and, it seemed, almost uncontrollable fever. The same disease would probably make but little im- pression to-day with the greater experience of the doctors and their better insight into the nature and causes of disease, but the disease was at that time illy understood and it became very fatal. Louisville was likewise afflicted, and people who could get away from these places left and went mto the interior, or into the country, until the disease should subside. This disease disap- peared with the disappearance of the hot weather, but while it lasted it was probably the severest ''cason of sickness ever experienced by New- Alba ny.
The cholera which swept over the entire coun- try in 1832-35, taking almost every city and
town in its course, and depopulating many, did comparatively little damage in New Albany. It visited the place but did not get the firm hold that it did in other places, especially on the river, as the river towns generally suffered e.xceedingly with this scourge. Again in 1850 and 1851, when the river cities and towns suffered exceed- ingly fiorn diseases, mostly of a bilious and in- termittent character, New Albany was compara- tively free and healthy. The mortuary statistics of the city will compare favorably with those of any other city of the West.
The first resident physician of New Albany was Dr. Ashel Clapp, who made his appearance in 1S18. He was a young man of ability and energy and came to the then backwoods village to stay. He secured boarding in the family of one of the proprietors of the town, Joel Scrib- ner, and was not long in making up his mind to marry one of the Scribner girls. He soon be- came a prominent, influential, and much respect- ed citizen, and a successful practitioner. He identified himself with the material interests of the town and city, built up a large practice, and remained in the place until his death. He reared a family, and his son, the present Dr. William A. Clapp, succeeded him, and has main- tained the reputation of his father to the present time. William A. is now a gray haired man with a large practice. Dr. Ashel Clapp's first of- fice was opened on Main street, between State and Pearl, where the New Albany National bank is at present located, and his son's office is at present but a few doors from this same place.
Of the physicians who successively located in New Albany and became permanent and suc- cessful practitioners may be mentioned Dr. P. S. Shields, Dr. S. E. Leonard, Dr. W. C. Cooper, Dr. Stewart, Dr. C. L. Hoover, and Dr. Dow- ling, father of Alexander Dowling, one of the ablest lawyers in the State, all of whom are dead. These were all men of superior ability, culture, and attainments.
Of those living who have been residents long enough to indicate permanency, there are Drs. John Sloan, a gentleman of much skill and large practice; W. A. Clapp, S. J. Alexander, John Lem- on, E. P. Easley, S. C. Wilcox, C. N. Nutt, H. B. Lang, and George H. Cannon, all of the allo- pathic school and all thorough practitioners, though the two first named are the oldest in the
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profession in New Albany. Dr. Burney, a col- ored phybician, is ajso of thi.s school. He has established a fair practice and is much rosjiected by the members of the profession.
As a matter of course tlie eclectic and homeo- pathic schools are aLo represented in New Al- bany, Dr. \V. M. Wilcox being a prominent and permanent representative of the former, and Dr. T. Meurer of the latter. These gentlemen have established a successful prncticc. There are several other practitioners in tliese two divis- ions of medical science who have yet a business and a reputation to make, though some of them .are becoming popular and are on the highway to future success.
Biographical Sketch,
W. C. DE PAUW.
Washington Charles De Pauw, of New Albany, was born at Salem, Washington county, Indiana, on the 4th of January, 1822. As the name indi- cates, Mr. De Pauw is a descendant from a noble French family, his great-grandfather, Cornelius, having been private reader to Frederick HI., of Prussia, and author of several works of note. Charles De Pauw, the grandfather of W. C. De- Pauw, was born in the city of Ghent, in French Flanders; when he arrived at the proper age he was sent to Paris to complete his education, and there became acquainted with Lafayette. At that time the struggle for American independ- ence was just beginning. He became infatu- ated with the American cause, joined his fortunes to those of Lafayette and started with that renowned commander to this country. He served throughout the war and by the close be- came so thoroughly imbued with the love of America, he sought a wife in Virginia. Thence he moved with the lirst tide of emigration to the Blue-grass region of Kentucky. In that State General John De Pauw, father of W. C. De- Pauw, was born. On arriving at man's estate he removed from Kentucky to Washington county,
Indiana. As agent for the county he surveyed, platted, and sold the lots in Salem and purchased four acres of the high ground on the west side upon which the family mansion was erected.
He was by profession an attorney at law, and became a judge. He was also a gen-.-ral -of militia. No man in his day enjoyed more of the confidence and good-uill of hir; fellow-men than General John De Pauw. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Patist (the mother of W. C. De Pauw), was a woman of superior mind, and a strong and vigorous constitution. She died in 1S78, at the advanced age of ninety- two years.
At the age of sixteen Mr. De Pauw was thrown upon his own resources by the death of his father. He had only the meagre education which that period and the surrounding circum- stances would allow his parents to give. But though young he desired to be independent of relatives and friends and accordingly set to work. He worked for two dollars a week, and when that was warning worked for nothing rather than be idle.
That energy and industry allied with character and ability bring friends proved true in his case. Major Eli W. Malott, the leading merchant of Salem, became interested in the young man. At the age of nineteen he entered the office of the county clerk, and by his energy and faithfulness he gained confidence, and soon had virtual con- trol of the otifice. \\'hen he attained his major- ity he was elected clerk of Washington county without opposition. To this office was joined, by an act of the Legislature, that of auditor. Mr. DePauw filled both of these positions until close application and the consequent severe mental strain inqniired his health. After several prostrations, and through fear of apoplexy, he acted on the advice of his ph}sicians and gave up his sedentary pursuits.
His extraordinary memory, quick but accurate judgment and clear mental fiiculties fitted him for a successful life. His early business career was like his political one. He was true and faithful, and constantly gained friends. His first investment was in a saw- and grist-mill. With this business he combined farming, merchandis- ing, and banking, at the same time investing largely in the grain trade. It is hardly necessary to state that he was fortunate in each investment,
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and his means rapidly increased until on the break- ing out of the war he had a large nierrantile in- terest and a well' established bank. He was at the same time one of the largest grain dealers in the State of Indiana, and his knowledge of his trade and his command of means, rendered him able to materially assist in furnishing the Govern- ment with su[)plies. His [)atriotism and confi- dence in the success of the Union armies were such that he also invested a large amount in Government securities. Here again he was suc- cessful, and at the close of the war had materi- ally augmented his already large fortune. Mr: DcTauw has used his wealth freely to encourage manufactories and to build up the city of New Al- bany. He has made many improvements, and is largely iii'tcrested in the rolling mills and iron foundries of that city. He is now the projirie- tor of DePauw's American Plate-glass works. This is a new and valuable industry, and the in- terest of our country requires that it should be carried to success. It is a matter of national concern that American glass should surpass in quality and take the place of the French article in the markets of the world. Mr. DePauw is now doing all in his power to ])romote this great end, and at present everything points to the suc- cess of the undertaking. He has about two millions of dollars invested in manufacturing en- terprises in the city of New Albany.
Mr. DeT'auw has taken but a small part in State affairs for many years, having devoted his time to his business, and to his home interests, to the advancement of education, and to religion. He has been often forced to decline positions which his party were ready to give him, and in 1872 he was assured by many prominent Demo- crats that the nomination for Governor was at his disposal. In the convention he was nonn". nated for Lieutenant-governor. In order to show the purjjose and character of the man, let us cjuote a few words from his letter declining the nomination:
My early bu.siness life was spent in an intensely earnest struggle for success as a m-Tnuficlurer, grain dealer, and 1 Linker. Since then I liave found full work eiide.ivoring to .assist ill promoting the religious, lienevolent. and educational interests of Imliana, and in helping to extend those advan- tages to the South and West, tience I liavc neither time nor inclination for politics. In these chosen fields of labor I find congenial spirits whom I love and understand. My long expel lence gives me hope that I may accomplish some- tiling, perhaps much, for religion and humanity.
These are noble words and a true index of Mr. DePauw's character. He has e.\[)ended tliousands of dollars in building churches and in endowing benevolent institutions throughout this and neighboring States. He has assisted many worthy young men to obtain an education, and has founded and kept in operation HcPauw college, a seminary of a high order for young ladies, at New Albany.
Mr. DePauw was for years a trustee of the State uni\ersity at Eloomington, Indiana, and is at present a trustee of the Indiana Asbury uni- versity,' tlie leading Methodist college of the West. He is a member of the Methodist church and has served as a delegate of the church in 1S72 and 1876. He is a member of the Ma- sonic and the Odd Fellows oiders, and is beloved and respected in l:u;)th. 1"lie part of his life most satisfactory to himself is that spent in his work for C'hrist in the church, in the Sunday- .school, in the prayer-meeting, and in the every day walks of life.
He has been throughout life a thorough busi- ness man, full of honesty and integrity. He sought a fortune within himself and found it in an earnest will and vast industry. He is emi- nently a self-made man, and stands out promi- nent to-day as one who amid the cares of busi- ness has ever preserved his reputation for honesty, integrity and morality ; who has never neglected the cause of religion but has valued it and still values it above all others.
CHAPTER XHI.
NOTICES OF NEW ALBANY.
It may reasonably be sujiposed that this flourishing village, and afterwards city, received a full share of attention from visitors to the Falls of the Ohio, and in the gazetteers as well as books of travel. The first printed observation we have found concerning it is embraced in Mr. Palmer's Journal of Travels in the United States, [)ublished in 1S17, and is not over-couipli- mentary. It is merely the following:
New .\lbany, .t short distance lieknv Clarksville, has been puffed through the Union, but has not yet realized the anticipations of the proprietors.
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.232
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Two years afterwards many and better things were said of New Albany. Morse's American Universal Oeography of 1S19 says: "It has had a rapid growth, and is still increasing." Its front "commands a most beautiful view of the river."
The Geographical Sketches of the AVestern Country, pu!)lished by Mr. E. Dana the same year, gwcs New Albany a good notice, from which we extract only the following:
From the first settlement cf this town, its progress was ratlier slow, until within two or three of the last years, since which period it has flourished jjrcatly. The front street is more than three-fourths of a mile in length, the number of houses, of which several are spacious and elegant, are sup- posed to exceed one hundred and fifty; a steam grist- and saW-mill, c.ich of which performs extensive business, are a great advantage to the town and surrounding country. A spirit. of enterprise and industry seems generally to animate the inhabitants, and to exhibit tlie appearance of a brisk, business-doing place.
Mr. \V. Faux, who wrote his book of Memorial Days in America as "an English farmer," turned a disgusted back upon the opposite shore more than sixty years ago, but had some good things to say of this point :
27th [October, 1819]. — .-Xt sunrise I Ic-ft Louisville, in Col- onel Johnson's carriage and pair, for Mncennes, m Indiana, well pleased to turn my back on all the spitting, gouging, dirking, dueling, swearing, and starving of old Kentucky.
I crossed the Ohio at Portland, and landed at New .Albion [.Albany!, a young rising village, to breakf;Lst, wh.ere, for the first time in .America I found fine, swest, white, home-baked bread. The staff of life is generally sour, and, though light and spongy, very ill-favored, either from bad leaven or the flour sweating and turning sout in the barrel.
He had previously mentioned this place, which he mistakenly calls "Albion," as a flourishing new town on the other side.
Dr. McMurtrie's Sketches of Louisville was also published this year, and he takes the oppor- tunity to give the following kindly notice to the rising young rival on the other shore, below the falls :
It is built upon the second bank of the river, from which it presents a very interesting appearance, many of the houses being whitened, and one, belong to Mr. Paxson, built of brick and designed with considerable taste, meeting the eye in a most conspicuous situation. The bottom, or first bank, is rarely overflowed, and the one on which the town stands being twenty feel higher, there hardly exists the possi- bility of its ever meeting that fate.
For some time after it was laid out. New .Albany, like other places in the neighborhood, increased but slowly, conflicting opinions and clashing interests retarding its growth. The many natural ad\an!ageb it iiossesses, however, have at length surmounted every difficulty, and its progress of late has been unequalled by any town on the Ohio of so modern a date. The good health genetally enjoyed by the inh.ibit- ants (which 1 think is partly owing to excellent water made
use of which is found in ijatural springs,* to the number of fifteen or twenty, v.ithin the town-plat, and which can any- where be obtained at the depth of twenty-five feet), the great road from this State to Vincennes passing through it, and the quantity and quality of the ship timber which abounds in the neighborhood, are the principal causes which have con- tributed to its advancement.
It contains at present one hu!idred and fifty dwelling liouses, w hich are generally of wood, it being impobsible to piocure brick in quantities suited to the demand. The num- ber of inhabitants amounts to one thousand, and, from the influx of population occasioned by the demand for workmen at the ship-yards, etc. , it must necessarily increase in a much greater ratio than heretofore. The only public works of any description that are worth notice, is the steam grist- and saw- mill belonging to Messrs. Paxton & Smith. Three steam- boats have tieen launched from the yards, and there are three I more on the stocks. The inh.abitants are all either Method- ! isls or Presbyterians, the former having a meeting-house, i and the latter have contracted for a church, which is to be liuilt immediately. There is a free school in this place, which has I been partially supported by the interest of $5,000, a donation I from the original proprietors for that purpose; but increasing I population requiring more extensive modes of education, other j institutions are projected. Upon the whole, New .Albany I bids fair to be a wealthy and important town, as it Is becom- ! ing a depot wherein the inhabitants of the interior of In- ! diana draw their supplies of dry goods and groceries, and' I consequently to which they send their produce in return.
I A Massachusetts traveler, Mr. George W. Og- I den, who was here in the late summer of 1S21, j left this meiiiorandum in his book of Letters from the West :
The tow n of New Alljanv, at the foot of the rapids, on the West side of the river, is in Indiana, and bids fair to be- come a place of some importance.
The thriving village seems to have deserved a place in Darby's edition of Brooks' Universal Gazetteer, published at Philadelphia in 1823, which included the following notice:
New Albany — handsomely situated town, and seat of jus- lice of Floyd county, Indiana. It is situated on the right bank of Ohio river, four miles below Louisville and two be- low Shippingport in Kentucky. It contains about two hun- dred houses and one thousand 'inhabitants, a steam saw- and grist-mill, and a ship-yard.
P'ive years later Mr Flint's second volume of Geography and History of the Western States, added this notice:
New Albany is the scat of justice for Floyd county, and is four and one-half miles below JeffersonviUe. The front street is three-quarters of a mile in length, and makes a respectable appearance from the river. Many steamboats that cannot pass the falls are laid up for repair at this place during the
^ Pr. McMurtrie'.s foot-note : -At a little distance from the town, issuing from under a >tratum 'of j^reenstone, is a spring; of uater containing a large quantity of sulphuretted hydrogen, which inflames on being bruuyht into contact with a candle, and if the spring be co\ered with a close bo.x, furnished with a pipe and stop-cock, so as to condense the g.xs, it continues to burn until it is purposely ex- tinguished.
r-
•f V
$^
--m
Roben Redman was bom in Louisville, yefferson county, Kentucky, December 5, 1822. He located with his parents in Floyd county, Indiiina, when he was but four years old. His father, Isaac Redman, was a farmer of note, and owned one of the finest farms in Floyd county; he also owned a tannery and griit-mill at Greenville, Hoyd county. Robert Redman entered college at Greenville. Indiana, at the age of fifteen years. After taking a thorough course, he returned to Greenville and commenced his apprenticeship with Captain John B. Ford, as a saddler. After learning his trade he went to Salem. Indiana, and was there employed as a journeyman in a brge establishment. Then going to Mount Vernon he worked at the same business for Mr. Flovd. He afterNvards
gave up this business and was employed at different times as clerk on some of the largest steamers on the Ohio and Mis- sissipi rivers. Mr. Redman loved to travel, and was very fond of fishing and hunting. He visited the East and West Indies. In 1854 his father died, leaving him sole manager of his afiairs.
Mr. Redman married Miss America Avery, July 5. i860. In politics Mr. Redman was a Republican, and well posted on the issues of the day, being a highly cultivated and svell- read man.
Mr. Redman, after being an invalid for ten years, died September 7, 1878, at Greenville, Indiana.
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
233
summer. It has a convenient sliip-yaril for building boats. U is a tliriving anil busy villai;c. .
The second edition of Flint, in- 1S32, adds, '=containin<^ nineteen hundred inhabitants."'
In Flint's Geography and History of the Mis- sissippi Valley, published in 1S32, the following paragrap!-. is devoted to this place:
New Albany, the seat ofjustice for Floyd county, is four and one-half miles below Jcffersonville. The front .street is three- quarters of a mile in length, and makes a respectable appear- ance from the river. Many stean.boats that cannot pass the falls are laid up for repair at this place during the summer. It has a convenient shipyard for building steamboats, and is a thriving and busy village, containing nineteen hundred in- habitants.
The State Gazetteer, or Toiiogranhical Dic- tionary, for 1833, says of this place:
New ALH.A.NY, a large and flourishing posl-town, and the seat of justice of Hoyd county. ■ , This town
contains about two thousand five hundred mhabitants, and has been, for some years past, increasing in population at the rale of about one hundred and fifty annunlly. It has a printing office, sixteen dry goods stores, nine grocery stores, a ship chand'.ery store, two drug-stores, a hardware store, twenty liquor stores, an ashery, a rope-walk, three ship-yards, two boat-yards, two iron-foundries, a brass-foundry, a steam engine manufactory and finishing shop, and a merchant mill, on an extensive plan, propelled by steam-power, capable of manufacturing one hundred barrels of flour in twenty-four hours. A public school is established in this town, to which a donation was made by the original proprietors of $5,000, the annual interest of which is applied to the support of the school; in addition to which there are five private schools, de- signed to be permanent establishments. A charter for a col- lege has recently been procured at this place, which is desig- nated by the name of t.'niversity college. A Ivceum is es- tablished and in opor.ition, consisting of about sixty mem- beis, with a library of one hundred volumes of valuable books, and the necessary apparatus for illustrating the dif- ferent sciences. There are also in the town three meeting- houses, which are regularly attended by the Baptists, Meth- odists, and Presbyterians.
New Albany has a good paragraph upon its location and condition.s of health in Dr. Daniel Drake's Treatise on the Principal Diseases of the Interior Valley of North America. He says:
The position ot this town is below the falls, nearly opposite Portland. Silver cieek enters the river between Xew Albany andjeffersonville, which are about si.x miles apart. Of this stream Doctor Clapp (by whom I have been favored with facts for this description) says: "It presents no ponds or marshes within ten miles of New Albany, except mill-ponds, and they cause but little overflow of the surface." As to the town site, d narrow strip near the river, not very much built upon, it has been entirely overflowed but twice in thirty years. The upper terrace is fifteen feet above the highest freshets, and four hundred and twenty-six above the sea. Immediately to its west is a small stream called Falling run, up which the back-water of the river ascend-, a short distance and al'out once in four or five years overflows a few acres. The bed of this stream is rocky and its descent rapid. It
flows at the base of the bold rampart called Silver creek hills, which rises to an altitude of nine hundred feet over the sea, and four hundied and eighty feet above the terrace on which the town is built. This terrace consists of a bed of alluvion thirty feet deep, resting on black or Devonian sl,\te, which emerges from underneath the hills.
Of all the towns around the falls. New Alb.iny is the least exposed to the tuijograpliical causes of autumnal fever, and from the besi data [ have been able to collect it suffers least. From 1817 to 1822, the first five years of Dr. Clapp's resi- dence in it, those fevers prevailed extensively, but have ever since been diminishing.
In 1S4S the fust directory of New Albany was published by Gabriel Collins, of Louisville, in connection with the directory of that city. About fifteen hundred names appear in it, which, at the estimate made by the compiler in calculating the population of Louisville, of five persons to each name, would give a population this year of 7,500. The churches of the city Were the Baptist, Rev. George Webster, Lower Third street, between ALain and Market, with 196 members; Methodist Wesley chapel, Market, between Slate and Lower First, Rev. James Hill, 390 members; Methodist Episcopal church Centenary, on Spring street, between Upper Third and Fourth, Rev. I'homas H. Rucker, 404 members; Presbyterian, State, between Maiket and Spring, Rev. Daniel Stew- art, 150 members; Presbyterian, Upper Third, between Main and Market, Rev. J. M. Bishop, 140 members; Episcopalian, Market, between Upper Third and Fourth, Rev. Francis Laird, 46 members; Christian, Lower Third, corner Market, Rev. E. Noyes and Dr. Stewart, 180 meiubers; Lutheran, State, corner Oak street. Rev. C. H. Blceken, 75 members; Catholic, LIpper Seventh, between Market and Spring, Rev. Edward Nixon, -membership not enumer- ated. The Masons had a lodge, with Stephen Piear as master; the Odd Fellows, New Albany lodge. No. I, meeting at their hall on the north side of Main, between State and Pearl, Alexan- der McCarty, N. G.; and the Sons of Temper- ance had two divisions, with a Temple of Honor and a Union of the Daughters of I'emperance. The branch of the State Bank of Indiana had Mason C. Fitch for president, and James R. Shields cashier; the New Albany Insurance com- pany, ^\'illiam Plummer, president, and T. Dan- forth, secretary; and the New Albany & Salem Railroad company, James Brooks, president, George Lyman secretary, and L. B. Wilson, resi- dent engineer.
234
HISTORY OF THE OFHO FALLS COUNTIES.
Later notices of New Alban\- in general pos- sess too little interest to make their insertion here desirable.
CHAPTER XIV.
NEW ALBANY TOWNSHIP. OkGAXIZATIOX.
The followinjT ai^pears on record as part of the business of the first meeting of the county commissioners, February S, 1S19:
At a n^ceting of llie Board of County Coinmissioners for the County of Flo)d, began and held at New Albany, State of Indiana, at the Hcius.e of Mr. Seth Woodruff, agreeably to law, this the 8th day of February, 1819. Present
Clement Nance, Jr., Jacob Piersol. Ordered, that all that part of Floyd County, beginning at the mouth of Falling Run, nmning with the line which formerly divided the counties of Harrison and Clark to the top of the Knobs, thence northeasterly with the meanders of the same to the line which divides Floyd and Claris Counties, thence with said line southeast to Silver creek, thence with said creek to the Ohio river, tlience down said river to the place of beginning, beset apart for one township in said county, to be known and designated by the r.cinie of New Albany Township; and that the elections in said townsliip be held at the house of Seth Woodruff, Esq.
At the same meeting it was
Ordered, that Seth Woodruff, Esq. , be appointed In- spector of Elections for New Albany township for the term of one year.
Mr. Woodruff thus became one of the first otficers in the new county, after the commission- ers, and the first inspector of elections.
OTHER TRANSACTION'S OF THE COM.MI>SIOXERS.
It aeems to be pro[)er here to give the first proceedings of the commissioners, who appeared for some time to be the only lawgivers of the new county. They seem to have been clothed with considerable power and discretion, and went rapidly forward putting the machinery of the new county in motion. Fortunately, the records of the commissioners for several of tiie first years of the existence of the county are leg- ibly and beautifully written in clear cut characters by Joel Scribner, and in language of unusual e.K- cellence. He sec-ms to have been a gentleman of education, and able to express his meaning clearly and forcibly in the records.
At the first meeting of the commissioners the county was divided into three townshii)S, after which appears the following:
Oruered, that the Sheriff of Floyd County issue writs of election to be holden on the 22d day of this month in the several townships of the county, for the purpose of electing Justices of the Peace as follows, to wit: Three in .New Al- bany Township, two in Green\ille Township, and two in the township of Franklin.
Okdered, that James .Scribner be appointed Treasurer for the County of Hoyd, by his complying with the law in that case made and provided.
This ends the first day's proceedings. The ne.xt day, February 9, 1819, the following busi- ness was transacted:
Ordered, that Isaac Stewart, of Greenville, be appointed Lister for the County of Floyd, by complying with the law in that case made and provided.
Ordered, that Caleb Neuman be appointed Superintend- ent of the school section numbered sixteen, in township number three south of range number five east, for the term of two years, and that he take the oath required by law.
Ordered, that Thomas Pierce tie appointed .Superintend- ent of school section numbered sixteen, in township number two, south of Range — East for the term of two years, and that he take the oath required by kw previous to entering upon the duties of the office.
Okdkrt;d, that Stephen Beers and C"harles Woodruff be appointed Overseers of the Poor for the County of Floyd for the term of one year, for New .-Vlbany township.
Ordered, that Sanmel Kend.\U and Frederick Leather- man be appointed Overseers of the Poor for Greenville town- ship.
Ordered, that Josiah .Akin, Gabriel Poinde.^ter, and Jeremiah Jacobs be appointed fence viewers for jhe township of New Albany, in said County, for one year.
The ne.xt entry appoints Jacob Venawine, Thomas Smith, and Joseph Benton fence viewers for Franklin township, and John Irvin, David Edwards, and Isaac Wood for Greenville town- ship.
ORliEKr.D, that Samuel Kendall be appointed Supervisor, until the May term, of all the public roads passing through Floyd county, beginning at the line dividing townships one and two, at the cornL-r of Harrison Counly east of Green- Mile, thence north to the County line, including all the roads westwardly in said County; and that all hands in said County in the above-mentiond bounds assist the said super- visor in keeping said roads under repair.
This ends the second day's proceedings. On the third day (February loth) rates were estab- lished for the observation of tavern-keepers throughout the county. Joseph Green was ap- pointed constable for New Albany township for one year, and J.acob Garrettson, Jr., was ap- pointed supervisor for the State road from Gut ford, on Silver creek, to the top of the knobs.
Thus ends the business of the first session of
•ii^ )I
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUN rU'S.
2.35
the first conimibsiontrs ot Fluyd county. The next regular meeting was held on tlie 4tli of Mareli, 1819, and Cliarles Paxson's name apjjears on the records as commissioner in addition to the other two. Tills meeting was mostly taken up uith matters relating to the establishment of a seat of justice.
MOUK LF.GTSI.ATIOX KOR NFAV AT.HAXV.
April 19, 1S19, there was a special meeting of the commissioners for the pur|)0se ot changing the boundaries of townships, and New Albany town- ship was bounded and described as follows:
It is ordered that all that part of Floyd county beginning at the Ohio river on the line which divides fractional section? numbered twenty-nine and thirty-two, in town Thn^e south of range' Six east, running tlience west to the corners of sec- tions numbered twenty-nine, thirty, thirty-one, and thirty- two, in said town; thence north to the corners of sections numbered nineteen, twenty, twenty-nine, and thirty in town Two, south of ranjje Six cast; thence cast to the corners of sections numbered twenty, twenty-one, twenty-eight, and twenty-nine, in said town; thence north to the corners of sec- tions numbered sixteen, seventeen, twenty, and twenty-one, in said town; thence east to the corners of sections numbered fifteen, sixteen, twenty-one, and tventy-two. in said town; thence noith to the corners of sections numbered nine, lea, fifteen, and sixteen, in said town; thence east to the corners of sections numbered ten, eleven, fourteen, and fifteen, in said town; thence north to the corners of sections numbered tv.o, three, thirty-four, and thirty-five, in said town; thence east with the section line to the Grant line; thence up the Grant line to the line that divides the counties of Floyd and Clark; thence down the county line of Floyd to Silver creek; thence down said creek to the Ohio river; thence down, with the meanders of said river, to the place of beginning, be, and the same is hereby made one township, to be known and desig- nated as Kew Albany township; and it is further ordered that the bounds of said township called by the name of New Al- bany township, which was made an order at the session in February last, be and the same is hereby made void and of no effect.
As thus described, this territory forms one of the most irregularly shaped townsKii^s in the county, being some twelve miles in lenglh and five in its greatest width. Its edges are indented on all sides by the Ohio river, Silver creek, and the various townships bounding it on the west. Its boundaries have been changed slightly from time to time, but its western boundary line has generally followed the knobs, and it may be said to include all the territory in the county east of this range of hills. The object of the comni's- sioners was to create a territory, all jians of which would be within easy reach of the city of New Albany, which was a matter somewhat diffi- cult, on account of the location of the city, the
latter being, fiom the necessities of the case, located on the Ohio ri\er, and thus at one edge of the township and county.
TO\VN.SHir APrOINTEES.
The following from the commissioners' records continues the names of sojne of the first officers appointed by the board to perfect the machinery of organization : For the year 1S20 Seth Wood- ruff was re ai:)pointed inspector of elections for New Albany township, and Moses Kirkpatrick for ("ireenvillc township. The fence viewers for the same years were Henry Sigler, Sr,, James Akers, and Robert Brown, for Green. ville, and David M. Hale and Ashel Clapp for this town- ship. John B. Howard was appointed constable for Greenville, and David H. Allison lister. Absalom Littell was appointed lister for New Albany to\vnship. At the May session of the same year Thomas Kurtz was appointed con- stable for this township, and John Quackenbush and John R. Kendall for Greenville. Absalom Littell is allowed $25 for his services as lister of this township for the year. At the February ses- sion of 1S21 Paul Hoye is appointed constable of this tow nsliip.
