Full text of "History of Hancock County, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions"

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HISTORY

HANCOCK COUNTY

INDIANA

ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS

GEORGE J. RlCHMAN, B. L.

With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and
Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families

ILLUSTRATED

WM. MITCHELL PRINTING CO.

GREENFIELD, IND.

1916

Copyrighted, 1916, by George J. Richman.

F 532
|43 K53

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

This volume has been prepared with one object in view — to trace the
growth of the county from a wilderness to what it is today. In this develop-
ment, difficulties and obstacles have been surmounted. All the elements of
human nature, the progressive, the conservative and the ultra-conservative ; the
liberal, the public-spirited and the selfish, have been thrown together in the
melting pot. Differences of opinion have caused bickering and strife. They
may have checked for a season, but they have not stayed, the growth of the
institutions which constitute our richest heritage today. Our roads, our
drainage, our churches, our schools, all of which seem so natural, have been
provided by the people who have persisted and won in the struggle for better
things. If this volume awakens trains of pleasant reminiscences in the older
people ; if it awakens a new sense of appreciation in the younger generation ; if
it impresses on them the fact that the choicest blessings of the present have
been provided through the constancy and labor of men and women who have
gone before and by those upon whom has fallen the pure white snow of years,
then the author will have accomplished his entire purpose.

This volume represents much more than simply the labor of the author.
The material for practically all histories of churches, lodges and clubs has been
submitted by members or committees of such organizations. Many of these
sketches have merely been edited. In this connection, acknowledgment should
be made of the assistance given by Jared C. Meek, John Hardin Scott, Mrs.
Permelia Thayer, Mrs. Frances Snow, John Fielding Meek, John Beeson, Reu-
ben F. Cook, Claud Poer, O. J. Coffin, Alpha Smith, Charles Vetters, Iduna
Barrett, Marshall T. Smith, Lizzie Harris, Effie Reed, Fern Trees, Dr. Earl
Gibbs, Mrs. John Page, Fletcher Brooks, J. K. P. Martindale, Robert William-
son, Dr. Mary L. Bruner, Noble Troy, Rev. John Heim, George Burnett, Myr-
tle Schreiber, Nancy Meek, Hazel D. Mitchell, Gertrude Ashcraft, Arthur
Gunn, Charles Herrlich, Emma Herrlich, Charles Ballard, Charles F. Richman,
Rev. F. Markworth, Edward Fink, Oscar Wood, Wright Boring, John F.
Eagan, Jacob Feaster, Lawrence Wood, Horace E. Wilson. Elden A. Robb,
Charles N. Warren, Mrs. Allen Cooper, William I. Garriott, Leora Beagle,
Mrs. L. A. Binford, Ernest Warrum, Samuel Trueblood, Elwood Barnard,
Ada O. Frost, Samuel Wallace, Eli R. Gant, Samuel J. Stokes, C. F. Fred.

^'78883

PREFACE.

John T. Rash, W. R. Rash, Thomas M. Fred, Walter R. Griffin, L. W. Crouch,
Quincy A. Wright, Gus E. Stuart, Hayes Thomas, Omer C. Tucker, Oscar
Bever, Eva Dobbins, Leonard V. Hopkins, Grace J. Slocum, Charles Shull,
J. W. Trittipo, O. L. Morrow, John D. Leslie, Kate Reeves, Rev. Charles
Anderson, Rev. A. J. Duryee, Mary Rose Quigley, John F. Shelby, Effie
Ostermeyer, William T. Leamon, William A. Hughes, George H. Cooper,
Nathan C. Binford, General Jackson, Christian Fink, W. S. Walker, Mrs.
Florence Larimore, William B. Bottsford, Mrs. Charles Henricks, E. E. Davis,
Daniel Bohn, I. J. Kennedy, Martha J. Stubbs, Marshall Hittle, R. C. M.
Smith, William M. Coffield, Henry C. Garriott. Assistance has also been
given by scores of others whose names might be added to the list.

Reference has so frequently been made in the context to official records,
that it is unnecessary to discuss further the use that has been made of them.
One of the best sources of material has been the complete file of the Hancock
Democrat from i860 to the present. The Mitchells have extended every
courtesy in giving access to this file. It is only fair to say that without this
aid, the history in its present form would have been an absolute impossibility.
Unfortunately, the file of the Greenfield Republican has not been kept complete
except since Mr. Spencer has had charge of the plant. Mr. Spencer, too, has
given free and complete access to all files in his office.

To Miss Ruth Amick, Mrs. Ada Frost and Mrs. Anna Phillips, who have
done all the stenographic and clerical work in preparing this volume for the
printer, I wish to express my profound appreciation.

GEORGE J. RICHMAN.

Greenfield, Indiana, June 1, 1916.

DEDICATION

To the People of Hancock County,
Who Have Honored Me with Their
Confidence During a Long Term of
Service, this Volume is Respectfully
Dedicated.

— The Author.

MRS. MARY E. SWOPE,
Late of Greenfield

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I— GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY, ETC. 33

Natural Resources — Surface — Drainage — Streams and Valleys — An Abandoned
Valley — Traces of Glacial Action — Economic Geology — Gravel — Water Supply
— Climate — Temperature and Precipitation — Frosts — Agriculture — Crops — Ani-
mals and Poultry — Dairying — Obstacles to Successful Agriculture — Origin of the
Soils — Soil Types — Meadow Land — Muck — Suggestions for Increasing the Pro-
ductivity of the Soil.

CHAPTER II— EARLY INFLUENCES 50

Location and Boundaries of the County— Early Claims to the Territory of which
Hancock County Is Now a Part — The Virginia Cession — Its Survey, as Provided
for by Ordinance — The System of Land Surveys — Original Survey of Han-
cock County — Locating Corners — "Witness Trees" — The School Fund — Indian
Treaties — The "New Purchase" Tract — Legislative Description of Hancock
County.

CHAPTER III— THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT 58

Legislative Acts Creating Hancock County — Organization of the County — First
Court in the County — First Grand Jury — First Probate Court — First Meeting of
County Commissioners — Division of County into Townships — Election of First
Justices of the Peace — Trustees for School Sections — Wolf Bounty — Report of
Commissioners Appointed to Locate County Seat — Early Care of the Poor — First
Tax Levy — First Petit Jury — Judges of the Hancock Courts — Early Licenses —
County Examiner — County Superintendent — County Assessor — County Council
— Board of Children's Guardians — County Road Superintendent — Clerk —
. Recorder — Auditor — Robbery of County Safe — Treasurers — Roster of County
Officers from Organization to the Present Time — Prosecuting Attorneys — Repre-
sentation in the Legislature.

CHAPTER IV— COUNTY BUILDINGS 85

History of the Court Houses — Laying of Corner-stone of the Present Building —
Jail History — Care of the Poor — The Old Apprentice System — County Farm — A
Suggestion to Convert the County Farm into a Boys' Training School.

CHAPTER V— GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY 102

Earlier People and Their Relics — Little Evidence of the Mound Builders — White
Settlers — Clearing Away the Forests — Artificial Drainage — Incorporated Drain-
age Companies — Roads — State Aid in the Construction of Early Highways — The
National Road — County Roads — Changes in Location of Highways — Turnpike
Companies — Purchase of Toll Roads by the County — "Three-mile Roads" — Bonds
Issued Therefor in the Various Townships — Early Life in the County — Early
Water Mills — Early License Fees — Market Prices, 1845 — Taverns — Tax Levies —
Survey of County in 1840, Etc. — Development and Decline of Farm Crops and
Products — County Bible Society — County Fairs — County Sunday School Associa-

CONTENTS.

tion — Old Settlers' Meetings — Addresses by Rev. William Nichols, Rev. Davis
Caudell, John P. Banks and Noble Warrum — Railroads, Interurban Lines, Etc.
— Proposed Railways — Local Aid for Railroad Construction — The Grange Move-
ment — Patrons of Husbandry — Farmers Mutual Benefit Association — Farmers
Insurance Association — Detective Companies — Natural Gas — Farmers' Institutes
— Storms, Cyclones, Etc. — Epidemics — Society for the Prevention of Tuberculosis
— Federation of Country Clubs — Newspapers — Aerial Navigation.

CHAPTER VI— EDUCATION 182

Basis of School Fund — Sale of School Lands — County School Commissioners —
Township Government Prior to 1859 — District Management Prior to 1859 — Dis-
trict Meetings — Manipulation of School Funds — The County Seminary — Green-
field Academy — County Library — Township Libraries — Young People's Reading
Circle Libraries — Free School Question — Teachers, Course of Study, Etc. —
Teachers' Remuneration — School Houses — Improvement of School System —
County Board of Education — Course of Study for Township High Schools —
Teachers' Associations — County Normals — Attempts to Procure Higher Institu-
tions of Learning — County and Township Institutes — Terms of School — Enumer-
ation of School Children — Consolidation of Schools and Organization of High
Schools — Customs of Different Periods — "Last Day" — Spelling Schools — Town-
ship Commencements, Oratorical Contests, Etc. — County Exhibits — Teachers'
Unions — Lincoln Fund — Compulsory Education — Boys' Corn Club — Vocational
Work — Parent-Teachers Association — Teachers, 1915-16.

CHAPTER VII— MILITARY ANNALS 255

The Mexican War — Enlistments from Hancock County — A Letter from the Front
— Last Mexican War Veterans — The Civil War — Roster of Men Who Enlisted
from Hancock County — Incidents of the Struggle — Letters from Soldiers —
Home Guards — Patriotic Sentiment of the County — Work of Women and Girls
— Mass Meetings, Resolutions, Etc., Pertaining to the Conduct of the War —
Loyal Attitude of the County Government — Care of Those Left at Home — Enlist-
ment Statistics — Bounty and Relief — Southern Sympathy — Current War-time
Phrases — Decoration Day — Sham Battles — Grant Memorial Services — Spanish-
American War — Militia Companies — West Point Graduates — Frien B. Atherton.

CHAPTER VIII— POLITICS _• __ 329

First Election of County Officers — Early Political Leaders — Thomas D. Walpole
— Joseph Chapman — The Civil War Period — Party Utterances — Election of 1860
— Political Conventions and Resolutions — Union Mass Meetings — Results of
War-time Elections — Period of Reconstruction — Democratic and Republican
Tickets — National Union Convention — David S. Gooding — Later Movements —
Greenback Movement— Election of 1876 — After 1876— Election of 1886—
Mitchell-Mannix Contest — Prohibition Party — People's Party — Farmers Mutual
Benefit Association — Bryan and Free Silver — Hancock Politicians — Election
Contests — Relative Strength of Parties — The Progressive Movement — One-term
Sentiment — Township Politics — County Chairmen.

CHAPTER IX— TEMPERANCE _ _ 393

Liquor Traffic a Source of Revenue — Early Licenses — Sons of Temperance —
Beginning of the Temperance Fights — A Newspaper Editorial of 1861 — Active

CONTENTS.

Crusade Against Saloons in the Seventies — The Temperance Alliance — Era
of Ribbon Societies — Woman's Christian Temperance Union — Liquor Regula-
tive Ordinance — Fundamental Principles as Expounded by the Two Sides to
the Controversy.

CHAPTER X— LITERATURE AND ART 424

Lee O. Harris — James Whitcomb Riley — Will H. Glascock — Rev. Charles L.
O'Donnell — Adelia Pope Branham — Alma Martin Estabrook — Leroy Scott — Rich-
ard Brown Black — The Vawters — Minnie Belle Mitchell and Others Who Have
Been Prominent in Literary Work.

CHAPTER XI— THE HANCOCK BAR 438

Relation of Our Lawyers to the General Progress and Development of the County
— List of Attorneys Admitted to the Hancock County Bar — Organization of the
Court — Rules Adopted by the Hancock Circuit Court in 1829 — Early Court
Houses — Disbarment of Walpole — Court Stenographers — Stenographers in Law
Offices — Law Library — Lawyers as School Examiners — In Politics — Temper-
ance Campaign of 1874 — Resolutions of Respect — The Practice — A Retrospective
View — Roster of Attorneys, 1915 — Sidelights.

CHAPTER XII— THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE 465

Early Physicians of the County — Reminiscences by Dr. J. W. Hervey — Char-
acterizations of Some of the Early Physicians — Hancock County Medical
Society and Minutes of Some of Its Meetings — Licensed Physicians in 1885 —
Social Functions — District Meetings — Fee Bill — Fraternalism — Answering Calls
— Present Physicians — Change in Medical Treatment.

CHAPTER XIII— BLUE RIVER TOWNSHIP 490

Organization — Description — Natural Features — Early Settlers — Stores, Mills,
Factories, Etc. — Railroads — Petersburg — Westland — Schools — Miscellaneous —
Trustees — Justices of the. Peace — County Officers — Heavy Taxpayers — Physi-
cians — Mooresville — Temperance Activity — Hancock County Insurance Associa-
tion — Township Hall — Westland Cornet Band — Churches — Literary Societies,
Clubs, Etc.

CHAPTER XIV— BRAND YWINE TOWNSHIP 513

Location — Boundary Lines — Drainage — First Settlers — Mills — School Land
Leases — Schools — Miscellaneous — Trustees — Justices of the Peace — County
Officers — Brass Bands — Churches — Women's Clubs — Heavy Taxpayers — Car-
rollton.

CHAPTER XV— BROWN TOWNSHIP 526

Organized — Description — Natural Features — Earliest Land Entries — Mills and
Factories — Schools — Miscellaneous — Justices of the Peace — County Officers —
Taxpayers — Churches of the Township — Warrington — Secret Societies — Physi-
cians — Race Track — Nashville — Willow — Wilkinson — Banks — McCray Ceme-
tery — Clubs — Band — Shirley — Business Development — Public Utilities.

CHAPTER XVI— BUCK CREEK TOWNSHIP 556

Organization — Changes in Boundary Lines — Drainage — Land Entries — Mills,
Factories, Shops, Etc. — Social Spirit in the Township — Schools — Miscellaneous

CONTENTS.

— Township Trustees — Justices of the Peace — Older Families and Larger Tax-
payers — County Officers — Physicians — Highways — Railroads and Interurbans —
Agricultural Exhibits — Mohawk — Mt. Comfort — Churches.

CHAPTER XVII— CENTER TOWNSHIP 577

Organization — Description — Changes in Boundaries — Natural Features — First
Land Entries and Settlers — Mills and Factories — Schools — Trustees — Miscella-
neous — Justices of the Peace — County Officers — Larger Taxpayers — Mohawk —
Maxwell — Clubs — Berlin — Binwood — Bands — Nurseries — Lilly Biological Plant
— Churches.

CHAPTER XVIII— CITY OF GREENFIELD 595

Original Plat and Additions — County Seat — Greenfield as a Village — Incorpora-
tion as a Town — Street Improvements — Ordinances — The Town at. the Close of
the Civil War — Business Interests in 1870 — Incorporation as a City — City Offi-
cers to the Present Time — Brick Streets — City Lights — Fire Department — City
Building — Waterworks — Schools — Honor Rolls, 1870 — High School Commence-
ments — Superintendents, Principals and Teachers — City Library — The Liberty
Bell at Greenfield — Mills, Factories, Etc. — Commercial Clubs — Fires — Charity
Organizations — The Colored Folk — Cemeteries — Business Directory, 1880 — Tel-
ephones — Indianapolis & Greenfield Traction Line — Banks — Building and Loan
Association — Publishing Houses — Business Directory, 1916 — Heavy Taxpayers
— Street Fair — Fire Department Horse Show — Chautauquas — Boy Scouts — Mail
Delivery — Old Gooding Tavern — Old Masonic Hall — Music, Bands, Orchestras,
Etc. — Literary Societies, Clubs, Etc. — Lodges — Churches.

CHAPTER XIX— GREEN TOWNSHIP 700

Location — Area — Organization — Natural Features — First Land Entries — Indus-
tries of the Township — Charleston — Eden — Milner's Corner — Schools — Miscella-
neous — Trustees — Justices of the Peace — County Officers — Physicians — Heavy
Taxpayers — Barnard Family Orchestra — Eden Cornet Band and Other Bands —
Lodges — Churches.

CHAPTER XX— JACKSON TOWNSHIP 714

Organization — Changes in Boundaries — Natural Drainage — Land Entries —
Water Power and Mills — Early Industries — Schools — Miscellaneous — Township
Trustees — Justices of the Peace — County Officers — Heavy Taxpayers — Cleve-
land (Portland) — Charlottesville — Educational Association — Lodges — Clubs —
Leamon's Corner — Stringtown — Railroads — Churches.

CHAPTER XXI— SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP 741

Description — Natural Features — Land Entries — Early Roads and Settlements —
Mills — Tanyards — Tile Factories and Brick Yards — Schools — Miscellaneous —
Township Trustees — Justices of the Peace — County Officers — Railroads and
Interurbans — German Settlement — German Churches — Cornet Band — Philadel-
phia — Spring Lake Park — New Palestine — Industries — Water System — Bank —
Mail Service — Temperance Campaigns — Town Lights — Fire Department — Explo-
sion of Acetylene Light Plant — Churches — Cemetery — Lodges — Bands — Clubs —
Gem — Church — Taxpayers of the Township.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXII— VERNON TOWNSHIP 783

Organization — Original Area and Subsequent Changes — Natural Features — Early-
Land Entries — Mills, Factories, Shops, Etc. — Schools — Miscellaneous — Town-
ship Trustees — Justices of the Peace — County Officers — Heavy Taxpayers —
Highways, Railroads and Interurban Roads — Churches— Woodbury — McCords-
ville — Lodges — Cemeteries — Temperance — Irish Settlement.