TOl'OGRAPHICAL.
Like nearly or quite all of the county of Floyd, this township was found to be heavily timbered at the date of the first white occupa- tion. The bottom lands along the Ohio were especially noted for the immense size and vigor- ous growth of the timber. Giant sycamores, black walnut, hickory, and all other varieties of hard wood, except oak and chestnut, grew lux- uriantly and wonderfully large on the rich, broad bottoms where .are now cultivated farms and gardens, and the city of New Alban)-. Oak and chestnut grew abundantly on the high ground and ui)on the knobs.
There is more level land in this township than in any other in the county. In fact, nearly all of the township, lying as it does at the foot of the "Silver hills" (the musical name given the knobs by the Indians), is level or "second bot- tom " land. That part of the township which lies south and southwest of New Albany extends beyond this range of hills, and includes within its limits a beautiful tract of comparatively level country west of the hills and joining Franklin township. By climbing the knobs north and
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2 36
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
west of the city, the laiger part of the township — all of the nortiiern part — conies into view. A beautifully undulating country spreads out in every direction as far as the eye can reach, and the view is grand. The cities of New Albany and Louisville are in view, and a great expanse of country far beyond these. Silver creek, the casltrn bnundarv' line of .the townshij), winds like a silver thread through the cultivated farms, lost liere and there behind green patches 'of woodland, and reaj^pearing again and again until it touches the horizon and is gone. The Ohio makes a broad sweep and disappears be- yond the city of Louisville. Bald knob, referred to in the history of Lafayette township, is the usual .place of resort for an extensive view in that direction; but there is a knob near it, known as " Big knob," that is superior to it as a lookout station to the east, being higher by fifteen or twenty feet and standing in a rather isolated po- sition east of the main range of hills. F"or a view v,estward, however, Bald knob is probably superior.
Prior to the date of the first white settlement the bottom land in the neighborhood of the pres- ent city was an almost impenetrable wilderness. Along the banks of the Oliio was a rank growth of canebrake and willows, and these, mingled with drift-wood and fallen timber, rendered a landing almost impossible. Were it possible to reach the bottom and second bottom upon which the city stands, the bold explorer would find himself stopped by the dense growth of underbrush, inter- laced over every portion of this bottom with wild pea-vines. Great numbers of fallen trees, some or them of immense size, blocked his way. The forest \\as dark, the sunlight being almost obscured by the density of the foliage above his head. Grape-vines of great size were here and found their way to the tops of the highest trees, often spreading over many of them, and at the proper season were loaded with rich clusters, that had perchance for centuries been dropping an.d wasting. Other wild fruits and nuts were very abundant. Wild animals of every variety known to the American forest at that date, roamed through these silent woods undisturbed. The foot of the hunter or explorer was in continual peril of being bitten by venomous reptiles creep- ing under the wild pea-vines, wild flowers, and other abundant and luxuriant vegettion.
Rapidly, indeed, this condition of things dis- appeared before the axe of the pioneer and the steady encroachments of civilization, about the beginning of this century, until in a few years the transformation was complete, and beautiful farms, villages, cities, and homes took the place of the wilderness. The southern part of the township, between the river and the knobs, pre sented the same densely wooded and wild ap- pearance; but in the northern part the woods were more open and more easily penetrated. Perhaps this is the reason why the old Indian trail from the Falls to Vincennes passed north- ward along Silver creek and through the north- ern part of the township, instead of taking the more direct route immediately west from Fort Clarke; and this, too, may be the reason why the northern part of the township contained the earliest settlers — they di-eaded the miasmatic bottoms and the long and fearful struggle that must ensue before a home could be hewn out of this dense forest. The Indian trail cannot be definitely located by description, but it passed up the east side of Silver creek after leaving the Falls, crossing that creek at what was called by the first while settlers "Gut ford," and crossing the level bottom land between that and the knobs, through the more open woods, passed up north along the foot of the knobs, crossing them somewhere in the northern part of the township. It is stated by some of the oldest settlers who are yet living — among them David Lewis — that the main trail did not pass over Bald knob, but passed near the foot of it, and crossed further north.
SILVER CREEK
is a rapid, beautiful little stream, rising in the northern and western part of Clarke county and pursuing generally a southward course to the Ohio. It forms about one half of the boundary line between Floyd and Clarke, and generally runs over a hard rock-bed. In places it seems to have cut it way through solid layers of lime and sandstone, so that its banks form solid walls of stone and are often nearly perpendicular. At the point known as the Gut ford the land on the Clarke county side slopes gradually to the water, but on the Floyd county side there appears to have been a solid wall of rock, through which, however, was cut by natural causes a narrow gorge, or cut, or ravine, about wide enough for a
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
237
wagon to pass, which the emigrants denominated
a "gut." This "gut" had -a natural siojk- for
sixty or seventy yards to the water's edge, and
hence assisted in forming an excellent ford.
Here the old Indian trail crossed, and here the
earliest settlers, following the trail, crossed into
V what is now Floyd county, and in later years the
' trail grew into a great State road, which con-
■ tinned to cross at the "gut."
"springer's gut."
There was in an early day another "gut" or
narrow cut in the rocks by the action of the
water, in this township, which came to be known
as "Springer's gut." Its location was within the
present limits of the city of New Albany. Thc?re
was a beautiful spring at the head of this cut
'■ (now on ground owned by the Star Glass works),
' and the latter seemed to form an outlet to the
' river for the surplus waters of the spring. What
•' caused this washout or gully is unknown, as it
appeared to have been cut through layers of soft
slate and sand rocks; but there was probably a
break in the rocks which was filled with loam or
• soil, and this was gradually washed out by the ' action of the waters of the spring, assisted by
• the rainfall.
David Lewis is authority for the following '' statement as to the manner in which this gut re- ceived its name: A man named Moses McCann owned and operated the ferry across the river from the somewhat ancient town of Clarksville —
• probably the first ferry established at the falls, as it was in operation some time prior to the begin- ning of the present century. It was his daugh- ter, Sarah WcCann, who made the statement to David Lewis that a man named Springer was killed by the Indians in the gut. Springer, who lived at the fort at Clarksville, was out hunting on the west side of Silver creek, in the dense thicket where New Albany now stands. It was in the days when the Indians were hostile, and Springer was discovered and pursued by a party of them. In his flight toward the fort he came suddenly to this ditch, and either fell into it ac- cidentally or fell into it in the attempt to leap across it, and was here overtaken by the savages, killed, and scalped. McCann was one of the party that went in search of Springer's body, and assisted in bringing it to the fort, where it was buried. The place has since been known as Springer's gut. It is now mostly filled up.
This is probably the only known instance of the killing pf a white man by the Indians within the limits of this township, though others may have been slaughtered on its soil, and doubtless were, as it was in close i:)roximity to the fort, to- ward which the Indians were very hostile for many years prior to the first settlement. This, and the killing of the white hunters in what is now Greenville township, are the only known instances of Indian barbarity in Floyd county.
OTHER WATERS IN NEW ALBANY.
The whole northern part of this township is watered by the tributaries of Silver creek, the two principal ones being little brooks, each known as Slate run. They rise in the knobs, and cross- ing the township in a general course southeast, empty their waters into Silver creek about a mile apart.
The principal streams in this township are Falling run and Middle creek, the former passing through the western and central portion, and the latter and its tributaries watering the southern part. Middle creek, rising in a spur which the knobs throw out to the westward from near the city of New Albany, runs eastward until it reaches the Ohio river bottoms, then hugs the foot of the knobs, running parallel with the Ohio southward until it passes out of the township.
Falling run also hugs the foot of the knobs in the greater part of its course from north to south through the township, receiving nearly all its waters from the eastern slope of this range of hills. Near New Albany it makes a bend sweep- ing around the principal part of the city. Its waters fall rapidly over a rocky bed — hence the name. In an early day there was very near the bank of this creek, and within the present limits of New Albany, a spring known as Boiling spring, which issued from a stratum of greenish- colored rock. This spring emitted a gas which, when confined, would readily burn until extin- guished by artificial means. The young town re- ceived considerable free advertising on account of this spring; but if it contained properties of any value they have never been utilized. It is not unlikely that gas in considerable quantities might be obtained here at little expense, and this ground may yet become valuable.
LOOP ISLAND.
Near the mouth of the Silver creek is a small island, known as "Loop island," formed by the
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23S
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
waters of the creek, which here make a bend in the form of a loop before reaching the Ohio.
Numerous springs are found all over the town- sliip, but more especially along the knobs, while the city of New Albany is favored in every part of it with as fine drinking water as any in the world. It is underlaid with limestone, in which is found an inexliaustible supply of the purest spring water, which may be had at any point in the city by digging from twenty to tliirty feet. Prior to the clearing of this ground this water came to the surface in a score of places, and the whole tract of John Paul, the first owner, was covered with these springs.
This very excellent water was an inducement for the Indians to encamp in the vicinity and make this their hunting ground; and in the days of peace, about the beginning of this century, their camps might be seen all along Falling run and Silver creek. Here they hunted the bear, wolf, wildcat, buftalo, and elk in the bottoms, and the deer among the oaks on the higher ground and on the knobs. It nufst have been a very paradise for the Indian hunter. Numerous beaver dams were found on Falling run and Sil- ver creek, and the trapping was excellent along all the little streams, while the great river afforded an excellent means of getting their furs to market up the river at Fort Washington or Fort Pitt. The Indians v/ere numerous until the war of 1812, when they disappeared from this region forever.
THE clarkp: grant.
This township occupies nearly all the territory in this county that once belonged to Clarke county, and more than one-half of all the town- ship lying north of New Albany was originally in the Clarke Grant. As the larger part of this Grant lies in Clarke county, it is more properly con- sidered in the history of that county found in an- other part of this work. It may be said here, however, that the western line of the Grant passes north and south through the entire length uf this township. The line may be found on nearly all of the present maps. Entering the city from the northeast, it makes a sharp bend beyond the cemetery and crosses the city in a diagonal di- rection to the southeast, strikmg the Ohio river at the foot of Upper Ninth street. This being the first of the surveyors' lines in this county, it formed a base-line for the continuance of sur-
veys; hence there are many three-cornered and curiously-shaped tracts of land in the township. The township has a gradual slope to the south- east from the knobs to the Ohio river and Silver creek.
ANTIQUITIES.
There do not appear to be any archaeological remains in the township, unless a few of the stone implements frequently found may be con- sidered such. There is a bench running for a mile, perhaps, along the side of the knobs, and bending around their face overlooking the Ohio, that has a suspicious look, as if it might have been an ancient roadway. There seems to be no explanation of it, except that it might have been caused by a landslide; but this seems improb- able, from the regularity of the depression. It averages about twenty feet in width, and passes with great regularity along the side of these hills, gradually nearing their tops as it approaches the bluffs overlooking the river, until it finally ends near the top of the hills, v.here they again begin to recede from the river. Part of this bench has been utilized as a public highway.
AREA.
The township contains a little more than fifteen thousand acres of land outside the city of
New Albany.
FIRST WHITE SETTLEMENT.
The question of the first white occupation of this territory is one difficult of solution at this late day. No authentic records have been pre- served and there is no possible means of verify- ing the statements of the "oldest inhabitant." Authentic history rests upon a very slim founda- tion indeed, when it rests. upon a memory de- cayed and broken by the "disintegrating tooth of time;" therefore statements as to who. was the first permanent white settler, either of this town- ship or county, cannot be positively made. The best that is left for the historian is to place upon record the traditions that have been handed down.
Much has been written regarding the early settlement of the whites around the falls of the Ohio, and much more regarding the military expeditions sent to conquer this then savage wilderness; yet details regarding the exact spot upon which any of these pioneers settled are somewhat meagre and unreliable.
•..II...; M ' J'
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HISTORY OF 'IHE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
239
Captain Thomns RuUitt is said to have been the first pioneer at the falls. • This was in 1773, about a quarter of a century before a permanent settlement is thought to have been made within the present limits of Floyd county.
The six families who settled on Corn island in 177S, formed a nucleus around which gathered tlie rnjiidly advancing tide of immigration which tnially overspread this entire region and settled the great cities of Louisville, Jeffersonville, and New Albany. The details of this settlement will be found elsewhere in this work.
About the beginning of the century this settle- ment began to make explorations down the river, and a few of them landed in what is now Harrison county and made locations perhaps prior to any settlement of Floyd county.
The following extract regarding the settlement of Floyd county is taken from a Directory of the Falls Cities published in 1S68. Part of it appears to have been gleaned from Dr. McMurtrie's Sketches of Louisville, published in 1S19:
The first setUements made in the neighborhood of the Falls on the Indiana side, were made in what is now Clarke county, at Clarksville (the first county seat of Clarke connty), Jeffersonville, and Chailestown. No settlements were made below Clarksville, or on the west side of Silver creek, in what is now Floyd county, until November 5, 1804. I'rior to this time, however, several families had moved from Ken- tucky into what is now Harrison county, settling below Knob creek, and in the neighborhood of Corydon.
The first resident white woman to cross the knobs below New Albany, was the daughter of Clement Xance, after- wards the wife of Patrick Shields, an Irish pioneer settler, in what is now Georgetown township.
In considering the question of first settle- ment, it is important to know what routes were open by which settlers could enter the tosvnship with their families, baggage, cattle, etc., and, secondly, the proximity and location of the set- tlements from which the first white settlers un- doubtedly came. As to the first, then, the Ohio river was the great route, or highway of travel; and as this township touches the river for many miles, it would be reasonable to suppose that the first settlers came by that route. The next great highway was the old Indian trail from the Falls to Vincennes, which crossed this township, and it is also reasonable to presume the first settlers might have followed this trail. The very earliest pioneers in this township advanced by both of these routes, and it is a question whether, as be- tween the two, the Oatman family on the Ohio
were the first settlers, or the Lewis family and others, who settled in the northern part of the township on the Indian trail.
As to the proximity of. the white settlements, the nearest was at Clarksville, situated at the mouth of Silver creek oh the east side of that stream, and consequently within a stone's throw of the line between Clarke and I'loyd counties, as subsequently established. Not only did Clarke's Grant include a large portion of this township, but the village of Clarksville, itself, as laid Out within the Grant, extended across Silver creek into this township. From this fact it is also reasonable to argue that the fiist settlement may have been made in the neighborhood of Clarksville. It is not only reasonable, but prob- able, that such was the case, though there are no written records to establish the fact. It is argued by those who believe that no settlement was made here prior to that made by Mr. LafoL lette in 1804, in Franklin township, that the fort at Clarksville was surrounded by hostile bands of Indians up to that time, and that consequently no settler ventured to establish himself on the west side of Silver creek. This is plausible, and may be true ; but such evidence as has been ob- tainable to offset this theory is here given, that the reader may be able to judge as to the facts.
Mr. John Aston is now a resident of New- Albany, and upon his memory alone rests the tradition, handed down by his ancestors, that his grandfather, John Carson, was not only the first settler of this township, but of Floyd county. He says thai his mother was Mary Carson, daughter of John Carson, and was born in 17S6 ; that she came with her father from Kentucky to Clarksville, either in the fall of 1799 or the win- ter of iSoo, settling or " squatting " immediately at the mouth of Silver creek on the west side, where Mr Carson erected the first cabin in Floyd connty. This cabin was not so tar away but that it was under the guns of the fort. Mr. Carson was a "squatter," and brought with him a good-sized family, among them a son, Jonathan, who afterwards settled in a cabin that had been erected by a nonresident named Shanty, who owned the land, upon which there was a fine spring ever since know n as Shanty s|jring. John Carson died in 1804 in this cabin, which stood on a rise of ground overlooking the Ohio and near the creek. He made it his business while
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
here to keep a boat, not only for his own use in crossing the creek to the fort, but also for the purpose of ferr3ing the Indians over the creek when the waters were too high for them to cross at the Gut ford. In 1806, when his mother was twenty years of age, she married Richard Aston, Jr., and the young couple immediately took up their residence with the widow Carson. The Aston family was from England, biit came to this place from North Carolina.
David Lewis so far confirms the story of John Aston as to say that when he can.e to this Terri- tory in 1809, he remembers seeing the Carson cabin at the mouth of Silver creek, and that Richard Aston occupied it at the time. It is true that Mr. Lewis was at the time his father came here only three years of age; but Mr. As- ton lived in the cabin several years, and long enough to enable Mr. Lewis to remember the fact. The recollection he has of the cabin is that it was an old one when he first knew it, and he knew of it some years later when it was going rapidly into decay. As neither Mr. Car- son nor Mr. Aston owned the land there, the cabin was probably abandoned between 181 5 and 1820, and both Mr. Aston and the Carson family settled on other land which they had entered.
Mrs. Mary Aston, who, it thus appeais, was the pioneer woman of Floyd county, died a few years ago in New Albany. The Carson children were : Jonathan, Jane (who married a Mr. Lynn) Sarah, and Elizabeth. Jonathan, while living in the Shanty cabin, followed boating. He resided in this neighborhood several years, then moved into an adjoining county.
In October, 181 1, while Mr. Aston was one day absent from the cabin, and Mrs. Aston was alone with the children, she suddenly heard a strange noise that had never before greeted her ears. She was very much alarmed, as she could not make out what it meant, or whence it came. She thought it might be some signal made by the Indians who were about to make an attack upon the infant settlement, as the Indians were then inclined to hostility. She immediately bolted and barred her door and windows, and put the cabin in a state of defence; then tremblingly awaited the result. The noise continued for some time; and as there was no window in the cabin on the side from which it came, she was
unable to make out anything. She soon learned, however, the cause of her fear to be the little steamer "Orleans," on its first trip down the Ohio. The steam whistle produced the noise that had alarmed her. "It went very slowly down the river," says Mr. Aston, "and was at New Madrid when the great earthquake shock came." One of the Carson"^ was at New Madrid at the time,- and saw the boat lying in the river while the earth was being rent by the earthquake. A very interesting account of this voyage of the Orleans will be found in the general introduc- tion to this work.
A PIONEER DOCKET.
Mr. Aston has in his possession an old docket, kept by his father, which is undoubtedly the first docket in the territory now embraced in Floyd county, and there is little doubt that Richard Aston was the first justice of the peace in the territory now occupied by both Clarke and Floyd counties. He was appointed by the State of Virginia or by the United States — probably the former — and held the oflice when this was y'et Indiana Territory. He seems to have kept in some measure a Federal court — nowadays a high-grade sort of tribunal. Many cases on his docket begin with "The United States vs.," etc. The first date is in 1812; whether his official services dated further back than that is not known. It appears from this docket that Rich- ard Aston, Jr., was not an educated man, though it is said his father, Richard Aston, Sr., was not only well educated, but a highly cultivated gen- tleman, and one of the first teachers, if not the first school teacher, in this part of the countiy. From this old docket something may be gleaned regarding the early settlement, and the names of many of the earliest settlers arc recorded on its worn and faded pages. A few entries from it are here given as specimens of the manner of doing business in early days. It is probable that the greater amount of the business, as shown by this docket, was transacted while Mr. Aston oc- cupied the old cabin at the mouth of Silver creek:
August II. 18 12. Be it Remembered that this d.iy I have Joined togeathcr iti the honerable State of Matrimony Wni .Arnold & Sally Tniblood
Rhd Aston-, ]. P. C. C.
"Sally" Tru blood was the daughter of Mr. Trublood, a well-remembered early settler on
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HIS'l'ORY OF THE OHIO FAI.T.S COUNTIES.
ground now occupied by the city of New Albany, and the owner of the first nirll.
Oct. i5lh, 1S12. r.c it Remotubcied that this day 1 Joined togcathcr in honera- ble State of Matrinionv Jonathan Carson & Jane Lev^js.
Run AS70N, J. P. C. C.
The old record continues in the same style to join "togeather" other parties, as- follows: "John Scott & Persilla Lewis," February 12, 1813; "Stevon Strong & Pheby Warring," February 27, 1814; "Hugh Carey & Nancy Freeman," Match
1, 1S14; "Joseph Turner &: Polly AVithers," March 11, 1814; "Thomas Davis <Sc Elizabeth Trublood," March 20, 1814; "William Smith & Catrene Hoke," October 2, 1S14; "Jeremiah Sanders & Prissilla Samuell," 'April 14, 1815; "Jeremiah Eoshers & Marget O. Strout," April
2, 1815; "John Wood & Susanna Whitker," May 10, 1S15; "Ezekiel Cannaday &: Leannah IXavis," June 15, 1815; "John Aston \- Prisilah Hoke," June 25, 1S15; "Abrahaar Romine & Liddy Rizaly," July 2, 18 15.
Performing a very brief marriage ceremony according to the above form is about all the busi- ness Esquire Aston seems to have been called upon to do during the first few years of his offi- cial career; then comes a break in the monotony of marriages by the following:
Nov. 12, 1814. Taken up by Benjamin Sprout one Bay mare 7 years old, 14 hands high, a few whight har5 on hear weathers, a long switch Tail, appraised to Twenty Sixe Dol- lars, no other marks or Brands, cS: one Colt of the same Collour no whight a Bout it, supposed to be one year old Last spring, appraised to Eight Dollars By Anthony Lewis & And. Long.
Nov. 12, 1814. Taken up by Gab Poinde.vter one Brown mare 14!^ hands high. Branded on the Near shoulder thus J. P. & on the of shoulder thus f, some few saddle spots, a star left Ere out, apprased to Thirty-five Dollars, supposed to be Ten years old, apprased By Jas Shannon .S: Elige Green.
The above are specimens of a score or more of similar ones. Philip Beamgard "takes up a Bay horse," which is appraised "to 25 dollars" by Pienjamin Sproat and John Aston; Jonathan Lewis takes up a gray horse, appraised by John Conner and Elnathan Jennings; Daniel Nichol- son takes up a sorrel mare, appraised by Ale.xan- dcr Richards and Jacob Burkhart, etc., etc.
The following entries give an inside view of Esquire Aston's court :
"Sept C James Taylor 'J Summons ishd 21 -i vs. s Cunslable
1813 ( Cliailes Boylcs J
Returns Ex Cuted Subpcno ishued for [osiah & Rcbeckey Taylor after hearing the Alle gations on both sides
judgment for the Plentif for 2.65
Justis fees 43
Cunstable fees 77
3-8S the Plantif acnoledge him. Self security Pd 95
Repleven 2.90
Execution Ishued for 2. 90
.Satisfide by B. Sproatt to the Plantif on the 21 December.
Jan'y"! the U. S. vs Ezekiel — 20 > on complaint of Henry Hoke 1815 J su'd for Hog Stealing — warrant Ish'd Const. Returns Executed. Anthony Denning George Hoke and Phillop Beam gard was sworn and after hearing the Proof and allegations Bound the Defendant to our Ne.vt Cirket Cort to be held in Charlcstown.
ju5t fees 93
Const Do 13S
\ United States '5 I By James Taylor [ Warrant
lai-
James McFall
ishued
summons ishued for John munnyhan & Jane Gibson & for Rebeckey Taylor for the U. States.
the Cunstable Returns Executed Jane Gibson & James Taylor \\as sworn in Behalf of the united states & Gabriel Rive & Rachel .Aston & ElizaBeth aston for the Deftnd.-,nt. ■
After hearing the Evidence on Both sides it Is judged that the Deft, is fined in one dollar & fifty sints for abreach of the
Pease _ 1.50
justis fees 81
Cunstable fees 1.46
3-77
Satis fied this 11 day of June.
This docket is quite voluminous, and space cannot be given tor further quotations. There is much similarity in them, and the above will serve to show how justice was administered among the pioneers, and give something of an insight into the character of the "court."
The administration of justice by Mr. Aston seemed to have given satisfaction, as he con- tinued in the office many years, and solemnized a majority of the early marriages of this and Clarke counties. The names of other old set- tlers appear in the history of this township and the city of New Albany.
A ROLL OF PIONEERS.
In the following list of names, taken from this old docket, will probably be found those of a majority of the earlier settlers of this county:
?42
HISTORY OF THE OIHO FALLS COUNTIES.
John Scott, Bartholomt-w Jenkins, Levi Jenkins, Gabriel Poindoxter, B:'njamin Siiroat, Klij.ih Green, Jacob Peprsol, IstiKih Mise, Oecrsc Livers, * Susanna!) C.'aiinady, Philip Beamgard, Cliailes Loudon, Kiehard Lewis, Xatlianiel Livers, Joseph Cunningham, Jonathan Lewis, .Allen Rich- ards, George Long. Jacob Brookhart, WiUiant Sniitli, An- thony Denning, ,-\br.iham Roniine, Isaiah Kimble, Thomas R. Johnston, •.Mary Thoinpson, Ai'r.iliam Razer (or Knzcr), *|ane .Niawning. William Cochran, *Ueliorah Ldwards, An- drew Gihviek, Anderson Long. Jc-sinli Taylor, Benjamin Fields, William Brown, Landon Ricii, W'iili.ini Wood, Rob- —p- ert Lewis, James Mise. John W.de^, Fisher R. Iteinet. James Haldeman. *.\ratilda Dobson, John Conner, Harvey Swift, John Allen, James Shannon, Daniel Jackson, Richard Yena- wine, Johnston Yenawinc, G. Carson, Wilson Weaver, Josepli Gipson, John Noles, J. T. Brenian, Abraham Narington. *Darkis Llbany, James Demster, Jeremiah CI.uk, * — Jeu- nins, George Slater, *Sarah Roberts, David Lewis, George W. Wells, *Maria Blackv.ell, Frederick Hobner, *Frances Neat, Henry Hawkins, *Maiy Ami Clark, Josiah DeWitt, *Sarah Hickman, William Duncan, *Ellen Ldwards, John Nicholson. Joseph Lhin, John Kearns. Silas Kearns, Gasper Pope, William Roberts, Wyatt P. Tuley, John McCrindly, Lewis B. CalUe, Robert Stewart, Carey Rich, Nathaniel Heath, *Elizabetli Brr.wn, Robert Giayson, James Blair, Thomas Taylor, *Hetiv Smith, David Bo\Ies, *Margaret Landerbach, Thomas Harrison, ^^'iliiatn B. I'humpson, Lewis Wicks, I'eli.v Lane, John ^'ales, William Harvey, Joseph Mul.iry, Da. id Kelley. Adam F'-ck, Edward I'rince, George W. Garrison, Severn Warwick, Joseph Green. James A. Palmer, *Mary Linn, Daniel Lane, *Rachel 'J'aylor, John White, John Ball, Joseph Gibson, William Craig, John Run- nels, Richard Boyles, Jotm Boyles, Robert Raney, William Druesdell, Nathaniel Case, Alexander Dunn, Henry Aborn, Henry Self, Asa Smith, M. Bloom. Samuel Bat. s, Hugh McCulloch, John Eldridge, S. T. Beeman, E. Shelby. Sam- uel Marsh, George Baird, Elnathan Gilbert, John Williams, Charles Shirley, Jacob Leiss, Garrison Vincent, Jeremiah Sanders, Joel Scribner, .Abner Scribner, Nathaniel Seribner, EUhu Marsh, Alexander Marsh, 11. p. Underwood, John Pate, William Griffith, Alexander Martin, Harvey S. Elliott, Daniel Lippingcutt, Jesse Michum, John Poindexter, Charles MeCirew, Benjamin Chaml>erlain, Joseph Hite, T^homas Doiigla's, Wayne Brown, Albert Bogert, William B. Sum- ner, Robert Woodward, Joseph Turner, George Oatman, Henry Hoke, Asher Cook, Joseph Pearson, James Demster, David Irvin, Josiah Tniblood, Joseph White, Daniel Picket, James Ferguson, Peter Thompson, John Freed.
The above were all settlers in this region prior to 1817, and a majority of them were here as early as 181 2. County lines in this State were then few and far ajiart, and Richard Aston acted as justice of the peace for a large scope of coun- try, his jurisdiction extending, no doubt, over several of the ])resent counties. It is not, there- fore, claimed that these were all settlers in what is now FK')yd county, but no doubt a majority of them were settlers in what are now Floyd and Clarke counties, and nicest of the names will be recognized by the older inhabitants.
*This lady was married by ."^fiiure .iston to the gentleman whose name immediately precedes hers.
THK PliOGRFSS OF SI:TTI.E,MENT.
About the beginning of this century a num- ber of hunters and sijuatters resided for a time in what is now New Albany township. Settle- ments were rapidly increasing along the Ohio at various points, and numerous trading-posts were established, so that a market was ceated for- the products of the chase. These hunters built temporary dwellings, or "hunter's cabins," where- ever they desired to locale, but traveled about from place to {)lace, never remaining long in one spot. They cannot, .therefore, be called settlers, though some of them afterwards became such. One of these hunters was ^^'illiam Lewis, in the northern part of tlie township; another was jcilm Aldrich, .Sr., whose })ole cabin wa,-. erected oir Falling run, within the present limits of the city of New Albany. 'I'his pole sh.tnty may have been tlie tltst while habitation upon the plat of the future city. McGrew's cabin was erected on "McGrew's point" in those early day.s, and it is impossible to tell at this late ]:>eriod which was the first to erect a cabin, Aldrich or .Mc- Grew. But it matters little; bolh were in the wilderness where no white man lived, probably, at that time but themselves. Aldrich's cabin or tent was made almost wholly of bark. Four forks were driven into the ground, or a conven- ient tree probably answered for one or two of the forks; poles were laid on, and upon these other poles were laid, supporting a covering of bark. The sides were formed by setting up slicks and bark against the poles, one end of these pieces resting on the ground. Three sides only were closed; the fourth side was left open, and in front of it was always a log-heap fire for cooking and other purposes.
Here John .-Mdrich lived for a time with his fam- ily. I^Iow much of a family he had is not known ; but his wife was with him, and his son, John Aldrich, Jr., was born here, being, without much doubt, the first white child born in Floyd county, and the first born upon the plat of the future city, within whose limits children may now be numbered by thousands. John Aldrich's "tent" stood near a fine spring, of which there were a number in the immediate neighborhood, about where Lower First street intersects Elm, not far from the j)resent llouring mill. How long Aid- rich lived here is not known, but not probably longer than was necessary to enable his wife and
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HISTORV OF THE OHIO FAJ.LS COUNTIES.
Ui
fluid to follow him to some other hunting ground. He lived and died, it is said, a hunter and trap- per.
John McGrew's cabin stood at the foot of Lower First street, on a point of land that then jutted into the river, and vei y close to the water's edge. A considerable ravine (now filled up)' then ran down to the^ river hnnl- rnni"^^ "'!' '" McGrew's cabin and. making something of a [ioint of land ever since known as "McGrew's Point." ■It is very probable that McGrew's cabin was the first regularly built cabin u[ion the site of New • Albany. It was a little log pen, regularly built and enclosed, but covered, like Aldrich's, with bark. It had, however, a door and greased paper windo.ws. McGrew was a squatter, hunter, tiap- per, and fisherman, and had no family. A negro man named William Morrison lived with him — probably a slave he had brought over from Ken- tucky. McGrew did not live long after the set- tlers began to arrive; but Morrison occupied the old cabin many years, and after New Albany be- gan to be settled he went about among the peo- ple, doing washing wllc■le^er he could get work.
It is impossible to tell who was the next set- tler in this territory, after Carson and McGrew, whether it was Mr. Trublood, Richard .Aston, Sr., George Oatman, William Lewis, or some other person, but the above named were all here very early, less, probably, than half a dozen years after the beginning of the present century. John Aston says his grandfather, Richard Aston, Sr., came here in 1804 or 1805, but is not cer- tain about the date. Others, whose names are unknown, may have been here equally early. ^^'hcre so many were passing and repassing up and down the river, and trappers and hunters continually coming and going, and no record kept of any event, all must be more or less veiled in uncertainty.
Richard Aston came from England and reared here a latge and influential family of children. He first settled in North Carolina, or, at least, came from that State to this wilderness, settling in what sub'^equently became the town of Max- ville, now within the limits of the city of New All),iny. His sons were Jesse, John, Samuel, Richard Jr., and David. The old gentleman f^ultivated a little land, and besides schoolteach- "ig he added to his occupations that of making splinl-bottomcd chairs. He also assisted John
K. Graham in surveying, and traveled over nearly all of Floyd county and some of the ad- joining counties in this work, while ail was yet m a wilderness state. Richard, Jr., after a resi- dence of some yeai.s in the Carson cabin, pur- chased what was kncjwn as ihi; London property, and moved upon it after Charles London died. T[,f. litter w;i'; r'.mong the earliest settlers. He had been a soldier under General George Rogers Clarke, and was granted the land upon which he settled. Just what time he settled here is un- known, but it was prior to 1809, and at that date he was living in a little cabin not tar from where the county infirmary now stands. He built a cooper-shop near his cabin — probably the first shop of this kind in the township or county — and worked at his trade whenever he could get anything to do. At other times he cleared and cultivated a little piece of land, raising corn, potatoes, and other garden vegetables. He was a bachelor and came from Virginia, and nearly all the time he occupied this place he had a family living in his cabin, with whom he boarded. It is believed he left his property to this family upon his death. He was buried upon his own land, which subsequently passed into the hands of Richard Aston, Jr.
"SQU.A.TTERS."
The eight thousand acres of land now occupied by the city of New Albany joined "the Grant'' (as the land given to Clarke and his soldiers is known), on the west, and occupied all that por- tion of the bottom land within this to-wnship be- tween the knobs and the western line of the Grant. Consequently any persons who settled on the river below the fort in an early day were "squatters," as the whole of the tract then be- longed to John Paul, of Madison, Indiana, who purchased it of the Government. The conse- quence was that those who sought permanent hom;s were compelled to settle away from the river, as John Paul's land does not appear to have been for sale in small quantities — at least it was not for sale- at figures that pioneers could afford to pay, or cared to pay, when land all around it could be had at Government price.
PKRM.VNKNT SKTTLF:RS.
One of the first to settle permanently just out- side of the John Paul tract was old Mr. Tru- blood. He'purchased at the first ta.x sale in
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.h <■/
244
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FATJ.S COUNTH^S.
Indiana Territory the forty acres upon Falling run, immediately noilh of and adjoining the John Paul tract, for sixty-two and a half cents an acre. He subsequently sold this lot to the Scrib- ners, and it is all now far within the city limits, and worth thousands of dollars per acre. Here, upon Falling run, Trublood erected his cabin and.the tirsc mill wiiliiu liie picacul limiLs uf ihi:j township, if not in this county. Falling run was then a much larger stream than al present, and the little log-mill was kept busy from the start, except when the stream was frozen over or the dam washed away by a flood.
THE FIRST POST-OFFICE AND HOTEL.
Not far from the cabin and mill was a spring, near wliich a Mrs. Roberts lived with her family some years later. Her boys supported the family mostly by hunting. After a time, when the mill was in operation and a few settlers gathered in the neighborhood, a mail-route was established through here, and Mrs. Roberts kept the first post-office on the site of New Albany. She also opened a "tavern," where she accom- modated the traveling public and boarded the first mail contractor. No doubt Mrs. Roberts' tavern was the first on the site of the future city. The mail was then carried from the falls to Vin- cennes, and the mail-carrier usually stopped over night at Mr. Roberts' tavern on the first night out from the falls.
The neighborhood of this tavern was an im- portant one in those early days, and became al- most a village. Dense woods then covered all the bottom land where the city now stands, and Mrs. Roberts' tavern and Trublood's mill were the last of the white settlements on the road west for a score or more miles at least. It was long a resort for the Indians and white hunters and traders. The bar was, of course, the prin- cipal attraction, and the strolling Indians and hunters from the fort founu here a place to drink and lounge away their few leisure hours.
L.A.TER SETTLEMENTS.
Naturally the white settlements extended north and west along the Indian trail beyond the tavern and the mill; though before any permanent settlers had located some hunters and trappers had squatted along the base of the knobs. But few of these are now remembered; but \Vi!liam Lewis was amon^ them.
In the southern part of the township the Oat- mans wore probably the first settlers. About 1805 they came floating down the Ohio from Vir- ginia, hunting for a place to land and locale. Reaching the fort at Clarksville, they remained a few days, then went on down the river, finding no Government land until they had passed' the Johri Taul tract. After pnssmg this tract they landed in what is now the southern part of New Albany township, on a beautiful level bottom which stretched away from the river bank for a short distance, until stopped by the picturesque Silver hills. This bottonr was not so extensive as that further up the river upon which the city stands, but, like it, was covered with the rankest growth of timber and wild pea-vines. The river bank was lined with canebrake. In this dense wilderness the family landed and erected a tem- porary bark and biush cabin, until they could hew out a better home. They entered some land here, and the three boys, George, Jesse, and John, immediately began clearing. They were shortly followed by the Nances, Sniders, Wilsons, Hick- mans, Hursts, and others. The Nances and Sniders settled in v.-hat is now Franklin township.
0.\TMAX'S FERRY.
The Oatmans were hunters and spent a good part of their time in the woods. After working here two or three years, living meanwhile near the river bank, they found that they were so frequently called upon to carry people across the river that they concluded to establish a ferry; and thus "Oatman's ferry" came into existence. People frequently appeared on the Kentucky side of the river and desired to cross; and as the settlers began to arrive in the new country they frequently desired to bring over cattle and other domestic animals. The Oatmans for a long time carried settlers, their families, and goods over free; but the demand upon them finally became so great that they constructed a flat-boat, which they used for wagons and heavier freight, and used a skiff for passengers, charging a small fee for the work. After the county was established in 1S16, they obtained a ferry-right; and Oat- man's ferry is frequently mentioned in the early records of the county.
From this point the first roads in the county started, after that which clung to the Indian trail before mentioned ; and it was at Oatman's ferry that a large majority of the early settlers of
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
245
Franklin, Georgetown, and Greenville townships trossed the river. The flat-boat would hold 'ttto wagons with the oxen attached, and the load •carried by the wagons, besides a number of [)Coi)le, and was worked across by a stern pad- dle.
Jacob, John, and Anthony Snider settled in Oatnian's neighborhood, and after some years purchased and conducted the ferry. Jesse and John Oatman became tanners.
Oatman's ferry was the only one on the river below the falls, except that of Moses McCann at Clarksville, for many years. The next one was probably that of Mai tin Trublood, established just before the laying out of the city of New Albany.
AN INTERESTING EXTRACT.
The following, regarding the early settlement of this township, especially the southern part of it — referring also to other early matters of im- portance— is taken from the before mentioned Directory, published in xS6S :
The settlements now rapidly increased along the river bot- tom below the city, and in what are now Georgetown and Greenville township. In March, 1812, Samuel Miller crossed the ferry which landed in the woods at the foot of what is now Upper Fifth street, and settled on the Miller f.inn one mile below the city, on the Budd road.
At this time the only persons who lived within the present limits of New .-Albany were James Mitchell and Martin Tru- blood, the ferryman, whose cabin stood where the Conner house now stands, at the foot of Upper Fifth street; the old ni.m Trublood, the father of Martin, who had a small log nrill on Falling run, near he present depot of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago railroad; a man named Magrew I'Mc- (jrew"|, whose cabin stood at the corner of Lower First and Water street, on the site of the large warehouse of Captain J. II. Reamer; and a man named Marsh, whose cabin oc- cupied a place near Trublood's mill. Marsh left soon after, and did not return.
Trublood's little mill did not last long to grind the corn for the few settlers, as a flood in tlie creek in 1812 washed away the dam, and it was never repaired. .■^ few of the logs of the old dam may yet be seen sticking out of the bank of the creek, in which they were imbedded over fifty-five years ago.
\Mien Mr. Miller arrived in 1812 the following persons Ined on the bottom — that is, on the road been Middle creek and New .-Mbany: John Hickman, George Oatman, Widow C'.iman, John Oatman. Beverly Hurst, Joshua Wilson, and |-.">>.e Wilson.
George Oatman lived on what is known as the Stoy farm; j 'hn Oatman on the Mrs. South farm; Beveriy Hurst on the Collins farm; and the two Wilsons below, not far from Middle ^"'■•■1. Joshua Wilson afterward bought Georgeand JohnOat- 'i;.>n '. firms, Jesse Wilson bought Beverly Hurd's farm, and the l«o Wilsons built the brick house on the Stoy farm and the one on the Collins farm, both being commenced in 1817 I'nd t'lmpieted in 1820. These were the first brick houses built in
Floyd county, and both are now occupied and in excellent re- pair, though over fifty years old.
The news of the Pigeon Roost massacre, which occurred September 3. 1812, was received in this section of what was then Clarke county, some thirty hours after its occurrence, and created much consternation among the settlors. All those who resided between P'alling run anclSilver creek, those who lived back toward the piesent sites of Greenville and Galena, and some of the settlers on the river below the mouth of Falling run, fled into Kentucky. There were a number of others, however, who had become accustomed to "Indian scares," as they were called, and refused to run. .Among these were the Lafolletles, the Millers, the Hick- mans, the Nances, and the Oatmans. These determined to fight it out with the savages, if such they proved to be, if they visited the settlements in the vicinity. Some of them did not believe they were Indians, but white horse-thieves and rob- beis painted and disguised as Indians. Most of the men be- longing to the families we have named accordingly set off for Jeffersonville, the rendezvous of the Clarke county militia, to join in pursuit of the murderers. The men and women left at home barricaded their houses as securely as possible, gathered in groups, and prepared for defense.
Theie was, hosves-er, one woman in the neighborhood, Mrs. John Hickman, whose husband was away from home some twenty miles to mill, Mrs. Hickman was not willing to leave her house unprotected in case of a raid, and yet feared to stay alone. There was but one room in the cabin, as in most other cabins in those days ; and deeming it there- fore immodest for her to remain alone all night in the cabin with a man in no way related to her, she went to the cabin of Samuel Miller, and asked Nancy Miller to come and stay all night w ith her and help guard the house.
It was now dark, but the brave woman .agreed to go, and setting out they both soon reached Mrs. Hickman's cabin. The door and window were each closed and securely bar- ricaded, and then Mrs. Hickman proceeded to the rifle-rack, that necessary and always provided article of pioneer furni- ture. It was dark in the house, and when she reached up for the rifle she found it gone, which frightened her very much. Her husband had taken it with him to mill. Slie did not, however, faint or scream, but armed herself with the iron flax-hackle and a butcher-knife. She gave the knife to Nancy Miller, and during all that long night these two brave women sat in the darkened cabin in the woods, not knowing what moment the yells of the savage foe would call them to action. Few men would have shown more courage; for in those days it was not an uncommon thing for wandering bands of savages to sneak into a neighborhood and commit deeds of violence, and even bloodshed. The savages did not make their appearance, however; but the bravery displayed by these pioneer women made them the heroines of the neighborhood.
HORSE-STEALING AND LYNCHING.
From the same source comes the followmg, regarding the depredations of horse-thieves in this township and county:
Horse-steahng from about iSio to 1817 was followed in this part of Indiana by a band of men regularly and well or- ganized. They made an occupation of this species cf rob- bery, and came to be a terror to the settlers. In iSio two of these horse-thieves were caught near the present upper limits of the city of New .\lbany, by a party of settlers from Clarke county, whom they had robbed. As the courts were
246
JlISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTltS.
seldom held, and the few laws existing were not very opera- tive, a council was held by the cnpiors to deterimne whit should be done with the prisoners. The proof of their guilt was positive, for the stolen horses were found in their posses- sion, and a verdict was soon reached that they should suffer death.
The naincs of these thie\es were Aveline and Morris. They bej';ged piteously for their lives; but so nuiiiy horses had been stolen and thf settlers had become so exasperated at their losses, — for they were all poor, — that no appeal moved them from their purpose. Tlie prisoners were accord- ingly taken to a point on the west side of Silver creek, ojipo- site the site of the old Very mill, allowed one hour in which to prepare for death by prayer, then shot and their bodies thrown into the stream, which at that tinie was very high.
This was the first execution by lynch law in the territory now included in Kloyd county. It had a must salutary effect upon the horse-stealing fraternity.
At another time, in 1813, a youth aged about seventeen years stole a horse from the Lafollette settlement, near the Harrison county line. He was pursued and captured near Greenville. His captors stripped him and informed him that in co'nsideration of his youth they would only give hiin a little whipping. He was tied to a small tree with a bridle-rein, his face toward the tree. His captors then cut a dozen or more stout switches, and with these laid one hundred and ten lashes upon his bare back. The boy's name was Panish, and he lived at Louisville. After tlie whipping he was unable to stand on his feet, and was therefore lifted upon a horse, upon which he was held until the parly reached the ferry at New Albany, where he was placed upon the boat and sent over to the Kentucky side. He died before reaching I>ouis- ville.
A new plan of operations was subsequently adopted by the horse-thieves. They would swing a biidle on their arms, and wrap a rope or two around their bodies, and start out hunting what they claimed to be their own estrayed horses. Whenever they found a horse running at large they would "take him up," and if pursuit were made and they were overtaken, they would declare that they thought the horse their own, as he answered exactly the description of the ani- mal they were seeking. This plan worked well but a short time, however, when the settlers began to wreak vengeance upon these "horse-hunters" to such an extent that it be- came absolutely dangerous for a man to go into a strange neighborhood with a bndle on his arm, even in search of his own horses, unless he could bring some one to identify him as an honest man. .
Instances of lynch law by the most summary and speedy processes were not uncommon in the pioneer days of Indiana. Many may form harsh opinions of the character of the early settlers on this account; but when it is n.niembered that there were but few laws then in force, and but few officers to enforce even the'^e; when not a dozen courts in the entire Indiana Territory, embracing now several States, within the year, and those most frequently at remote points from the settlements; when there were no jails, and but three or four organised counties in the Terri- tory; when it is remembered, to-j, that the few
officers of tiie law were frequently in league wirji the thieves,- and that it was consequently almost impossible to capture the latter and compel them to suffer the penalty of tlie law ; — there is little wonder, indeed, that the thieves were thus sum- marily dealt with. Frequently the thieves were handed together, and so overawed the settlers by their numbers, audacity, and boldness, that they were enabled to carry on their nefarious calling for )'ears with but little disturbance; the law and law officers failed to reach them. But the day of reckoning would finally come, and the out- raged and long-suffeiing settlers would rise in their wrath, and woe be to the man or clicjue that stood in their way! The thieves were caught and summarily shot or hung; and any com- munity, however, civilized, would to-day follow the same course under the same conditions.
MORE OF THK IMMIGR.AKTS.
Those who followed up the old Indian trail and settled first in the northern part of this town- ship, were mostly from Kentucky and the Caro- linas, though a few were from Pennsylvania and further east. Among them were Richard Lewis, John Scott, John K. Graham, Joseph Day (the blacksmith), Jeremiah Jacobs, — Leech, James Hey, a colored man named Goins, the Turners, Green Neal, and others whose names are not now recollected.
Richard Lewis was from North Carolina, and brought with him a considerable family. His sons were — Jonathan, Richard, Jr., David, John, Crawford, and William; and the daughters were Priscilla, Lovina, Jane, and Lydia. William, who was a great hunter, preceded the remainder of the family several years. He seemed to have followed the business of hunting and trapping, and erected his lodge in the northern part of tins township, at the foot of the knobs, to the left of and not far from the Indian trail, on land now owned by his brother David. William was, no doubt, influential in inducing his father to come here and settle, which he did in 1S09. AVilliam was only a squatter, but cleared a small patch o( ground near his hunter's cabin, and raised a crop or perha[)s several of them, then "pulled up stakes" and moved to Washington county after white settlers became more plentiful around him than he considered advantageous to his business. David is the only one of the Lewis children now living, and is one of the few surviving pioneers
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAI,LS COUNTIES.
247
of the township. He has labored as a farmer all his life, and now in his declining jxMrs is a large land owner, witli his children .settled around him.
THE Kl.OVI) or FLOVI) COUXTV.
The spot of ground upon which AV'illiam set- tled passed into the hands of Davis Floyd, and was by him transferred to Mr. Lewis. Mr Lewis says that this county was named for this man Davis Floyd.
Regarding the naming of the county Mr. C. W. Cottom says, in his pamphlet legarding the interests of Floyd county, that "the county was named in honor of Colonel John Floyd, of a dis- tinguished Virginia family of that name, who was killed by the Indians on the Kentucky side of the river, nearly opposite the present site of New Albany." Mr. Lewis, Mr. Thomas Collins, and other old pioneers believe the above to be an error, and that the county took its name from the above-mentioned Davis Floyd, who was a noted character in his day. He was a lawyer, and Mr. Lewis says that when they lived in a log hut in the woods Mr. Floyd frequently stopped over night at their cabin, while on his way from Charlestown to Cor)don, to attend court. He lived at Charlestown, but frequently traveled on horseback through the woods to Corydon, having considerable legal business m both places. He describes him as a very re- markable man, and one who could have made a considerable mark in the world had he felt dis- posed. He was a bold, daring fellow, consider- ably above the medium height, "very dark (or a white man," full of fun, anecdote, and good sense, always ready for anything that promised excitement or adventure, full of fight in his chosen _ profession, and able to cope with the best intellects of his time or of any time. He was the first judge of the county, and was influ- ential and prominent in the affairs of the county until his death.
OTHER PIOXEF.R.S.
John K. Graham, who settled in the northern part of this township at a very early date, will be longer remembered than most of his contempo- raries. He was probably more widely known than any other man in the county, having been a surveyor for many years, when surveying meant ♦"ontinued ap|)lication and hard work. He sur- veyed most of the lands in this county and a good
deal in Clarke and otiier counties. He came from Pennsylvania, was a man of education and good sense, and soon wielded a great influence in his neighborhood. He settled first on ilie east side of Silver creek, in what is now Clarke county; but soon moved across and purchased a farm in the woods on the extensive bottoms, about a mile from the foot of the knobs and four or five miles north of the site of Xlw .-\lban)-. Here he lived until his death, rearing a large family. Many of his descendants yet reside in the county. He was a member of the Legisia ture, and also a member of the convention that framed the first constitution for the State.
Joseph Day was a blacksmith, probably the first one in the township, and settled at the foot of the knobs, three or four miles north of New Albany, where he built a cabin for a dwelling and one for a shop, and carried on his business many years, getting considerable work to do from the travelers on the great highway from the Falls to Vincennes, and from tlie settlers who gradu- ally gathered atound him.
Jonathan Romine was one of the first settlers in the central part of the townshi]). He built a little cabin of round beech logs, with the bark still adhering to them about where the fair- ground gate is located. He was a squatter from North Carolina, and subsequently removed to "Washington county.
One of his neighbors, who came about the same time, was Archibald O'Neal, an Irishman, and also a squatter. His family consisted of his wife, three boys, Samuel, Jonathan, and John, and one girl, Nancy. Samuel enlisted for the campaign against the Indians, and was with Har- lison at Tippecanoe. 0:'Neal subsequently moved further west, and settled on A\'hiskey run.
David Goss was' aLo in the battle of Tippe- canoe. He came from North Carolina, en- tering land and settling with his family on Elk run, in the northern part of the township. This stream rises in this township, but soon passes into Clarke county. Goss' land was on the line between what are now Floyd and Clarke coun- ties. Below him on the run, at the time of his settlement, were the widow Jenkins, Morris, her son-in-law, and a man named Nugent; but the last three were within the limits of what is now Clarke county.
All the above-mentioned settlers, and prob-
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
ably some others, were in this part of the town- I ship in 1809, — how long before tiiis date cannot I • be ascertained; hence it is iaiiiossible to fix ex- actly the date of the first settlement of the town- 1 ship or county. Some of these settlers may ! have been here even prior to the beginning of this century, though it is not likely, as the In- dians were so hostile that settlers kept pretty close to the fort. Tiiere were, however, a few hardy pioneers and hunters that were not afraid of the Indians and managed to live in peace with them, even when they were in a hostile at- titude toward the Government.
THK RLOCK-HOUSE.
When the massacre at Pigeon roost occurred, most of the settlers in this part of the township became greatly alarmed for their safety, and a little block-house was erected on Elk run, in which Mr. Goss and family, the Nugents, and others living in this neighborhood, sought safety. Mr. Lewis had at this time lived some years on the farm where the family yet reside, and al- though urged by his neighbors to go to the block-house, refused to do so; at the same time preparing his cabin for defense by barricading and chaining the doors and windows, and mak- ing loop-holes for guns, etc. His son Richard was then a man grown, and his oldest daughter, Jane, could handle a rifle equal to ahriost any one. Accordingly they determined that, with the help of the dogs as sentinels, they would fight it out with the savages if they came that way; and without doubt they could have made a vig- orous defense. They had no occasion, how- ever, for a further display of their combative faculties.
Mr. Lewis' cabin was not the only one that was thus transformed into a temporary fort upon that occasion. Dozens of them all along the frontier, in this and Clarke counties, were tlius prepared; though many of the settlers gathered into the block-houses, and others fied across the Ohio river, remaining until the scare was over.
GAME was wonderfully plenty here in those early days. Mr. Lewis says he has stood in his father's cabin door and seen deer, bears, and turkeys all at one time. Hardly a day passed without seeing bears. These animals were in great nurvibers on the knobs, where there were annually large amounts
of chestnuts, of which they are very fond. They would get very fat on these; but at certain sea- sons of the year, when there were no chestnuts to be found, the animals would descend to the bottom lands in search of pigs and other pro- visions that might be picked up in the vicinity of the settlers' cabins.
One of the most celebrated hunters in the northern part of the town.ship, or in all this part of the country, was one Thomas Hopper, who lived in the edge of what is now Clarke county. He even outrivaled William Lewis, probably be- cause he lived here more years. He was an in- veterate hunter, keeping his dogs, guns, and horses for the sole purpose of securing game, which he found market for at Clarksville., and other places on the river. His favorite hunting- ground was in the knobs, and to get to it he was compelled to cross the northern part of this town- ship. In his journeys back and forth for years he made a clear-cut, deep path which may be seen in places even yet, and has always been known as "Hopper's trace." He had a brush cabin, or temporary abode on the knobs about the head- waters of Indian creek, where he would remain for days at a time hunting in the vicinity, gener- ally or always alone. He took two horses with him, and when he secured game enough to load ■ them, would return to his cabin in Clarke county. It was not an unusual thing, it is said, for him to kill from thirty to fifty bears during the winter and several hundred deer. Settlements finally ruined his hunting-grounds, and he followed the game further west, as did most of the hunters and squatters of that time.
THE FIRST ELECTION
within the limits of this county was held in Rich- ard Lewis's house. This was in 18 16, and there was only one other voting place in this part of the country — at Corydon. To these two places all the voters in the tract occupied by the pres- ent counties of Clarke, Floyd, and Harrison re- paired. Slavery was then the main issue, and the election was an exciting one, as it was well known that the parties were very evenly divided. A majority of the settlers through the country were from the South, and these were largely in favor of slavery; but in New Albany, then three years old, were many New Englanders and otiier Eastern settlers brought there through the intlu-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
'49
cnce of the Scribneis. 'Hie latter were strong nnti-slavevy people, and used all. their influence; which was not inconsiderable, at this election. They came up to Lewis's to vote, and brought with them all their own j^arty in the neighbor- hood. Few elections were more exciting or niore closely contested; but the anti-slavery paily were victors by one vote.
PIONKFR MILLS.
Few if any mills were erected in the northern part of the township, except here and there a small saw-mill. The streams were not of suffi- cient sliength for successful milling. The set- tlers generally went to Trublood's mill, on Fall- ing run, or to Bullitt's mill above the falls, or to a little mill in Clarke county, on Muddy fork, erected at an early day by a Mr. Hoagland.
THE FIRST SCHOOL
in the northern part of the township and, in fact, in this part of the country, was on Elk run, with- in what is now Clarke county, in the Goss neigh- boihood. The school-house was a strange one, even for that day, not many of the same pattern being in existence. It was built of round logs and was eight square, or had eight corners and eight sides. It contained two large fire-places, located at each end in the angles, the end cor- ners being made on purpose to accommodate the tire-places. The pupils in the winter sat on rude benches between two huge log-heap fires, and were thus enabled to keep from freezing, even if they did not succeed in getting ahead in their studies. Very few books were used — the ABC class having paddles upon which the let- ters were pasted, and which were occasionally used advantageously bv the teacher for other pur- poses, supposed in those day^ to be connected with school-teaching.
Jonathan McCoy, an Irishman, was the first teacher here, and it is said spent most of his time during school hours in pacing the floor with a long hickory "gad" across his shoulder as if he was engaged in driving oxen. His whip was so long that he could stand in the middle of the room and reach any pupil under his guardian- ''hip, and he managed to keep good order; hence his school is said to have been a success.
I'he principal qualification of a teacher in those days was physical strength, and the ability to "wollop" the largest scholar in his school.
He was never known as "teacher," but as
"master." This school-building had greased-
I jiaper windows, and was often used fur a church,
I the first religious meetings in the neighborhood
being held here.