CHAPTER XXIII— FORTVILLE 798

The Beginning — Walpole Postoffice — Original Survey of the Site of Fortville —
Subsequent Additions and Surveys — Incorporation as a Town — Improvements —
Business Interests — Town Lights — Fire Protection — Schools — Miscellaneous —
Newspapers — Bands — Banks — Churches — Lodges — Public Library — Clubs — Boy
Scouts — County Hospital Agitation — Mail Delivery.

HISTORICAL INDEX

Abandoned "Valley 34

Aerial Navigation 180

Agricultural Associations 137

Agricultural College, Indiana 223

Agriculture 38

Agriculture, Obstacles to 40

Alfalfa 39

Animals, Domestic 39

Apprentice System, Old 96

Art 424

Artesian Wells 36

Assessor, County 72, 78

Associate Judges ,_ 69

Atherton, Frien B. 327

Attorneys 438

Auditor, County 77

Banks 544, 570, 638, 727, 767, 806

Baptist Churches 532, 591, 708, 729, 789

Bar of Hancock County 438

Bench and Bar 438

Berlin 586

Bible Society 137

Binford, John H., 208, 221, 242, 442,

623, 641, 680

Binwood Postoffice 586

Black Clay Loam 45

Black, Richard Brown 433

Blue River Township —

Changes in Area 62

Churches 500

Clubs 510

Cornet Band 500

County Officers 497

Creation of . 62

Description of 490

Fence Viewers 68

Gravel Road Bonds 120

Justices of the Peace 497

Land Entries 491

Lincoln Fund 247

Literary Societies 510

Military Record 306

Mills 491

Miscellaneous 496

Natural Features 490

Organization of 490

Physicians 498

Railroads 147, 149, 493

Sale of School Lands 183

Schools 224, 494

Settlers 490

Stores 491

Taxpayers 497

Temperance Activities 499

Tidewater Pipe Line 148

Township Hall 500

Township Library 195

Trustee 496

Vote in 1860 338

Board of Children's Guardians 72

Bonds for Gravel Roads 118

Boundaries of County 50

Bounty, Civil War 309

Boy Scouts 650, 814

Boys Corn Club 250

Bradley, Nelson, 75, 77, 225, 357, 405,

638, 671
Brandywine Township —

Bands 518

Changes in Area 62

Churches 518

Clubs 524

County Officers 518

Creation of 62

Description of 513

Drainage 513

Fence Viewers 68

Justices of the Peace 517

Lincoln Fund 247

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Military Record 306

Mills 514

Miscellaneous 517

Overseers of the Poor 68

Railroad Aid 149

Roads, Early 1 111

Sale of School Lands 183

Schools 229, 252, 516

Settlers 513

Taverns 128

Taxpayers, Heavy 524

Tidewater Pipe Line 198

Township Libraries 195

Trustee 517

Turnpike Companies 116

Vote in 1860 338

Branham, Adelia Pope 431

Brown Township —

Cemetery 548

Churches 532

Clubs 549

County Officials 531

Creation of 64

Description of 526

Early Licenses 123

Gravel Road Bonds , 119

Industries 527

Justices of the Peace 531

Land Entries 526

Lincoln Fund 248

Local Option Election 411

Military Record 306

Mills 527

Miscellaneous 530

Natural Features 526

Organization of 526

Sale of School Lands 183

Schools 203, 229, 252, 528

Taxpayers, Heavy 531

Township Libraries - 195

Trustees 531

Vote in 1860 338

Buck Creek Township —

Agricultural Exhibit 568

Churches 571, 574

County Officers 568

Creation of 63

Description of 556

Drainage 556

Gravel Road Bonds 118

Industries 558

Justices of the Peace 556

Land Entries 557

Lincoln Fund 248

Military Record 300

Mills ' 557

Miscellaneous 566

Old Families 567

Organization of 556

Physicians 568

Roads, Early 115, 568

Sale of School Lands 183

Schools 229, 252, 561

Social Life 558

Taxpayers 567

Township Libraries 195

Trustees 556

Turnpike Companies 117

Vote in 1860 338

Burial Club 728

Care for Soldiers' Families 304

Care of the Poor 68, 96

Carrollton 522, 525

Catholic Churches 554 6,90, 809

Cattle 39, 136

Center Township —

Changes in Area 64

Churches 589

County Officers 583

Creation of 63

Description of 577

Gravel Road Bonds 119

Industries 579

Justices of the Peace 582

Lincoln Fund 248

Local Option Election 411

Military Record 306

Mills 578

Miscellaneous 581

Natural Features 577

Organization of 577

Railroad Aid 149

Sale of School Lands 183

Schools 203, 229, 239, 252, 580

Settlers - 577

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Taxpayers, Heavy 584

Township Libraries 195

Trustees 581

Turnpike Companies 116

Vote in 1860 338

Chapman, Joseph, 71, 73, 77, 81, 112,

132, 256, 329, 393, 651

Charleston 701

Charlottesville —

Additions 720

Band 727

Bank 727

Burial Club 728

Churches 731

Clubs 728

Early Licenses 162

Early Business Interests 720

Educational Association 721

Gas Well 166

Incorporation 720

Lodges 725

Newspapers 180

Normal School 221

Platted 720

Schools 229

Tavern 128

Turnpike Companies 116

Charlottesville Educational Asso'n__ 721

Chautauquas 650

Children's Guardians, Board of 72

Christian Churches, 501, 507, 518, 537,

546, 555, 684, 735, 738, 773, 808

Christian Science Church 698

Circuit Court 69, 446

Circuit Court, Seal 66

Circuit Judges 69

Civil War " 257

Civil War Politics 335

Clerk, County 77

Cleveland 155, 719

Climate 37

Clover 39

Colored Folk 632

Common Pleas Court 70

Compensation of Teachers 202

Compulsory Education 249

Congressional Township Fund 55, 182

Consolidation of Schools 231

Constitutional Convention, Vote for__196

Cook, William Ward 462

Corn 39, 136

Coroners 79

Council, County 72

Country Clubs, Federation of 176

County Assessor 12, 78

County Auditor 77

County Board of Education 207

County Buildings 85

County Chairmen 390

County Clerk 77

County Commissioners, 61, 65, 71, 79,

85, 97

County Council 72

County Examiner 71, 205, 454

County Fairs 137

County Farm 97

County Government 58

County Hospital Idea 814

County Library 193

County Medical Society 472

County Normal Institue 217

County Normals 221

County Officers 76

County Officers, First 66

County Recorder 78

County Revenues, Early 132

County Road Superintendent 73, 81

County Roads 111

County School Commissioners 183

County School Exhibits 244

County Seat, Location of 67

County Seminary 188

County Sheriff 78

County Sunday School Association 139

County Superintendent . 72

County Surveyor 78

County Teachers' Institutes 226

County Treasurer 77

County Treasury Robbed 75

Courses of Study in Early Schools___ 197

Court, First in County 59

Court House History 85

Court Stenographers 452

Creation of Hancock County 57, 58

Creation of Townships 62

Creeks 33

Crops 39

Cyclones 172

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Dairying 40

Daughters of Rebekah, 553, 570, 677,

778, 812

Decline in Farm Crops 136

Decoration Day 316

Degree of Pocahontas 678, 778

Democratic County Chairmen 390

Detective Companies 161

Development of Farm Crops 136

Development of the County 102

Disbarment of Thomas D. Walpole — 449

Division of County 62

Doctors 465, 498

Drain Tile 104

Drainage, Artificial 103

Drainage, Natural 33

Draining Companies 105

Early Influences 50

Early Life in Hancock County 120

Early Roads 107

Early School Customs 232

Eastern Indiana Holiness Association 738
Eastern Star, Order of, 674, 708, 777,

795, 811

Economic Geology 35

Eden —

Bands 706

Churches 709

Gas Well 166

Lodges 155, 707

Mercantile Interests 702

Platted 702

Turnpike Companies 116

Educational Interests 182

Elections, First Township 65

Election of 1876 375

Election of 1886 381

Election of 1912 388

Election of 1914 388

Enlistment Statistics 306

Enlistments in Hancock County 259

Enumeration of School Children 230

Epidemics 173

Episcopal Church 545

Estabrook, Alma Martin 432

Evangelical Lutheran Church 735

Fairs 137

Farm Land Valuation 38

Farm Reports for 1840 132

Farmers' Institutes 167

Farmers Insurance Association 160

Farmers Mutual Benefit Asso., 160, 384

Farms, Size of 38

Federation of Country Clubs 176

First Settlers 102

First Tax Levy 68

Flax 133, 136

Flowing Wells 36

Forest Growth 40

Forests, Clearing Away the 103

Formation of Townships 62

Fortville —

Additions 798

Bands 804

Banks 806

Boy Scouts 814

Business Interests 800

Churches 807

Clubs 814

Fire Protection 801

Gas Wells , 166

Improvements 800

Incorporation 799

Library 813

Light Service 801

Lodges 155, 811

Mail Delivery 815

Miscellaneous ' 804

Newspapers 179, 804

Schools 229, 253, 802

Survey _— 798

Turnpike Companies 116

Fraternal Order of Eagles 678

Free and Accepted Masons, 553, 671,

725, 777, 793, 811

Free School Question 196

Free-silver Movement 385

Friends Societies, 502, 508, 546, 593,

692, 711, 730, 736, 762
Frosts, Killing 38

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Gas and Oil Companies 165

Gem 781

Geography of County 33

Geology 35

German Baptist Church 790

German Evan. Zion's Church 774

German M. E. Church 772

German Settlement 752

Glacial Influences 34

Glascock, Will H. 430

Gooding, David S. 70, 71, 80, 81, 82,
83, 159, 177, 291, 297, 298, 301, 329,
335, 353, 366, 370, 376, 440, 455,

461, 622

Gooding Tavern 651

Grand Jury, First 60, 68

Grange, the 154

Grant Memorial Services 322

Gravel 35

Gravel Road Bonds 118

Green Township —

Abandoned Valley 34

Barnard Sorghum Factory 701

Barnard Family Orchestra 705

Churches 708

County Officers 704

Creation of 64

Description of 700

Industries 701

Justices of the Peace 704

Land Entries 700

Lincoln Fund 248

Military Record 306

Miscellaneous 703

Natural Features 700

Organization of , 700

Physicians 704

Railroad Aid 149

Sale of School Lands 183

Schools — TT 229, 252, 703

Settlement 700

Taxpayers, Heavy 705

Township Libraries 195

Trustees 704

Vote in 1860 338

Greenback Movement 374

Greenfield —

Additions 595

Bands 587, 653

Banks 638

Boy Scouts 650

Brick Paving 609

Buildings in 1865 605

Building and Loan Association 642

Business Interests, 1845-8 601

Business Interests, 1870 608

Business Interests, 1880 636

Business Interests, 1916 646

Business Men's Association 630

Carnegie Library 624

Cemeteries .. 634

Charity Organization 630

Chautauquas 650

Churches 589, 679

City Building 611

Clubs 588, 659

Colored Folk 632

Commercial Clubs 629

Council, City 609

Council, Town 602

Early Licenses 122

Factories 627

Fire Department 611

Fires 630

First Buildings 599

First Streets 602

Frosts 38

Gas Wells 166

Gooding Tavern 651

Hog Ordinance 604

Horse Show 650

In 1833 600

In 1850 134

Incorporation as a City 609

Incorporation as a Town 602

Liberty Bell „ 627

Library 624

Licenses, Early 122

Lights, Public 610

Lilly Plant 587

Liquor Regulating Ordinance 412

Literary Societies 659

Local Option Election 411

Lodges 671

Masonic Hall, Old 652

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Mail Delivery 651

Mills 627

Ministerial Association 699

Miscellaneous , , 624

Name Chosen 68

Natural Gas 163

Newspapers 176

Normal School" 221

Nurseries 587

Officials, City 609

Orchestras 653

Precipitation 37

Public Improvements 603

Publishing Houses 643

Railroads 147

Schools 229, 253, 613

Selection as County Seat 67, 598

Street Fair 649

Survey 595

Tabernacle Meetings 699

Taverns 128

Taxpayers, Heavy 647

Telephones 637

Temperature 37

Traction Line 638

Turnpike Companies 116

Village 599

"Waterworks 612

Women's Clubs 661

Greenfield Academy 191

Hancock County Medical Society 472

Hancock Politicians , 386

Hancock Seminary 190

Harris, Lee O., 177, 207, 219, 241, 271,

273, 318, 321, 424, 436, 617

Harrison Township 63

Hay — 39

Haymakers Association 679, 813

High School Text-books 213

High Schools, Township 210, 231

Highways 107

Hogs 39, 136

Holiness Association 738

Home Guards 288

Horse-thief Detective Companies 163

Horse Shows 650

Horses 39, 136

Hough, Clarence A. 435

Hough, William A. 435

Hough, William R., 180, 205, 214, 297,

302, 322, 397, 440, 455, 461, 622

Indian Treaties 56

Indiana Agricultural College 223

Indiana Normal School 225

Improved Order of Red Men, 553, 570,

677, 778, 812

Improvement of Land _. 103

Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 545,

553, 675, 708, 726, 779, 795, 811

Interurban Lines 147

Irish Settlement 797

Jackson Township —

Churches 729

County Officers 718

Description of 714

Drainage 714

Early Industries 715

Justices of the Peace 718

Land Entries 714

Lincoln Fund 249

Military Record 306

Mills 715

Miscellaneous 717

Old Families 718

Organization 714

Railroads 729

Sale of School Lands 183

Schools 203, 229, 253, 716

Taxpayers, Heavy 718

Township Libraries 195

Trustees 717

Turnpike Companies 117

Vote in 1860 1 338

Jail History 92

Jones Township 64

Judges of the Court 69

Justices of the Peace, 65, 497, 517,

531, 556, 582, 704, 718, 751, 787

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Kinder Postoffice 523

Knights of Pythias, 545, 586, 676, 777,

796, 812

Knights of the Maccabees 678

Knights Templar i 674

Land, Clearing of 103

Land Entries, 491, 526, 557, 700, 714,

741, 783
Land, Original Title to 50

"Last Day" in Early Schools 237

Law Library 454

Lawyers of Hancock County 438

Leamon's Corner 729

Lewisburg, Village of 135

Library, Law 454

License Fees, Early 122

Licenses, Early 71

Lincoln Fund , 247

Literature 424

Local Option Election 410

Location of County 50

Lodges 553

Loyal Order of Moose 678

Mc
McCordsville —

Additions 792

Band 793

Cemeteries 796

Churches 793

Culture Club 797

Early Business Interests 792

Gas Well 166

Lodges 155, 793

Normal School 221

Platted 792

Temperance 797

Turnpike Companies 110

Maccabees, Knights of the : 678

Market Prices, 1845 125

Marsh, Ephraim, 77, 90, 377, 380, 400,

442, 455, 456, 462, 623, 638

Marshes 40

Masonic Order, 553, 671, 725, 777, 793, 811

Maxwell —

Additions 585

Churches 592

Clubs 580

Band 587

Business Interests 586

Gas Well 166

Lodges 586

School 580

Survey . 585

Meadow Soil 46

Medical History : 465, 498

Medical Society 472

Meek, Oscar F. 73

Memorial Day 316

Methodist Episcopal Churches, 500,
534, 542, 548, 553, 571, 589, 590, 592,
679, 695, 707, 708, 709, 730, 736, 761,