Richard Aston, Sr., also taught one of the first schools in the township, a few miles north of the site of New Albany, in a deserted cabin that had been used by lumbermen. It was a "select" school, and said to have been very successful. The school on Elk run, Mr. Aston's school, and that over on the west side of the knobs, in what is now Lafayette township, in the English settle- ment, were the first three schools in this part of the county. Mr. Lewis first attended school at the latter place, the distance being about two miles.
GRAVSVILLE.
No towns or villages of consequence exist in the township, although many villages were started and grew rapidly around the present city of New Albany; but most of them were so near that city that they have become absorbed in it. A small cluster of houses, about a dozen, stands at the junction of the State road from Jeffersonville west, and that from Charlestown to Ne»v Albany. The hamlet is locally known as Graysville. A blacksmith named Gray built a shop at this point about 183 1, and tried to build up a town, but it never came to anything, thougl; he induced a few people to come and settle there. A Mr. Stiles started a shoe-shop there soon after Gray's advent, and these two shops, with the two dwel- lings, constituted the town for some time. At present the business of the place consists of a wagon and blacksmith shop and a grocery. It may never have had large expectations, but came naturally to be called Graysville, from its leading spirit.
smith's mill,
or Six Mile Switch, is a station in the northern part of the township, on the New Albany & Salem railroad, being the firsc stopping place north of New Albany. When the railroad was in course of erection a man named Barney had a contract for leveling the road-bed and laying the ties on this part of the road. He purchased at this point one hundred and twenty-five acres of land— good timber land — for the purpose of getting the ties from it, and to facilitate matters he erected a saw mill at what is now Six Mile
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTHi:S.
Switch for the purjjosc of sawing the ties. A switch was also constructed here at tiie same time, for convenience in loading cars-at the mill. After completing his contract he sold the land, all but ten acres, to David Lewis, and Messrs. Smith (.*\: Seavles purchased the mill and ten acres of ground, concluding tliat it would be a good point to contmue the business. It never paid, however, and was taken aw.iy after a tmie. Peter Worley bouglit a little ground there, and . for a time kept a groceiy, but this business did not pay, and was abandoned. The trains, or some of them, stop here for the convenience of passengers, but there is no station house.
• ' RKLIGIOUS HISTORY.
Five churches have an existeiice at present in this, township outside of the city, viz: Two Methodist, one United Brethren, one Disci|)leor Christian, and one Presbyterian. It will be noticed that no New Light or Baptist societies now exist in the township, although these were among the first religious denoniinatioiis to or- ganize when the country was new. The earliest religious teachers were here, as elsewhere in the county, Clement Nance and the Rev. Mr. Gunn, subsequently of Franklin townshi]i, and Rev. Mr. Schrader, the founder of Schrader's Chapel, in Lafayette township. When they first began preaching her-^ Nance was a New Light, Gunn a Baptist, and Schrader a Methodist; and their meetings were, as was usual in those times, held in the cabins of the settlers and in the log school-houses. A religious sentiment was a prominent characteristic of a large portion of the early settlers here, and a preacher of the gospel was always welcome, no matter to what denomina- tion he belonged; and the settlers all turned out to "meeting," whether believers or not. It is not unlikely that the first religious meetings for the people of the northern part of the township was held at the eight-cornered school-house be- fore-mentioned. After the establishment o( New- Albany, the churches which soon grew up in that city drew to them the greater portion of the peo- ple of the township, so that churches outside of that city have not flourished as they would prob- ably have done, but for this influence.
If any of the earliest preachers succeeded in organizing a permanent society, the fact does not appear at present.
THE DISCIPLE CHURCH.
Jacob and John Wright were also among the first ministers of the Gospel through this part of the county, and left permanent foot-prints beliind them by organizing a church, which has at least a nominal existence to day. The Wrights were known in those days as "Campbellites." They lived in \Vashington county, and came through here preaching, generally in the cabins of the settlers, as early as 1825. They established the church at Mooresville, and probably exerted the strongest infiuence in the establishment of the Disciple church in this towiisliio, which is located at preserit on section sixty-three.
The first regular preacher to this society, how- ever, and one who did more, perhaps, than any other person to infuse life into the infant society, was Absalom Little, one of the first settlers of Clarke county. He was a man of fair ability, it is said, and drew large crowds to his preaching during the summer, when he was in the habit of preaching in the woods near the old Very mill, on Slate run.
The church was organized about 1S32, but has had a hard struggle for existence, and may be said to be practically dead at present. Among its earliest converts were Mr. Mulliken, Thomas Hutchison, William Stites, and others of the neighborhood. The building of the church edi- fice, a I'rame building, was coeval with the or- ganization of the society, and was largely ac- complished by voluntary labor, with the help of about $500 in cash, raised in exceedingly small amounts among the settlers. The society has apparently perished several tinies, and has gener- ally led a sickly existence. A Sabbuth-school has been held here at various times, but had also a fickle existence.* They have had no preaching in the church for several years, except occasional- ly. I'he Rev. Dr. Fields, of Jeffersonville, was the last regular minister. The church has a lone, deserted a[)pearance, answering only the purpose of a monument to the inconstancy and fickleness of humanity.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
One of the earliest churches in this part of the township was the old Methodist Episcopal church, known as "Jacobs chapel," from its chief promoter, Nelson Jacobs, long since dead. There were living in this neighborhood (now sec-
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HISTORY OF 'I HE OHIO FAT.I.S COUNTIES.
ti.'n ciglity-six) at that tin-ic Xcl^on Jncolis, two liKitliers named Leech -liowinan-and Joshua — ' l.i'mcs Walkef, the Youngs, Joseph Ashal'iraner, J.-ilm Smith, and perhaps some others, wlio de- termined to unite tlieir capital and labor, and l)i:ild lip a church. Joshua Leech is yet living, .1 \ery old man; all the others are dead. His lirother l^o'.vman gave tlie ground upon which the church edifice was erected about 1S40. Tlie old building, a frame, is vet standing.
Rev. Messrs. Snyder, Kinnear, and Sinex were among the early ministers here. They first 01- g.inized in a school-house about 1S35, where services were continued some years. Th.e church nourished more than a genenuion, and probably exerted considerable mtluence in sha|)ing the character of the people of the neighborhood; but finally, like its neighbor, the Disciple church, Itroke down, and no regular preaching is now maintained. The Sunday-school, hov ever, which was organized here soon after the church was erected, yet has a healthy existence, the membership at present being sixty or more.
THE PRESBYTERIANS
early succeeded in organizing a church in the northern part of the township, and have main- tained it to the present time. It was first brought into existence, probably, through the zeal and ministerial labors of the Rev. Mr. Snead, a gen- tleman whose name will be found connected with the early Presbyterian organizations of New Al- bany. The Mount Tabor Presbyterian church w.Ts organized by Mr. Snead about 1S30, and the ( hurch edifice erected, on what is now section sixty-two, a year or so later.
'I'lie place was at that time surrounded by a dense forest. A few Presbyterian families had ruoved into this neighborhood; among them the Hands were prominent and were among the founders of this church. Lewis Mann, Jacob and Thomas Hand, and Jacob Straw and their '•unilics, with a few others, constituted the first membership of this church. It has had a con- '■■nucd existence, with very little interruption, for "I'-re than half a century, and now numbers ;i >'iut twenty members. A Sunday-school has ■>-.-en maintained almost uninterruptedly during •he sunmier months from the organization of the '■hurch to the present time.
THE UNITED }5KETHREN.
Probably the -last church organized in the township is known as "Friendship," a United Brethren church, which stands on section eleven, in the nonlurn part of the township. Quite a number of people o( this faitii were scattered through the northern part of the township and in Lafayette township adjoining on the weSt; and among them was a local preacher, Mr. Abraham .A-habraner, who was tiie princi[)al promoter and organizer of the church. 'l"he first organization was effected in 1S70, in a school-house near the jiresent church ediliee; and the building was erected two or three years later, at a cost of $500, exclusive of the voluntary labor bes'.owed upon it by the members. The ground was donated by Mr. John Smith, one of the prominent mem- bers. Joseph Smith, a brother of John, Mr. John Uaite, with their families and many others, were members of the first organization.
The Rev. Henry Jackson, fiom Jackson county, was the first regular preacher. Jacob \\'hite was also among the first who ministered to the church. Mr. Ashabraner preaches fre- quently, in "the absence of the regular pastor. The church building is beautifully located on a rise of ground, in the midst of a fine grove of young' oaks near the railroad, and wnh the pic- turesque Silver hills immediately in its rear as a back-ground.
The corner-stone of this denomination seems to be, in this county at least, the suppression of secret societies. It wages "a ceaseless war upon Masons, Odd F'ellows, and kindred societies.
THE M'KINDRY CH.VPEL.
In the southern part of the township there is but one church outside the city of New Albany; this is the Methodist Episcopal church, known as McKindrv chapel, located two miles south of the city, on the river road. Religious matters received considerable attention in this neighbor- hood from a very early date. From the time of the advent of the Oatmans, Nances, Sniders, and other settlers, some kind of religious worship has been. conducted in the neighborhood; at first in the cabins of these settlers, afterwards in the old log school-house, and then in the church. Sev- eral religious societies flourished in the neighbor- hood at an early day, but went down in the pro- gress of time, e.xcept the Methodists, who, though
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
failing occasionally, have regained their foothold, and now own and occupy the only church build- ing in the neighborhood.
The fust church building erected was of logs, and being put up by the voluntary labor of all the citizens of the neighborhood without regard to creed, it was known as the Union church, and was used as occasion required by all denomina- tions—at first, however, mostly by the Baptists and New Lights.
. There were for a long time two Bajjtist socie- ties in the neighborhood, differing somewhat in niatters of minor importance, and holding meet- ings at different times in the old church. These two societies finally ceased to e.xist; but the Meth- odists held their organization intact, and erected the present church building just prior to the war , on the site of the old log structure. A colored man named Wilson, one of the early settlers in the neighborhood, was one of the first members of this church, and made a gift of the land upon which the old building stood. Samuel Angel was also among the prominent early members.
This church is well sustained at the present time, the membership being about fifty. A Sun- day-school has been maintained here since the early days of the church, and still continues in a flourishing condition.
y.\LKDICTORY.
Much that is interesting regarding the early set- tlement and other matters connected with the growth and development of this township, will be found in the chapter on the city of New Albany.
CHAPTER XIV.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. ORGANIZATION.
At the first meeting of the county commission- ers, February 8, 1819, that body divided the county into townships, and after designating the boundaries of New Albany and Greenville town- ships, the record reads as follows:
Ordered, That the residue or rem.iinder of said county, which lias not been heretofore laid off, form one ether town- ship, to be known and designated as F'ranklin township; and that the elections for said township be .and the same are here-
by ordered to he held at the house of Mr. John Bowman, in said township.
The territory embraced in this township, and also that in Greenville township, prior to the formation of this cOunty, had belonged to Harri- son county, the east line of the latter county then extending along the knobs, beginning at the mouth of Falling run. That part of Floyd county west of the knobs was divided into two townships, Greenville and Franklin.
At a special meeting of the commissioners, held April 19, 1S19, the boundaries of this town- ship were changed somewhat, and were more specially defined as follows:
Ordered, that all that part of Floyd county beginning on the line which divides the counties of Harrison and Floyd, at the corners of sections numbered fifteen, sixteen, twenty-one, and twenty two, in township No. 2, south of range Xo. 5 east, thence east with the sectional line to the corners of sec- tions numbered seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, and twenty, in township No. 2, south of range No. 6 ea:st; liience south with the sectional line to the corners of sections numbered twenty- nine, thirty, thirty-one, and thirty-tv.o, in township No. 2, south of range No. 6 east; thence with the sectional line to the corners of sections numbered twenty-nine, thirty, thirty- one, and thirty-two, in Town 2, Range 6 east; thence east to tiieOhio river; thence v>ith the meanders of said river to the line which divides the counties of Harrison and Floyd, thence with said line to the place of beginning, be and the same is hereby made one township, to be known and designated by the name of Franklin township.
And it is further ordered, that the bounds of the township called Franklin township, which was made an order at the session in February last, be and the same is hereby made void and of no effect.
The next month, at the regular meeting (May 17, 1 819), the following appears on the rec- ord :
Ordered, That fractional sections number twenty-eight and twenty-nine, in township No. 3 south of range num- ber Six east, now in New Albany township, be attached to Franklin township.
At the May session of the commissioners, in 1S21, it was further
Ordered, That the west half of section five, of township No. 3 (New Albany township), south of range Six east, be and the same is hereby attached to Franklin township.
At the same session it was still further
Ordered, That the north half of section twenty-two, town- ship No. 2 (Franklin), south of range Five east, and the northwest quarter of section twenty-three, in said town, be taken from Fr.anklin township and attached to Greenville township.
Other but unimportant changes in the boun- dary lines of this township occurred from time to time until 1837, when Georgetown township was created from its northern part, thus reducing it to its present dimensions.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
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TOPOGRAPHY. V
This township fotms the southern part of the county, and touches the Ohio river below New .Ml)any township. The surface is generally broken and hilly, in places the hills assuming the altitude of small mountains; it is therefore not good farming land, except along the Ohio river ;irid the narrow bottoms of Knob creek, where may be found some of the finest farming tracts in the count}-, or even in the Slate. These valleys are, however, comparatively narrow, that along the Ohio being from half a mile to a mile wide, though opening out in places and extend- ing back among the knobs for a mile and a half or more, while the valley of Knob creek is very narrow and enclosed by lofty, precipitous hills. Six miles' front of the township is washed by the waters of the Ohio; and here gardening and farming are carried on extensively and success- fully. This beautiful bottom is enclosed by the knobs on the northeast and the river on the southwest, the former extending in all their wild and rugged beauty from northeast to southwest across the township. Nature seems to have taken special delight here in presenting to the astonished gaze her most rugged aspects. But these hills do not appear as one continuous chain, as they do further north, along the borders of New Albany township; but are much broken by little streams that find their way into the Ohio, and by deep, dark gorges and canyons, making them appear sometimes in groups. It is
Where the hills huddle up in disorder,
Like a fold in mortal fear,
And the mountains are out at the elbow.
Some of these groups or hills have received distinct names, such as " Rock House hill," " Sampson's hill," " Biunk knob," etc.
When the first settler crossed the Ohio and l.inded in this township, he found along the river bank a dense jungle, such as might be met with in the wilds of Africa. Along the immedi- ate bank of the river was a heavy growth of cancbrake that could only be penetrated with difficulty, and in the rear of this a rank growth 01 the heaviest of timber — all hard wood of many varieties, though sycamore, the different varieties of ash, black walnut, and sugar-tree I'rohably predominated. The undergrowth was so dense as to be almost impenetrable to man until the axe was brought into requisition. Great
tree-trunks which a man could not see over, were lying upon the ground, and smaller trees were piled promiscuously in every direction, while still smaller ones and bushes growing up among them made of this beautiful bottom one vast thicket, which was filled with wild animals and venomous reptiles. Beyond this bottom the character of the soil and timber suddenly changed ; the knobs sprang suddenly out of this level, and some of them reached away up into the clouds, as if saying to the beautiful river that once, no doubt, washed their very feet, "Thus far and no farther." These hills were then, as they are to day, covered principally with the different varieties of oak, together with much chestnut, and a few of the evergreen varieties of wood. In places the rock formation comes to the surface, and the face of the hills is rugged and bare. To the north and northwest beyond this line of hills, the country stretched away in hills and valleys, often broken and abrupt, and at other times undulating ; but the soil was thin, clayey, and not particularly desirable for agricul- tural purposes, while the timber was of smaller growth, and consisted of scrub oak and bitter hickory, with some beech, sugar and other varie- ties of hard wood.
The township is well watered by numerous run- ning streams and springs. Middle creek, coming out of New Albany township, crosses a small por- tion of this township before it reaches the Ohio. Knob creek is the principal stream in the town- ship, and has its source in a little spring that bursts from the side of the hill, so near to the little village of Edwardsville that the people there resort to it for water when their wells and cisterns fail, as was the case during the great diouth of the summer of iSSi. From a little rivulet at this spring Knob creek goes along, gathering strength from the numerous springs and brooks among the hills, until it becomes a considerable stream by the time it gets through P'ranklin town- ship and reaches the Ohio. It tumbles down in a winding, tortuous course through a wild and rugged country, passing through the central and eastern part of the township. The hills hug it pretty closely until it nears the knobs, where there is a comparatively wide, free opening to the river. The Ohio river bottom here spreads out to its greatest width, and extends some distance up 'Knob creek. After passing the knobs and
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HISTORY OF 'l^HE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
entering the river bottom, Knob creek seems to be undecided wliether to lose its identity imme- diately in the Ohio or cling to its native hills, and pursues a tortuous course in a very tantaliz- ing manner between the two until it passes be- yond tiie boundaries of this township into Har- rison county, where it soon joins la Belle Riviere. Tiie hills of Knob trcck foim a distinct range by themselves, running directly north, and unit- ing again at Edvvards\ ille with the main range of knobs, thus leaving a beautiful and fertile little val- ley to the east of them, and between them and the main range that follows the Ohio. 'J'his val- ley, however, is mostly in New Albany township, though extending occasionally for short distances into this township. l>eyond the range of hills that bound Knob creek on the west there is a ridge extending parallel with these hills, beyond which the waters fall off to the westward ; and here are found the headwaters of Buck creek and some of the numerous tributaries of Indian creek that quickly jjass into Harrison county.
Nearly one-half of this township yet remains in timber, and probably will so remain for many years to come as a great part of it is untillable. Much that is now in timber may, however, in the distant future be utilized for vineyards and past- urage. The whole number of acres in the town- ship is 14,469, and the products are principally the same as those of other counties in the State, viz: wheat, oats, barley, rye, corn, [lotatoes, and fruit of different varieties.
ARCII.tOLOGV.
No traces of the mound builders at this time appear in this township. If they ever occupied its soil, as most likely they did, tcm[)orarily ^t least, they disappeared without leaving behind them monuments sufficiently enduring to with- stand the ravages of time during the centuries that have intervened since their occupancy. Very few evidences of the red men also appear; but they were upon this soil, as is well remem- bered by the oldest inhabitant, and many of their implements of war and the chase, in the shape of stone-hatchets and arrow-heads have been found and even yet the plow now ami then turns up a curious stone that had long years ago been deftly fashioned by the red-handed warrior.
The Indians were known to have occupied this territory for hunting purposes, having tem-
porary cami)s along Knob creek and tiear the many tjcautiful springs that burst from the hill- sides. They came from further north, along the Wabash, w^ere their principal villages were situ- ated, and where they engaged in raising corn; at least this was the occupation of the female por- tion and the prisoners, while the young warriors were absent hunting or marauding. They do not appear to have encamped even temporarily along the Ohio, but kept well back among the knobs. This is probably accounted for by the malarious and marshy condition of the Ohio bottoms at that time. These bottoms, however, formed an excellent retreat for wild game, and were no doubt much visited by the Indians while temporarily encamped on Knob creek.
No murders are known to have been com- mitted by them within the limits of this town- shij), but the earliest settlers lived in continual fear and dread of them, and some of these settlers are known to have fled to Kentucky for safety on one or two occasions when an Indian raid was feared. The raid never came, however, and the settlers lived to see their red neighbors \
all disappear toward the setting sun. ■^
FIRST WHITE OCCUPATION.
The following list embraces most of the early settlers in what is now Franklin township: Robert LaFollette, Clement Nance, Thomas Gwin, Thomas Smith, Gilbert Budd, Caleb New- man, Michael Swartz, Frederick Mosar, John Merriwether, John Flickner, John Welch, Cap- tain William Wright, George Lidikay, Frederick Hanger, Joseph Walden, Joseph Decker, David Gunn, John Bowman, John Snider, James Tabler, William and Jerry Clark, Joseph Elunk, William Sampson, and' no doubt others whose names are no,t recalled.
A few of these early settlers squatted on the river bank in what is now New Albany towhship, near Oatman's ferry, but subsequently became settlers of Frankhn.
The following, regarding the first settlement of this township, and also of this county, is taken from a Directory of New Albany, pub- lished by Bailey & Co. in 1S68:
Tlu^ first white settler in wh;U is now Flovd county w.is Robert Lafollettf, father of Jurlge D. W. LufoUette, of New .-\ll)any. Robert LafoUette was a Kcntuckian, and on the 4th d.vy of November, 1S04, was married in th.it JMate. On the next day after his marriage, accompanied by his young wife, he crossed the 01;io river into the then Indiana Terri-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALT,S COUNTIES.
255
lory, and the same night pitched his camp about three-quar- t.is of a mile east of the mouth of Knob creek, a location (,i- had selected prior to his marriage. "
(lore he remained, living in his camp until ho liad cliopped down the trees, cut the logs into proper lengths, cleared off ;i small spot of ground, and erected liis humble log cabin — the first house built « itlun the present limits of Kloyd county - and then removed from this temj^orary tent into the i.il.in.
This house was built in the most primitive style. It was (rnc story high, and contamed but one room. The cracks Ivtween the logs were " chinked " with sin.vll slabs of wood split from logs, and then daubed w ith mortar made of clay and water. There was no window in it, for at that time a |)ine of eight-by-len window glass, that now sells at five cents could not be bought for less than seventy-five cents, and the early settlers were too poor to indulge in so costly a luxury. A large fire-place, extending half the width of one end of the house, and from which a chimney made of sticks and daubed with mud conducted the smoke, supplied the place now usurped by our modern healih-destroying stoves, and answered the double purpose of furnishing heat by day and heat and light by night. Even tallow candles could not be afforded, except by a few, in those early days. The roof was of clapboards, split from the oak timber that composed the principal growth with which our hardy pioneers were surrounded; and as nails were then worth sixty-two and a half cents per pound, their purchase was impossible, and heavy poles were laid upon the clapboards and pinned with wooden pins into the house-log, at cither end. This made an excellent roof.
In the way of furniture Mr. Lafollette had nothing besides some bedding, a few rude cooking utensils, and a scanty sup- ply of cupboard-ware. For a bedstead holes were bored in- to the logs on the inside of the house, and long wooden pins driven into them. Upon these pins were placed two or three puncheons hewn out by Mr. Lafollette, and on these pun- cheons the bed was placed. This rude bedstead, thus impro- vised, was quite common among the early settlers of Indiana, and upon such bedsteads have our fathers and mothers passed hundreds of nights in the sweetest and most invigorating repose after a hard day's labor. Thus slept Robert Lafol- lette and his wife many a time and oft; and on such a bed their first-born was ushered into existence, and though his birthplace was so humble, he now lives honored and lespected by all who know him. For a table plain boards were fastened upon wooden legs with wooden pins. No leaves were re- quired, and but two or three narrow and short boards were necessary for a top, and the table was complete. Wooden U-nches supplied the place of chairs, and a few wooden .shelves placed upon wooden pins driven in the logs answered for cupboard, bureau, and clothes-press. The floor was of punclieons. This was the home and furnishings of the first si-ttlcr within the present limits of Floyd county. It svas fin- '■■hed and first occupied in December, 1804.
Mr. LafoUette's nearest neighbors at this time lived about ten miles below him in Harrison county, and twelve miles alwve him at Clarksville, opposite the Falls. He brought with him from Kentucky a few sacks of corn, and getting "ut of meal about Christm:is he took a small sack of the K^ain m a canoe and paddled his little vessel and grist up to l.irascons mill at the t'.iils. But a feu hours after arrivmg «' the mill, and before his com could be ground .Tn im- "'•■nsc field of ice from above began moving down the river "•'■r the f.dls. The ice continued to increase in amount, and f^-r twelve days completely blockaded the river and rendered it
impossible to cross. All this time Mr. Lafollette was de. tained at the mill.
During his absence Mrs. LafoUette's scanty store of provis- ions gave out and for five or six days the only food she had to subsist U])on was i)arched corn, fii tho:^e days the only meats used were what was afforded by the wild game, and this was generally easily killed as it was required. Mr. Lafollette has frequently stated that he could almost any- morning kill all the game he needed in half an hour, within fifty yards of his house. Ftears, deer, wolves, panthers, and w ild-cats were numerous in the woods around him, and the hills back of Knob creek seemed to be a favorite resort for these wild animals. Hears and wolves not unfrequently came' within his enclosure and close up to his cabin door; and so plenty were wild turkeys, and so tame, that he often shot them from his own door-yard.
This section of the .State was, at that early day, frequently visited by wandering gangs of Shawncse and Miami Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Lafollette had for their nearest neighbors a small party of Sh;iwnese. They lived on the most amicable terms with these Indians; and whenever the marauding Miamis and Shaw nese otme from White river and the Wabash into the white settlements along the Ohio, for pur- poses of robbery and murder, Mr. Lafollette w as at once in- formed of the danger by his friendly Indian neighbors, and his wife would be sent over the river into Kentucky for safety, while he would join the expeditions of the selders above and below him to aid in driving back the savage foe.
Mr. Lafollette contmued to reside where he first settled until the division lines between the counties of Harrison and Clarke had lieen definitely run, and Charlestown fixed as the c<'unty seat of Clarke county. He resided within the limits of Clarke county, and paid his proportion of the special tax levied to build the first court-house at Charlestown. A few- years later he removed to Harrison county, and there paid a special tax levied to build the court-house at Corydon. When Floyd county was organized in 1819, he was thrown into this county, and when the court-house was built at New .Albany he paid his proportion of the tax levied to build it. He thus, in the period of fourteen years, paid special taxes to build three court-houses.
Mr. Lafollette continued to reside on the farm to which he removed from the vicinity of Knob creek until his death, which occurred in January, 1867. .At the time of his death he was eighty-nine years old, and had resided within the ter- ritory of what is now Floyd county sixty-two vears and two months. His wife died about one year earlier, at the age of seventy-nine, and sixty-one years after her settlement here.
In all the relations of life Robert Lafollette was a good man. He was conscientiously religious; his house was for many years a preaching place for the Regular Baptists, and the pioneer ministers of that denomination, as well as of all others, always made his home a stopping-place, and ever found there a cordi.il welcome. He subscribed for the first newspaper ever published in Floyd county, and continued to take a paper up to the day of his death. He is now with the companion of his youth's pioneer life, enjoying the rewards of a well-spent life in that house not made with hands— eternal in the heavens.
Mr. LafoUette's family was followed into this section by Clement Nance, Sr., and his family, who settled on what is kno'.vn as the Oatman farm, a few miles below New .Mbany, on the river road. It was his daughter, afterward married to Patrick Shields, who was the first white woman who ever crossed the Knobs. Mr. Nance lived to a npe ol<l age, and was always identified with the interests ot the
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HISTORY OF THE OIHO FALLS COUNTIES.
county, holding a number of inipoit,\nt and responsible offices, all of which he filled with honor.
The OatniLin f.imily followed that of X.iiice, from the best information wo can glean, shortly after. An old settler tells us a little love affair between Oatman and one of Mr. Nance's daughters, and wliat came of it. Oatman fell in love with Miss Nance, but for some reason his suit did not meet the favor of her f.ithcr, and his visits to the young lady ceased. Now Nance had not taken the precaution to preempt his land when he " Sfjuatted " upon it, because he had to go to Vin- ccnncs through an almost unlirulcen forest to do so. Set- tlers were coming in slowly, and he did not fear that his claim would be "jumped." Oatman found out that the land was not entered, and so determined, if he could not get the girl, he would have the land. Accordingly, in company with John Paul, he quietly left for Vincennes one fine morning early in 1807. entered the land and received the patent for it. At the simc time John Paul entered and received the patent for all the land upon which the present city of New Albany stands, except that lying above the "Grant line."
On returning home Oatman produced his patent for the "Oatman farm," and took possession of it. In consequence of this an ill feeling always existed between Mr. Oatman and Mr. Nance. To say the least of it, Oatman's act was not a very gallant one.
This matter of "jumping" a claim, or dispos- sessing a squatter of his rights, was considered a very serious matter among the pioneers, and often led to the bitterest of feuds which contin- ued many years among neighbors, and was often continued by the children for several generations, breaking out occasionally in bloodshed and mur- der. From this fact and the further fact that land was plenty — there was enough for all — it was seldom resorted to, unless for spite, as ap- pears to have been the case in this instance. Sometimes, however, when a squatter had occu pied and partially cleared a piece of desirable land, the temptation to possess it was too strong, and it was entered by some stranger, regardless of consequences. Such was the case with Mr. Lafollette, probably the first settler of the coun- ty. After toiling upon his farm in the woods for several years, building the cabin, clearing off fif- teen or twenty acres of the heaviest of woodland, and otherwise improving it, he suddenly became aware that some other person had entered it and was owner of it, and all his years of labor were going for naught. The distance to Vincennes being great, and having no way to get there, ex- cept on foot, he had neglected going, not think- ing any one would be mean enough to dispossess him, or hoi)ing that the fact of his not having en- tered it would remain unknown until he could go to Vincennes and perform that duty. He was disappointed, and was accordintjly compelled
to start anew on another farm in the wilderness, leaving all his improvements behind.