770, 781, 792, 793, 807
Methodist Protestant Church, 521, 590, 691

Mexican War 253

Miami Clay Loam 42

Military Annals 255

Mills, 120, 121, 134, 491, 514, 527, 557,

578, 627, 715, 742, 784

Milner's Corner 155, 166, 702

Mitchell, John F., Jr. 435

Mitchell, Minnie Belle 434

Mitchell-Mannix Contest 381

Modern Woodmen 553, 678, 779, 813

Mohawk —

Addition 569

Bank 570

Business Interests 569

Churches 575

Location 585

Lodge 570

Platted 569

School 580

Mooresville 498

Mound Builders 102

Mt. Comfort 570, 573

Muck Soil 47

Mules 39, 136

Nashville 540

National Road 109

Natural Features of County 33

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Natural Gas 163

New Palestine —

Additions 764

Bands 1 779

Bank ,. 767

Cemetery 776

Churches 770

Clubs 780

Early Merchants 765

Explosion of Acetylene Plant 770

Fire Department 770

Harvest Picnic 780

Incorporation 765

Industries 767

Lighting System 769

Lodges 155, 777

Mail Service 768

Officials, First 766

Platted 764

Newspapers 179

Taverns 129

Temperance 769

Turnpike Companies 117

Water System 767

Newspapers 176, 804

Normal Institute, County 217

Oats 39, 136

O'Donnell, Rev. Charles L. 431

Odd Fellows, 545, 553, 675, 708, 726,

729, 811
Offutt, Charles G., 69, 82, 90, 378, 400,

407, 441, 455, 456, 462

Old Settlers' Meetings 140

One-term Sentiment 390

Oratorical Contests 243

Organization of the County 58

Parent-Teachers Association 251

Patriotic Sentiment of County 291

Patrons of Husbandry 154

People's Party 384

People's Party County Chairmen 392

Petersburg 493

Petit Jury, First 68

Philadelphia-
Additions 760

Band 764

Cemetery , 762

Churches 761

Early Business Interests 761

Lodges 155

Platted 760

Turnpike Companies 117

Physicians 465, 498, 568

Pocahontas, Degree of 678, 778

Political Contests 386

Political History 329

Political Parties, Relative Strength__ 387

Poor, Care of the 68, 96

Portland, Village of 135

Poultry 39

Precipitation, Average _ v 37

Pre-historic People 102

Press, the 176

Prices in 1845 127

Primitive Baptist Churches 505, 693

Probate Court 61, 70

Progressive County Chairmen 392

Progressive Party __• 388

Prohibition County Chairmen 391

Prohibition Party 383

Prosecutors, County 80

Pythian Sisters 545, 676, 778, 796, 812

Railroad Taxes 148

Railroads 147

Reconstruction Period 359

Recorder, County 78

Red Men, Improved Order of, 553, 570,

677, 778, 812

Registration of Physicians, 1885 480

Relief, Civil War 309

Reminiscences 142, 143, 144

Representatives 81

Republican County Chairmen 391

Revenues, County, Early 132

Ribbon Societies 404

Riley, James Whitcomb 427

Riley, Reuben A., 80, 81, 177, 205, 274,
291, 298, 299, 301, 318, 376, 402, 440,

454, 461, 616, 622

Road Superintendent 73, 81

Road Viewers 107

Roads 107

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Robbery of County Treasury 75

Royal and Select Masters 795

Royal Arch Masons 673, 708, 795

School Commissioners 183

School Consolidation 231

School Customs, Early 232

School Districts 184

School Enumeration 230

School Examiners 71, 205, 454

School Exhibits 244

School Fund 55, 182, 187

School Houses 203'

School System, Improvement in 204

Scott, Leroy 432

Seminary, County 188

Senators, State 83

Settlers, First in County 102

Seventh-day Adventist Churches, 593,

695, 810

Sham Battles 321

Sheep 39, 136

Sheriff, County 78

Shirley —

Beginning 550

Business Interests 551

Churches 553

Clubs 555

Development 552

Incorporation 551

Lodges 553

Newspapers 179

Public Utilities 552

Survey 550

Sioux Loam 45

Society for the Prevention of Tubercu-
losis 175

Soils, Origin of 40

Soil, Suggestions as to Its Improve-
ment 48

Soil Types 42

Soldiers' Aid Work by Women 291

Soldiers' Families, Care for 304

Soldiers from Hancock County 259

Sons of Temperance 395

Southern Sympathy ' 310

Spanish-American War 324

Spelling Schools 240

Spring Lake Park 763

State Senators 83

Statistics for 1840 132

Stenographers 452

Storms 172

Streams 33

Stringtown 729, 737

Sugar Creek Township —

Band , 760

Beginning of 742

Changes in Area 63

Churches 755

County Officers 752

Creation of 62

Description of 741

Drainage 741

Fence Viewers 68

German Churches 755

German Settlements 752

Gravel Road Bonds 120

Industries 744

Justices of the Peace 751

Kunz, Rev. J. G. 755

Land Entries 741

Lincoln Fund 249

Local Option Election 411

Military Record 306

Mills 742

Miscellaneous 751

Overseers of Poor 68

Railroads 752

Sale of School Lands 183

Schools 229, 243, 253, 745

Spring Lake Park 763

Taxpayers, Heavy 781

Township Libraries 195

Trustees 751

Turnpike Companies 117

Union Hall » 746

Vote in 1860 338

Sunday School Association 139

Sunday School Statistics 140

Surface of County 33

Survey, Original, of Hancock County— 54

Survey, Original of Indiana 54

Surveyor, County 78

Swamps 40

Swine 39, 136

HISTORICAL INDEX.

"Tailholt" 525

Tavern Licenses 71

Taverns 125

Tax Levies, Early 68, 129

Teachers' Associations 213

Teachers, Early, Remuneration of 200

Teachers, 1915-16 251

Teachers' Unions 247

Temperance 393, 455

Temperature, Average 37

Text Books, Early School 199

Three-mile Roads 118

Tile 104

Toll Roads 116

Toll Roads Purchased by County 117

Topography of County 33

Township Commencements 243

Township Farmers' Institutes 172

Township Government Prior to 1859__ 183

Township High Schools 210, 231

Township Libraries 194

Township Teachers' Institutes 229

Townships, Creation of 62

Treasurer, County 77

Treaties with Indians 56

Truant Officer 249

Trustees for School Sections 65

Tuberculosis, Society for the Preven-
tion of 176

Turnpike Companies 115

Union County Chairmen 391

Union Township 64

United Brethren Churches, 520, 536,

540, 542, 571, 575, 694, 712, 790
Universalist Church 794

Vawters, the 434

Vernon Township —

Business Interests 784

Churches 789

County Officers 787

Creation of 64

Description 783

Gravel Road Bonds 119

Irish Settlement 797

Justices of the Peace 787

Land Entries 783

Lincoln Fund 249

Local Option Election 411

Military Record 306

Mills 784

Miscellaneous 786

Natural Features 783

Organization 783

Railroads 147, 149, 789

Roads 789

Sale of School Lands 183

Schools 229, 243, 252, 253, 785

Taxpayers, Heavy 788

Township Libraries 195

Trustees 786

Vote in 1860 338

Veterans of the Civil War 258

Virginia Land 52

Vocational Work 250

Vote in 1860 338

Vote in 1861 346

Vote in 1863 357

Vote in 1864 359

Vote in 1865 361

Vote in 1866 365

Vote in 1867 367

Wabash Loam 44

Walker, J. Ward 616

Walpole, Thomas D., 81, 83, 177, 329,

334, 439, 449, 455, 460

Walpole, Village of 135

Warrington —

Additions 535

Churches 536

Early Business Interests 535

Flax 133

Gas Well 166

Lodges 155, 536

■Physicians 539

Platted 535

PostOffice 535

Race Track 530

HISTORICAL INDEX.

War-time Phrases 315

War-time Politics _ 335

Water Supply 35

Weather Reports 37

Wells 35

West Point Graduates 326

Westland 166, 494, 500

Wheat 39, 136

Wilkinson —

Additions 543

Band 550

Banks 544

Churches 545

Clubs 549

Gas Well 166

Incorporation 543

Lodges 545

Newspapers 179

Oficials, First 544

Platted- 543

Storm 544

Willow branch 166, 541, 542

"Witness Trees" 55

Wolf Bounty 66

Woman's Christian Temperance Union, 407

Woodbury 791

Worth Township 65

Y
Young People's Reading Circle 195

OLD COURT HOUSE

COUNTY INFIRMARY

HANCOCK COUNTY COURT HOUSE

OLD COUNTY SEMINARY

CHAPTER I.

GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, NATURAL RESOURCES AND SOIL SURVEY.

The natural resources of Hancock county, which have been conducive
toward making it a garden spot of the world and a most delightful place in
which to live, are its fertile soil, its level surface, its abundant rainfall and
its temperate climate.

SURFACE.

Almost the entire surface of the county is level or gently rolling. Its
streams are without falls or rapids and their currents are generally sluggish.
Near the streams the surface is generally hilly. Especially is this true in the
northwest corner of the county, along the tributaries of Fall creek, along the
lower part of Sugar creek, and in the southeast corner, along Blue river. The
highest bluffs along the streams, however, are not to exceed from forty to sixty
feet above the beds of the streams. Those along the smaller streams rarely
exceed ten feet. In the west central part of the county are large areas with
practically level surfaces.

DRAINAGE.

The natural drainage of the county is, in general, to the south and south-
west. Practically all of the water of the county is carried away by Blue river
and its tributaries. Blue river crosses the southeastern corner of the county.
Brandywine creek drains a considerable area in the east central and southern
parts, joining Blue river in Shelby county, twelve or thirteen miles south of
the county line. Nameless creek is also a large tributary of Blue river. It
has its origin in the northeastern part of Jackson township and flows south-
westwardly and thence in a southerly direction through the central part of
Blue River township. Six Mile creek is another tributary of Blue river,
which drains the extreme eastern part of Blue River and Jackson townships.

Sugar creek gathers the waters from a broad, irregular belt extending
from the northeast corner of the county along the northern side well toward
the northwest corner, thence southwestward, crossing the south line near the
southwest corner. Little Sugar creek drains the territory between Sugar
creek and Brandywine in the southern part of the county. Buck creek, a
tributary which joins Sugar creek six miles south of the southern boundary of
the county, drains a large part of the western side, while tributaries of Fall
creek and White river receive the drainage from the remainder of the western
and northwestern parts. The direction of these streams has been determined

34 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

by the deposits made by the great glacier that at one time covered the northern
part of the continent almost to the Ohio river. The valleys through which
the streams began to flow owed their general direction to the slope of the
surface of the material left by the continental ice-sheets. Some of the char-
acteristics of the valleys are clearly due, however, to the conditions existing
as the ice withdrew, which caused the drainage in certain places to be strik-
ingly different from that which exists in the same place now. A notable
example of this is the presence of relatively large valleys drained by dispro-
portionately small, in some cases insignificant, streams.

AN ABANDONED VALLEY.

The best illustration of an abandoned channel of this kind to be
found in the county is in the north central part, extending in a general north-
south direction about a mile east of the village of Eden. This northern por-
tion begins at the county line somewhat east of the center of section 9, town-
ship 17 north, range 7 east, as a flat-bottomed valley, one-fourth of a mile
wide and from ten to fifteen feet deep, and extends west of south to the
eastern part of section 20, east of Eden, where it crosses Sugar creek and con-
tinues its southward course to the north part of section 29. From here its
direction is southward until it joins the valley of Brandywine creek in the
middle of section 16, township 16 north, range 7 east. The total length of
the channel within the county is seven and one-half miles. In parts of its
course the drainage is by open ditch or small stream, sometimes northward,
sometimes southward. In parts there is no surface stream at all. Through-
out most of its course the soil in its bottom is black, usually a clay loam to loam;
with a considerable amount of organic matter. The hills on either side are
usually light-colored clay loam with varying amounts of gravel and boulders,
but sometimes stratified sand and gravel. At certain points the hills bound-
ing the valley almost disappear, leaving the boundaries of the channel some-
what indefinite; this is especially the case on the east side at about the center
of section 29, township 17 north, range 7 east, where two kamelike hills alone
mark clearly the limit of the valley. In most places, however, the valley
boundaries are definite, being limited by distinct hills.

This channel of seven and one-half miles is evidently only a part of a
general north-south system of drainage which prevailed at a certain stage
in the withdrawal of the ice-sheet. Southward, the valley of the Brandywine
itself seems to be a part of the same glacial channel. The channel as a whole,
coming down through Madison county, is accounted for by the work of
waters flowing under conditions entirely different from those of the present
day.

GEOGRAPHY, SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 35

ECONOMIC GEOLOGY.

Gravel. — In the thirtieth annual report of the Indiana department of geol-
ogy, A. E. Taylor (1905) summarizes the location of gravel deposits in sub-
stance as follows :

(1) The principal deposits are found along the larger streams and in
certain areas of partially assorted drift, principally in the northeastern part
of the county.

(2) Areas in which little or no gravel is found include (a) a strip about
four miles wide along the western end of the county, and (b) certain areas
in the north central, east central and southern parts.

Since that report was written some new deposits have been opened up,
but it is still true that the main deposits are to be found along the larger
streams and in sheets of outwash materials associated with moraines. A few
of these deposits are above the level of ground water and so can be easily
reached by excavations from which the gravel can be shoveled directly into
the wagons which are to haul it away. By far the largest proportion of
gravel in the county, however, lies below the water level, sometimes in
streams, sometimes in flood plains or terraces, sometimes in the nearly level
inter-stream areas. In such cases the gravel is brought to the surface by
means of steam power applied, either to an endless chain to which small buck-
ets are attached, or to a cable carrying a single large excavating bucket. Data
as to the amount of gravel used each year are not available ; but the total
is large, since, in addition to a very considerable amount used in concrete con-
struction, plastering, etc., hundreds of cubic yards are applied every year to
the repair of the numerous gravel roads already completed, and in the exten-
sion of the work to reduce still further the small percentage not yet improved
in this way.

Water Supply. — An abundance of water may be secured at most places
in the county by sinking a well to a depth not to exceed thirty to forty feet.
The exceptions to this are those points where there is exposed at the surface
a thick layer of unassorted drift composed largely of rock particles, of the
the fineness of clay, which obstructs the ready flow of the water. Even in
such places as that, some water is usually found, but not in sufficient quantity
to afford a continuous supply. In general, however, such strata of nearly im-
pervious drift are not thick enough to make the sinking of a satisfactory well
too expensive or difficult.

The minimum depth of wells varies according to location, being least
near streams and in the level areas which were formerly covered by water for

36 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

almost the whole year. In such places the surface of the ground water may
be within four or five feet of the surface throughout the year. This depth,
although small, is, nevertheless, in the marshy areas a reduction of ground
water level since the settlement of the county by almost its own amount, due
to the opening of ditches and the increased evaporation because of the re-
moval of so large a proportion of the forests. Wells sunk only to the level
of ground water, while still numerous, are now being replaced by tubular
wells which pass through the layers of sand and gravel near the surface and,
after penetrating more or less impervious layers of glacial till, draw their
supply of water from strata of sand and gravel lying seventy-five to one hun-
dred feet or more below the surface. The additional first cost of such wells
is more than justified by the added security to health thus obtained, and by
the certainty of an ample supply of water even in seasons of greatest drought.
Artesian, or flowing, wells occur at a number of points in the county:
( 1 ) in the northern and northeastern parts near Shirley and at various points
from three to six miles to the north and northwest; (2) in the central and
west central parts, as at Greenfield and near Philadelphia, and (3) at several
points from three to six miles southward and southeastward from Green-
field. Most of these flowing wells are abandoned natural gas wells in which
the casing has been allowed to remain because of the abundant flow of excel-
lent water, which is thus brought up from the surface of the underlying bed
rock one hundred to two hundred feet below. The exact number and loca-
tion of flowing wells which have been produced in this way in the operations
of natural gas companies is difficult to ascertain, because in many cases the
wells have been destroyed by the drawing of the casings when the yield of
gas became too small to pay for the expense of cleaning out, repairs, etc.
Investigations in this county alone are not sufficient to determine the source
from which the water supplying these wells comes. It is, however, known
from well-borings that the general slope of the surface of bed rock is here
in a southerly direction ; it is also reported that in certain cases in the northern
part of the county the flow of one well seems to be affected by the opening
of another well as much as two or three miles away along a north-south line.
These two facts would indicate that the head causing the overflow lies some-
where to the northward. Furthermore, the abundant flow from so large a
number of wells in which the pipe conveying the water ends at the surface
of bed rock, would indicate that there is a continuous stratum of sand and
gravel lying on bed rock and extending in a somewhat winding, irregular
course across the county from the northeastern, through the central, to the
southeastern part. Flowing wells in the parts of Madison and Shelby counties

GEOGRAPHY, SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 37

adjacent to the areas in Hancock county where flowing wells occur, indicate
that the portion of this water-bearing stratum underlying Hancock county is
but a part of a continuous deposit of sand and gravel extending in a north-
south direction across this part of the .state ; and, if so, the water which per-
meates this stratum is to be considered as an underground stream flowing on
the surface of bed rock, whose position has been determined by drainage
conditions which existed possibly in part before the first ice-sheet which cov-
ered this part of the state appeared ; existed certainly, at least in part, subse-
quent to the withdrawal of that earliest member of the series of glaciers that
once covered this county.

CLIMATE.

The general characteristics of the climate of the county are shown in
the following tables, data for which has been supplied by V. H. Church,
section director of the United States weather bureau at Indianapolis :

TABLE I MEAN TEMPERATURE AND AVERAGE PRECIPITATION AT GREENFIELD.

Mean Average
Temperature Precipitation

Month Degrees F. Inches.

January 29.9 2.97

February 29.7 2.68

March 43.2 4.80

April 50.8 3.08

May 61.6 4.22

June 70.6 3.52

July 73-8 3-46

August 73.2 2.78

September 68.2 3. 18

October 53.9 3.40

November 42.5 2.56

December 32. 1 2.59

Annual 52.5 39- 2 4

TABLE II MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES.

Highest temperature recorded from 1904 to date: 100 degrees, in July,
1911.

Lowest temperature recorded from 1904 to date : — 17 degrees, January 7,
1912.

Note — The lowest previous record was : — 16 degrees in February, 1905.

3§ HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

TABLE III AVERAGE DATES OF KILLING FROSTS AT GREENFIELD.

Last in spring April 21

First in autumn October 16

It will be observed from the above tables that the precipitation is well
distributed throughout the year, so that crops do not ordinarily suffer. Occa-
sionally, however, unusual conditions result in a reduction of the amount of
rainfall, which cuts down the yield in certain crops for the season ; but such
losses can, to a considerable degree, be prevented by a more careful manage-
ment of the soils, in drainage, and in methods of cultivation adapted to the
special conditions present at a given time. (Suggestions at the close of
chapter. )

The maximum and minimum temperatures given are ordinarily of short
duration, as may readily be inferred from the table of mean temperatures
given. Temperatures of zero and below often occur when the ground is well
covered with snow, which thus acts as a protection to winter wheat and to
low fruit plants, such as the strawberry plant. In general, however, the
fact that zero weather and below is likely to occur each winter is taken into
account in determining what varieties of fruit trees, plants, etc., shall be de-
pended upon, and only those are chosen for extensive planting as have proved
themselves capable of withstanding the lowest temperatures named.

AGRICULTURE.

Of the 196,480 acres in the county, 94.8 per cent., or 186,190 acres, is
in farms, varying in size from less than three acres to 500 or more. As
ascertained by the census of 1910, there are 2,154 farms in the county, of
which about one-third include 50 to 100 acres each. In the ten years from
1900 to 19 10 the fanning lands in the county increased nearly 100 per cent,
in value, being listed in the latter year at a total valuation of $16,598,947, or
an average of nearly $90 per acre ; while the total valuation of farm property,
including buildings, implements, domestic animals, etc., adds over $5,000,000
to this amount, making an average of land and farm property together of
about $120 per acre.

The following tables, taken from the report of the census of 19 10, show
in condensed form the principal crops raised, the acreage, and the yield per
acre ; and the number and valuation of the principal kinds of domestic animals
and poultry :

GEOGRAPHY, SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 39

TABLE IV PRINCIPAL CROPS.

Acres Bushels Tons

Corn 61,637 2,950,148

Oats 15,190 347,295

Wheat 27,853 343.144

Timothy hay 10,283 13,334

Clover alone 3,295 3,549

Timothy and clover mixed . . . 3,273 4,°73

Clover seed 837

TABLE V DOMESTIC ANIMALS AND POULTRY ON FARMS

Number Value

Cattle 13,380 $404,592.00

Horses 9,406 996,940.00

Mules 530 68,575.00

Swine 43, 707 282,089.00

Sheep 10,91 1 46,448.00

Poultry 147,540 87,357-00

It will be seen from Table IV that the average yield for corn is a little
less than fifty bushels per acre; for oats, not quite twenty-three; for wheat,
between twelve and thirteen bushels, and for hay, about one and one-fourth
tons per acre. It is to be noted, however, that on many farms the average
yield is much higher than this; from reports received from farmers in re-
sponse to questions sent out by the state geologist, and from interviews with
farmers while the field work was in progress, it is known that yields of eighty
bushels per acre for corn, and twenty bushels for wheat, are not uncommon
under favorable conditions. It is recognized, however, that the county as a
whole does not produce wheat as profitably as corn, and even in the case of
the latter crop the yield is not yet up to the average that may be expected
when the possibilities of the soil are fully realized. Definite suggestions as
to the best methods to be pursued to increase the yield per acre are given at
the close of this chapter.

Of the crops not yet much grown which promise excellent results, alfalfa
should probably receive most attention. It is not. however, so much in the
introduction of new crops as in more careful work in the case of crops already
being grown, that the greatest increase of wealth may be expected.

As a whole, the soil of the county is best adapted to heavy farming;

40 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

nevertheless, truck farming is engaged in successfully in some places, and
might be profitably extended to the more sandy soils near the streams; even
the level to slightly rolling inter-stream areas may, with careful treatment, be
made to yield profitable crops of small fruits and vegetables, as is being done
in some sections to an increasing degree.

Dairying is not as a rule carried on except in a small way in connection
with general farming. The total number of dairy cows in 19 10 was re-
ported as 6,301 ; of these, but few were in large herds. In most cases where
an attempt is made to maintain a herd the milk or the cream is shipped to
neighboring cities; the same method of disposing of the product is used by
many who wish merely to have a convenient means of turning into cash the
surplus milk for a part of the year. The use of centrifugal separators has
very generally replaced the various gravity systems of separating the milk
from the cream, wherever the amount of milk to be handled is large enough
to justify it.

The chief obstacles to successful agriculture in this county may be
enumerated as follows (a part of these obstacles have been largely removed,
but much yet remains to be done before the possibilities of production from
the soils of the county are realized) :

1. The forest growth. This originally covered almost the whole county,
consisting principally of oak, ash, walnut, beech, sugar maple, elm and hick-
ory. In a few places the original growth of timber has remained untouched
by the lumberman's axe, as, for example, in a part of section 23, township 15
north, range 5 east; but about eighty-eight per cent, of the farm land is now
free from forests. Some further work in removing forests may possibly be
done to advantage ; but, on the other hand, some work in reforestation should
be undertaken, especially in some of the more hilly belts.

2. Marshes and swamps. Areas over which water stood for a consider-
able portion of the year are found in the inter-stream areas near Buck creek,
Brandywine creek, Sugar creek, and their tributaries. Of these marshes, but
few now remain. The opening of large ditches, the deepening and straight-
ening of many small stream channels, and the use of a large amount of tile
in underdrains, have resulted in providing adequate means for the rapid re-
moval of water, so that in but few places does it accumulate to the disad-
vantage of farming operations as it did generally a generation ago. This
does not mean, however, that the work of drainage is complete ; it merely
means that a prime difficulty, that of getting rid of water on and very near
the surface, has been overcome.

3. Lack of sufficient air in the soil. This difficulty is closely associated

GEOGRAPHY, SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 4 1

with the presence of conditions which permit water to stand. Much of the
soil is a clay loam which contains a sufficiently large percentage of very fine
mineral particles to cause the soil to form into very compact layers or masses,
and, especially when well moistened, to become more or less impervious to
air. The work of earth worms and other forms of animal life, the growth
and decay of the roots of plants, and the alternate freezing and thawing in
winter, all contribute something to the process of opening up the ground so
that the air may have access to some depth. But all of these processes to-
gether are not sufficient to accomplish what is needed. The most effective
means for most of the soil in the county is an extension of the system of tile
drainage until all clayey soils are traversed by lines of tile not less than four
inches in diameter, at an average depth of about thirty inches and not more
than three to five rods apart. No other method is known which, for soils
of this kind, will result beneficially in so many ways at the same time as in
such a system of tile drainage properly put in. For, in addition to supplying
the especial lack here referred to, that of giving a sufficient amount of air to
the needed depth in the soil, two other desirable results are accomplished, viz :
(i) The removal of the excess of moisture if any should occur, and (2) the
gradual transformation of the soil and subsoil from a stratum, compact and
almost impervious to air, into a layer filled with fine pores which can hold a
large amount of moisture ready to be given up to the roots of plants in time
of drought.

4. Other difficulties, such as ignorance as to the proper management
of soils under certain special conditions. Some of these will be referred to
under the descriptions of different soil types, and others will be mentioned in
the suggestions at the close of the report of the work done in the county.

ORIGIN OF THE SOILS.

The soils of this county are chiefly derived from the disintegration of
rock materials left by the glacial sheets which came into Indiana from the
north and northeast. As shown by the kinds of rock present in the soil in
the form of boulders, pebbles, etc., part of this material came from the out-
crop of granites, gneisses, diorites, and other crystalline rocks beyond the
Great Lakes ; and part came from the limestones, sandstones and shales out-
cropping much nearer, that is, within the state; some, indeed, perhaps from
points only a few miles away. In addition to this large amount of weathered
glacial debris, there is also included a small amount of fine mineral matter
brought by the winds, and another probably larger amount of decaying veg-
etable matter which has been mixed with the mineral particles at the surface,

42 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

giving the black color to the soil as found in streaks and patches in all parts
of the county.

SOIL TYPES.

The soil types found in the county, with the approximate area covered
by each, are given in the following table :

TABLE VI SOIL TYPES.

Name Acres

Miami clay loam 182,610

Wabash loam 6,250

Carrington black clay loam 5,400

Sioux loam . 1,870

Wabash sandy loam 275

Meadow 50

Muck 25

The boundaries between the different types as shown on the map of
the state geologist (Report 191 1) are in some places drawn arbitrarily, as,
for example, where the Carrington black clay loam joins the Wabash loam. .
In such cases the Wabash loam, forming the flood plain of a small stream,
gives place gradually in the up-stream direction to the Carrington black clay
loam as the area is reached which was covered with standing water for a
considerable part of the year before the better drainage conditions were es-
tablished. So, too, the boundary between other types is not always clearly
marked; for instance, the Miami clay loam sometimes continues as the sub-
soil for considerable distances beneath the edges of the Carrington black clay
loam, forming thus an irregular belt around the latter in which the surface
soil is black, but having a yellowish mottled subsoil with some pebbles, in-
stead of the silty, drab-colored subsoil to be found at the center of the area.
In certain places, as in sections a few miles west and southwest of Green-
field, large areas of land with black surface soil have almost everywhere a
subsoil practically the same as that of the Miami clay loam ; these areas have,
in general, been classed as Miami clay loam, since the time available for de-
tailed examination was too limited to make any accurate subdivisions of
the type.

MIAMI CLAY LOAM.

This type includes about ninety-three per cent, of the total area of the
county and occupies the greater part of the inter-stream areas. Typically, it
is a light-colored soil formed from the weathering of unassorted glacial till.

GEOGRAPHY, SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 43

When deposited by the ice-sheets it contained a large percentage of finely-
ground limestone mingled with much smaller Quantities of finely-ground
shale, true clay, sand grains, fragments of crystalline rocks, etc. At the sur-
face the finely-divided limestone has been leached out to a depth of from two
to three feet, the other rock fragments have been much disintegrated, and
decaying organic matter has been incorporated to some extent, so that the up-
per three feet shows in general the following section :

Light buff to light gray soil with few pebbles, eight to ten inches.

Yellowish to grayish-brown subsoil, sometimes mottled, usually quite
compact, containing up to four or five per cent, of pebbles and rock fragments
of small size, from eight to ten inches to a depth of three feet.

Below the depth of three feet, the material is in some cases a continuation
of the unassorted glacial till practically to bed rock; but more often, where
tests have been made by well borings, it gives place to sheets of stratified sand
and gravel, which alternate with strata of unassorted material.

In topography this type is nearly level to gently rolling, and can in nearly
all cases be thoroughly drained. Since it occupies the higher points and
ridges on which the water does not stand, and since the work of draining the
marshes and other low-lying areas has been difficult and expensive, the Miami
clay loam is as yet but poorly supplied with the necessary lines of underdraw-
ing, necessary not so much for the purpose of draining as for the purpose of
aerating the somewhat heavy soil.

The original forest growth on this type of soil included white oak, beech
and walnut ; sugar maple where sand is rather more abundant, and elm, hick-
ory and ash in less well drained areas. The principal farm crops now raised
are corn, wheat, and timothy and clover hay.

As shown by the mechanical analysis given below, this type has a high
percentage of silt, making it thus less difficult to work than would be the
case if the clay content were higher. The proportion of finer particles is,
however, large enough to make care necessary in the preparation of the soil
for crops as well as in the cultivation afterward, in order to avoid the forma-
tion of clods which, once formed, often cause trouble for an entire season.
The plant food content is in general abundant, but only a small amount is
available at any one time, so that the practice of using fertilizers is increasing,
with results which seem to justify the expenditure of a considerable amount
of time and money in this way. It is to be remembered, however, that the
chief advantage from the use of a fertilizer is not always, if indeed ever, be-
cause of the actual plant food added to the soil; sometimes it is because the
fertilizer destroys compounds in the soil which prevent the healthy growth

44 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

of crops; sometimes, because the elements of the fertilizer help to set free
elements already in the soil. A careful study of the analysis of soils and fer-
tilizers, with equally careful attention to the results gained under different
conditions will eventually lead to safe conclusions in regard to the use of
the various commercial fertilizers offered for sale.

In general, the Miami clay loam does not produce as much corn per acre
as the Carrington black clay loam or the Wabash loam. There are cases,
however, of careful farming in which the yield has been made through a
series of years to average higher on the light-colored than on the dark-colored
soils; so that it seems probable that the possibilities of improvement and
permanent fertility are greater for the Miami clay loam than for any other
soil type in the county.

TABLE VII MECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF MIAMI CLAY LOAM ( AVERAGED).

Coarse Medium Fine

Sand Sand Sand Silt Clay Total

per per per per per per

cent. cent. cent. cent. cent. cent.

Soil 8.16 10.15 21.49 46.80 13.20 99.80

Subsoil 5.44 10.83 J 8-79 40.65 24.25 99.96

WABASH LOAM

This type occupies only a little more than three per cent, of the total
area of the county, being found as a narrow strip along the larger streams.
Tt consists of a brown loamy to sandy soil, ten to fifteen inches deep, followed
by a sandy subsoil to a depth of three feet or more. In places there is some
gravel to be found in the soil, with usually a larger percentage in the subsoil ;
in small areas the gravel may be abundant. The original forest trees on this
type of soil include as principal kinds, beech, sycamore, elm and soft maple.
Some parts mapped as Wabash loam by the state geologist are still subject
to overflow at times of high water, and are consequently not used for culti-
vated crops. Most of the type is, however, adapted especially to corn, of
which excellent crops are raised; tomatoes and other vegetables are success-
fully grown on limited areas.

The surface of the Wabash loam is nearly level. Occasionally there are
slight depressions at the base of the valley slopes, the sites of former bayous
now nearly silted up; some such areas are yet undrained and, owing to their
small elevation above the stream, cannot now be freed from the excess of
water. The total area of such undrained portions is, however, very small,

GEOGRAPHY, SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 45

and with the deepening of the stream channels which is going on in most
places these areas can finally be brought under cultivation.

TABLE VIII MECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF WABASH LOAM

Coarse Medium Fine

Sand Sand Sand Silt Clay Total

per per per per per per

cent. cent. cent. cent. cent. cent.

Soil 6.51 15.02 30.34 39.17 9.90100.94

Subsoil 5.47 15.18 29.32 39.55 10.22 99.74

CARRINGTON BLACK CLAY LOAM

The total area occupied by this type is less than three per cent, of the
whole area of the county, but is distributed in many small, irregularly shaped
patches, chiefly in the western half of the county, as shown on the state
geologist's map. Typically, the soil of this type is ten to twelve inches deep,
black in color, loose under cultivation, and underlaid by a drab to dark gray
silty clay, which is usually very compact and tenacious. In some of the areas
mapped as Carrington black clay loam on the map there is a variation in the
soil by an increase in organic content approaching the composition of muck,
and in the subsoil by the presence of an abundance of sand. In general the
areas belonging to this type are the sites of former marshes or ponds which
have been filled up in part by silting up, in part by the accumulation of or-
ganic matter which has been incorporated with the soil. The original growth
in these areas included, elm, ash, some oak and hickory and, characteristically,
button bush. When well drained the crop most profitably grown now is
corn, the yield being often from eighty to one hundred bushels per acre. It
is found, however, that with successive crops of corn without alternation with
other crops, the yield diminishes, so that some plan of rotation is necessary to
keep the yield up to even a fair average for other types of soil which are
naturally less well adapted to corn production.

Before the drainage is complete soils of this type are likely to be sour;
this can be corrected by the addition of mineral fertilizers, but best by an
adequate system of ditches and underground drainage.

SIOUX LOAM.

This type occupies less than one per cent, of the total area of the county,
and is found chiefly in the southeastern part along Blue river and in the
south central part along Brandywine creek. In both localities it consists of

46 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

a light brown or yellow brown loam, ten to twelve inches thick, with some
pebbles scattered on the surface, underlaid in places at a depth of from two
to four feet by stratified sand and gravel sufficiently free from silt and clay
to be used as road material. From both the soil and the subsoil above the
gravel the calcareous material is practically all removed, the pebbles
that remain being, with but few exceptions, fragments of crystalline rocks,
chert, quartz, quartzite, and others which are not easily affected by the pro-
cesses of weathering. The surface of this type is slightly rolling, lies in gen-
eral higher than the Wabash loam, and often between the latter and the Miami
clay loam forming the slopes bounding the valleys. It thus constitutes ter-
races or second bottoms along streams. The drainage is usually good, both on
account of the surface configuration and because of the underlying gravel
which permits the water which may accumulate on the surface to settle away
rapidly through the soil. Crops of all kinds generally do well on this type,
the chief difficulty being that in dry seasons sufficient moisture is lacking.
On account of the ease with which water passes through the soil it cannot
long hold soluble fertilizers.

WABASH SANDY LOAM.

One small area in the southeastern part of the county has been mapped
as Wabash sandy loam. It lies chiefly in section 35, township 15 north, range
8 east, within a valley which is now drained by an insignificant stream, but
through which a very considerable amount of water no doubt passed at about
the time of the withdrawal of the latest ice-sheet. To the sediment deposited
at that time has been added the wash from the adjacent hills, a kind of col-
luvial deposit which, while not typically of the Wabash series, nevertheless,
seems to be at least quite similar to what has been described under that name.
The soil has a depth of from ten to eighteen inches, contains more fine to
medium sand than is usually the case with the Wabash loam, is well drained,
and for the most part works loose and mellow. The boundary between this
type and the Carrington black clay loam farther up the valley is drawn arbi-
trarily ; the change from the one type to the other is gradual and extends over
a considerable distance, the color changing almost imperceptibly to a darker
brown, then gray, and finally black, while the texture likewise shades off
from the sandy loam through loam to typical clay loam.