There is a dispute regarding the first settle- ment of this county, as there may easily be, and generally is about the first settlement of any par- ticular territory. So many circumstances are to be considered; and when it is taken into account that the counties and townships of to-day had no existence at the time of the first settlem.ent, that all surveyors' lines were few and far apart, that no one at that time seems to have been thoughtful enough or public spirited enough to keep a record of events, and that, consequently, such matters as the first settlement must depend entirely upon tradition, the difficulties and doubts in the matter will be understood.
There is little doubt that Robert Lafollette was the first settler on the territory now embraced in Franklin township, and may have been — he probably was — the first settler of Floyd county, though it is believed by some that John Carson, who is said to have settled at the inouth of Sil- ver creek, on the west side of that stream, as early as 1800, was the first settler. The settle- ment of Mr. Carson cannot, however, at this late date be verified, while the settlement of Robert Lafollette comes pretty straight, and there can be no reasonable doubt that the settlement was made in this township at the date stated. As the history of New Albany township contains some additional notes regarding the settlemer.t of John Carson, the subject will not receive fur- ther attention here.
There is another statement in the foregoing extract that may be taken with some grains of allowance, considering all the circumstances — that is, that Mrs. Patrick Shields, the daughter of Clement Nance, was the first white woman to cross the knobs. She may have been, and doubtless was, the first resident white woman to accomplish that journey; but it must be borne in mind that a settlement had existed at Clarksville, within four miles of the foot of the knobs, for more than twenty-five years prior to the advent of the Nance family. There were many families in this settlement; is it possible that none of the females ventured beyond the knobs during all those years. Again, there was a great Indian trail from the tails of the Ohio to Vincennes, passing over the knobs. This trail had been a great thoroughfare for the Indians and white
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
257
traders about Kasknskia, Vincennes, and other points in the West, for perhaps a century or more. Is it pjossible that no white woman, either captive or otherwise, passed over this trail during all those years? It is impossible to say, and therefore impossible to state as a ijositive fact, that Mrs. Shields was the first white woman to cross the knobs.
The Nance family became residents of this township after being dispossessed of their land, as stated in the foregoing extract, and the Oat- mans took possession of their old place, which is now within the limits of New Albany town- ship.
Clement Nance came from Virginia and set- tled here about 1805 or 1S06, with a family of six sons and five daughters. The sons were William, Mathias, Clement, Jr., James, Giles, and John Wesley. The daughters were Dorothy, Nancy, Mary, Elizabeth, and Jane. The place where the family first settled, near Oatman's ferry, was so heavily timbered that the larger part of an ordinary lifetime would be required to clear it, and the family suffered much from fever and ague, as was the case with all the early settlers who settled near the river. After losing this place they removed to the western part of this township, not far from the village of Lanes- ville, where Clernent Nance continued to reside until he died, h.is death occurring at the age of seventy-two years. He was a man of consider- able force of character, and wielded not a little influence among the settlers in his immediate neighborhood. He joined the Methodist church when seventeen years of age, but seems to have changed his belief quite often, as he appears at different times as a Methodist, Campbellite or "Chr-istian," and New-light believer. He be- came a local preacher, and occupied the pulpits ■ of the neighboring churches pretty regularly for many years. He enjoyed a high Christian char- acter, and is spoken of as a "good man, without fault."
Mrs. Welch, a granddaughter of Clement Nance, yet living in the township, says it was about the first of March, 1S05, when they reached the south bank of the Ohio, on the way to iheir new home. The weather was cold, with almost continual storms of rain and snow. When Mr. Nance first came from Virginia he settled on the Kentucky river, where he re- 33
mained about eighteen months. He then con- structed a flat-boat (having determined to push on to Indiana Territory), upon which he placed a part of his family — all the women and small children — and all his household effects. ' Upon this boat they floated down the Kentucky and Ohio, landing near that part of the river where the Oatman fcry was afterwards established. A portion of the family came overland with their cattle and horses, they being possessed of quite a number of cattle, which, by browsing upon the canebrake and the wild grasses that giew abundantly, kept fat.
Clement Nance had a large family, which he thus landed in the wilderness, without house or even shelter. It is said the mother cried pite- ously when she found herself, surrounded by a helpless family of children, brought to this dreary, desolate region, and landed in a cold March storm of sleet and snow, without shelter of any kind. They soon, with strong arms and brave hearts, erected a three-sided pole shanty, with the open end from the storm, and soon had a log-heap fire in front of it; and in this little eight-by-ten open carnp, covered only with bark and brush, the family lived many days, until a permanent cabin could be erected. The cattle were ferried over on the flat-boat, and allowed to roam at large in the woods. Fortunately they did not suffer for provisions, as the cows fur- nished milk and the woods were full of game that could be had almost without hunting for it. One of the boys, Giles, was the great hunter -of the Nance family, though all the family, even the girls, were e.\pert with the rifle. Giles Nance probably killed more deer than any other of the early settlers in this part of the county. In later years he kept atfime doe that he was in the habit of using successfully as a decoy, the doe fre quently going into the woods and returning in company with several of the wilder animals of the same species, which thus became victims to Giles' unerring rifle.
The boys nearly all became farmers and hunt- ers. Mr. Nance entered a large tract of land where he finally settled, enough to give his chil- dren each a Lwm. In after years James and Mathias were engaged in distilling, a very com- mon and respectable business in those days. Giles and William went to Illinois. Clement, Jr., became a prominent and influential citizen,
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
was one of ihe first board of county commis- sioners, became associate judge, and held other offices of trust and profit in the county. He was one of ihe judges when Dahnian was tried and found guilty ut murder, an account of which appears else^\]iere. Notwithstanding the fcud between the families, Nancy Nance seems to have married John Oatman, son of the old ferry- man, a tanner by trade, and a preacher by pro- fession. They moved West.
Dorothy Nance married Joseph Burton, also a Virginian, who with Patrick Shields came here about the time or immediately after Clemi-nt Nance. Shields and Burton, however, settled further north in what is now Georgetown town- ship.
But littfe is known of the Gwin famih', who came to this township soon after Clement Nance. They certainly arrived prior to the es- tablishment of the Oatman ferry; for upon their arrival on the opposite side of the river, they called over to the Nances to come and ferry them over. The river was full ot ice at the time, and it was a dangerous and difficult task ; but the solid fiat-boat belonging to the Nance family, driven by strong, practiced arms, was probably equal to the emergency. No doubt this flat-boat was the foundation of what shortly afterward became Oatman's ferry, which appears on the earliest records of the county, and con- tinues to be mentioned for some years. Thomas Gwin was the school-teacher, and probably taught the first school in what is now Franklin township. He taught several years at what is known as "Sycamore corners" (so called from a number of large sycamore trees that grew there). It was near the line of Harrison county, in the southern part of this township. A loi school-house was built at this place, it being near the center of a thriving neighborhood. Four influential pioneers, Joseph Decker, Thomas Smith, Captain Wiight, and another whose name is forgotten, put up this house where their farms cornered, and supplied, for a time, a majority of the children that were taught here. Ne.xt after Gwin, the pioneer pedagogue in this part of the county, was Joseph ^Valden, a Connecticut Yankee, who taught here many years. He was a single man. One of the first school-houses was also erected on the Nan':e farm, and Gwin taught here also. Both of these log school-
houses have long since disappeared; schools and teachers have scattered, grown old, reared fami- lies, and mosth, passed away, and the world 1 a^ moved forward nearly three-fourths of a century since they were built.
Thomas Smith was here prior to 1815. He appears as one of the "fence viewers" in 1S19, the first in this townshi]), the other two being Jacob Yenawine and Joseph Burton, both settlers in what subsequently became Georgetown town- ship. Mr. Smith was from Pennsylvania and settled in the southern part of the township, where he reared a family of ten or twelve chil- dren, and many of his descendants are yet living in the neighborhood. He was a farmer and a blacksmith, probably building the first shop of that kind in the limits of this township. He did not live long after his arrival here.
David Gunn came from \^irgiriia, entered land in the woods, and settled in the central part 01 the township, west of the Knob Creek hill, about 1S14. His children were Ira W., Mjthew, Fin- ley, and Nancy. The two first-named are now living in this vicinity at an advanced age. Gunn was a Methodist preacher, one of the first in this part of the country, and followed preaching and farming until his death. He preached w'herever and whenever he could get a few people to- gether, in a school-house, under a tree, or in his own cabin.
Captain William Wright, whose farm joined Mr. Smith's in the southwestern part of the town- ship, Nvas from Kentucky, and came here about 1 8 18 or before. He had eight or ten children, one of whom, Mrs. Cole, is yet living in this vicinity.
Colonel Gilbert Budd setth.d here prior to 1819, and his name is perpetuated in what is known as the "Budd road," a road crossing the center of the township east and west, and furnishing an outlet to New Albany. Colonel Budd was no doubt mainly instrumental in hav- ing this road pushed through, and must ha\e as- sisted very materially in clearing the way thn^ugh the woods. He owned a farm on Knob creek, the one now occupied by his son-in-law, John B. Hancock. Colonel Budd came from Kentucky, bringing his tiile with him, was an influential farmer, and remarkable as hnvinghad five wives, at diffeient periods during the years of his resi- dence here.
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259
William Sampson came from Kt-ntiu ky to this township, settling in the western part of it, in' what was known as the " I'lat woods," and was among the earliest settlers. The land he entered was a beautiful, level tract of Nvoods ; and the cabin erected, and in which he lived some years with a numerous family, is yet standing, una of the oldest landmarks in the township. Mr. Samp- son, was one of the earliest school teachers, and a justice of the peace for si.\teen years. Some of his descendants are yet living in the town- ship. He died of cholera in 1S33.
The southern part of the township was settled largely by people from Kentucky, North Cato- lina, and other Southern States. Among them were the two colored men, William and Jerry Clark, who were successful and influential farmers. '
SOME FIRST THIXGS.
By the commissioners" records it is ascertained that Patrick Leyden was the first constable of this township. He was appointed at the May session of 181 9, three months after the forma- tion of the county.
Elijah Cresswell and Gilbert Budd were the first overseers of the poor, and Caleb Newman, of ferry memory, the first inspector of elections. }'rederick Mosar, John Fliekner, and George Lidikay were the first "fence viewers" of the township, and John Conn the first "lister."
The first election held in the township was on the second Monday in March, 1S21. It was held at the house of John Bowman, and was for the purpose of electing a justice of the peace to succeed Allen Kendall, who had been ap- pointed by the commissioners, and who was the first justice in the township.
Jacob Yenawine's house was used for elections as early as 1S23. Mr. Yenawine was an early set- ter in what is now Georgetown township. A little later (1S26) the elections were held at th-j house of George Lidikay; and when Georgetown town- ship was created elections for Franklin were held at the house of John B. Hancock, where they continued to be held until James Tabler erected an "election house" on his place and presented '■^ to the town>hip for the purpose of holding elections.
BUCHANAN VILLAGE.
the township, where the roads cross; one going north and south along Knob creek, and the other east and west fiom New Albany to Elizabeth- town. Here Mr. Tabler determined to try to build up a village, as nothing of the kind ex- isted in Franklin township. He caused a small piece of his land to be surveyed and [ilatted, and erected the election house as an induce- ment for the people to congregate there, both for elections and other public meetings. This was when Mr. Buchanan occupied the Presi- dential chair; and being a stanch Democrat and an admirer of the President, he named the phce Buchanan. His town never came to any- thing, however. He failed to get anything more there than a blacksmith's shop and a small gro- cery. It is situated at the foot of what is known as "Blunk's knob," so called from the fact that Joseph Blunk settled on the top of a knob or hill there. "Rock House hill" is also not far away. Nature has formed out of the rocks on the top of this hill something resembling a house; hence the name.
THE EARLY MILLS.
Mr. Blunk had a horse-mill on his knob farm, and he and Clement Nance, who had a similar mill, did the grinding for the early settlers for many years. The very first settlers went across the river to Kentucky to mill, or up to Bullitt's or Tarascon's mill at the Falls; but it was not always possible to get to these mills, especially in winter, and the horse-mills were Well patronized. The Nance mill was made to run by horse-power attached to a "sweep," and was in use about twenty years.
Clement Nance, Jr., whose farm adjoined his father's, early erected a carding- and fulling-mill on his place, and for many years made the rolls from which the pioneer mothers of Franklin and
I the adjoining townships wove the cloth that was
I used bv the settlers for clothing.
Clement Nance, Jr.," subsequently erected a
j steam flouring-mill on his place, and after con-
] ducting it several years it burnt down, and was not rebuilt. But few mills have been erected in
i this township, the people doing their milling mostly at I.anesville, Corydon, and other points. A few saw mills have been built at different times along Knob creek, but have not generally pros-
Tabler's land was located near the center of pered.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Little business is carried on in the township except farming. There is an occasionaL black- smithshop, cooper-shop, and hosteh}' or small country inn, where a few groceries and liquors are kept and travelers are welcome for the night. Jacob Welch started a store in the northern edge of the townf.hip, about a mile south ol Edwardsville, in 1S73, ^'""^ '^^'P'^ it going until he died in March, iSSo, since which time it has languished, and is about to be closed up. He was a son of John ^Velch, who came from Au- gusta county, Virginia, in 1817. Most of the early settlers of this township who came from Virginia were from .Augusta county, and were either blood relations or personal acquamtances; so that the trials and hardships of a life in the new country were somewhat alleviated.
CHURCHES ANn RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
The first religious teachers who came through this part of the county were residents of this and the adjoining townships. They were Clement Nance, David Gunn, George Oatmnn, and Seth Woodruff. The hrst two have been mentioned as residents and among the first settlers in this township. Mr. Oatman settled on the bank of the Ohio, in what is now New Albany township, and Mr. Woodruff was a resident of the town of New Albany, and a prominent actor in all the af- fairs of the new town. He was associate judge, justice of the peace, and a man of great activity and good natural ability, though uneducated. He was what was known as a "Hardshell" Baptist, and established some of the first churches of that denomination in the county. These men preached the doctrines of the Methodists, New-lights, Christians, and Baptists. Oatman was the Cam])bellite or Christian preacher; the latter name was not, howe\'er, attached to the denomination at the date of his ministry in this township. All of these men preached in this territory before there were any churches or public buildings of any kind, their meetings being held in the woods when the weather permitted, other- wise in the cabins of the settlers,
William Sypher's name should also appear among the pioneer preachers, as tie began preach- ing here about 1S14, though a boy at that time. He was a Baptist.
It is imposjible at this date to ascertain which
of these pioneer preachers succeeded first in se- tablishing a church organization, but the honor probably lies between the Methodists and Bap- tists. David (Junn succeeded in organizing a Methodist class here about 1818, at his own house. When he settled here in the woods he built one of the largest log cabins in the neighborhood, and being a man of strong relig- ious convictions, soon gathered his few neigh- bors together in his house, conducted religious services, and after a time organized a class which has grown and prospered until the present Mount Zion church is the result. Meetings were held in Mr. Gunn's house probably twenty years or more, until the society grew strong enough to erect a hewed-log church about 1845. One of the sons, Ira W. Gunn, gave the land upon which the building was erected. Among the pioneers who formed this class at Mr. Gunn's were William Bailey and wife, Thomas Smith and wife, Joseph Decker and wife, Wil- liam Carter and wife, Philip Smith and wife, Samuel Smith, and a number of the young peo- ple of the neighborhood. Nearly or quite every- body attended this church, whether members or not, for many miles around. William Penning- ton and Edsvard McKown came over occasion- ally from Lanesville in an early day, and' preached for this class.
A Sunday-school was early organized here, and has been generally well sustained. The church is not as prosperous at the present time as form- erly.
The Methodists very early erected a log church building and organized a class in the southern and eastern piart of the township. Jerry Clark, one of the colored men before mentioned, made a gift of land upon which the building was erected, and in which the Methodists of that vicinity vvorsliiped many years. This class, however, was not kept up, and no services have been held in the church for many years. Last year the old log building, gray and decayed with age, was pulled down and taken away. Nothing remains to mark the spot but the few weather- beaten tombstones in the little grave-yard. For many years the Methodists in this part of the township were without an organization, and at- tended church either at Mount Zion or over on the Ohio river, at the church located within the limits of New Albany township.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
261
About 1869 Frederick Hartman and some others succeeded in establishing a- Sabbath-school ill ihc election-house that Mr. Tabier had elected at his would-be town, Buchanan. This school grew and prospered to such a degree that It laid the foundation of the present Embury Methodist church, a frame buildini^ located near No. i school-house, about a mile north of Hiichanan, on the Eiizabethtown Toad. The Sunday-school was after a time removed to and lontinued at the school-house, where preaching was had occasionally, both being so well sus- tained that it was deemed advisable to erect a (hurch building. William Z. Aydelotte was one of the principal workers in collecting funds for tlie erection of this church, and gave liberally of his means for that purpose. Mr. Hiram IJence also gave liberally, and all the people of the neighborhood contributed accordmg to their means, and the church was erected with the imdcrstanding that it was to be open to all denominations freely, though really belonging strictly to the Methodists. The building cost about $5,000. The church and Sabbath-school are' strong and active at present.
The Hopewell Baptist church is located in the centre of a Baptist neighborhood, near the west- ern line of the township and south of the Eliza- bethtown road. The organization is known to this day as the "Hard-shell" or "Iron-side-two seed" Baptist, believing that one generation is born to go to hell and another to heaven. Wil- liam Sypher was the man who established this church. He was a rather remarkable person in some respiects, beginning the ministry, it is said, at the tender age of thirteen years. At that age he preached George Parker's funeral sermon, and stood upon a chair in the cabin for that purpose. Mr. Sypher lived and preached in that and the adjoining neighborhoods all his lite, living to the age of eighty years. For many years prior to his death he had been familiarly known as "Lit- tle Billy," as he was a very small, withered-up specimen of humanity, but a man of considera- ble force of character and natural talent.
1 he old log church was erected so long ago that no one now living remembers about it, and there is no written record; but Mr. Sypher suc- '^eeded in building U[) a pretty strong church liere having the right kind of materials for his purpose. It prospered until 1S58, when there'
was a split in this ancient body. The members got into a disj)ute among themselves as to whether Christ was real tlesh and blood or a spirit, when he made his celebrated visit to this little world. Sypher took the spiritual view, and carrying with him about half of his congregation, repaired to what is known as the "Onion" school- house, where he continued his preaching until his death. This was a hard blow to old Hope- well; but she stood it nobly and yet keeps up her organization. The school-house in which Sypher preached and organized his separate church is located on Hardin Onion's land, in an Onion neighborhood, and his congregation was known as the "Little Billy party." After Mr. Sypher's death in 1879, Benjamin F. Williams took his place and has continued the preaching at the same place up to the present time. The.se churches do not believe in Sunday-schools. Each of these two Baptist churches now num- i bers about twenty or twenty-five members.
Robert Lafollette was a member of Svpher's church for fifty years or more.
The Campbellites or Christians have an organ- ized church at Number 4 school-house, and hold services once a month. It was organized in 1867, by WilHam Edwards and Moses Smith, both of Edwardsville, who officiate as ministers of this congregation. The principal members at the date of organization were Peter Blunk, George Carpenter, Amanda Lafollette, ^L^rion Tabler and wife, and some others. A Sunday- school was organized about the time the church came into existence, and it is yet well sustained. The present membership of the church is about thirty.
EIOGR.\PHlCAL NOTES.
James Tabler was born in Pennyslvania, June 19, 1806. His father, Peter Tabler, came to this county when James was but an infant, though remaining a short time in Harrison county. He was a farmer by occupation, and settled in Frank- lin county. James was educated in the com- mon schools and was a farmer by occupation though he was a pilot on the Yazoo river for a number of years. On May 12, 1837, he was married to Lydia Page, a native of Norwich, Norfolk county, England. She was born Febru- ary 27, 1 82 2, and came to New York city when but a child. Her mother dying when she was a child her father led a roving life. She had
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262
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
thirteen children, tlie names of tliose living be- ing William, Eli/aheth (Hmes), Josephine (Mi.ir- phy), Margaret, Milvina, Eliza. James Tabler died January 23, 1S79. lie was a member of the Catholic church. Mrs. Tabler manages the farm as a stock and crain farm.
CHAPTER XV.
, ,"; GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP.
ORG.A.NlZ.\TION.
This was the last township created in Floyd county, and appears to have been made almost wholly out of the northern half of Franklin township. The latter township was much too long for the width of it, which rendered it very inconvenient for the settlers in the extreme north and south parts to reach the place of holding elections. The settlements were not extensive, however — the township settling up very slowly, on account of the rather inferior quality of the land — until after the establishment of the village of Georgetown, in 1S33. All new towns are am- bitious, and if they cannot become county seats, may at least aspire to be the center of the town- ship business. This was the case with George- town village. The farming land in the vicinity of the village is very fair; the first settlement was made there, and people settled more rajiidly and numerously in that than in any other part of Franklin township. These and other circum- stances led to the petition tor a new townshi[); hence the following very impcrt'ect record is found upon the county commissioners' books, under date of November 6, 1837:
Ordered, that Franklin township, in F'loyd countv, be di- vided as follows: From the corner of John Ross'
land to the corner of John Bill's land, corner
of Frederick Hanger's land . and the north
. part of said lines, to be called Georgetown township,
and the south part Franklin township; and the place
of holding elections in Georgetown township to be at some house in Georgetown, and that of Franklin to be at the house of ]ohn Snvder.
^Vhy the above entry on the commissioners' record was never perfected, or why it was made at all in this imjierfect condition, remains a mys- tery; but Georgetown township was theieafter a fi.xed fact. Franklin was cut in its narrowest
part from east to west, and this act severed troni Franklin township the best portion of it, agri- culturally considered.
TOPOCR.'iPHV, ETC.
Georgetown is f;rirly an agricultural district. It is gently rolling and in soma places hilly, but the surface is mostly tillable. The soil is light clay — light not only in color, but in weight — and contains but little grit or sand. It is by no means a strong soil, but produces fairly of all the crops usually produced in other townships of the county. With careful cultivation and favor- able seasons, comparatively large crops can be produced.
The range of hills known as "the knobs" throws out a spur to the westward from the lower end of the city of New Albany, which extends across New Albany township and penetrates the eastern part of this township, the western ter- minus of this spur being at Edwardsville, where it connects with the Knob Creek hills. These latter hills extend in a general way south from Edwardsville, and join the main range of knobs in the southern part of Franklin township. Down through this spur winds the headwaters of Mid- dle creek, which has its rise in the numerous springs around the head of the spui upon which ' Edwardsville is built. It is said that the same spring near the village that forms one of the sources of Knob creek, also contributes to the waters of Middle creek.
The only untillable part of this township is in the vicinity of Edwardsville, where this spur of the knobs enters it. The surface here is very much broken and heavily timbered. Beyond this spur the whole surface of the township falls off gradually to the westward and northward, un- til it ends in the valley of Indian creek.
The township is watered by the numerous tributaries of Indian creek, which generally flow- northwest. The surface of the township is high- est near its southern line, from which the waters flow north and northwest into Indian creek and south into the Ohio river. Most of the tributa- ries of Indian creek retain the name "Indian," as "Big" and "Little" Indian, "South," "West," "East," or "North" branch ofBig or Little Indian, as the case may be; the main cieek in this town- ship, although known to many as the Little branch of Big Indian, is usually called Whiskey
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
263
run, from the fact that in an early day a large number of distilleries were in operation on its banks. This stream lises in the knobs in the vicinity of Edwardsville, and, takini; a general westward course through the central part of the township, I'asses through Georgetown village, and turning northwest enters Big Indian creek within the Imiils of the township. When the county was new and uncleared this 'was a fair-sized creek; but it is now nothing but a brook, and is almost or entirely dry during a portion of the year. The first settlement in the township, and about the first in the count}-, was made on this stream.
The northeastern portion of the township is drained by Little Indian creek, which, rising in the Icnobs in the northern part of Lafayette township, bears south, or southwest, until it reaches the eastern line of this township, when it makes a great bend, turning northwest and north, passing across the northeastern corner of this township, entering Greenville township, and, turning again to the west, joins Big Indian in the southern part of the latter township. It sends out a few small branches into the northern and eastern part of this township.
The Big Indian passes across the northwest corner of the township, entering Harrison county and pursuing a very winding way, generally southwest, to the Ohio in that county. At Cory- don it is joined by Little Indian creek No. i.
THE RAILWAY AND TUNXEL.
This township is favored by the passage through it of the New Albany & St. Louis Air Line railroad, which is at this time in process of construction, a large number of workmen being employed along the line in this and New Albany townships. The well known tunnel on this road is wholly in this township, and furnishes the exit through which the train will escape from the valley enclosed by the knobs. The railroad fol- lows up the valley of Middle creek, windmg about among the hills, valleys, cliffs, and crags of the spur before mentioned, until it reaches the vicinity of Edwardsville. Here the spur coming to an abrupt and rugged termination, compels the company to .tunnel it. This tunnel was com- menced several years ago, when the first com- pany was formed for the purpose of putting this road through. That company did a great deal
of work on it — in fact, nearly completed it — but failed before the work was wholly done. The tunnel is 4,6Sg feet long; and but twenty feet of this distance remained when the first company was compelled to abandon the work for want of funds. Edward Cummings was the first con- tractoi, and continued drilling and blasting through this solid hmestone rock for nearly three years. The work was renewed in April, 1881, and promises success. Daylight shone through the tunnel for the first time September 2, 1881. Tlie present contractors are Hay, Meyer & Co., Mr. George Smimons being the company and the active man in the construction of the toad in the eastern part of this township. ' This com- pany have the contract for building three miles of the road along here, and have sub-let the fin- ishing of the tunnel to Messrs. Murphy & Brad- ford, residents of Edwardsville. The work is continued night and day by about thirty work- men, tire drilling and blasting being done without machinery. The excavation is eighty-nine feet below the surface at the highest pomt, and two air shafts over seventy feet in depth have been sunk from the surface of the hill. The tunnel is about fifteen feet wide and twenty-four feet high, and will cost, when completed, in round numbers, about $1,000,000.
A sad accident occurred in this tunnel on the 15th of October, x88i, while it was in process of construction, by the caving in of a portion of the tunnel roof. Two of the employes, Robert Decker and Con. Sullivan were killed, and Joseph F. Wier received some injury.
All along the line of the road through this town;.hip is heard and seen the busy notes of preparation for the laying of the track and the coming of that great civilizer, the railway train. Very soon the stream of the locomotive and the thunder of the rushing train will be heard in the land, and the Air Line, that has for so many years been in the thoughts of the [jeople, and which has failed and come up through much tribulation and labor, will be an accom|)lished fact. It is already scattering its blessings along the line by disbursing the millions it takes to build it among those who earn it by their labor. A new tele- graph line has recently been put up aloiig the entire line of the road, and trains are already running on its western division.
The railroad enters the township from the east
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
over the eastern line of section Thirty-one, and enters the tunncLilmost under the nortiiern ed,f;e of the village of Edwardsville, coming out near the church aboyt a half mile distant, where it is proposed to erect a station. It then bends a little south and striking the valley of Whiskey run, follows it to Georgetown, where it leaves the stream and twining south passes into Harri- son county.
TIMKER .\\1) UNDERGROWTH.
When the fust settlers entered this township, near the beginning of this century, it was en- tirely covered with timber; there were no swamps of any extent, nor any waste places or prairie. The timber was not so rank in growth as that along the Ohio river, nor so dense ; the woods were more open and consisted mostly of oak, sugar, beech, and hickory, though oak pre- dommated. There was also plenty of chestnut and many other varieties of hard wood. The chestnuts and acorns were the principal attrac- tions of the deer, which were found iiere in great numbers. The animals also love to resort to the open woods and feed on the small oak bushes and other undergrowth that continually spring up. In many places the ground was covered to considerable depth with wild pea-vines, and the leaves of the trees and stray branches falling upon these, often formed a thick, almost impen- etrable covering for the ground. \A'hen the deer could be driven into this covering they could be captured as easily as if driven into a deep snow, for their sharp feet would penetrate the mass and become entangled in the vines. In places it was very difficult for the hunter to get through, as well as his game ; the trees " ap- peared like stakes driven into the ground, no sign of roots being visible."
INDI.WS.
Mr. L. Yenawine, whose father was among the earliest settlers, says that a party of fifteen or twenty Indians came every tall for some years after the family settled here, and camped near a spring where Mr. Yenawme had erected his cabin (and near which his son now lives) for the purpose of hunting the deer. "They were a jolly lot of young bucks, and seemed greatly to enjoy their lives." Thev would take turns re- maining in camp, two of them attending it while the remainder were huntmg. This fine spring
now furnishes water for the family, as three- fourths of a century ago, when it was in the midst of a dense forest, it poured forth its waters for the red man and the deer. In front of Mr. Yenawine's house and near the bank' of the creek (Whiskey run) have been found great num- bers of arrow points, stone hatchets, and other implements of Indian manufacture, indicating an old camping-ground of the red man. With- out doubt this was a favorite and perhaps per- manent camping-place, on account of its prox- imity to both the spring and the creek.
WILD BEASTS.
Deer, bears, and wild turkeys were the most numerous of the wild annuals of these woods at the date of the first settlement; though wolves, panthers, wild-cats, and other wild animals were by no means scarce. There were also great numbers of snakes of all kinds known to this climate and soil. These were especially plenty along the knobs, among the rocks; even yet rat- tlesnakes and other serpents are occasionally killed there. At that date, or just prior to the first settlement, bulYalo and elk were numerous, especially the former. This animal then mi- grated from north to south at certain seasons, the same as it does to-day on the great prairies of the West. The buffaloes probably had ex- tensive feeding-grounds on the prairies of Ken- tucky and numerous crossing places along the Ohio. A herd of buffaloes in its migrations was not to be deterred by a river in its course. None of these animals were found in this mime- diate vicinity at the date of the first settlement, but one of their paths, deep and well-marked, led up the valk-y of Middle creek from the- mouth of Falling run, showing that they habit- ually crossed the Ohio river at that point, near the nairows. The trail came up over what has ever since been known as "Buffalo ridge," and bore generally northwest.
TLMPORARV INDIAN CAMPS
for hunting purposes were known to exist in this township at different points on the little streams, but no Indians were permanently located within its borders, so far as is remem- bered. Moses Harper, one of the earliest set- tlers and yet living near Georgetown, remem- bers when it was considered necessary to gather
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the few families of the neighborhood into one of the stronger cabins, barricade the door, and otherwise prepare for a night attack from the savage foe. This was about the beginning of the War ofi8i2, when there was much alarm among the frontier settlers, they fearing a general Indian upiising. The settlers thus met for protec- tion every night, and separated every morning to their respective cabins. Mr. Harper remembers seeing the famous Sac chief Black Hawk, when in- I,ouisville, on his way to Washington to trans- act some business with the Government relative to Indian affairs.
GREAT CHANGP'.S
have been wrought in this as well as other town- ships of the county since those days, though they are not so far away but that the space of a man's life still connects them with the present age. Now there are finely cultivated farms where the forest once held full sway, and comfortable brick and frame dwellings have taken the places of the cabin and the wigwam of the savage. Here and there, however, the cabin still remains and is oc- ■ copied as a dwelling.
ARKA.
There are in the tov.nship 9,732 acres of land, of which nearly two-thirds are yet in forest. There is still much good ship-building timber, as well as a plentiful supply for other purposes for many years to come.
FIRST WHITE SETTLEMENTS.
The early settlers of this township came largely from Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky, though a few were from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and different parts of New England.
Among those who settled in this township prior to- 1812 were the following: Patrick and James Shields, Joseph and Levi Burton, Freder- ick and John Hanger, William Shaw, Philip Cook, William Smith, the Ulz family, Jacob Yenawine, James and Jesse Hickman, Mr. Bur- nett, Philip Mosar, Philip Sisloff, David Sillings, John Barkshire, Daniel Keller, and probably a few others.
The following additional settlers v.xre here as Parly as 1S.30: Cieorye Lidikay, John Flikner, ^WMiaiu Sloan. John Rice, Michael Swartz, JosL'iih Moore, John Russell, John Tresenriter, the widow Harper, George Wolf, George Waltz, Milton Rufford. John Tiiomas, Abraham Engle-
man, Craven Flynn, George Footc, Jonathan Baird, David Tyler, John League, John Evans, Geofgc Zimmerman, Jacob Fisher, George Bay- ler, Mr. Fowler, John Sowers, and others. -Vbout twenty of tlie above flrmilies came from Augusta county, Virginia, between 1S16 and 1820, constituting a second emigration and buy- ing out many of the first settlers, who moved on further West. Many of the earliest emigrants to tliis teriitory were merely hunters and squat- ters, a class of people always forming the advance guard of civilization. Many of them came here, built temporary brush or pole cabins, and some even substantial, permanent habitations. They cleared a little piece of ground for a ■"truck- patch," and remained a few years until the in- coming white settlers began to crowd out the game, when they "pulled up stakes," and retired with the game and the red man to the l"at AV"est. These were mostly squatters, with no intention of settling anywhere permanently. Many of the early settlers were, hov.-ever, squatters, and came with the intention of permanent settlement, first squatting upon the land, building a cabin, and making permanent improvements with the inten- tion of" entering and possessing the land at the first opportunity. Settlers who came in a little later could easily buy out the squatters, especi- ally if the latter were inclined to follow the life of a hunter and trapper; and the substantial cabin in the wilderness, with the little clearing around it, was a temptation to the emigrant, who, if he could purchase it, would thus be saved the great labor of immediately building and clearing. ' Here was a place ready made to his hand, a shelter tor his family, worth a little more than land in the unbroken forest; and though he might have entered this same piece of land at the land office and thus dispossessed the squatter, he generally preferred purchasing the claim and it afterward, thus saving trouble to both parties. There is little doubt that Patrick Shields was the first settler in this township, and probably the second settler in the county. A rather re- markable fact connected with this settlement is that the log cabin Mr. Shields erected when he settled here is yet standing and in fair condition, though erected in the spring of 1805, seventy- seven years ago. This cabin stands near and east of Georgetown village, on the road to New Albany, and near the bank of Whiskey run, or
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Burton's branch, as it was then called. The new- railroad ])asses very near the old cabin. It is evident from this cabin that Patrick Shields was a man of consideiable means, energy, and force of character, as it is a much better cabin than was generally erected in those days. It was built almost entirely of blue ash logs, and is nearly two full stories in height. The logs were hewn and the cabin in every way a superior one. Shields, in a short time, gathered about him a settlement of some size, and wielded consider- able influence among the settkrs. His cabin, being the most commodious in the neighbor- hood, became the public house of the neighbor- hood, where religious and other general meetings Were held. This building is one of the very few original cabins yet standing in this part of the . Stale, and is now owned by Mr. T. Crandall. It has generally been occupied as a dwelling since it was built.
Patrick Shields went to the defense of the border when the Indians threatened a general massacre, and was 'a private in Harrison's army at the battle of Tippecanoe, where his horse re- ceived a bullet in the head, but lived to be brought home by his owner. ]\Ir. Shields sub- sequently became a magistrate and associate judge, and in later years was known as Judge Shields. He was a man of good natural ability, a kind-hearted citizen, and a true friend.
The following extract regarding the settlement of Shields is taken from a map of the State pub- lished some years ago:
When Patrick Shields came there were no mills, and he and his neighbors were compelled to go over to Kentucky for their gnsts and provisions. At the foot of what is now State street, in Georgetown. Mr. Shields, by the aid of a negro, brought with him from Virginia, cleared his tirst patch of grojmd (about two' acres) and raised his first crop — or rather attempted to raise it, but it was destroyed by a severe frost in autumn.
There is no doubt that Patrick Shields was the pioneer of all that band of Virginians, a score or more of families, that subsequently fol- lowed his lead and became citizens of this town- ship. James R. Shields, a son of this first set- tler, subsequently became prominent in the affairs of the county, and especially of the city of New Albanv.
William Shaw followed Shields very closely in his settlement here, but died soon after coming, his death being the first among the white settlers within the limits of this township.
The Purlon family, from North Carolina, v.ere probably the next settlers in point ol time, com- ing ht-re about iSo6. Thiy settled on the north side of Burton's branch, on a section adjoining the one on which Jacob Yenawine settled and on which Mr Lafayette Yenawine now lives, near the central and eastern \mn of the township. The Burtons seem altogether to have disappeared from this locality.
About the same time (iSo6) other emigrants came from North Carolina, among them being the Hickman, Mosier, Sislofl", Burkitt, and Bow- man faniilies; and it is not unlikely that these families all came together in the spring of that year, following closely the Burtons. 'They all settled along Burton's branch, between the Shields settlement and what is now Edwardsville. Jarnes Hickman squatted on the farm upon which Mr. L. Yenawine now lives, and cleared ten acres there, then sold out in 1811 to Jacob Yenawine. His brother, Jesse Hickman, settled on an adjoining section. These Hickmans sub- sequently became, by immigration and increase, a numerous family in the county, most of them settling further north on Little Indian creek, within the present limits of Lafayette township. One of this family, Mrs. Summers, yet resides in this township. Philip Mosier and Philip Sis- loff both reared large families on Whiskey run, and helped to give it that name by erecting dis- tilleries on its bank.s — a very respectable and lu- crative business in those days, and one which was engaged in foi many years by the early set- tlers of this township. David Sillings was one of the earliest of these distillers. There were, peiha[js, a score or more of such establishments along this little creek at one time; and, indeed, there has never been a time, even down to the present day, tha\. some kind of fermented liquor was not manufactured on this stream. Silas Baird, a descendant ot Jonathan Baird, still man- ufactures "apple-jack," and according to the statement of an old resident he made a "power" of it last year, and used "right smart ap])les" in the process. In consequence of these establish- ments there vvas a good market for corn in pio- neer days along this stream, and great numbers of hogs were fattened at the distilleries from the refuse. The business created considerable activ- ity, and kept in circulation the little money there was.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
267
William Smith, one of ihe pioneers, was fro(n New Jersey, and in that very early day was rather solitary and alone in his Yankee ways and opin- ions. He was a soldier in the War of 1S12, and had been living here some years at that date.
The Utz family were from the South, and ^^rs. Utz, who lived to relate many incidents of pio- neer life, used to tell with jnirticular satisfaction, in the more prosperous yeirs of the' family, how poor they were on their arrival and settlement in the woods — how her husband was occasionally compelled to leave her alone in the cabin and go across the river into Kentucky with his sack of corn, to get it ground into meal and to get other piovisions for the family larder. On one of these occasions, when he was absent longer than usual, she was compelled to live for a few days on let- tuce and salt, so near were they to starvation; and on another occasion, believing that Indians were prowling about the cabin with hostile intent, she cautiously left it, and gaining the shelter of the, surrounding forest, ascended a tree, in the top of which she secreted herself and lemained duiing the night.
The Hanger family was from Virginia and settled in the Shields^ neighborhood, having, no doubt, been induced to move thither by the rep- resentations and influence of Patrick Shields.
Philip Cook settled about a mile west of what is now the village of Edwardsville, in the Hick- man and Yenawine neighborhood. Fie was from Virginia, and had an extensive family. Three of his sons are yet living in the townsl.ip — William, Hall, and Charles, all farmers.
Jacob Yenawine was one of the most mfluen- tial and active of the early pioneers of this town- ship. He came from the solid Dutch families of Pennsylvania, and like nearly all the first set- tlers of this region, reared here a large family of sturdy, steady-going, healthy children, who have assisted materially in moulding the character of the people of the township. He came from York county, Pennsylvania, and settled about one and a half miles west of Edwardsville in 181 1, purchasing, as before stated, the improve- ment of James Hickman. His son, Mr. L. Yen- awine, now occupies the farm. The sons were: L.^niel, George, John, Samuel, Shelby, and La- '■lyttte. The girls were Nancy and Elizabeth. Ihe latter died a few years ago, but Nancy is yet living in the township, occupying the old Burton
place. The boys are all dead but three — Sam- uel, who lives in California; Shelby, in George- town; and Lafayette, occupying the home place.
The wife of Jacob Yenawine, mother of these children, is yet living on the old place where she settled nearly seventy years ago.
David Sillings, from North Carolina, and John Barkshire, settled near Mr. Yenawine about the same date (181 1).
John Tresenriter, a settler of 1818 in this township, was afso a Pennsylvania Dutchman. His parents were from Germany, but he was born in Hamburg, Penn.'-.ylvania, from which place he emigrated to Kentucky, where he remained but a short time. He first settled about one mile south of Georgetown. There were nine children in this family, viz: Wesley, William, Gideon, Sarah, Nancy, John, Samuel, Hamilton, and Henry. Two only are now living in this tovvn' ship, Samuel and Nancy.
Moses Harper, yet lesiding about a mile north of Georgetown village, was born in 1805 in North Carolina, and came to this township with his widowed mother and her son-in-law, John Thomas, in 1S08, the family settling near where Mr. Harper now lives. There were three chib dren — Samuel, Nancy, and Moses. The f^rst two are dead. Mr. Harper is an interesting talker, and his memory of pioneer days and in- cidents is somewhat remarkable. He says at the time they came John Smith and John Russell were here, buth from North Carolina. Smith was a settler within the limits of what is now Franklin township, and had a family of ten children. Russell was twice married, and had a family of twenty-one children, but one of whom, Elizabeth Case, is now a resident of this town- ship. Mr. Harper was for many years a neigh- bor of Patrick Shields, and says of him that he was one of the best men he ever knew. Shields, Russell, William Nance (a settler in Franklin), Henry Waltz (a son of George, the founder of Georgetown), and Milton Bufford, were all with Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe. Th^ Waltz family were Pennsylvanians, and settled in 1 807 where the village of Georgetown stands. Bufford settled a short distance west of George- town and reared a large family, none of whom are now living in the township. He kept a dis- tillery.
Abraham Engleman was a settler in the north-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
ern part of this township soon after the Harpers came. He was one of a numerous family of brothers who came here among the pioneers and settled mostly on Indian creek, in what are now Greenville and Lafayette townships. Abraham's son Levi now occupies the old place in this township where his father settled. The Engle- mans were industrious, pro5i)erous, and influen- tial citizens. "Jake" Engleman owned and con- ducted a distillery m tlie northern part of the township, on Little Indian; but; the greater num- ber of distilleries on the streams of the county were located on Burton's Branch, and of these Jonathan Baird's was the most extensive. David Tyler, one of the early settlers from North Car- olina, was among the numerous distillers on this creek. Even yet Georgetown township apple- jack is not unknown in Louisville and New Al- bany.
The northern and southern parts of the town- ship were settled later than the central portion, which is traversed by the stream and occupied by the most desirable land ; but it is probable that all the land in the township was occujiied prior to the date of the formation of the town- ship. The few pioneers now living are fine spec- imens of that departed and never-to-be-forgotten age, and the memory of each is a store-house of pioneer incidents. Indeed, the recollection of that olden time, when they could stand in their cabin doors and shoot turkeys and deer, when they crept through the silent forest in pursuit of game and fished in the beautiful streams, will cling to them when the memory of all other things fades away forever. In recalling these in- cidents and adventures the dimmed eye will brighten, the withered cheek flush with excite- ment, and the aged and bent pioneer will live over again in memory the days that are gone forever.
THE PIONEER TANNERY.
Among the early institutions in this township, and one which benefited the pioneers probably more than any other, was the Duncan tannery, erected more than fifty years ago by James T. Duncan, on Whiskey run, near Georgetown. This establishment has been in operation since that time, as upon the death of Mr. Duncan it passed into the hands of his son Charles.
NO DOCTORS OR L.A.\VVERS.
One of the pioneers remarks the entire absence
of doctors or lawyers among the early settlers. There was no business for either. He often wondered in his own childish mind what a doc- tor was — whether he was a wild or domesticated animal ; whether he walked on all fours or up- right like a man, or whether he lived in a hollow- log or a cave — in fact, he had no idea at all of what a doctor resembled. He sometimes- heard his parents speak of the doctor, but never saw one in his childhood days.
MILLS.
The first inhabitants of this territory were compelled to repair to the Kentucky side of the river for their milling. Hominy blocks were used to some extent, but as mills had been es- tablished at the falls near Shippingsport, and others at various points in Kentucky prior to the first settlement, the settlers repaired to these whenever possible to do so. Sometimes, how- ever, the river was impassable or the weather severe, so these mills could not be visited; and then the hominy block was used, and very soon the horse-mill was substituted. The settlers in this township first resorted to the horse-mill erected by Clement Nance, mentioned in the chapter on Franklin township; but it was not long before Mr. Nance had a competitor in the milling business. This was Mr. Isaac Bowman; who caused to be erected on his place, not far from the village of Edwardsville, the first horse- mill in this township. It was a trcadv/heel mill, and was put up by Daniel Keller, who was a mill- wright and came here among the earliest settlers.
Engleman's mill, on Little Indian creek, was probably the first water-mill in this vicinity, and was located in what is now Greenville township. The first water-mill erected in this township was by Daniel Yenawine on Whiskey run. It was of logs and was conducted by him in connection with his distillery. These water-mills were very un- certain, however, not always to be depended upon; were stopped entirely by a drouth, and frequently washed away by high water ; consequently the horse-mills were by no means deserted after the erection of water-mills. The former were the more reliable, and were in operation here as late as 1S45.
Mr. Yenawine's log mill was in operation about twenty years or more. It was once washed away by a flood, and rebuilt of logs. It finally burnt down about 1S40, when Mr. Yenawine
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
26g
purchased the old Bowman wheel and erected a horse-mill near where the school-house now stands, about half a mile west of ICdw'ardsville, ■ ;vhich was in o[)eration seseral years.
About 1825 Patrick Shields built a water saw- mill near Georgetown, or rather the future site of that thriving village, which was the foundation of the present Summers grist-mill. The saw- mill has been continued at or near that place until the present day. About 1S35 this mill came into the possession of Levi Summers, who ran it until 1S4S, when he, with hundreds of others, became infected with the California gold fever, sold out, and went to that then far-oft^ re- gion. Meanwhile he had erected near the saw- mill a frame grist-mill, with two run of buhrs. Mr. Summers sold out to Harmon & Brother, who, after four or five years of successful busi- ness, sold in turn to Solumon Bierly. The mill went down in the latter's hands, became decayed, and was never rebuilt by him. In 1853 Levi Summers returned from California and erected a saw-mill on the site of the present null, which he conducted until 1S67-68, when he added the present large frame grist-mill. In 1S76 it came into the possession of Albert Buckhart, and the firm has since changed to Buckhart & Summers, one of Levi Summer's sons having an interest. Steam-power was added many years ago, and the mill does an extensive business.
The present fine, large frame grist-mill on Lit- tle Indian creek, in the northeastern part of the township, known as "Cook's mill," was estab- lished about fifty years ago by John Eddleman, who first built a little log saw-mill at this spot, and subsequently added a small frame grist-mill, which he conducted until his death, w^hen the property passed into the hands of Samuel Cook. He, after a proprietorship of a few years, demol- ished the little frame building and erected the present structure. The present proprietors are D. Cook & Son. The m:ll contains three run of buhrs, and may use both water and steam pow'er. The business of the firm is quite exten- sive, as, besides doing a large custom business, they manufacture considerable flour which they ship to foreign markets.
Portable steam saw-mills are now somewhat extensively used through the township, as there 's yet much valuable timber to be reduced to lumber, and the portable mill can be convenient-
ly located. The old fashioned water saw-mill, with its lieavily framed up-and-down saw has al- most disappeared from this territory as elsewhere for want of water, which few of the creeks of to- day furnish in sufficient quantities.
EART.V SCHOOLS.
Mr. Craven Lynn, an early settler in this town- ship from North Carolina, was probably the first school teacher, as well as the first preacher, in this part of the county. He and Clement Nance preached in Judge Shields' cabin long before any house of worship was erected. Lynn was a fair- ly educated man, and married Patsy Foote, a daughter of George Foole, also an early settler from North Carolina. Mr. Lynn seemed to be about the only one aniong the early settlers qualified and willing to undertake school teach- ing, and the few settlers in the western part of this township and in the adjoining county of Har- rison came together and built for him a log school-house, to which children resorted for many miles around. This county was not then in existence; and when the line was run in 1S19 it left the old school house on the Harrison county side. The building was of rough, un- hewn logs, with the bark on, greased-paper win- dows, and in all other respects as primitive as a house could well be. It was a fair specimen of all the school-houses of those days, which have been so frequently described.
Another one of the very early school-houses was located further east, on John Flick ner's place. It was a log building, and was known for forty years as the Union school-house. It served not only for school, but for church pur- poses. A man named Sargent was among the first teachers. When it was considered best to erect a new building, the location was changed, the new house being placed on the highway from Edwardsville to Georgetown, and near the former place. The township now contains six school- houses, conveniently located and constructed. .
GEORGETOWN.
The settlement which grew up around Patrick Shields and his saw-mill on Whiskey run, was the foundation of the present village. This settle- ment was nine miles from New Albany, and in its establishmenc ante-dated that now thriv- ing city by half a dozen years. Clarksville, Corydon, and Louisville consequently furnished
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HISTORV OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
the base of supplies for the Shields settlement some years; but after 1813 the. nearest trading point to the settlement was New Albany. As 'the settlement grew the dematid for supplies of all kinds naturall)' increased; and this demand caused the building of two blacksmith shops on the "^Vhiskey Run road," where the present village is located. These shops were erected and the business conducted by Andrew Huff and Absalom IJarnaby, and were the beginning proper of the town. Hufi" was from Virginia, had a small family, did business here several years, and removed to northern Illinois, where, at last accounts, lie still resided. Barnaby was a Hoosier by birth, and also emigrated to Illi- nois, where he died.
George Waltz, as before mentioned, had, in 1S07, entered the land at this point lying on the north side of the Whiskey Run road, and being a somewhat public-spirited man, he gave to these blacksmiths the land upon which their shops were erected. The shops naturally brought the settlers for many miles around to this point to get their horses shod; and Waltz was, after some years, persuadec^, by his blacksmithing neighbors to lay out a portion of his land into lots, which he did, and the place came naturally to be called "Georgetown." John Evans at that 'time owned the land on the opposite side of the road from George Waltz's tract. He had purchased it from Patrick Shields, who entered it. It took some years to convince Evans that Georgetown would be a success; but he was fmally persuaded to lay out a portion of his land mto lots, and thus the town began to assume proper shape. It was not properly surveyed and platted until December 10, 1833, at which time the following entry ap- pears oil the records of the county: Plat of Georgetown.
The above are lots and pl.it of a town laid off by George Waltz, lying on Whiskey Run road, nine miles from New Albany.
It is situated in the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section Thirty-two, township No. 2, south of the base line, range Five east. Gamaliel Garretson appears as surveyor. The town has grown but little beyond the original l)lat. Two additions have since been made: one by Jacob Meiley, in October, 1S34, and one by James Burger, April S, 1850.
The first building erected on the town plat, after the blacksmith shops, was by one of the
blacksmiths, Absalom Barnaby, who built a hewed log dwe.lling near his shop. This building stood a good many years, but was torn .down by William Harmon, who came into possession of the properly, and erected in its place the present large frame building. Soon after the cahin was erected John Hanger and James Waltz built a small frame store-room to the cast of and near it, in which they placed a small but general stock of goods, and opened the first store. Their principal articles of sale were whiskey and to- bacco, though they kept other necessary articles in limited quantities.
Alessis. Hanger iv' Waltz continued this busi- ness four or five years, when they closed out the stock and quit business. Mr. Hanger died at Vicksburg since the close of the war, and Mr. Waltz is at present keeping store at Springtown, Crawford county, in this State.
William Harmon started the second store in his large frame, built on the site of the first cabin, and was the principal merchant of the place for many years, and until he died. He had previously taken his son James into partner- ship, and the latter continued the business until recently, when he died and the business passed into the hands of his brother-in law, Hardin Crandall, by whom it is yet conducted.
The third store in the village was started by John Tresenriter, who, howevei, kept it only two or three years, when he sold out to John Thomas, the present owner, who has long been one of the most prominent business men of the place. He carries a general stock.
In 1S75 Jotin Bailer came to the place and erected immediately opposite the old Harmon store-room the present fine, large, three-story frame building, putting in a very large stock of general merchandise, and still continues to do a prosperous business at that stand. The second floor of this building is occupied by the Masonic fraternity, and their hall is one of the finest in this part of the State.
The first tavern in the vicinity of the village was opened by Henry W altz, a son of George Waltz, proprietor of the town. Henry Waltz lived at that time about three-fourths of a mile south of the site of the present village. When the latter became a desirable place for his busi- ness, he came to town and erected a small frame building where Mr. Thomas's store now stands,
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and, putting up the old fashioned sign-post and swinging tlicreon a large sign on creaking iron ■jiiiiges in front of the door, opened tlie first hotel .in the future town. Mr. \\"alt7. continLied in busi- ness here several years, when he sold out and, removing to the south end of town, purcliased another building, which he converted into a tavern and continued to keep a house of enter- tainment several years more. He was the prin- cipal tavern-keeper in the village during many years of its early life, but retired from the busi- ness and died some years ago. His successor was Nicholas Motwiler, who continued as the village landlord several years. During the war of the Rebellion he was a captain and subse- quently died in Texas.
James Keithley was a tavern-keeper for several years in the eastern part of the village.
The present hotel building was erected many years ago by James Burgher, ivho continued as landlord many years, and was succeeded by his son. He removed to the northern part of Il- linois, where he died. The son was succeeded by Dr. Tucker, who in turn was followed, after several years, by George Summers. After the latter came the present proprietor.
This building was erected for a country tavern; and through all the years of its existence, and the various changes of ownership and landlords, it has remained essentially an old-fashioned inn. It has never assumed the dignity of a "hotel" of the present day. Though, as a general thing, houses of public entertainment are no longer "taverns," but "hotels," this yet remains a tavern, and those who desire to enjoy the com- forts, advantages, and special blessings ot a pioneer place of entertainment, can stop here. It is an unpainted frame building, standing close to the street, with a wide, open porch extending along the entire front, upon which are a rude bench or two and a few rickety chairs for the ac- commodation of the guests and the swarm of loafers who make this a place to rest, smoke, and distribute tobacco juice promiscuously. The great stjuare sign squeaks on its iron hinges in front day and night. There is plenty of dirt and to- bacco remains around the square box stove in the bar-room; there is one long table in the din- ing-room at which everybody takes a seat when the big bell rings, and where the guests are ex- pected to strLiggle with the flies and each other
for whatever is within reach. Boiled meat and potatoes, coffee without milk or sugar, and hot soda biscuit, form the staples of diet morning, noon, anil night, while "apple-sass" of doubtful ingredients, onions, and other vegetables from the "truck-patch" in their sea- son, sometimes form the side-dishes. Brit the crowning comfort of this "place of entertain- ment" is the great sleeping-room up stairs, the "potter's field" where eversbody, old and young, rich and poor, high or low, is laid away to rest on straw beds that, are painful reminders of the great dearth of straw in the country. The beds are partly on the floor, and partly on rickety wooden bedsteads; a single blanket is the cover- ing, and here the weary, mud-bespattered stranger, after a fifty-mile ride in the middle, backless seat of the stage, is expected to stretch himself beside some stranger (for the beds aic always full) to pass the never-ending night; if he is nervous, listening to the intolerable and heart-rending sounds from the throats of a score or two of heavy, phlegmatic sleepers, to say nothing of the infected air, .and not unlikely the vermin that may infest the place. Such is a very faint picture of a "pioneer place of entertainment;" and the fare for supper, lodging, and breakfast is "six bits, sir, if you please" (seventy-five cents). The new railroad now constructing will probably so improve the place that it will support a modern hotel, even the lower grade of which is an im- provement on the pioneer "tavern."
The cabin that George \Valtz built when he first came to this place is yet standing. It is not, probably, as old as the Shields cabin by one or two years, but is sufficiently ancient to become the subject of remark. It is about a quarter of a mile north of Georgetown.
Henry ^\^^ltz was the first postmaster of the place, and it is a rather remarkable fact that in this long since settled and civilized region the old stage-coach has carried Uncle Sam's mail from pioneer times to the present day. For nearly three-fourths of a century it has been the principal mode of ingress and egress from the place; but its days are now almost numbered. Within another year it will be superseded by the iron horse.
Since Mr. Waltz, the postmasters (or post- mistresses) have been James R. Harmon, John Thomas, John Tresenriter, Miss Sarah Tresen-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
riter, and Elizabeth Mottwiler, the last of whom is the present incumbent.