MEADOW.

Following the usage of the United States bureau of soils, the term
"meadow" is here applied to small areas which are at present too poorly

GEOGRAPHY,, SOIL SURVEY, ETC. 4/

drained to be cultivated satisfactorily, and yet do not have the peaty, marshy
character of the areas classified as muck. The composition of this soil can-
not be stated accurately, but, for the most part, mineral ingredients seem to
constitute a far larger percentage of the whole than organic matter. These
areas are at present used only as pasture ground, but may in time become
valuable for general farm crops.

MUCK.

In many places small areas of a few acres are found in which the soil
is but little different from true peat. Only two of these areas are of suffi-
cient size to be mapped, but the soil type is of interest to a considerable num-
ber of farmers because small patches of it occur in many places, and because
soil of this kind has proven somewhat difficult to bring under profitable cul-
tivation. The first difficulty is, of course, with the excess of water; and no
method that can be applied will be successful until some system of drainage
has reduced the water level to at least a foot, preferably much more than a
foot, below the surface. The next difficulty usually becomes more evident
in the second year of cultivation than in the first; that is, the looseness or
lack of coherence, the "chaffiness" of the soil. The presence of a large
percentage of partially-decayed vegetable matter, or, to state it on the other
side, the absence of a sufficiently large percentage of finely divided mineral
matter, causes the soil to dry out easily, so that corn, for example, after a
short time of vigorous growth, suddenly turns yellow and either remains
dwarfed or dies. Usually there is a considerable amount of organic acids
present at a short distance below the surface, but if the drainage is good this
does not last long in amount sufficient to damage the growing crops. The
following methods of further treatment have been found to yield good results.

i. Most satisfactory results have come from a liberal application of
stable manure. Several instances are recorded in the county in which one
application was sufficient to bring about good crop-growing conditions.

2. Excellent results were secured in a few instances by mixing a. con-
siderable quantity of clayey soil with the muck. Where the muck consisted
of but a thin layer, this was accomplished by very deep plowing, thus turning
up to the surface a quantity of very finely divided mineral particles such as
may usually be found below peat or muck. In another case, lines of tile
ditches were run through the muck area, and the clay thrown up in the work
was scattered as widely as could be conveniently done.

3. Log heaps and brush piles burned on peaty soils have in some cases
remedied the trouble. This will not suffice in all cases, however, since some

CHAPTER II.

EARLY INFLUENCES.

Hancock county, named in honor of the immortal signer of the Declara-
tion of Independence, John Hancock, is located in central Indiana. It lies be-
tween the thirty-ninth and fortieth parallels of latitude, and between the
eighty-fifth and eighty-sixth meridians of longitude west of Greenwich. The
eighty-sixth meridian lies about three miles west of our western boundary
line. The county is bounded on the west principally by Marion county ; on
the north by Hamilton and Madison counties ; on the east by Henry and Rush
counties, and on the south principally by Shelby county. Greenfield, the
county seat, if located on the National road, twenty miles east of the city of
Indianapolis.

In size it is an average county of the state, being composed of three hun-
dred and seven square miles and containing 196,480 acres.

Before the white man took up his abode within its confines, charters
were given, ordinances adopted, and grants made, in other parts of the world,
whose influences reached this county, and determined, in a measure at least,
its future land descriptions, its official records and its institutions. The first
substantial claim to this region that became a matter of record was made by
the English, following the discoveries of the Cabots and other English ex-
plorers. As early as 1606 two companies were organized in England for
the purpose of making settlements in what was then known as Virginia, and
which then included all of the territory from Maine to Florida. In 1609 King-
James I of England gave to one of these companies — the London Company —
an immense tract of land, reaching four hundred miles along the coast. It
extended two hundred miles in each direction from Old Point Comfort, and
"up into the land throughout from sea to sea west and northwest." This do-
main granted by the King to the London Company included all of the cen-
tral and southern part of what is now the state of Indiana. The King also
gave "from sea to sea" charters to Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Caro-
lina, South Carolina and Georgia. The remaining colonies had no such char-
ters. Under these charters the first group of colonies claimed all the territory
between the Appalachian mountains and the Mississippi river. The result
was that when the Revolutionary War broke out and the exigencies of the
limes demanded that all the colonies unite under some form of government,

EARLY INFLUENCES. 5 I

and that they raise money for the common defense, the colonies which had
no "from sea to sea" charters refused to unite with the first group of colonies
under the Articles of Confederation unless these colonies should cede this
land to Congress, to be used by Congress to pay the costs of the war.

A serious question was also raised on the validity of the title of the col-
onies to this land, because, it was argued, the Mississippi valley had been dis-
covered, explored, settled and owned by France ; that England had never
owned the country until France ceded it to her in 1763, and that consequently
the English Crown could not have made a valid grant before that time; that
when England acquired this territory in 1763, the King drew his "proclama-
tion line" whereby he turned this western territory into the Indian country and
cut off all claims of the colonies to further ownership therein. Upon this
argument the colonies which had no claims on this western land based their
following conclusions : that these western lands were the property of the King ;
that since the colonies were at war with him, these lands ought to be seized
by Congress and used for the common benefit.

The argument that this land ought to be used for the benefit of all the
colonies finally prevailed and, one after another, those who had claims, ceded
their land to Congress. On January 2, 1781, Virginia ceded to the Congress
of the United States, for the benefit of all the colonies, all her right, title and
claim to the territory northwest of the Ohio river, subject to certain condi-
tions annexed to her act of cession. Virginia insisted that the other colonies
should make cessions equally liberal with hers, and the conditions upon which
she was willing to cede this territory were, that the territory so ceded should
be laid out and formed into states containing suitable extent of territory, not
less than one hundred nor more than one hundred fifty miles square, or as
near thereto as circumstances would permit ; that the states so formed should
be distinct republican states and admitted members of the federal union," hav-
ing the same rights of sovereignty, freedom and independence as the other
states; that the necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by the state of
Virginia in subduing any British posts, or in maintaining forts or garrisons
within the territory for defense, or in acquiring any part of the territory so
ceded or relinquished, should be fully reimbursed by the United States; that
one commissioner should be appointed by the Congress, one by the common-
wealth of Virginia, and another by those two commissioners, who, or a ma-
jority of them, should be authorized and empowered to adjust and liquidate
the account of the necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by the state of
Virginia, which they should judge to be comprised within the intent and mean-
ing of the act of Congress of the 10th of October, 1780, respecting such ex-

52 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

penses; that the French and Canadian inhabitants and other settlers of the
Kaskaskias, St. Vincents, and the neighboring villages, who had professed
themselves citizens of Virginia, should have their possessions and titles con-
finned to them and be protected in the enjoyment of their rights and liberties ;
that all the lands within the territory so ceded to the United States, and not
reserved for, or appropriated for, the benefit of soldiers and officers of the
Revolutionary army, should be considered as a common fund for the use
and benefit of such of the United States as had become or should become
members of the confederation or federal alliance of said states, Virginia in-
clusive, according to their usual respective proportions in the charge and ex-
penditure, and should be faithfully and bona fide disposed of for that purpose
and for no other use or purpose.

Congress did not fully agree to all the conditions imposed by Virginia,
but came so nearly doing so in the act of September 13, 1783, wherein the
terms were stipulated on which Congress agreed to accept the cession of this
western land by Virginia, that Virginia, on December 20, 1783, passed an-
other act, authorizing her delegates then in Congress to convey to the United
States in Congress assembled, all the rights of that commonwealth to the ter-
ritory northwest of the Ohio river, "in full confidence that Congress will, in
justice to this state, for the liberal cession she hath made, earnestly press upon
the other states claiming large tracts of waste and uncultivated territory, the
propriety of making cessions equally liberal for the common benefit and sup-
port of the Union."

In conformity with the provisions of the latter act, all the territory
therein alluded to, which included Hancock county, was, on the first day of
March, 1784, transferred to the United States by deed signed by Thomas
Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee and James Monroe, then delegates in
Congress from the commonwealth of Virginia.

After the land had been conveyed to Congress it was found that its di-
vision into states as stipulated in the terms of the cession was impracticable
and that it would be attended with many inconveniences. Congress therefore
recommended that Virginia revise her act of cession so far as to empower Con-
gress to make such a division of said territory into distinct and republican
states, not more than five nor less than three in number, as the situation of
that country and future circumstances might require. In compliance with
this recommendation, the commonwealth of Virginia, on the 29th day of De-
cember, 1788, passed an act assenting to the proposed alteration, permitting
Congress to divide the territory into states as above recommended, and as had
been fully set out in the fifth article of the famous Ordinance of 1787.

EARLY INFLUENCES. 53

As soon as this land was ceded to Congress, and as early as 1783, plans
were submitted for dividing it by metes and bounds, in order that it might
more readily be conveyed to purchasers. Several ordinances were introduced,
and on May 20, 1785, Congress determined to have it surveyed into town-
ships six miles square. The ordinance of May 20, 1785, sets out in detail
how the entire domain, including the territory of which our county forms a
part, should be surveyed. It is very clear, and explains fully the principal
features of our system of dividing and locating land. For this reason, parts
of it are given in full below. After providing for the appointment of sur-
veyors and a geographer, the ordinance continues :

"The .first line running north and south as aforesaid shall begin on the
Ohio river, at a point that shall be found to be due north from the western
termination of a line which has been run as the southern boundary of the state
of Pennsylvania; and the first line running east and west shall begin at the
same point, and shall extend throughout the whole territory; provided, that
nothing herein shall be construed as fixing the western boundary of the state
of Pennsylvania. The geographer shall designate the townships or fractional
townships, by numbers, progressively from south to north — always beginning
each range with No. 1 ; and the ranges shall be distinguished by their pror
gressive numbers to the westward, the first range, extending from the Ohio
to Lake Erie, being marked No. 1. The geographer shall personally attend
to the running of the first east and west line ; and shall take the latitude of the
extremes of the first north and south line, and of the mouths of the principal
rivers.

"The lines shall be measured with a chain; shall be plainly marked by
chaps on trees, and exactly described on a plat ; whereon shall be noted by the
surveyor, at their proper distances, all mines, salt springs, salt licks, and mill
seats that shall come to his knowledge ; and all water courses, mountains, and
other remarkable and permanent things, over or near which such lines shall
pass, and also the quality of the lands.

"The plats of the townships, respectively, shall be marked by subdivisions,
into lots of one mile square, or six hundred and forty acres, in the same direc-
tion as the external lines, and numbered from one to thirty-six, always begin-
ning the succeeding range of the lot with the number next to that which the
preceding one touched. * * * * And the surveyors, in running the external
lines of the townships, shall at the interval of every mile, mark corners for
the lots which are adjacent, always designating the same in a different man-
ner from those of the township.

"As soon as seven ranges of townships, and fractional parts of townships,

52 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

penses; that the French and Canadian inhabitants and other settlers of the
Kaskaskias, St. Vincents, and the neighboring villages, who had professed
themselves citizens of Virginia, should have their possessions and titles con-
firmed to them and be protected in the enjoyment of their rights and liberties;
that all the lands within the territory so ceded to the United States, and not
reserved for, or appropriated for, the benefit of soldiers and officers of the
Revolutionary army, should be considered as a common fund for the use
and benefit of such of the United States as had become or should become
members of the confederation or federal alliance of said states, Virginia in-
clusive, according to their usual respective proportions in the charge and ex-
penditure, and should be faithfully and bona fide disposed of for that purpose
and for no other use or purpose.

EARLY INFLUENCES. 53

"The first line running north and south as aforesaid shall begin on the
Ohio river, at a point that shall be found to be due north from the western
termination of a line which has been run as the southern boundary of the state
of Pennsylvania; and the first line running east and west shall begin at the
same point, and shall extend throughout the whole territory; provided, that
nothing herein shall be construed as fixing the western boundary of the state
of Pennsylvania. The geographer shall designate the townships or fractional
townships, by numbers, progressively from south to north — always beginning
each range with No. 1 ; and the ranges shall be distinguished by their pror
gressive numbers to the westward, the first range, extending from the Ohio
to Lake Erie, being marked No. 1. The geographer shall personally attend
to the running of the first east and west line ; and shall take the latitude of the
extremes of the first north and south line, and of the mouths of the principal
rivers.

"As soon as seven ranges of townships, and fractional parts of townships,

54 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

in the direction of from south to north shall have been surveyed, the ge-
ographer shall transmit plats thereof to the board of treasury, who shall record
the same, with a report, in a well-bound book kept for that purpose. And the
geographer shall make similar returns, from time to time, of every seven
ranges, as they may be surveyed. ******

"There shall be reserved the Lot No. 16, of every township, for the
maintenance of public schools within the said township ; also one-third part of
all gold, silver, lead and copper mines."

This ordinance, adopted May 20, 1785, by the Continental Congress,
under the Articles of Confederation, before there was a United States of
America in the present sense, shows how our land came to be described as it
is. Though Congress has passed other acts, changing the above ordinance
as to location of base lines and principal meridians, and in fact, our land here
in Indiana was surveyed under the act of Congress, 1802, yet the system or
plan of dividing the land and locating it has remained practically the same
as above set out.

In the survey of the public domain in Indiana, the east line of the state
was used as the first principal meridian. The second principal meridian in
Indiana passes through Lebanon in Boone county, and through Hendricks
county about three miles east of Danville. The base line from which the
congressional townships and the land in Hancock county are surveyed, passes
east and west through the southern parts of Orange and Washington counties.
The second principal meridian crosses the base line in the southern part of
Orange county. Hancock county includes all or parts of townships 15, 16
and 17 north of the base line described above, in ranges 5, 6, 7 and 8, east of
the second principal meridian. Any farm in Hancock county is thus located
with reference to those two lines — the base line and the second principal merid-
ian — as above described.

The original survey of Hancock county was included in the greater sur-
vey of practically the entire state. From the reading of our land descriptions
— for instance, section 10, township 15 north (of the base line), in range
6 east (of the second principal meridian) — it is evident that the surveyors
worked northward from the base line and eastward from the above described
second principal meridian.

The survey was made by surveying parties, including the surveyor and
his helpers. Augustus Dommanget, father of Adrian Dommanget, of near
Gem, spent many days with the surveying gang in Hancock county. In the
wilderness of central Indiana in the early twenties, the surveying parties were
out for days and weeks at a time. The forest was dense and the swamps were

EARLY INFLUENCES. 55

interminable. Roads had to be opened for the passage of the supply and
equipment wagons, and at night the party sought rest on some high spot or
knoll. For beds, rectangular nets or blankets with rings attached to the
edges and corners were used. By passing ropes through the rings and fasten-
ing the other end to young saplings or trees, the beds could be swung clear
of the ground. As a protection against wolves and panthers, fires were us-
ually lighted at night.

In this survey the land was divided into townships and then into sections.
The corners of all sections and the half-mile points on all lines were estab-
lished and marked. When a corner had been established, a hole eight or ten
inches deep was dug at that point. The surveyor then placed a stone, or took
a stake eighteen or twenty inches long and two and one-half inches in di-
ameter, with two or three notches cut near the top as marks by which it
could be identified, and drove it into the ground to mark the exact location
of the corner. The stake was driven down into the hole so that it could be
covered with eight or ten inches of soil to prevent rapid decay. At least two
"witness trees" were then chapped or "blazed" and notched, and a careful
record made on the surveyor's book of the exact direction of the stake from
the trees. For instance, when a corner had been established, the surveyor
made a notation on his record as follows :

Beech 18 S 8 E 20
Ash 6 N 39 E 12

This means that the "witness trees" for this particular corner are a beech"
and an ash. The beech is eighteen inches in diameter and stands south, eight
degrees east, and at a distance of twenty links from the corner. The ash is
six inches in diameter and stands north, thirty-nine degrees east, and at a
distance of twelve links from the corner. Some of the older people still
living tell us that in measuring land many years after the survey, these stakes
were found to be in a fair state of preservation.

The Ordinance of 1785 also laid the foundation for a school fund for
each of the five states that were later formed out of the territory therein de-
scribed. "There shall be reserved the lot (or section) No. 16, of every town-
ship for the maintenance of the public schools within said township." That
provision was never repealed or stricken out after the federal government was
organized. In fact, the clause was later adopted bodily in congressional leg-
islation. The money accruing from this land by sale or otherwise was later
denominated and is now known as the congressional township fund. In the
income of this fund, Hancock county shares yearly.

56 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

It will be observed that section 16 of the congressional township was not
to be sold by Congress, but was to be reserved for the maintenance of the
public schools within the township. This section was to become the property
of the township, and was to be used for the purpose designated in the ordi-
nance. When the townships were settled, and a civil government was organ-
ized, the control of this land was given to the township trustees. All the other
public lands was sold by Congress and conveyed by a United States patent.
The school section, however, was conveyed by school commissioner's deed.
Any farmer in the county owning land in any section 16, and other land in
another section, will observe this difference in the first conveyances on his
abstracts of title.