The present business of Georgetown is em- •braced in the followin;^ list: Three cooper shops, three blacksmith shops, four stores carry- ing j:;cneral stocks, one wagon shop, one tavern, and perhaps one or two other business establish- ments of minor im{)ortancc, including a saloon or two. The doctors are Lewis Levi, William Kirkwood, and ] )r. Tucker, tlie last of whom lives a short distance east of the village. As usual, great expectations are placed on the ad- vent of the railroad, so far as the business of the place is concerned.
, THE MILITARY RECORD.
The village and township have been interested in all the wars of the country, some of those who served in the Indian wars and the ^^'ar of 1 812 having been mentioned. Some of the Geo-getown citizens still remembered as volun- teering during the war with Mexico were Jeffer- son Tyler, William Welker, and Samuel Steele, all of whom returned safely, but are all now- dead. In the last war the people of George- town were not behind in patriotism, and, in com- mon with the whole country, contributed their share of blood, muscle, and money in putting down the great Rebellion. John Morgan gave them something of a scare, and many of the citizens went to Corydon in arms to oppose him. A number of horses were lost but no lives.
LOCAL INSTITUTIONS.
The village is blessed with churches and an excellent school. About one hundred scholars attend the latter, and two teachers are employed in the two school-rooms of the building. The latter is situated on the north side of town, cost about $1,500 and was erected in 1879.
Georgetown lodge of Free and Accepted Ma- sons, No. 4S0, was instituted in 1875. The charter members were Silas Beard, Thomas J. Engleman, Thomas J. Burkhardt, Jesse Sum- mers, John S. Evans, George \\'. Waltz, Samuel Thomas, Henry Brock, William Henson, \\'il- liani M. Burkhardt, Francis M. Hall, and Francis R. Curtis. The first officers were : Silas Beard, W. M.; Thomas J. Engleman, S. W. ; Thomas J. Burkhardt, J. W. ; Jesse Sum- mers, S. D.; John S. Evans, J. D.; William Henson, treasurer ; Samuel Thomas, secretary ;
George W. Waltz, chaplain, and Henry Brock, tylcr. The lodge was organized in Henry AVolf's hall, and remained there three or four jeais, when the present hall was occuiiied. It has en- joyed a fair degree of prosperity, the member- ship being now about thirty. This is the only secret society at present in the village.
Georgetown is not unpleasantly situated, and the farming country around it is rather above the average in the count}'. The population of the village is now about three hundred. It was incorporated about a year ago, and has since en- joyed the advantages of a local government.
EDWARDSVILLE.
The traveler westward from New Albany passes over a very picturesque and beautiful country on the New Albany, Louisville &: Cory- don plank road (or rather macadamized road now) for five or six miles, or until he reaches the top of the knobs at Edwardsvilie. The stage- coach is generally full to the brim, and running over ; indeed it is sometimes impossible to get passage at all, for considerable travel and baggage passes over the road (or the several little villages and farm-houses by the way, and the daily stage mnst do all the carrying business. It leaves New Albany at 10 \. m., with its two or four horses, which are allowed to trot briskly along the hard road, passing over level, beautiful bot- toms ; around sharp, jutting, precipitous hills, up long, winding, heavily wooded, dark ravines ; along the sides of the young mountains, where in places the solid limestone rock has been blasted away to make the road ; and so on, winding, twisting, turning as it hugs the narrow valley of Middle creek, it finally emerges on the top of the knobs at Edwardsvilie, where instead of de- scending again it reaches away over a compara lively level expanse of country until it passes out of the county. It is said that $100,000 were expended in making this road over the knobs. The New Albany &; St. Louis Air Line railroad crosses it several times, ascend- ing rapidly in its endeavors to get over these natural obstacles, but finding that impossible as it reaches the head of Middle creek, and not to be outdone or stopped in its grand career by so small an obstruction as a mountain, it plunges into the heart of it, running almost under the little village, and emerging some distance be- yojid, it sweeps away to the westward.
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HISTORY OF THE QHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
273
Charles Paxson, a very prominent resident of New Albany during its earlier years, once owne'd and, very likely, first entered the land where ■I'Alwardsville is situated. He probably did very litde in the way of' improvement on it, however, and upon his death it was disposed of at public sale, and a Mr. Nelson became the owner. The farm was the first on the plank-road after that road reached the top of the knobs, and although not as fertile as bottom land, it was nearly all til!.Tl>le, and therefore a rather desirable tract. Lsaac Bowman became the next owner after Nelson, and he in turn disposed of it to William Hancock. The latter died and the property passed into the possession of his heirs — thirteen in number. Samuel Tresenriter purchased the entire tract (one hundred and fifty-four acres) of these heirs, paying them $100 each, or $1,300. Mr. Tresenriter veiy soon disposed of it to Henry Edwards for $1,700, and the latter laid out, in 1S53, the village which perpetuates his nan)c. Henry Edwards was a Hoosier. His father, also named Henry, came from Kentucky to this township among the pioneers, with a large family of children, not many of whom are now living, and only one, William, is now living in this vicinity.
At the top of the knobs a road branched from the turnpike, called the Milltown road. It passes through the valley of ^Vhisky run and Georgetown, and on to Milltown. Henry Ed- wards lived at the forks of the road, in a cabin built there long years before Edwardsville came into existence; and the town being platted around it:, this cabin became the first human habitation in Edwardsville. The building is yet standing, and is occupied by a Mr. Wininger. 'I'he old two-story frame house, with the usual porch extending along the entire front, now oc- cupied by Mrs. Forman, is probably the next oldest house in the village.
The first blacksmith shop established here was hy "Jake" Miller, and the first cooper shop by Frederick Gilbauche. The latter also kept a ialoon and a few groceries, and may therefore be termed the first merchant in the place. George 1'orman opened a small grocery soon after and succeeded in obtaining the first post-office about '^5*^- He did business in his dwelling at the forks of the road.
The village was laid out on the northeast
quarter of section One, township No. 3, soutli of range Five east. The surveyor was James Ikir- ris. The plat was recorded by Henry H. Ed- wards in September, 1S53.
The place never quite grew up to the expecta- tions of Its enthusiastic supporters, and is not particularly a notable business place at present, though it promises to be something more than it is as soon as the new railroad establishes a sta- tion. It will be compelled to fix this three- fourths of a mile from town, on account of the great tunnel. 'I'he present business is comprised in a blacksmith-shop, kept by George Kronskill, and two stores, kept by Joseph Thomas and James Murphy, respectively. The working at present of a large number of hands in the vicinity, on both the tunnel and railroad, renders tlie village more lively than usual.
The next postmaster after George Forman was James Thomas, who was succeeded by James Routh, and he in turn by his son, William War- ren Routh. The next was the present incum- bent, Joseph Thomas.
No school house or church was ever erected within the town limits. In an early day, before the town had an existence, the children of this neighborhood went to school at what was known as the Union school-house, about two miles north, which has been before mentioned — a log build- ing. Soon after the townWas laid out (in 1856) they erected a school-house within half a mile of town, on the Georgetown road; and in 1879 ^^is was removed, and the present comfortable build- ing built in its stead. This continues to be the place where the youth of the village are edu- cated. The Christian church stands near it. There are two rooms in the building, two teach- ers are employed, and about one hundred and twenty-five pupils are registered.
The principal water supply of this village, especially during the present drouth (18S1), is a beautiful spring whose waters gush from the hill- side on the south side of town — the same spring mentioned as forming the sources of both Middle creek and Knob creek.
From the summit of the knobs upon which the town stands, the view is extensive and grand. The air is pure and bracing, and probably no more healthful place for a residence could be found anywhere. The village itself overlooks a great gorge to the south and southeast, so large
., I :^i:\.'i:.'!i .•■d n-'
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
and deep that a dozen such vill;if;es might easily be buried there. Rugged, heavily wooded hills extend in a range north and south asfar as tlie eye can reach. The country in tliC vicinity is somewhat noted for fruit culture, some of the finest fruit-farms in the county being found here. At present tlie village contains about fifteen dwellings and about seventy-five people.
RELIGIOUS M.\TrERS.
A majority of the first settlers of this township belonged to some church in the community from which they emigrated. Those from North Car- olina and other parts of the South were gener- ally Methodists, United Brethren, or Baptists ; while the Pennsylvania Dutch were Lutheran or Reformed. The former brought with them the religious superstitions of their time and country. Many of them were illiterate — perhaps a ma- jority could neither read nor write; a few were not entirely ignorant of the primary bianches of learning, and fewer yet were fairly educated. The Pennsylvaiiians on the other hand, though not learned or thoroughly educated, were yet none of them entirely without knowledge of the primary branches; many of them had laid the foundation of an education by which their chil- dren profited.
The earliest religious teachers through this re- gion were unlettered, though like their hearers they were men of natural force of character, great energy, perseverance, and will force, as well as great physical powers. They were religious by instinct rather than by education, and often e.x- pounded their views with great force and elo- quence, but with language not entirely polished.
Clement Nance and George Oatman were among the earliest preachers in this part of the county ; they have been referred to in the his- tory of Franklin township.
Judge Shields' cabin, which was ever open for religious meetings, without regard to denomina- tion, was the first preaching place in the town- ship. To this spacious cabin the few settlers came from far and near, to listen to the fervent but unpolished oratory of Clement Nance, svho preached in those very early days the doctrine of a sect known as the New-lights, now very nearly extinct. Craven Lynn, the first school-teacher, was also one of the first preachers, often holding services at Mr. Shields' and afterwards at the
log school-house where he officiated as teacher.
The Lutherans of the early days of this town- ship generally worshiped at the old St. John's church, in the southern part of Greenville, the history of which will be found in the chapter on that township. The United Brethren had no church in an early day, but occasional!)' held services in the cabins of the members..
The Methodists, being the most numerous, probably erected the first ciuirch building in the township. This was for many years known as the Swartz meeting-house, and was built about 1S20, or earlier, in the northern and eastern part of the township, on the farm of Michael Swartz. The latter was a zealous Methodist, and not only gave the land upon which the building stands, but did, perhaps, more than his proportion of the labor in erecting it. The latter was of hewn logs, and was erected by the volunteer labor of the pioneers of the neighborhood, without re- gard to religious feeling. This church was used by the Methodists a great many years, and is yet standing, though much decayed, and has not been used for a long time. The yard about the building was for years the burying-ground of the neighborhood, but is no longer used for that pur- pose. A few gray, moss-covered stones yet mark the graves of pioneers buried there, but the place has a deserted appearance, as if the hand of time was resting heavily upon it. All the Meth- odists in this part of the county worshiped either here or at the old Schrader chapel in Greenville township. Those further south and west, even within the limits of this township, went to Lanes- ville, Harrison county. The Rev. Messrs. Rut- ledge, Strange, and Hamilton, were among the earliest ministers. After the old meeting-house began to decay, the members attended church at Georgetown, where a church Was organized about 1840; and in later years Hill's chapel has- been the phace of meeting.
The Tresenriter family were among the first Methodists in the vicinity of Georgetown. John Tresenriter was in the habit of entertaining all the itinerant ministers of the Methodist per- suasion, and they often preached at his cabin, as well as at Shields's. Later the old school-house that stood at the east end of Georgetown became the preaching place; and it was probably here . that the first Methodist class was organized, which subsequently became the foundation of
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
275
tlie Methodist church of Georgetown. It was not until about 1845 tliat the'class £;rew strong enough to build a church. This building, a ■ frame, is yet standing. Among the earliest mem- bers were John Tresenriter and wife; Nancy Tresenriter, yet living in Georgetown; Gideon B. Tresenriter and wife; Dolly Zimmerman, and George Welker and wife. Probably there are others, whose names cannot now be recalled. Rev. Messrs. Rutledge and Craven Lynn were among the first ministers remembered. The church edifice cost $800 or $900 when first erected, but has been frequently repaired and probably as much more money spent on it. Wil- liam Harrison and Henry Duncan organized the first Sabbath-school in Georgetown, just prior to the war. It was at first a union school, but became divided in time into several sections, which had the efTect of weakening it very much. The town will not at present, probably, support more than one good school of this kind.
Hill's chapel, so called for the reason that a Rev. Mr. Hill was on this circuit .,at the date of its organization, and was influential in establish- ing it, was organized about the close of the war in what is known as Link's school-house. Mat- thew Link and David Swartz were among the earliest and most influential members. This class succeeded in erecting a small but neat frame church, and though the church is not a strong one, it is well sustained, and a Sabbath- school is maintained. The Methodists are not nearly so strong in the township as they were some years ago. For some reason this ancient and honorable religious society seems to be rather on the decline in this part of the country.
The United Brethren church, of Georgetown, is one of the oldest religious societies in the township. It was organized, probably, as early as 1S30. Rev. Messrs. Antrim, Frimmer, and Bonebrake were the early missionaries through this part of the country in the interest of this denomination. The first-named was probably the earliest; and he organized a society at George Wolfs cabin. Mr. Wolf lived directly west of Georgetown, in the edge of Harrison county, •ind was one of the earliest pioneers. Rev. Henry B'jncbrake is the best known and best remem- liered among the pioneer preachers of this neigh- boriiood; and the United Brethren society grew- 3nd prospered greatly under his energetic man-
agement and eloquent preaching. He continued preaching in this vicinity some thirty years, then moved to Iowa, where he died.
The first church erected by this society was a small brick, located in the lower end of George- town. This was about 1840. The congrega- tion grew so rapidly under Mr. Bonebrake's preaching that the little brick church would no longer answer the purpose. It v,-as disposed of for a dwelling, and the present frame erected in the upper part of town in 1869. It cost about $2,600. The present membership of this church is seventy-five or eighty. The organization is in a prosperous condition. A Sunday-school has been maintained for many years.
This denomination has also organized a so- ciety which worships at Hill's chapel.
The Christian or Disciple church of George- town was organized about 1850. The first meet- ings were held in the school-house. Rev. Leonard Morton was one of the earliest preach- ers of this denomination in this vicinity, minis- tering to the few Cliristians here before any house of worship was erected.
The present church edifice was put up soon after the organization of the society. The church w.is fairly prosperous for many years, but is somewhat weak at present, having a member- ship of but twenty or more. Rev. Moses Smith, of the same church, located near Edwardsville, frequently ministers to this congregation. A Sabbath-school has been fairly sustained for many years. Mathias Harmon, William Miller, and Andrew Motwiler were among the original members of the church at Georgetown.
The little white frame church, located half a mile west of Edwardsville, near the mouth of the railroad tunnel, is known as the Tunnel Hill Christian church, and was erected in 1863. Rev. Moses Smith, who has been a minister of the gospel about forty years, and who was born within two miles of where he now resides, near the church, was the leading spirit in the organi- zation of this society, and has been its pastor since it came into e.xistence.
The first meeting for organization was held at the school house near the present location of the church, in 1855-56. There were present at that meeting William Lidikay, Moses Smith, Philip Cook, Joseph Jennings, William and Paul Cook, James Loyd, George Lidikay, and some others,
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
with their families, who constituted the first or- ganization. Meetings were rH;gulaiIy held in this school-house until the church building was erected, in 1S63. The building cost $1,200 or $1,500, besides the voluntary labor that was be- stowed upon it.
This has been one of the most prosperous churches in the township, and now boasts a mem- bership of nearly one hundred. ' It is the only church in the vicinity of lidwardsville; and there being no church in that village, a large scope of country makes tliis a place of worship.
About a year after the church was erected a Sabbath-school was organized in it, which has been kept up to the present time, and has greatly prospered. The present membership is about one hundred. Rev. M. Smith and Messrs. Coonrod and Krosgill were t!;e earliest superin- tendents of this school. Mr. Smith and Marion Yenawine are the piesent superintendents.
This church first started with a membership of sixteen or eighteen, and no church in the county can show a belter record.
The turnpike which passes across the south- east part of this township was first called the New Albany, Lanesville and Corydon plankroad, having been planked and toll-gates established in 1S53. Thus it continued many years, until the planking was badly worn, when it was thought best to macadamize the road, excellent stone for the purpose being found in the knobs. It is now, and has been for years, one of the best of the many good roads in the county, and is the main thorought'are westward from New Al- bany. The old country inn still has an exist- ence at several points along this turnpike, where the stage always stops to water the horses and dispose of sundry packages and casks, and where the passengers may get out for five minutes to stretch their weary limbs, buy a cigar, and perhaps a "nip" of whiskey or apple-jack. The railroad will probably put an end to these, as it has to many another old institution. I'his road was established in May, 1S23, by Levi Long, D. O. Lane, and William Boon, commissioners ap- pointed by the State Legislature.
SErrLEMF..NT XOTES.
Mr. Mathew Rady was born in Harrison county, Indiana, in January, [S29. His father, Mathew RadySr., emigrated from Ire!.-3nd when a young man and settled in Floyd county about
the year 1830. He had before this time worked on the Portland canal. He died in 1871. His wife was a Miss Leady. Mr. Mathew Rady Jr., was married in i860 to Miss Sarah ]\L'u tin, of Georgetown. 'J'hcy have three children. Mr. Rady is a cooper by occupation. Has been assessor of Georgetown township since 1869. He served in the army during the Rebellion six months.
Rev. David A. Wynegar is a native of High- land count)', Ohio, being born there in the year 1S38. Lie received his education at Middletown and Delaware colleges. He is a minister in the Methodist Episcoi:)al church, and was mairicd in Stark county, Indiana, to j\Iiss Mary McCune. His family consists of four children — two sons and two d.Tughlers. He is at this writing pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Edwards- ville, Floyd county, Indiana. The old original family of ^Vynegars were Virginia people.
Mr. Moses Harjicr was born in North Carolina in 1S06. When a boy of only a few years he came to Floyd county with his mother in com- pany with Mr. John Thomas, her son-in-law. Mr. Harper has been married three times. At the age of twenty he married Miss Mary Har- man, by whom he had eleven children. His second wile he married in 1851, her name being Mrs. Elizabeth Hammond, of Pike county, Indiana, by whom he had three children. His third wife was Mrs. Rebecca Friar, of Llarrison county, Indiana. They were married in 1870. Mr. Harper was a county commissioner for three years, and has held several positions of trust, though farming has been his occupation princi- pally. He has seen much of life, and had a great deal of experience with the Indians.
Mr. Albert Bullard was born near Springfield, Massachusetts, February 29, 1S24. In 1S45 he came to Indiana, and moved to New Albany in 1S46. In 1850 he went to California, where he re- mained five years. Upon his return he engaged in farming and running a saw-mill. He was married in 1S47 to Miss Mary A. Wilkinson, daughter of Mr. David Wilkinson, of New Albany. She was born in Cincinnati in 1S27. They have one son, William P. Their home is at present upon a farm near Edwardsville. In December, 1S79, he was elected to the office of county commissioner.
Mr. Cha'rles Duncan was born in Jefferson
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
2/7
county, Kentucky, in tlie year 1S27. His father's name was James T. Duncan, who was also born in Jeffersvon county, Kentucky, in 1S04. His avocation was farming and teaming. He was a man of prominence in his community, and died in the fifty-third year of his age. Charles Dun- can, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, moved to Kentucky previous to 1800, and was one of the earhest settlers of this section of country; he was a native of Virginia. His wife was a Miss Music, born in North Carolina. James T., the father of the subject of this sketch, married Miss Catharine Batemcin, of Jefferson county. They raised a family of seven children, four of whom are residents of Floyd county. A son resides in Illinois, and one in Montana, and a daughter in Texas. Mr. Charles Duncan was twice married. His first marriage took place in 1S52; his wife's name was Miss Maria Ross, a resident of Floyd county, who lived but a short time. In 1855 he married his second wife. Miss Mary J. Greene, a daughter of Mr. James Greene, of Lanesville, Indiana. They have one son, Charles Edwin. In 1S55 Mr. Duncan was elected county com- missioner, which office he filled three years; was elected treasurer of Floyd county in 1S59; held the office four years. He is a man who bears the traits of a true Kentucky gentleman.
Dr. William W. Tucker was born in New Phil- adelphia in 1S31. He studied medicine in his native town and graduated in the Commercial college of Indianapolis, Indiana, and in the Louisville Medical college in 1S53. In the year 186 1 he and Miss Elizabeth Tresenwriter, of New Albany, were united in marriage. Her father, Mr. John Tresenwriter, was one of the first settlers of Floyd county, Indiana. The doctor's family consists of three children. In justice to energy, pluck, and ability, we must say the doctor commenced the practice of medicine in Georgetown in the fall of r86i without a dol- lar in his pocket and is now a wealthy man. His father was one of Washington county's pio- neers.
Mr. Francis R. Nelson was born in Dutchess county. New York, in 1818. His father, Harvey Nelson, came to Clarke county, Indiana, in 1S21, and settled in Jeffersonville and remained until his death, which occurred in 1S40. His wife and mother died in ALarietta, Ohio, while on their way to this county. Francis was reared
by his uncle, Reuben W. Nelson, a lawyer of Jtffersor.vilJe. Mr. Francis Nelson has been married three times. His first wife was Miss Mary. J. McClintock; the second. Miss Rachel Morgan; the third, Miss Mary ^^'alker, of Har- rison county, Indiana. By his first wife he has one child living, and by his last wife he has four living children.
Mr. David Hanger was born in Augusta coun- ty, Virginia, in 1815. His father, Frederick Hanger, came to Floyd county in 1S20, and died in 1871 in the seventy-sixth year of his age. Mr. David Hanger was married in 1S40 to Miss Nancy Tyler, of Georgetown. Their family con- sists of ten children. Two sons, Thomas and William, reside in Floyd county; and Hamilton C. and Jesse B. reside in Clarke county; Fred- erick still resides at home with his father. Mrs. Hanger's father, David Tyler, is one of the pio- neers of this county.
Mr. George Waltz was born in Floyd county, Indiana, in 1S16. His father was Mr. Henry Waltz, a farmer and tavern-keeper at George- town. The grandfather, George, came from Pennsylvania and settled in Floyd county with its first settlers. He laid out part of the town of Georgetown, and gave it its name. George Waltz was twice married — in 1837 to Miss Susana Harmon, of Harrison county. She died in 1S50, leaving a family of six children. Again in i85r to Miss Evaline Kepley, of Harrison county. By this marriage Mr. Waltz has two children. This family, more than any other of our acquaintance, has cause for remembering the trying times of 1861-65, when so much of our best young blood was spilled to teach men that "this was a Nation." In that terrible struggle Mr. Waltz lost a brother, three sons, a son-in-law, and two brothers-in-law. Jesse H. was a corpo- ral in the Eighty-first regiment, Indiana volunteer infantiy, and died at Nashville, Tennessee; James H., Fifty-third regiment, and died of wounds received at Atlanta, Georgia; George W., Eighty-first regiment, died at home of disease contracted while in service; Jesse D. Teaford (son-in-law), Eighty-first regiment, killed at Chickamauga, Harbin H. (brother) was mortally ■wounded at Thompson's Hill; Isaac Kepley, Eighty-first regiment, died at Nashville, Ten- nessee; Mennefee Kepley, Eighty-first regiment, died at Murfreesborough, Tennessee.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
CHAPrER XVI.
GREENVILLE TOWNSHIP. OKGANI/.\TION.
This was one of tlie tliree original townships of which the county was composed when first formed, and was at that time part of the tcrritoiy embraced in Clarke county. It occupies the nortliwestcrn part of the county, and originally contained much more territory than at present, as the following from the record of the county commissioners makes apparent. This record is dated February 8, 1819, and is part of the pro- ceedings of the first meeting of the commission- ers, which body then consisted of Clement Nance and Jacob Piersol :
Ordered, That all that part of Floyd county lying above the road and north of Uie knobs, leading from Xevv .Albany to \'incennes, until it strikes or intersects the county line, form one township, to Le known and designated as Groen%'ille tqwnship ; and that the elections for said township be I; eld at the house of John R. -.
The boundaries thus established formed the second township in the county. New Albany being the first. At the same meeting it was
Ordered, That Mr. James McCutchan, St., be appointed Inspector of Election in the township of Greenville for the term of one year,
He thus became the first officer in the town- ship. It was also ordered at the same meeting that the sheriff issue writs of election for two justices of the peace for Greenville, the election to be held on the 2 2d of February, 1819.
A second meeting of the commissioners was held February g, 18 19, at which the following business was transacted:
Ordered, That Isaac Stewart, of Greenville, be appointed Lister for the County of P'loyd for the year 1819.
Ordered, That Samuel Kendall and Frederick Lealherman be ap|)ointed Overseers of the Poor in the County of Flnyd, for the Township of Greenville, for the term of one year.
Ordered, That John Irvin, David Edwards, and Isaac Woods be appointed F'ence \'iewers for the township of Greenville in said County of Floyd, for the term specified by law.
Samuel Kendall, of Greenville, was at the same meeting appointed supervisor for all the roads in Floyd county. These were few and far apart, however, at that time.
At a meeting of the commissioners, held March 4, 1S19, at the house of Seth Woodruff, in New Albany, the boundaries of Greenville township were changed, and the territory reduced, as follows:
Ordered, That all that part of Floyd county beginning at the comers of sections numbered fifteen, si.\teen, twenty-one, and twenty-twoi in township No. 2, south of range Fifth east, on the line dividing Harrison and Floyd; thence east wiih the section line to the corners of sections numbered seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, and twenty, in township No. 2, south of range Sixth east; thence south with the section line to the corners of sections numbered nineteen, twenty, twenty-nine, and thirty in said township; thence east with the section line to the corners of sections numbered twenty, twenty-one, twenty-eight, and twenty-nine in said township; thence north with the .seclioji line to the corners of sections numbered seventeen, si.\teeii, twenty, and twenty-one, in said township, thence east with the section line to the corners of sections numbered fifteen, si.xteen, twenty-one, and twenty-two, in said township; thence north to the coiners of sections numbered nine, ten, fifteen, and si.xteen, in said township; thence east to the corners of sections numbcied ten, eleven, fourteen, and fifteen, in' said town- ship; thence north to the corners of sections numbered two, three, thirty-four, and thirty-five, in said township; thence east to the Grant line; thence up with said line to the line which divides the counties of Floyd and Clarke; '.hence with the county 'ine of Hoyd to the place of beginning, to form one township, to be designated by the name of Greenville township.
And it is further ordered , tliat the bounds of said township, called by the name of Greenville township, which was made an order at the session in February last, be and the same is hereby made void and of none effect.
The above is an exact copy of the record which established the boundaries of this town- ship, though they have since been somewhat changed.
TOPOGRAPHY.
In its wilderness state this township was gen- erally covered with a rank growth of hard-wood timber of nearly every variety, although oak was perhaps the prevailing timber, as the larger por- tion of the township was considered upland. The lower lands along the streams were occupied by sugar, hickory, beech, black walnut, and in places covered with a dense undergrowth of paw-paw, spicewood, and other varieties of underbrush, while the ground was for the most part literally covered with wild pea-vines, thus making the forest impenetrable to the white set- tler until he had hewed his way with his axe. Grape-vines also grew rankly, climbing to the tops of the highest trees, and in places shutting out the sun-light, making the woods a perpetual gloom. \\[\d animals of every description known to the American forest, and cretping things, filled these woods and met the hardy pioneer at every turn.
Wolves, bears, deer, and turkeys were not to be numbered; but the buffalo and elk had pro-
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bably entirely disappeared when the first white man planted his wigwam. Elkhorns were fre- (juently discovered in the woods, showing that this noble animal had been an inhabitant of this foiest; and it is known that the buffalo roamed through these woods prior to the beginning of this century, as it is occasionally mentioned in the history of those times.
An occasional patch of cleared ground was found by the first white settlers along the streams where the Indians had planted corn, and an opening in the forest sometimes appeared where there was a swamp or swail (the settlers called it a "ma'sh") covering sometimes several acres. These swails were generally *covered with water the whole year, and produced a rank growth of wild grasses, making excellent feeding- grounds for deer and elk, and also for great numbers of wild geese and ducks.
The township is abundantly watered by num- erous creeks, running brooks, and springs; the latter are especially abundant, and furnish excel- lent water.
Indian creek is the largest stream in the town- ship. Its two forks in this township are termed, respectively, the Big and the Little Indian. The headwaters of the Big Indian are in the north- eastern part of the township, its course being generally southwest across the township until it joins Little Indian near the southern boundary. It has several tributaries, one of which is termed the North fork of Big Indian, and in an early day was a stream of considerable magnitude; but since the clearing up of the country it has dwindled to a small brook. The Little Indian, with numerous tributaries, waters the southeast- ern part of the township.