In some of the counties of the state this land was managed and worked
many years, and the income therefrom used for the maintenance of the schools.
In Hancock county, however, all these sections were sold at an early date.
All except two sections (in Buck Creek and Vernon townships) were sold
before 1837. The section in Buck Creek was sold in 1849, and the section
in Vernon in 1850.

Among the treaties made between the United States government and the
Indian tribes which affected the territory of which Hancock county is a part,
was possibly the treaty of October 3, 181 8, in which the Delawares ceded to
the United States all their land in Indiana. Their claim was rather indefi-
nite. They held it, in joint tenancy with the Miamis, and it seems to have
been located in the region of White river. On October 6, 18 18, the Miainis
ceded to the United States their lands, including all of central Indiana and a
part of western Ohio. This tract became known as the "New Purchase" and
was bounded on the north and west by the Wabash, and in places extended
beyond that river; on the southwest, by the famous "ten o'clock line," which
began about the center of Jackson county and ran northwest, entering Illinois
about the middle of Vermilion county; on the southeast, by a line from the
same point in Jackson county northeast along the present slanting northwest
boundary of Ripley county, then more nearly north, leaving the state beyond
Randolph county just west of Ft. Recovery.

On January 22, '1820, the State Legislature divided a portion of the
"New Purchase" tract into Wabash and Delaware counties. In this division
Hancock county was included as a part of Delaware county. In 1823 Dela-
ware county was divided, and Madison county was organized as a separate
county, including the territory of Hancock county. In 1828 Hancock county
was organized as a separate county from a part of the territory of Madison
county.

EARLY INFLUENCES. 57

In the act separating the two counties, Hancock county is described as
"all the territory lying one mile south of the line dividing townships 17 and
18, and within the former territory of Madison." This included the present
territory of Hancock county. In the acts of 1843 the county is again de-
scribed by metes and bounds as follows : "Beginning at the southwest corner
of section 35 in township 15 north, range 5 east, thence east to the southeast
corner of section 33, township 15 north, range 8 east, thence north to the
northeast corner of section 4, in said range and township, thence east to the
southwest corner of section 36, township 16, range 8, thence north to the
northwest corner of section 2, in township 16 north, in range 8 east, thence
east to the southwest corner of section 36, township 17 north, range 8 east,
thence north to the northwest corner of section 12, in said township, thence
west to the northwest corner of section 9, in township 17, range 6 east, thence
south to the southwest corner of said section, thence west to the northwest
corner of section 14, township 17, range 5, thence south to the place of be-
ginning."

(Whoever drew the above description did not take into account the fact
that the range lines are broken at the line dividing townships 16 and 17,
and that therefore the last line, south from the northwest corner to section
14, to the place of beginning, is not a straight line.)

CHAPTER III.

THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

Two acts were passed by the Legislature for the organization of Hancock
county as a separate county. The first act, approved January 26, 1827, pro-
vided, in substance, that all the territory lying one mile south of the line divid-
ing townships 17 and 18 and within the then boundary of Madison county,
should be formed as Hancock county, and should enjoy all the rights, privi-
leges and immunities belonging to separate counties. It provided that all
circuit and other courts should be held in said county at the house of Henry
Pierson. It provided further that the county should be attached to Madison
county for all civil, judicial and other purposes, until the county seat should
be located and convenient buildings should be erected.

In the latter part of the same year, another act was passed and approved
which made complete provision for the organization of the county as a sep-
arate county. This act is as follows :

"An Act for the Organization of the County of Hancock.
"Approved December 24, 1827.

"Section 1. Be It Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of
Indiana: That from and after the first day of March next, the county of
Hancock shall enjoy the rights and jurisdiction which to separate counties
do properly belong.

"Section 2. That Levi Jessup, of the county of Hendricks, James Smock,
of the county of Johnson, Richard Blacklidge, of the county of Rush, John
Anderson, of Henry county, and Thomas Martin, of Marion county, be, and
they are hereby appointed commissioners for the purpose of fixing the perma-
nent seat of justice for said county of Hancock, agreeably to the provisions
of an 'Act to Fix the Seats of Justice in New Counties,' approved January 14,
1824, and the act amendatory of the same, approved December 19, 1825. The
commissioners above named or a majority of them shall convene at the house
of Samuel B. Jackson in said county, on the first Monday in April next or so
soon thereafter as the majority shall agree.

"Section 3. It shall be the duty of the sheriff of Henry county, on or
before the fifteenth day of March next, to notify the commissioners above
named, either in person or bv writing, of their appointment, and of the time

COUNTY GOVERNMENT. . 59

and place when they are to convene, and the court doing- county business shall
allow him a reasonable compensation for his services out of the moneys in
the treasury of said county of Hancock.

"Section 4. The circuit and other courts of the county of Hancock shall
be held at the house of Samuel B. Jackson, until suitable accommodations can
be had at the county seat, and the said courts may adjourn thereto, or to any
place in said county if they think proper.

"Section 5. The agent who shall be appointed to superintend the sale
of lots at the county seat of the county of Hancock shall reserve ten per cent,
out of the proceeds thereof, and out of all donations to said county, and pay
the same over to such person or persons as may be appointed by law for the
use of the library of said county, which he or his successors shall pay over
at such time and in such manner as shall be directed by law.

"Section 6. It shall be the duty of the qualified voters of said county
of Hancock, at the time of electing the officers of said county, to elect three
commissioners within and for said county, who shall constitute a board for
transacting county business, and do and perform all the duties heretofore de-
volving on the board of county commissioners in organizing new counties.
And said persons so elected shall hold their offices in the same manner and
under the same restrictions as they are prescribed by an 'Act to establish a
Board of County Commissioners,' approved January 31, 1824.

"Section 7. The said commissioners, when so elected and qualified into
office, shall have the power to hold special sessions and to do and perform at
such special sessions any acts which may have been required by law to be done
at any previous regular session or sessions of the court doing county business.
"Section 9. This act to take effect and be in force from and after the
first Monday in March next."

The organization of Hancock county as a separate county under the
above act became effective on March 1, 1828. It was, however, only a "dis-
trict of country," without the Organized machinery of civil government. Pro-
vision had been made in the first act of the Legislature for the organization of
the county, approved January 26, 1827, that the circuit court and all other
courts to be held in Hancock county should be held at the house of Henry
Pierson, and that all acts, judgments, and decrees of said courts should have
the same force and effect as if held in Madison county. There is no record,
however, of any court held in Hancock county previous to the fourth Monday
of March, 1828. On that day, March 24, Bethuel F. Morris, who was presi-
dent of the fifth judicial circuit, which then included a number of counties in
central Indiana, came to the house of Samuel B. Jackson, which stood on the

60 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

south side of the National road, just a little west of where the car barns now
stand, and there held, or organized rather, the Hancock circuit court. There
were present on that day, Bethuel F. Morris, judge ; Lewis Tyner, clerk ; Jacob
Jones and James B. Stevens, associate judges, and James Whitcomb, prosecu-
tor. The organization of the court was effected as follows: Judge Morris
produced his commission as president of the fifth judicial circuit, from the
hand of the governor, William Hendricks ; also a written copy of his oath as
such president of the fifth judicial circuit, both of which were placed on the
records of the Hancock circuit court. Lewis Tyner produced his commission
as clerk of said county, and his bond, with John Foster, Samuel B. Jackson,
Elijah Tyner and Israel Chapman as sureties, both of which instruments were
placed on record. The associate judges next produced their commissions and
oaths, as did also the prosecutor, James Whitcomb. The commissioners of the
associate judges and of the prosecutor, however, were not recorded. Following
this, Calvin Fletcher, Henry Gregg, Marinus Willett and Charles H. Verder,
on motion of the prosecutor, were duly admitted to practice as attorneys and
counsellors-at-law at the bar of the new court.

Lewis Tyner, clerk, then produced a seal, which "the court adopted and
ordered to be used and taken and received as the seal of this court until the
same is changed." This seal was a notched disc about one and one-half inches
in diameter, with the word "HANCOCK" printed in large capitals around
the margin, and eight short lines radiating in all directions from the center.

John Foster did not produce his commission as sheriff until the Sep-
tember term, 1828. With this exception, the organization of the court was
completed on March 24, 1828, and court and attorneys were ready for any
legal matters that might need attention. But there being an evident lack of
business, the court adjourned sine die.

The two associate judges above mentioned were county officers and
sat as a probate court without the presence of the presiding judge. Judge
Morris traveled from county to county over his entire circuit and was not
strictly a county officer. The presiding judge had about the same duties to
perform that devolve upon our present circuit judges. The associate judges
sat on either side of the presiding judge when court was in session.

At the September term, 1828, the first grand jury convened, and re-
turned several indictments. The following men were members of this grand
jury: George W. Hinton, James McKinsey, Benjamin Gordon, Meredith
Gosney, Jeremiah Meek, Samuel Thompson, Robert Snodgrass, David Tem-
pleton, Ladock Stephenson, Richard Guymon, Jacob Tague, Moses McCall,
Samuel Martin, Basil Meek, Owen Griffith and John Osborn. The record

COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 6l

shows that Meredith Gosney was appointed foreman. Eight cases, including
four prosecutions for rioting and two for assault and battery, were disposed
of by the court at this term. Pleas of "guilty" were entered to all of the
charges, and on the second day, September 23, there being no further busi-
ness, the court adjourned.

On March 19, 1829, the court convened for the March term, 1829. Dur-
ing this term, the first plea of "not guilty" was entered, by Nancy Shay, de-
fendant, on a charge of assault and battery. On March 21, 1829, this case
was tried before the first petit jury impanelled in this county, composed of
Henry Watts, John Kauble, Peter Bellers, Benjamin Miller, George Baity,
William Chapman, William Booth, David Smith, John Henley, James Good-
win, Samuel Vangilder and Eli Chapman. The jury returned a verdict of
"guilty," and did "assess a fine to her of twenty-five cents."

Both of the above terms of court were held at the house of Samuel B.
Jackson.

A probate court was first organized on December 8, 1828, also at the
house of Samuel B. Jackson. There were present the associate judges, Jacob
Jones and James B. Stevens. They produced their commissions as probate
judges, but, there being no business, they adjourned "till court in course."
At the March term, 1829, these judges convened again at the house of Samuel
B. Jackson, but adjourned without doing any business.

At the November term, 1829, however, Jeremiah Meek produced his
commission from the hand of the governor as judge of the probate court for
Hancock county, under the act approved January 2, 1829, providing for the
organization of probate courts in the state. The first matter brought before
this new court was the guardianship of the infant heirs of David John. John
Foster was appointed guardian, and filed his bond, with Lewis Tyner as
security.

On Monday, April 1, 1828, the county commissioners held their first
meeting, in special session at the house of Samuel B. Jackson. The record of
that meeting recites in part :

"SPECIAL TERM, APR. 7th A. D. 1 828.

"At a special term of the Board of County Commissioners of the County
of Hancock, at the house of Samuel B. Jackson, in the aforesaid County, on
the 7th day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred
twenty eight —

"Samuel Vangilder Esqr. presented his Certificate as first Commissioner
of the County of Hancock from under the hand of John Foster, Sheriff of

HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

said County to serve as such, for the term of three years from and after
the date of his said Certificate, which Certificate bears date the 20th day of
March, 1828. On the back of said Certificates is endorsed the Certificate
of John Foster, Esquire, Sheriff as aforesaid, of his having taken the several
oaths prescribed by the Constitution and laws of the State of Indiana — Where-
upon he takes his seat as first Commissioner of said County."

Elisha Chapman presented a similar certificate as second commissioner,
for a period of two years, and John Hunter, as third commissioner, for a
period of one year, all of which were duly recorded in the first county com-
missioners' record.

DIVISION OF COUNTY INTO TOWNSHIPS.

The first official act of the county commissioners after the organization
of the board, on April 7, 1828, at the house of Samuel B. Jackson, was to
divide the county into townships: Three townships were organized. The
minutes of that meeting recite :

"It is ordered by the Board that the County be divided into three town-
ships, as follows, to wit : Commencing at the southeast corner of Section
Thirty- four, Township Fifteen, Range Six, thence north to the north boun-

SUGAR CREEK
TP

BRAHDYWIIIE
TP

Hancock County as Laid Off April 7, 1828.

BUCK CREEK

SUGAR CREEK

BRAIIDYWII1E

BLUE
RIVER

Hancock County, Sept,, 1833, to Jan., 1836.

dary of said county, and that all the lands lying west of the said line to the
best boundary of said county shall be known and designated by the name and
title of Sugar Creek township, No ist. And that all the lands lying west of
the lines dividing thirty-four and thirty-five in Township Sixteen and Range
Seven, thence running north to the north boundary of said County shall be
known and designated by the name and title of Brandywine Township, No.
2nd. And that all the lands lying east of the aforesaid line to the east

COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

boundary shall be known and designated by the name and title of Blue River
Township, No 3rd."

It was soon found advisable to make further divisions of these townships.
At the May term, 1831, several divisions were made. Blue River township
was reduced in size and given its present boundary. The remaining part
of the original Blue River township was organized and became known as
Jackson township. Brandywine township was reduced to a district six miles
east and west by five miles north and south, located where it is now except
that the northern boundary was one mile further north than it is now.

Center township was organized and bounded as follows : Commencing
one mile south of the township line dividing 15 and 16 at the line dividing 2
and 3 ; thence north to the said township line ; thence east one mile ; thence
north one mile; thence west two miles west of the range line dividing 6 and
7 ; thence south two miles ; thence east to the place of beginning.

Harrison township was organized and bounded as follows : Commencing
one mile north of the township line dividing 15 and 16 and one mile west of
the range line dividing 7 and 8; thence due north to the north line of said
county ; thence west on said line one mile west of the range line dividing 6
and 7; thence south, within one mile of the line dividing 16 and 15, thence east
to the place of beginning.

• Lewistur

jo::ss
Philadelphia

SUSAS CREEK
»:ieo Pal

cz::ter
Greer.fleld

:;a3hville
»Warri

Bt'JS RIVES

Hancock County, 1850 to 1853
(Towns as Known Prior to 1850).

•

VERHOH

GREEK

BROWN

BUCK CREEK

T2R

JACKSON

BLUE

BRANDYWItrE

RIVER

Hancock County

Since the Last Division,
1853.

The following addition was made to Sugar Creek township : Commenc-
ing one mile north of the - township line dividing 15 and 16; north from thence
one mile in width to the county line, one mile in width and ten miles in length.

At the November term, 1831, Buck Creek township was organized and
bounded as follows : Commencing at the southeast corner of section 34,

64 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

township 16, range 6; thence north one mile; thence east one mile; thence
north to the county line; thence west to the same; thence south to the first
mentioned line; thence east to the place of beginning.

At the September term, 1832, Green township was organized and made
to include all of what is now Green and Brown townships, described as fol-
lows: Beginning at the east side of said county on the line dividing con-
gressional townships 16 and 17; thence west on said line to Buck Creek town-
ship line ; thence north with said Buck Creek township line to the county line ;
thence east and south with said county line to the place of beginning.

At the September term, 1833, Brown township was organized and given
its present boundary lines.

At the January term, 1836, Center township was ordered bounded as
follows: Commencing at the northwest corner of section 35, township 16
north, range 7 east (evidently range 6 east was intended) ; thence east seven
miles to the northeast corner of section 35 ; thence south three miles to the
southeast corner of section II, township 15 north, of range 7 east; thence
west seven miles to the southwest corner of section 1 1 ; thence north to the
place of beginning.

At the May term, 1836, the southern boundary line of Vernon township
was located one mile south of the line dividing townships 16 and 17 north.

At the May term, 1838, it was ordered that the following described, tract
of land formerly belonging to Sugar Creek and Buck Creek townships be set
apart and called Jones township, to wit : Beginning at the southeast corner of
section 10 in township 15 north, of range 6 east; thence running west with
the section lines to the southwest corner of section 17 in township 15 north,
of range 5 east; thence with the county lines dividing the counties of Han-
cock and Marion to the northwest corner of section 26; thence east with the
section lines to the northeast corner of section 26, township 16, range 6; thence
one mile to the southeast corner of said section 26; thence west one mile to
the southeast corner of said section 26; thence south along the section line
to the place of beginning.

At the September term, 1838, it was ordered that the following described
tract of land formerly belonging to the townships of Harrison, Buck Creek
and Vernon "be and the same is hereby set apart and called Union township,
to wit : Commencing at the southeast corner of section 30 in township 16
north, of range 7 east; thence west four miles along the section line to the
southwest corner of section 27, range 6 east; township 16 north ; thence north

COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 65

along the section lines five miles to the northwest corner of section 3 in
township 16, range 6 east; thence east four miles along the section line to the
northeast corner of section 6, township 16, range 7; thence south along the
section line five miles to the place of beginning."

At the June term, 1850, it was "ordered that sections 1, 12, 13 and 24,
in township 16 north, of range 7 east, and sections numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, of township 16 north,
range 8 east, shall compose a separate township and shall be designated and
known by the name of Worth township."

On March 11, 1853, the following entry was made in commissioners'
Record "C", page 142 :

"The board now proceeds to lay off the county into townships, as fol-
lows, to wit:" Here follow descriptions of the nine townships of the county
with their present boundaries. No change has been made in the township
lines since that time.

After the division of the county into townships, the board ordered the
election of two justices of the peace in each township, the first elections to be
held on the first Saturday of May, 1829. The election in Sugar Creek town-
ship was ordered held at the house of William Banks, who lived within or
near the present corporate limits of New Palestine. In Brandywine town-
ship, the election was ordered held at the house of Samuel B. Jackson, and
in Blue River, at the house of Abraham Miller, who lived one-half mile north
and one-fourth mile east of Westland. William McCance was appointed in-
spector in Sugar Creek township, Jeremiah Meek in Brandywine, and Jona-
than Justice in Blue River township.

The board then appointed trustees for the school sections in the con-
gressional townships within the county. The following appointments were
made:

Section 16, township 15, range 6, William McCance, Jacob Murnan,
Joseph Weston.

Section 16, township 15, range 7, Elijah Tyner, Samuel Martin, Lucus
Brown.

Section 16, township 15, range 8, Samuel A. Hall, James Tyner, Joshua
Binford.

Section 16, township 15, range 8, Basil Meek, Samuel Thompson. James
Dennis.

(5)

66 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Section 16, township 15, range 7, Meredith Gosney, Benjamin Spillman,
Samuel B. Jackson.

Section 16, township 15, range 6, Morris Pierson, Jacob Jones, James
Willetts.

The first day's business was closed with the following order: "It is
ordered by the board that each and every person producing a wolfe scalp or
scalps killed within Hancock County shall severally be allowed the sum of one
dollar for each scalp over six months old, and fifty cents for every scalp under
six months old, and that the Treasurer shall pay the same out of any moneys
not otherwise appropriated, when a certificate be produced by the applicant
from under the hand and seal of the clerk of said Board."

This order was based on an act approved June 27, 1827, which provided
that in case anyone produced before the clerk of any circuit court, a wolf
scalp or scalps with the ears, within thirty days after the wolf had been
killed, within eight miles of any settlement in Indiana, he should receive the
sums above stipulated. The applicant had to make oath as to the facts,
whereupon the clerk was required to destroy the wolf's ears in the presence of
the applicant. The clerk then gave the applicant a certificate which enabled
him to draw his money. The order is interesting as the first step toward
greater security of life and property, and for the light it throws Upon the con-
ditions of the times. Quite a number of fees were paid for killing wolves in
Hancock county during the first ten years after this order was made.

Among the orders drawn for wolf scalps, as shown by the early com-
missioners' records, are those of Isaac Lucas, two scalps ; one Sebastian, three
scalps ; Robinson Lucas, one scalp ; William Records, three scalps ; Reed Fuller,
one scalp ; Joe Kingan, two scalps ; Aaron Pawd, two scalps ; Joshua King, ten
scalps; John Carr, one scalp; Thomas Carr, one scalp.

It was then "ordered that the board adjourn until tomorrow morning at
the hour at 10 o'clock — present the honorable

Samuel Vangilder,
"Attest Elish Chapman

"Lewis Tyner John Hunter."

On the next day, April 8, 1828, the board appointed the following county
officers : County lister, Samuel Martin ; county treasurer, Henry Watts.

The seal of the Hancock circuit court was adopted by the board to be
used when any instrument in writing required a seal affixed thereto. No
further steps in the organization of the county were taken on that day.

On Wednesday and Thursday, April 9 and 10, adjourned sessions were

COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 6j

held, but on April n, 1828, the board received the report from the commis-
sioners appointed by statute to select and locate the seat of justice for Han-
cock county. This report was accepted and ordered spread on the commis-
sioners' record. By the acceptance of this report, the present site of Green-
field became fixed as the county seat of Hancock county. The report is
as follows :

"Indiana, to wit :
Hancock County

"Pursuant to an Act of the. General Assembly of the State of Indiana,
approved December 24, A. D. 1827, James Smock, Thomas Martin, and Levi
Jessup, three of the Commissioners appointed by the aforesaid, met at the
house of Samuel Jackson, in said County of Hancock on Monday the 7th
day of April, A. D. 1828, and after being sworn as the law directs : proceed to
the discharge of the duties of our appointment. On Tuesday the 8th day of
April, John Anderson appeared and was sworn as a Commissioner appointed
by the Act aforesaid, and on the same day Richard Blacklidge appeared and
was sworn as a Commissioner appointed as aforesaid. And after examining the
several sites shown to us and duly considering all their donations offered, we
have unanimously agreed to accept a donation of sixty acres of land donated
by Cornwell Meek, John Wingfield, and Benjamin Spilman, bounded as
follows to wit : Beginning at the line dividing Sections Thirty-two and Thir-
ty-three in Township Sixteen North, Range Seven East, where the National
Road crosses said line thence running north thirty rods from the north side
of said Road and the same distance south from the south side of said County
Road. Thence west on lines parallel with the said road one hundred and
sixty rods to the open line dividing Sections Thirty-two and Five, north and
south, to contain sixty acres, which we have selected as the permanent seat
of Justice for the Hancock. And it is further agreed and allowed by us that
the donors aforesaid be allowed every fourth block in that part of the town
respectively donated by them in manner following to wit: John Wingfield
and Benjamin Spilman to be entitled to every fourth block, the County Com-
missioners having first choice, and that Cornwell Meek be allowed every
fourth block on that part of town donated by him, the said Cornwell Meek
to have first choice in the first four blocks and afterward for the County
Commissioners to have the first choice, and it is moreover further agreed by
us that the donors aforesaid be allowed to remove all their building, rails,
boards, and board timber already sawed off which may be included in their
respective donation. And we have further received donations by subscrip-

68 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Hon amounting in cash, labor, and lumber, to two hundred and sixty- five
dollars. And furthermore we have taken bond on the donors aforesaid for
the conveyance of the land above described, which with the papers containing
the subscriptions aforesaid is submitted to the County Commissioners.

(Signed) "James Smock

"Thomas Martin

"Levi Jessup

"John Anderson

"Richard Blacklidge."

Jared Chapman was appointed county agent to sell the lots and account
for the moneys as provided by the statute.

On April n, 1828, the board also ordered "that the seat of Justice of
Hancock county, shall be known and designated by the name and title of
Greenfield. (The Seat of Justice of Hancock County.)"

Even at this early day the county was not unmindful of those who might
be in need. At the May term, 1828, John Hager and Noble Banks were
appointed overseers of the poor in Sugar Creek township, and James Reeves
and David Vangilder, overseers of the poor in Brandywine township.

Fence viewers were also appointed at the same term, Geofge Baity and
James Anderson for Sugar Creek, William Simmons and Isaac Roberts for
Brandywine, and Harmon Wareham and Abraham Miller for Blue River
township.

To meet the expenses of the new county government, the board, at the
May term, 1828, made the first tax levy. The first rate of taxation on the
persons and property of Hancock county was as follows : Polls, 50 cents ;
horse, 2>7 X A cents; work ox, 18^ cents; silver and pinchbeck watches, 25
cents; gold watches, $1.00; land, one-half state tax.

John Foster, acting sheriff of the county, was appointed collector of
revenue for the year 1828.

At this time. May 4, 1828. the board also appointed the first grand
jurors, who were to serve at the September term of the Hancock circuit
court, and who have been. named above. On the same day the board also
drew the following list of names from which the first petit jury was to be
chosen for the September term of the Hancock circuit court: Josiah Van-
meter, Thomas Phillips, Sr., Joseph Mitchell, Adonijah Rambo, William Wil-
son, Jr., Jacob Manan, Daniel Smith, Andrew Flowers, William Simmons,
Warner Copeland, George Smith, John Harwood, Solomon Catt, William
Burris, Ambrose Shirley and Harry Pierson. No jury cases were tried
at this term, hence these men did not serve.

JUDGE EARL SAMPLE

COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 69

The organization of the Hancock circuit court, as above stated, with
two associate judges and the presiding judge, was maintained until 1852.
The presiding judge alone, or the presiding judge and one associate judge,
could hold court, but the two associate judges could not hold court in the
absence of the presiding judge except to hear certain matters in chancery or
equity. The associate judges were not always elected from the legal pro-
fession, but were chosen rather because they were good, substantial business
men, in whose character and intelligence people had confidence. The men
who served one or more terms as associate judge from 1828 to 1852, were:
Jacob Jones, James Stevens, John Ogg, Robert McCorkhill, Nathan Craw-
ford, George Henry, Hector H. Hall, George Tague, Owen Jarrett, Andrew
T. Hatfield, P. H. Foy.

In 1852 the number of judges of the Hancock circuit court was reduced
from three to one.

When the court was first organized it was made a part of the fifth
judicial circuit. It remained a part of this circuit until February I, 1859, when
it was made a part of the seventh judicial circuit. In 1873 the eighteenth
judicial circuit was formed of Hancock and Henry counties. In 1889 this
circuit was divided, and since that time the Hancock circuit court of Hancock
county has constituted the eighteenth judicial circuit. The following men
have presided over this court since its organization :

Judges Elected or Appointed

Bethuel F. Morris 1828

William W. Wick . 1835

James Morrison 1840

William J. Peasley 1843

William W. Wick 1850

Stephen Major 1853

Joseph S. Buckles J 859

Joshua H. Mellett 1870

Robert J. Polk 1876

Mark E. Forkner 1881

William H. Martin .... 1888

Charles G. Offutt 1894

Edward W. Felt 1900

Robert L. Mason 1906

Earl Sample 1912

yO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Since the organization of the county there has always been a probate
court, having jurisdiction of the settlement of decedent's estates, the care
and preservation of the property of minors and of persons of unsound mind,
etc. Such a court was first organized at the house of Samuel B. Jackson on
December 8, 1828, by the associate judges of the Hancock circuit court. The
record shows that this court convened in December, 1828, and in March,
1829. It fails to show, however, that any probate business was transacted.

Under another statute, another probate court was organized in 1829, and
was maintained until 1852. Three men presided over this court: Jeremiah
Meek, until 1836; John Ogg, from 1836 until 1850, and Samuel Hottle, from
1850 until 1852. The probate judges, like the associate judges, were elected
because of character and business ability rather than for their technical
knowledge of the law.

In 1852 the Legislature passed an act establishing the common pleas
courts in the state, which took over all the business of the former probate
courts and also had jurisdiction of some other matters. Under this act, the
common pleas court of Hancock county became a part of a circuit composed
of Rush, Decatur, Madison and Hancock counties. Section 5 of the act of
1852 provided that "the circuit and common pleas courts shall have concur-
rent jurisdiction in all actions against heirs, devisees and sureties of executors,
administrators and guardians, in the partition of real estate, assignment of
dowers, and appointments of a commissioner to execute a deed on any title bond
given by the decedent." This provision means that any action or lawsuit
against any of the persons, or for any of the purposes, set out in the act.
could be brought in either the Hancock circuit court or in the Hancock com-
mon pleas court. The common pleas court was in fact a probate court, and
was maintained until it was abolished by the act of March 6, 1873. In the
office of the clerk of the Hancock circuit court may be seen the two sets
of books or records of the courts of the county covering the period from
1852 to 1873 — the records of the Hancock circuit court and of the Hancock
court of common pleas. Since 1853 the Hancock circuit court has had juris-
diction of all probate matters within the county, and it is now our only county
court.

The following men presided over the Hancock court of common pleas :

Judges Elected

David S. Gooding 1852

Richard Lake 1856

William Grose i860

COUNTY GOVERNMENT. J I

David S. Gooding 1861

William R. West 1864

Robert L. Polk 1872

The value of property in those days was not very high, and personal
property was not very plentiful. Hence, in order to meet the current ex-
penses of the county, other methods than the tax levy were resorted to. The
law of the state permitted the board of commissioners to impose a revenue
upon licenses granted to sell groceries, merchandise, liquors, etc. Our county
commissioners took advantage of this law, and their first records contain a
great number of orders like the following :

"It is ordered that Elijah Tyner is licensed to vend foreign merchandise
at his store on Brandywine for and during a term of six months from and
after this date [November, 1828]. And the said Elijah Tyner here now files
receipt from under the hand of the Treasurer of his having paid five dollars
as a tax on said license."

"On application of Joseph Chapman for a license to retail spirituous and
strong liquors, foreign and domestic groceries at his grocery at the town
of Greenfield in the County of Hancock, Indiana; Therefore it is ordered by
the Board that the said Joseph Chapman be licensed as such for and during
the period of one year from the date of his license [November, 1829] upon
paying the license fee of $5.00."

"On application of Samuel S. Duncan for a license to open a tavern at
his tavern in Brandywine Township and County of Hancock ; Therefore it is
ordered and considered by the Board that the said Samuel S. Duncan be
licensed as such for and during the term of one year from the date of his
paying a tax of S5.00 and by filing his bond with approved security."

As early as 1834 the report of the county treasurer also shows that he
collected a license fee of five dollars for a "circus performance."

The license fees imposed upon the retail and tavern business varied from
five dollars to fifteen dollars for different years. The commissioners' records
show that the county collected a large amount of money from this source dur-
ing its early history and in fact until 1852.

As the population of the county increased and business assumed more
important proportions, some features of the early government were reor-
ganized, and in some instances new offices were, created. Thus, in the very
early history of the county, three men were appointed in each township to ex-
amine teachers, or pass upon their qualifications for teaching. In 1854. how-
ever, a county examiner was provided for by law, whose duty it was to ex-
amine all the teachers of the county, but who had very little other power.

72 . HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

In 1873 the county superintendent's office was created by a law which gave to
the county superintendent supervisory as well as other duties in addition to
examining teachers.

In 1 89 1 the county assessor's office was created, so that one officer might
have it within his power to discover the omission of any property from the
tax sheets.

In 1899 a county council was provided for by statute, whose duty it is
to consider the amount of money that may be expended for county purposes.

BOARD OF CHILDREN'S GUARDIANS.

The first board of children's guardians of Hancock county was appointed
by Judge Felt, on February 2.2, 1905. The law under which this board was
appointed provides that such board shall be composed of six persons, three
of whom shall be women and every member of which shall be a parent. The
members of the board are appointed by the circuit court and serve without
compensation.

The board has the care and supervision of all neglected and dependent
children under fifteen years of age domiciled and resident in the county for
which it is created. It has power to take under its control, in the manner
specified by law, any children abandoned, neglected or cruelly treated by their
parents; children begging on the streets; children of habitual drunkards or vic-
ious and unfit parents; children kept in vicious or immoral associations; chil-
dren known by their language and life to be vicious and incorrigible, and
juvenile delinquents and truants.

The first board appointed by Judge Felt was composed of the following
members, who served during the periods indicated : William C. Welborn, three
years; J. P. Knight, ten years; W. C. Goble, six years; Mrs. J. M. Pogue, one
year; Mrs. Dr. Barnes, eight years; Dr. Mary L. Bruner, ten years.

There have been resignations and the following appointments have been
made to fill such vacancies: Mrs. A. P. Conklin, 1906, seven years; George
J. Richman, 1908, six years; Frank Larrabee, 191 1, four years; Mrs. Ella
Hough, 1913, two years; Mrs. Florence Larimore, 1913, two years.

The board at present is composed of Dr. Mary L. Bruner, Mrs. Florence
Larimore, Mrs. Ella Hough, J. P. Knight, Frank Larrabee and George J.
Richman.

In the performance of its duties, the board has taken and placed in homes
thirty children and has inspected and tried to help in various ways twice as
many more. The greater number of children taken by the board have been
placed in home-finding institutions, such as White's Manual Institute at

COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 73

Wabash and the Indianapolis Orphans' Home. By far the greater number of
children taken from Hancock county have been placed in homes through the
efforts of White's Manual Institute.

In view of the great number of roads that the county is taking charge of,
a county road superintendent has been provided for, and the first appointment
was made in this county in January, 19 14.

It is interesting to observe, in the administration of county offices, that
when the county was first organized, the offices of clerk, auditor and recorder
were combined, and for four years the work of all of them was done by Lewis
Tyner. For this reason his name appears as clerk of the Hancock circuit
court, and also as auditor or clerk of the board of county commissioners at
their first meetings. The filing and recording of the first deeds are also
attested by his signature in the county recorder's office. In 1832 his term
of office expired, and then a division was made of the official work of the
county.

In that year Joseph Chapman, famous as one of the first politicians of
the county, and whose fame bids fair to become national, became the clerk
of the Hancock circuit court. In 1837 he was followed by John Hager, who
held the office for twelve years. Both Chapman and Hager filled the office
of clerk of the Hancock circuit court and also performed the duties of the
auditor's office. In 1841 John Templin took his seat as the first county
auditor of Hancock county. From 1832 to 1841 Joseph Chapman and John
Hager, as clerk, Joshua Meek, as recorder, and Morris Pierson, as county
treasurer, were the principal figures around the court house at Greenfield.
A number of officers since that time have served eight years, as may be seen
by referring to the tables appended hereto. During the last fifteen or twenty
years, however, an unwritten law has put a limit of four years on every office-
holder except the county commissioners, the most of whom have been serving
two terms of three years each.