In the western part of the township are Corn run and Richland creek; the former a small stream, rising in the northwestern part of the township, passes south more than half-way across the township, and, making a turn west, it enters ' the adjoining county. Richland creek has its source in a beautiful spring, known as Cave spring, near the northern line of the township. Its course is almost due south until it crosses the southern line of the township.
A little creek known as Bear creek enters the northwestern part of the township, and, after passing a short distance through the township, reenters the adjoining county on the north.
At the date of the first settlement of the county, the hills along this creek were noted for their numerous hiding-places for bear and other wild game; hence the name. The region was much frequented by hunters long after game had disappeared from other parts of the adjacent county. The last bear seen in Floyd county was near this creek about 1S30, or perhaps a few years, later, by Harrison Wilcoxen. It crossed the road ahead of him, but, as he was unarmed, he did not pur.sue. Probably the last deer killed in the township was by Joseph Lug- enbeel in 1845. Later, about 1852, a large buck was seen near Greenville village, and pursued by several hunters, but made its escape. It is be- lieved this was the last wild deer seen in the township. Turkeys were the last of the large wild game to disappear. The last known to have been killed m this township was by John Sap- penfield, in 1863, though they did not probably disappear entirely until some years later.
The land in this township is generally rolling, and in places even hilly; nearly all of it is culti- vated, and the larger proportion of it is under a high state of cultivation. Timber is yet abun- dant, occupying generally the most inaccessible and undesirable lands; though considerable heavy timber is yet found on the bottom lands along the streams.
There is a ridge north and northeast of Green- ville, whose general course is northwest and southeast, dividing the waters of Bear creek from the other streams mentioned. The soil is most- ly clay, and is of drift formation. Along" the two Indian creeks considerable bottom land is four.d composed of black loam, and is very valu- able to the agriculturist. The cultivated land of the entire township is quite productive, especially of the smallei" grains, such as wheat, oats, rye, etc.
The following remarks regarding the agricul- tural productions in this township, are taken from the Agricultural Report of 18S0:
Acres of wheat. 2,042; bushels of wheat, 22,462; acres of corn, 1,936; bushels of corn, 37,648; acres of oats, 1,237; bushels of oats, 24.740; acres of meadow, 1,090; tons of
hay, 1,362; acres of potatoes, ; bushels of potatoes,
2,960; acres of sw;et potatoes, 5; bushels of sweet potatoes, 300.
Franklin is the only township in the county that averages more wheat to the acre than this. Oats, however, is the principal crop, the amount
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HISTORY OF 'J'HE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
of acreage in this township being more than five hundred in excess of any other in the covinty, and the bushels about ten ihousai.d in excess of any other in J'lovd.
The nunib'.-r of acres of land in the township is 20,960, of wliich about 13,000 are improved. The pojHilation by the census of 18S0 was 1,589.
ARCH.EOLOGV.
Evidences of the ^^ound Builders and archse- ological remains are \'ery meagre in this town- ship, and, indeed, in the county. If the "lost race" occupied' this territory extensively, biit little evidence of the fact remains. Three small mounds or hillocks having the usual appearance of mounds, appear near the village of Galena, on what is known as Knob run, a small tributary of the Little Indian creek. They are situated very near each other, have the usual oval form, and are overgrown with timber, which fact prob- ably accounts for their preservation. Two of them are, perhaps, five feet in height at the pres- ent time, and the third about ten feet. They have never been opened. It is a well known fact that the Mound Builders' works are gen- erally found on loamy, sandy ground, and as this is very scarce in Greenville township, it is not probable that they occupied this territory as a place of residence to a great extent. Nu- merous stone hatchets and other stone imple- ments have been found in various parts of the township, but, as these were in use by both Indians and Mound Builders, they may have been the production of the former.
INDIANS.
The red man held undisputed sway over this territory when the first settlers made their ap- pearance, though the evidences of their occupa- tion yet remaining are not numerous. They built no monuments, raised no temples, nor planted any imperishable thing to perpetuate their mem- ory here or elsewhere, as did the Mound Builders; and, had they passed away as a race without being actually seen by the eyes of intelligent beings, their existence might have remained for- ever a secret. In this township the stone imple- ments largely in use among them prior to the beginning of the present century, are found in considerable quantities ; and there are a few pioneers yet living in the township who can point out the locations of their camps along the
once wild and still pretty banks of Indian creek. Arrow-points, stone liatchets, chisels, wedges, and other evidences of the "stone age" have been turned up by the plow; and, though often cast away by those who do not ai)i)reciate their value, many of them are preserved and are being gathered into the cabinets of relic hunters. Without doubt a regular factory for making arrow-points, and perhaps all the other stone im- plements in use by t1ie Indians, existed on Bear creek, near the northern line of this township, in Clarke county. A large bed of fiint chips was found here, covering an acre or more of ground to a considerable depth.
Here the ancient arrow-maker Made his arrow-heads of quartz-rock. • Arrow-heads of chalcedony,
Arrow-heads of chert and jasjjer, Sinootli and sharpened at the edges, Hard and polished, keen and costly.
Hither the red men resorted, perhaps from many miles around and perhaps for years, it may be centuries of time, to purchase of the "arrow- maker" the necessary "point;" and here, later, when the Indians were disappearing forever from the hunting-grounds of their fathers, the roaming white man resorted for the necessary flint for his rifle.
No doubt the numerous Indian camps on the principal stream in this township led the first set- tlers to call it Indian creek. Half a dozen or more camps were situated in various places along this creek and within the limits of this township at the date of the first settlement. At that date this stream contained more water at all times than at present. Before the forest was cleared awa\, and when the wild pea-vines and other vegetation covered the ground, the water seeped slowly through these into the creek, which was thereby supplit^d niore regularly than at present. The numerous swamps also assisted in keeping up the supply of water, and the Indians found along the stream good fishing and trapping. Beaver, muskrat, oiter, mink, etc., were in great abundance. The clearing of the country and the draining of swamps has produced a great change in this stream, as in other streams. It is now an insignificant water, except immediately after a heavy rain-fall, when for a short time it is a raging, foaming torrent.
One of the Indian camps was located on land subsequently owned by Amos Davis, on Indian
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FAIJ.S COUNTIES.
2S1
creek, about one and one-half njles from the jirtscnt villai^e of Greenville. It was here that Sullivan, a wliite hunter, was killed by the In- dians. Near this camp was a deer-lick, and in- deed many licks were located at various places along the stream. These were so called because salt water continually oozed from the soft earth on the bank of the creek, and they. were much frequented by deer. They were continually watched by the Indians, and the deer easily ?e- c-ured. The Indians probably looked upon the deer-licks as their . peculiar property, and when Sullivan and his party killed a deer at one of them, their indignation was naturally aroused. However this may be, a small party of them came upon Sullivan and his three or four com- panions while skinning their deer, shot. Sullivan on the spot, and would have murdered the entire party, but his companions succeeded in making their escape; they v;ere hotly pursued, however, and one of them, Frederick Smith, only saved his life by leaping from a high bank into the creek. Sullivan was buried upon the spot where he fell, and where his grave may yet be seen; and the salt water of the deer-lick yet oozes from the ground, as it did a century ago, when the stealthy savage, with his flint-pointed arrow, crept upon the unsuspecting deer or white man.
There was also, at the date of the first settle- ment, quite a large camp on Big Indian, on land how owned by Franklin Collins; another at what is known as Raccoon spring, about half a mile southwest of the present village of Galena; and a third on Knob run, on land now the property of John Stewart. Near this latter camp were the mounds before mentioned.
Paths or trails connected these various camps, and led" off through the woods in different direc- tions to other Indian towns. The main trail — the trunk line as it were — from th.e Falls of the Ohio to Vincennes, passed through Greenville township. This trail entered what is now the eastern edge of the township, near the line of the old Vincennes road; indeed, when that road was established, it followed this well-marked trail for some distance in the county, leaving it, how- ever, a short distance east of the ])resent village of Greenville. The trail passed south of the present site of the town, but within about half a riiile or less of it,« through the land of George Collins, close to the end of his barn as it now
stands, continuing on west, through the lands of Phccbe Keithley, Daniel Boston, and Mordecai Fresh, into Harrison county. It is said that this trail is yet plainly marked where it passes through the native forest. It w^as much traveled and deeply worn, being in places a foot in depth in the hard soil when the settlors first came. Many of the earliest settlers of the township and county followed this' great tr.iil to the end of their journey.
White men passed over the trail and through this territory long prior to the first settlement of this part of the State. It is quite impossible, at this late date, to tell when the first white man trod the soil of this township, or who he v.'as ; but It seems probable that, whoever he was, he must have passed along this ancient Indian trail. As early as 1779, when General George Rogers Clarke took the post at Vincennes from the British, some white captives among the Indians are known to have passed over this trail to Vin cennes, where they arrived just in lime to be res- cued by Clarke. The circumstances of this capture and the result are quaintly detailed in the following extract, taken from Major Bow- man's journal. Bowman was then a captain in Clarke's command, and it was while the latter and Governor Hamilton were negotiating for the surrender of the fort that the Indians with their captives made their appearance. Major Bow- man says:
-^ p.'\rty of Indians came down the hill behind the town, who ha(<*ijeen sent by Govemor Hamilton to get some scalps and prisoners from the Falls of the Ohio. Ot'.r men having got news of it, pursued them, killed two on the spot, wound- ed three, took six prisoners, and brought them into town. Two ot them proving to be white men that they took prison- ers, we released them and brought .the Indians to the main street before the fort gate, there tomahawked thein and threw them into the river, during which time Colonel Clarke and Governor Hamilton met at the church.
Here is another extract from the same journal: March 7. Captain Williams and Lieutenant Rogers with twenty-five men set off for the Falls of the Ohio to conduct the following prisoners, viz: Lieutenant-governor Hamilton, Mnjor Hayes, Captain Lamotli, Mons. DLjean, Grand Jud.^e of Detroit, Lieutenant Shifllin, Doctor .McBeth, Francis McVille, Mr. Bell Fenilb, with eighteen privates.
There is little doubt that these British prison- ers, captured by Clarke at Vincennes, passed over the great trail and through the present boundaries of Greenville township, on their way to the falls of the Ohio.
The Indians remained in this township until
282
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
during the war of 1812, when, a murder ha\ing been committed by some of rhem in one of the adjacent counties, they feared retaliation by the whites, and suddenly disa]">pcarcd, never a^ain re-appearing in this part of the county.
Several block-houses were erected during that war in this township as protection to settlers in case of an uprising uf the Indians and British or an invasion by the combined Indians and British. One of these stood near the turnpike, where it crosses Little Indian creek ; another was erected on the ]5oston farm, not far from the site of the village of Greenville. They were built of rough logs, with port-holes for guns ; but the settlers never had occasion to use them, except to take shelter in them occasionally in times of appar- ent danger.
FIRST SEJTLERS .1XD SETTLEMFN'TS.
In the search for the first settlements in any county it is natural to look along the lines of the only routes of ingress and exit in those do)s — the Indian trails and water courses. In the days of tlie ()ioneer these were the great high- ways of travel, and weie generally followed by these advance guards of civilization, who con- tinually penetrated further and further into the wilderness, erecting their cabins and settling by the wayside. The trails generally followed the water-courses, branching off here and there to some beautiful si)ring that made a resting-jilace, or crossing from the head-waters of one stream to those of another, or crossing the Country where the stream made a great bend to shorten the distance, or winding through the dense forest to the higher ground to avoid a swamp. They never seemed to be in error in locating their trails, and many of the put)lic highways of to- day were thus located by the red men.
From the fact that no one in this township seems to have thought of the necessity of pre- serving the early records, and the further fact that nearly all the first settlers are either dead or have moved away, it is a difficult matter at this late day to get at the facts of the first settlement of the township. The only records of facts and sources of information lie in the imjjerfect mem- ories of the oldest of the present inhabitants. These are like ancient manuscripts with the dust of ages and the withermg breath of time upon them— hard to decipher. The gray-haired and
bent pioneer, leaning upon his staff, willingly turns his eyes backward upon that far-off period in his life; but his light is like the moonlight on the waters, revealing only the outlines. From this meagre and imperfect source it has been ascertained that the first settlemen t within the present limits of Greenville township was made about 1805, or the year before, by the Boston family, from North Carolina, which is yet repre- sented in the townshij). The earliest settlers were largely from the South — North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. A few were from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and fewer still from New England. Thus the mixtuie of blood has made the present inhabit- ants a rather homogeneous race, but the charac- teristics of the different sections of the country adhere to them with wonderful tenacity, and the careful observer will, by listening, make a very close guess as to what jxirt of the country their ancestors were from.
There is no doubt that the Hristons, ^^'e!lses, Browns, Andrew .Mundell, the Clatks, Collmses, and Woodses were the first settlers of this town- ship. The first st-ttlement was made on Indian creek, above the forks, not far from the ]:)resent village of Galena. Those who immediately fol- lowed them were Mordecai CoUms, John and James Taylor, Madison Martm, William Wil- liams, Jacob Garrison, Ludlow Hand, Judge Mills, William Ferguson, Jac<jb Miller, Amos and Jonathan Davis, Thomas Hobson, Adam Smith, John Daniel, John Smith, Abraham Coff- nian. Major Stewart, James Alward, Joseph Woodville, John Moore, John McKown, Jacob Floor, Morris Morris, Major Lucas, Benjamin Bower, Daniel D. Porter, William Foster, Benja- min Haines, Reuben Smith, Mathias Sappen- field, and Alexander Hedden. The above were all settlers in this township prior to 1S26, and some of them came as early as 18 10 or before.
Next to the Boston family, of which there were Robert and his brother, both of whom entered land, were the Browns, who came about 1S06. Two brothers, John and William Brown, came first from South Carolina to Kentucky, and from the latter State removed to Greenville township, settling near the Bostons, on Indian creek. Both brought their families with them, entered land, erected their cabins, and became permanent set- ders. It is believed that none of the members
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
28:
of these families now reside in the township.
John Clark was also a settler of 1S06, conning fiom Kentucky. He subsequently tnarried and reared a family, and one of iiis sons, John, yet resides in the townsliiji.
These settlers were followed by \\'illiam Wells, in 1S09. This family was from South Carolina, but came to this township from Kentucky, in which State he had lesided a few years, where Jose[)h II, a son, nowa resident of this township, was born in 1801. The family consisted of Wil- liam \\'ells, his wife, and five children, none of whom are now living excejU Jostph. The four families above mentioned settled near together on Indian creek. When they first came the whole country was a wilderness, \\ith no settle- ment nearer than Corydon. The site of New Albany, Mr. Wells says, was then a wilderness, with but a single settler, a man named John Spratt, an Indian trader, who occupied a pole cabin and kept a few trinkets for barter with hi? red neighbors.
Mordecai Collins, from Virginia, settled in the southern part of the township about 1809, or be- fore, and reared quite a family, two of his chil- dren being yet residents of the township.
Isaac \Voods settled northwest of the present site of Greenville village, about 1810. Mr. Woods was from North Carolina.
Wells was a carpenter and millwright, and as- sisted in building most of the first mills in the township.
AndrewMundali was also among the first set- tlers, making his appearance some time before 1809. Fie entered land and settled en the present site of Greenville, building his cabin near a spring in the western jjart of that village. He subsequently, with the assistance of Benjamin Haines, laid out the town. He had a wife and several children, but has no living representative in the township at present. He was a school- teacher in Kentucky prior to his removal to this place.
James Taylor was among the earliest settlers in the southwest part of the township. One of the family now occupies the old homestead.
Madison Martin was a settler in the same neighborhood, reared a family of some size, and iMssed away at an advanced age about four years ago.
William Williams was also a settler in the
same neighborhood with Taylor and Martin. He reared a family of several children, one of his sons, Thomas Jefferson, being yet a resident up- on the old place.
Jacob Miller was among the early sett'ers on Indian creek, and subsequently reiJiesented the county in the Legislature. One of his sons still resides on the home farm.
Amos and Jonathan Davis, Thomas Hobson, .•\dam Smith, Jacob Garrison, Ludlow ("Lud") Hand, John FJahicl, Judge Mills, and John Smith, were all settlers on Indian creek. The Davises were from one of the Carolinas, and have representatives yet living in the township. Hobson was likewise a Southern man, reared a family, and died in 1847, of heart disease while eating his dinner. Smith was I'rom Pennsylvania, and also died in 1S47. One of his sons is now engaged in milling in Greenville vill.nge. Gatri' son was a Yankee and son-in-law of Adam Smith. His widow is now living in Galena. Hand was also a Yankee, and a son-in law of Jacob Garrison. L^aniel and Mills were Vir- ginians. Both were intelligent and influential farmers, and the latter became something of a politician, and was made an associate judj^e. Neither has any representatives living in the township. John and Peter Smith were cousins,, and came from the South. The latter is yet liv- ing, at an advanced age, in the neighborhood where they first settled.
W'illiam Ferguson was an Ohio man, and reared a family, of whom one, Mrs. Nancy \\'ood, a widow, is yet a resident of Greenville village.
Abraham Cofftnan was among the earliest set- tlers of the village. He was a Pennsylvanian, and reared a family of seven children, some of whom are still living and have accumulated con- siderable property. Coffman was the proprietor of a horse-mill in a very early day, and one of the first millers in the township. Mrs. Coffman is yet living, having been a resident of the town- sh'p since 1823. One of the boys, a rather ec- centric gentleman, now conducts a fine dairy farm near the village, and is somewhat noted for the quality and quantity of butter produced on his farm.
Robert Brown, Major Stewart, James Allward, Joseph Woodville, John (better known as "Jack") Moore, John McKown, and Jacob Hoor were all
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early seltlers in the village of Greenville. Stew- art was an influential man, and one of the first merchants. He \va= also a bit of a jiolitician, and was looked ii[) to and consulted in regard to voting by those who made no jiretensions to tlie study of politics. The evidence of this lies in the fact that, upon different occasions, when a certain resident of the town was asked for whom he intended casting his vote at the coming election, would reply: "Well, I do not know; I must see Major Stewart first."
James Alhvard was a Yankee and one of the village doctors, probably the first one. However, Messrs. Conkling and Hayden were nlso Yan- kees and doctors, aiid all thtee weic in i)ractice here at the same time. Dr. Reuben C. Smith came in a little later, and is yet living and prac- ticmg in the village. Hayden was probably the best read doctor in the village while in practice; but he took to preaching, then to drinking, and he latter habit killed him.
Woodville was from Pennsylvania, and en- gaged in milling.
Moore was a somewhat eccentric character, with a club-foot, lived "from hand to mouth," and indulged a good deal in drink. It is said that he once became impressed with the idea that his eyes were failing, and went to one of the merchants to select a pair of "glasses." After looking the lot all over, and being no doubt a little clouded intellectually on account of having imbibed too freely of his favorite beverage, he selected a pair without glasses, and putting them on, observed that they were satisfactory and pur- chased them. The defect was discovered by his wife.
McKown was of Irish descent; some of the famjly are yet living in the neighborhood.
Hoor was one of the first tanners in the vil- lage.
Morris Morris was a Welshman, and one. of the first settlers on Richland creek. Isaac Wood, before mentioned, was also a settler on the creek, his land adjoining that of Morris. He entered his tract, then all covered with timber, and spent his first winter with his family in a bark house. As the winter happened to be an extremely cold one, the family suffered considerably, not only from cold, but from lack of provisions and clothing. Mr. Wood succeded in getting work at a considerable distance from his cabin, in
what is now Clnrke county, and for this he was paid in wheat, which he brought home on his back, and in the same manner transported it to what was known as Bullitt's mill, located on a small island at the head of the Falls of the Ohio, where it was ground. This was the only mill then in that part of the countty, except one on Blue river, further away, owned by Governor Harrison. . Mr. Wood had only an o.\-cart in which to bring his family and household goods to the new country. The wild pea-vines and undergrowth were so dense ihat it was with the greatest difticulty he could get to his land. He was compelled to hew his v,ay with his axe, and in the same way to cut paths in different direc- tions from his bark cabin. Once, when near the point of starvation, he shot a buck from his cabin door. The log beside which his hut was built, proved to be the receptacle for a large number of snakes, which had crawled in tliere for the winter. Mrs. Wood often remarked in after years, when they were in comfortable circum- stances, that her first pair of shoes was her wed- ding shoes.
The struggles of this family simply illustrates the hardships of nearly all the pioneers of that time. Those who came to the country destitute of the means of living during the succeeding year (and very many did) often greatly suffered.
Major Lucas was also one of the pioneer set- tlers on Richland creek, in the Wood settlement.
Other pioneers are mentioned in the history of the village of Greenville. Most of those named have passed to the silent land, and — •
How few, all weak and withered, of their force Wait on the verge of dark eternity.
MILLS ■ were among the most necessary things in the new country, and at the same time among the most difficult of construction, considering the tools in the hands of the pioneers. The settler could support himself and family for a time with his rifle, his fishing rod, and his "truck patch," but, after havesting his first crop, whether it were corn or wheat, some kind of a mill for reducing it to flour or meal was indispensable. The first resort was to the "hominy block," many of which were in use aniong the pioneers of Greenville township, as elsewhere. It was the most simple of all machines for the purpose, and easily con- structed, requiring as tools only an axe, a
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hatchet or :i gouge, or, in the absence of either, a firebrand would do the work — anything tliat would make a hole a foot deep and six 01 eight inches in diameter, in a log or the top of a good, solid stuni]), was all that was required. In this receptacle the corn or wlieat was placed and poiHided with a pestle until pulverized, when the mass was taken out, sifted, if desirable, and was then considered ready for use.
These machines were very unsatisfactor), how- ever, and but a short time elapsed until they en- tirely disappeared, and the horse-mill took tlieir place. This was also a very primitive and clumsy affair. Two or three of these mills were in o])eration at difterent times on the present site of Greenville, one by Mr. Coffman, before men- tioned, which stood on or near the site of the present steam mill; and one by James Gregg, at the west end of the town. Probably the first mill of this kind erected in the township was by a Mr. Morris, about a mile west of tlie site of . the village. His mill stood upon four posts and a long, crooked sweep came down to within two or three feet of the ground, to which the horse was attached. The mill was entirely constructed of wood, except the buhrs, which were made by the miller himself out of native " nigger-heads." It was merely a corn-cracker and unsatisfactory in its operations, but still a great improvement over the hominy block. Gregg's mill was dift'er- ently constructed, though its results were about the same. His was the latest style of horse- mill, being propelled by the horses tramping upon an inclined wheel. A large wooden wheel was fastened securely at an angle of less than forty degrees, and upon the lowest part of it one or two horses were placed, and as they attempted to travel around- it the wheel began to turn, thus keeping the horses all the time on the lower part and the wheel continually in motion. Some iron was necessary in this mill. The gearing was placed underneath the large wheel. The buhrs were similar in construction to those in the Morris mill. They made poor flour and meal, but were well patronized for a time, and were looked upon as the wonder of the age. No bolting was done at these mills; that must be done by hand by the customer, if done at all.
Prior to the erection of these horse-mills, and vshile hominy-blocks were yet in use, a mill had been erected on an island at the head of the falls to
which tlie early settlers for some years resorted, even after the horse-mills were in operation, as •they could get better work at the island mill. This mill was conducted at tiiat time by a man named Bullitt, and was situated upon the island where General George Rogers Clarke was encamped with his troops, about 1778, just prior to his famous expedition against Kaskaskia and Vin- cennes. Another early water-mill, to which the settleis of Greenville township sometimes re- sorted, was the one on Ijlue river, witliin the present limits of Harrison county, which was owned, at that time, by Governor Harrison. Neither of these mills, however, could run the whole year around. In winter they -were frozen up, and often they were out of repair for weeks at a time. At such times the only recourse was to the hominy-block or horse-mill ; these were generally ready to do the work.
Probably the first water-mill in the township was erected on Indian creek by Adam Smitli. It was a very primitive affair, built of logs, and could not do much in the way of grinding. The buhrs were home-made, and the mill could only run a portion of the year; but it was quite a convenience to the settlers. Quite a number of mills of this description were erected along Indian creek, in various places, and at various times. The creek was in those days a steady, honest, sober, business-like stream, but since the country has been cleared up it has grown eccen- tric, and occasionally gets into a towering rage, at such times sweeping every thing before it. It soon subsides, however; its waters run rapidly away until a duck could cross it at many points without being required to swim. For this reason the mills on its banks and depending upon it for power are no more. '
Adam Smith's old log mill continued in oper- ation quite a number of years, when it was taken down and a franie erected in its place. Dr. R. C. Smith, now of Greenville, did the carpenter work on this mill, which stood until 1S50 or later, when it was purchased by John G. Tomp- kins and removed to Galena. Mr. Smith erected a saw-mill in 1S32, which he also con- ducted in connection with this grist-mill.
One of the earliest milis was known as Engle- man's, and was located on Knob creek. It has long since passed away, but Mr. Jean Engleman still conducts a saw-mill on its site.
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Two other early mills on Indian creek were those owned by Peter Smith and Jonathan Em- mons— both "corn-crackers." Smith's ^nill dis- ajjijcared in a few years, but Emmons improved his and made a very gtiod llouring-mill of it. He sold it to John .S. Coffman, who had been engaged somewhat in the horse-mill. Mr. Coff man erected a brick mill on its site about 1S50, and continued doing a prosperous -business for some years, but, getting tired of it, he let it go down. He subsequently took part of the biick from tile \\-alls to build his j.iresent very fine dairy. A portion of the wall of the old mill is yet stand- ing.
Among the other primitive mills in this town- ship in an early day were the carding and full- ing mills. These were not required until some time subsequent to the first settlement, after the settlers began the raising of sheep.. James Gregg, who was a live business man, conducted one of these mills in connection with his "corn cracker" in Greenville. Another stood on the site of Reason Smith's cocper-shop. Several others were in operation in different parts of the town- ship, and continued in use for many years. They were indispensable lo the clothing of the settlers. The wool was brought to these mills where it was manufactured into rolls; and when the cloth was ready it was brought here to be "fulled." Prior to the erection of these mills the carding was done in the cabin of the settler, as were also the spinning and weaving. The fulling was accomplished by a process known as "kicking;" and in early days "kicking bees" were much in vogue. Half a dozen young peo- ple would gather at a cabin and, putting their chairs in a circle on the cabin floor and lashing them together to prevent recoil, would divest themselves of their boots or shoes and stockings, and the cloth being placed in the centre of the circle, the dozen feet would begin the kicking, while some one poured hot soapsuds on the pile of cloth. This was continued, the cloth being driven round and round until it was shrunk as much as desired.
At present there are two very excellent flour- ing mills in the township, one in Galena and one in Greenville village.
The first mill erected on the site of the Green- ville flouring-mill was the horse-mill before men- tioned, conducted by Mr. Coffman. The pres-
ent substantial brick structure was erected about 1S40, by John B. Ford, since somewhat noted in connection with the manufacture of glass at New Albany. After a few years he sold. out to a German named John Korb, and while in his possession it was burnt to the ground. It was soon again rebuilt by Mr. Korb, who conducted it successfully eight or ten years, when he sold to the i)resent projirittors, Messrs. Kcithley & Brown. Having a surplus power, these gentle- men added the manufacture of staves and head- ings for barrels. Th.e business of barrel-making has been quite- extensively engaged in for many years in various parts of the township. Cooper- shops were among the first shops erected, and ever since the earliest settlement quite a number of the people have secured a living by coopering. Of late years, however, these shops are growing less in number, partly because the coojiers can no longer compete v.'ith machinery, which man- ufactures barrels so much more rajjidly than they, and partly because first class timber for coopering is rapidly disapi)earing, and in some parts of the township has disappeared entirely. The process of steaming timber before cutting the staves by machinery — which process is in operation in Greenville — enables the manufact- urer to use many kinds of timber that could not be used by the old process. Formerly the cooper must have straight-grained wood that would split easily, and generally used oak; now, however, beech and other hard woods are used in this shop and others with success, regardless also of the splitting qualities, as the staves are simply cut out with a sharp knite, driven by steam, after the wood has received a thorough steaming and has thus been rendered soft and pliable.
Near the eastern suburbs of the village of Galena was, and is, a fine spring, which deter- mined.the location of the steam mill. This is a large brick structure, and was erectedabout 1S57- 58 by John G. Tompkins. This mill is the succes- sor of the old mill built by Adam Smith on Indian creek, before mentioned as having been transferred from that place to Galena. Mr. Tompkins brought the old frame up from the creek, placed it over the spring, and added steam-power. In a (e\v jears he tore it down and erected the present building. About i86i- 62 the property was purchased by John Swartz,
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