In 1832 the first county recorder, Joshua Meek, took his office, and
served three terms of seven years each. He owned a brick factory just north
of what was then the town of Greenfield and much of his time was given to
his individual business. His eldest son, Oscar F. Meek, was taken into the
office when a mere lad and he began copying deeds with a quill pen in 1839-40.
He developed a beautiful script when a boy, and retained it until the time of
his death, at the age of eighty-three years. His letters were always made small
and he delighted to make little flourishes, and shade his letters. He indulged
in these little exhibitions of his skill to such an extent that it is even now pos-
sible to point out practically every deed that he recorded, beginning with Deed

74 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Record "I", page 72, to Deed Record "O", page 220. He did not record
all the deeds that were recorded during those years, but his fine, clear writing,
with his frequent emphasis placed on the words, "This Indenture Witnesseth,"
"To Have and to Hold," and "Warrant and Forever Defend," distinguished
his hand throughout the record. Early in 1847 he was seized with a severe
illness which .kept him out of the office for quite a while. In the latter part
of that year, however, his presence is again attested by Deed Record "L",
pages 174, 220, 272, etc. The beauty of those early records inspires frequent
comment to this day among those who have occasion to inspect them. It was
his fine hand that gave them this touch.

Among those who performed distinguished service in the county record-
er's office, and who thereby endeared themselves to the people of the county,
was Miss Mary N. Roberts. She was the daughter of County Recorder
Nathaniel H. Roberts. She entered the office as her father's deputy in 1876,
and performed the duties imposed upon her so efficiently that when her father
died in 1881 public sentiment was in favor of giving her the emoluments of
the office for the unexpired term. A public meeting of the citizens of the
county was held at which a nonpartisan committee was appointed to select
some person as the nominal recorder in whose name she should act. John
W. Ryon was appointed. His name appears upon the record as county
recorder, but Miss Roberts assumed all the responsibilities of the office and
drew the salary.

Beginning with the administration of Henry A. Swope, a series of depu-
tyships began which developed several very efficient officers. Mr. Swope
took into the clerk's office as deputy, Ephraim Marsh. During the several
years that Mr. Marsh served in this capacity, he applied himself very earnestly
to the study of law. In 1874 he himself was elected to the office, and served
the people as clerk for a period of eight years. His training as a deputy
under Mr. Swope, together with his legal knowledge, of course, made him an
authority on questions pertaining to his office. Upon his election he selected
as his deputy, Charles Downing. Mr. Downing served as deputy for eight
years, then took charge of the office himself, admirably equipped for the
execution of his duties, which- extended through another period of eight years.

In the clerk's office, the present generation, and especially the members
of the Hancock bar, will long remember the efficient and accommodating
service of Moses C. Wood. He became his father's deputy in that office
in 1899. He had mastered the intricate duties of the office so thoroughly
when his father's term expired on January 1, 1905, that he was retained as
deputy by Clerks Hall and Service during the following eight years. Not

COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 75

only the successive clerks for whom he served, but the members of the bar
as well, appreciated the ability and the technical knowledge which he brought
to that office. In 1912 the people of the county honored him with an election
to the office himself. He remained for awhile with his successor, Horace E.
Wilson, then turned in his keys on July 1, 191 5, after more than sixteen years
of continuous service.

In the auditor's office the face of the present auditor, Lawrence Wood,
has long been familiar to the people of the county. His experience in the
execution of the duties of that office began during the administration of Law-
rence Boring, under whom he served as deputy for five years. This was
followed with four years more of service under Auditor Richman. In 1910
he was elected to the office for a term of four years, at the close of which he
had rendered the county thirteen years of efficient and accommodating service.

A few unfortunate things have also occurred in the administration of
county affairs. On January 12, 1866, the safe in the county treasury was
opened, and about thirteen thousand dollars was stolen. This was before
there were any local banks, and the safe in the treasurer's office was the
only safe in the county. County officers, township trustees, and many private
citizens, deposited their money in this safe. The money for which the county
treasurer was responsible amounted, it seems, to about five thousand dollars.
The remaining portion of the money had been placed in the safe at the risk of
the depositors. The county treasurer was held to be without fault, and at
the June session of the board of county commissioners the following order
was entered on their record :

"Whereas, it has been shown to the full satisfaction of the board of
county commissioners of Hancock county, Indiana, by competent and suffi-
cient evidence, that on the night of the 12th of January, A. D. 1866, the treas-
urer's office of this (Hancock) county was feloniously entered, the iron safe
broken open, and- a large sum of money stolen therefrom, of which five
thousand dollars was money belonging to Hancock county, the same having
been collected by Nelson Bradley, treasurer of said county for the year 1865,
and delinquencies for former years; and,

"Whereas, it further appearing that said loss occurred without the
acquiescence, negligence or fault of said Nelson Bradley, treasurer as afore-
said ; therefore,

"Be it ordered by the board aforesaid, that Nelson Bradley, treasurer
of Hancock county, be, and he is hereby relieved and discharged from the pay-
ment of the said sum of five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars so feloniously taken
from the county safe as aforesaid."

76 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

The above finding and order did not satisfy everybody, and an action
was instituted later to investigate the matter more fully. The investigation,
however, by an auditing committee, only substantiated the former finding of
the board of commissioners.

The matter caused a great deal of discussion and gossip, which occasioned
several lawsuits. John Fulton was charged with the robbery. The testimony
in the preliminary hearing of Fulton involved Jonathan Dunbar. Both
defendants were acquitted. One Charles Livingstone, alias William Jackson,
was suspected and later arrested at Pana, Illinois, and brought to Indiana for
trial. He was found guilty, but before the close of the trial George Y. Atkison
was indicted for perjury. Atkison was acquitted of this charge. Jon-
athan Dunbar next brought an action against Atkison and McCorkhill for
slander, as did also John Fulton against Taylor W. Thomas. All these actions
terminated in favor of the defendants.

Though Mr. Bradley was saved from loss, not all of the depositors fared
so well. David Priddy, trustee of Jackson township, lost eleven hundred dol-
lars of township funds and others lost smaller amounts.

Isaiah A. Curry, while county treasurer, also had the misfortune to lose
$7,366.34 in the failure of the Indiana Banking Company's bank at Indianapo-
lis on August 9, 1883. The receiver of the bank afterward paid to the cred-
itors a dividend of fifty per cent, on their claims. This still kept the sum
of $3,683.17, a total loss to Mr. Curry, which amount he paid in full to the
county upon going out of office on November 20, 1884. Ten years later,
however, in 1893, a large number of citizens and taxpayers petitioned the
General Assembly of the state, which was then in session, for the passage of
a law for the relief of Mr. Curry and the repayment of the sum of $3,683.17
to him. The petitioners represented to the Legislature that they believed
he was wholly without fault in the loss of that amount, and that such repay-
ment would be an act of justice due an honest, faithful and efficient officer.
The Legislature acted upon this petition, and by special statute directed the
county auditor to issue his warrant upon the county treasurer for the above
amount. By virtue of the passage of this act, Mr. Curry was reimbursed
in full. •

COUNTY OFFICERS.

Following are the names of the men not elsewhere enumerated, who have
occupied county offices, with the dates of their election or appointment:

COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

CLERK.

Lewis Tyner 1828

Joseph Chapman 1832

John Hager 1837

William Sebastian 1849

James Rutherford 1855

George Y. Atkison 1856

John T. Sebastian l< &57

Morgan Chandler 1861

Henry A. Swope 1865

Ephraim Marsh 1874

Charles Downing 1882

R. A. Black 1886

Charles Downing 1890

A. V. B. Sample •..1894

William A. Wood 1898

John M. Hall 1902

W. A. Service 1906

Moses Wood 1910

Horace E. Wilson 19 14

AUDITOR.

John Templen 1841

John Myers 1846

Barsilla G. Jay 1855

Lysander Sparks 1 ^>S9

Jonathan Tague 1867

A. C. Handy 1870

Henry Wright 1874

James Mannix 1882

James L. Mitchell 1886

Lawrence Boring 1890

Charles J. Richman : . . . . 1898

William I Garriott 1902

Charles H. Troy 1906

Lawrence Wood 1910

Harvey J. Rhue 1914

TREASURER.

Henry Watts . 1828

James B. Stevens 1830

Nathan Crawford 1831

William O. Ross 1832

Morris Pierson 1833

Andrew T. Hart 1841

Jacob Huntington 1847

John Barrett 1850

John Foster 1854

Elijah S. Cooper 1855

George W. Hatfield 1857

John Addison 1861

Nelson Bradley 1863

Robert P. Brown 1867

Ernest H. Faut 1872

Andrew Hagen 1876

Isaiah Curry 1880

C. H. Fort . ..' 1884

William C. Barnard 1888

G. W. Ham 1892

Theodore L. Smith 1896

James A. Flippo 1900

T. N. Jackson 1904

Philander Collyer 1908

Allen Cooper 1912

HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

SHERIFF.

John Foster 1828

Samuel C Duncan 1832

Basil Meek 1834

John Foster 1836

Jonathan Dunbar 1840

William P. Rush 1848

Joshua W. Shelby 1852

John Osbon 1853

William H. Curry 1854

Morgan Chandler 1855

Mordecai Millard 1857

Taylor W\ Thomas 1859

Samuel Archer , 1861

William G. Cauldwell 1863

William Wilkins 1867

George W. Sample 1872

Robert P. Brown 1873

William Thomas 1874

W. H. Thompson 1878

William M. Lewis 1882

l\ S. Jackson 1884

Benjamin F. Pauley 1888

Marshall T. Smith 1891

Marshall T. Smith 1892

William H. Pauley ." 1894

Noah Spegal 1896

William H. Pauley 1898

Lewis N. Larrabee 1900

John Carlton 1904

Jesse Cox 1908

Mack Warrum 1912

RECORDER.

Joshua Meek 1832

John Milroy 1854

Lemuel Gooding 1 ^57

William R. West 1861

Levi Leary 1864

William Mitchell ; . . . 1865

Amos C. Beeson 1866

Francis O. Sears 1869

John Reeves 1870

N. H. Roberts 1873

J. W. Ryon 1881

Ira D. Collins 1882

Henry Snow 1886

James Thomas 1890

Raleigh Sitton 1898

William R. White 1902

Edmund Jacobs . 1906

James E. Sample 1910

John T. Rash 1914

COUNTY ASSESSOR.

George Parker 1891 William E. Chappell 1906

Alfred Potts 1892 John H. Reeves 1910

Homer Leonard 1896 Eli A. Parish 1914

Amasa Cohee 1900

COUNTY SURVEYORS.

Jared Chapman

Meredith Gosney 1832

Morris Pierson 1844

George W. Hatfield 1850

C. G. Sample 1854

James K. King i860

COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

William Fries 1864

J. H. Landis 1874

John V. Coyner 1878

Winfield S. Fries 1880

John V. Coyner 1882

Winfield S. Fries 1884

John Landis 1886

CORONERS (SINCE 1858)

Ed. M. Johnson i!

Samuel R. Waters 1890

Will J. Cleary 1894

Frank Lewark 1900

O. H. Monger 1904

James A. Cleary 1908

G. C. Winslow 1912

George W. Hopkins 1858

Barnabas B. Gray i860

Isaac H. Ballenger 1861

Charles A. Burk 1865

William N. Johnson 1867

Adam F. Brown 1870

Harrison L. Cooper 1872

Philander Curry 1876

Henry C. Garriott 1878

James R. Trees 1880

Noble P. Howard 1882

W. A. Justice 1884

Oliver A. Collins 1888

John H. Justice 1892

Frank Garriott 1896

Oscar Heller 1898

Noble P. Howard 1901

Milo M. Gibbs 1902

Jesse Ferrell 1904

Joseph L. Allen 1 906

Earl R. Gibbs 1910

William A. Justice 1914

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

Samuel Vangilder 1828

John Hunter 1828

Elisha Chapman . 1828

William McCance 1831

George Troxwell 1832

Benjamin Spillman 1834

Enoch O'Brien 1835

Richard Williams 1835

John O'Brien 1836

Daniel Smith 1837

Isaac Willett 1839

Nathan Henry 1840

Jacob Tague 1843

William Curry 1843

Seth Walker 1844

Samuel Shockley 1845

Abram Rhue 1846

Jordon Lacy 1847

James Tyner 1849

James Hazlett 1850

Reson Perry 185 1

Daniel Wilkison J853

Shelton Banks 1855

Jacob Slifer 1856

John Collins ^57

Robison Jarrett 1858

Elias McCord 1858

Hiram Tyner i860

Nevill Reeves 1859

Elias McCord i860

William New 1861

Elias McCord 1862

John Hinchman 1863

William New 1864

HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Ephraim Thomas 1865

James Tyner 1866

William New 1867

David Caudell 1868

John S. Lewis 1870

Jonathan Smith 1870

William H. Dye 1870

John Addison 1872

James Tyner 1872

William P. Brokaw 1874

John Addison 1876

Jacob Slifer 1876

William P. Brokaw 1876

Augustus Dennis 1878

Thomas E. Bentley 1878

John E. Dye 1880

Edward P. Scott 1880

George Parker 1882

James Tyner 1882

Augustus Dennis 1882

John B. Hays 1884

M. L. Paullus 1884

John E. Dye 1886

Thomas Hargrove 1888

M. L. Paullus 1888

Andrew Hagen 1890

B. F. Wilson 1890

Aquilla Grist 1892

William M. Thomas 1892

Benjamin F. Wilson 1894

William M. Thomas 1894

George Crider 1896

John Manche 1896

Robert G. Wilson 1898

Moses Bates 1898

George Crider 1900

Moses Bates 1900

Robert G. Wilson 1902

William Marsh 1902

Linza Walker 1904

William T. Spell 1904

George W. Gordon 1905

Horace Wickard 1906

Linza Walker 1906

Horace Wickard . . 1908

William T. Spell 1908

James H. Bussell 19 10

William H. Albea 1910

James H. Bussell 1912

George W. Allen 1912

John T. Burk 19 14

William H. Albea 1914

Daniel M. Ballenger 1914

PROSECUTORS.

Among the men from Hancock county who were elected as prosecutor
before the county was set apart as a separate judicial circuit by the act of 1889,
were Reuben A. Riley, 1844; David S. Gooding, 1848; Montgomery Marsh,
1856; William R. Hough, i860; Lemuel W. Gooding, 1865, and George W.
Duncan, 1882. The following are the names of the men who have served
in this office since the county has been a circuit within itself :

Edward W. Felt 1890 Charles L. Tindall 1904

John L. McNew 1894 Edward W. Quigley 1908

Charles Downing 1895

John F. Wiggins 1896

Arthur C. VanDuyn 1900

Hiram L. Thomas 1912

Robert F. Reeves 191 5

COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 8l

COUNTY ROAD SUPERINTENDENT.

Charles N. Warren 1914

REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATURE.

Date Representatives Counties Represented

1829 Elisha Long. .Hancock, Hamilton, Henry, Madison, other territory

1830 Elisha Long . .Hancock Hamilton, Henry, Madison, other territory

183 1 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison

1832 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison

^33 John Foster Hancock and Madison

1834 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison

1835 Leonard Bardwell Hancock and Madison

1836 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock

1837 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock

1838 Joseph Chapman Hancock

J 839 John Foster Hancock

1840 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock

1841 Joseph Chapman, James P. Foley Hancock

1842 Joseph Mathers Hancock

1843 Joseph Chapman, James P. Foley Hancock

1844 George Tague Hancock

1845 Reuben A. Riley Hancock

1846 A. J. Hatfield Hancock

1847 David S. Gooding Hancock

1848 Reuben A. Riley Hancock

1849 J onn Alley Hancock

1850 Aaron Caylor Hancock

185 1 John Foster Hancock

1852 William Handy Hancock

1853 William Handy Hancock

1855 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock

1857 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock

1859 Samuel Shockley Hancock

1861 Noble Warrum Hancock

1861 George Y. Atkison Hancock and Shelby

1863 George Y. Atkison Hancock

(6)

82 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Date Representatives Counties Represented

1863 James L. Mason ■ Hancock and Shelby

1865 John H. White Hancock

1865 George C. Thatcher Hancock and Shelby

1867 John H. White Hancock

1867 John L. Montgomery Hancock and Shelby

1869 John Addison Hancock

1871 Xoble Warrum Hancock

1873 Charles G. Offutt Hancock

1875 Smith McCord Hancock

1877 Noble Warrum Hancock

1879 A. C. Handy Hancock

1881 Morgan Chandler Hancock

1 88 1 Isaac Franklin Hancock, Henry and Madison

1883 Morgan Chandler Hancock, Henry and Madison

1883 Henry Marsh Hancock, Henry and Madison

1885 David S. Gooding Hancock

1885 Joseph Franklin Hancock, Henry and Madison

1887 W. F. Ackuman Hancock

1887 Sidney Conger Hancock, Marion and Shelby

1889 Noble Warrum Hancock

1889 James B. Curtis Hancock, Marion and Shelby

1 89 1 James B. Curtis Hancock, Marion and Shelby

1891 Samuel A. Troy Hancock

1893 Benjamin F. Reeves Hancock

^95 John Q. White Hancock

1897 Frank L. Littleton Hancock, Marion and Shelby

1897 Montgomery Marsh Hancock

1899 Morgan Caraway Hancock and Marion

1901 L. A. Whitcomb Hancock and Marion

1903 W. H. H. Rock Hancock and Marion

1905 W. H. H. Rock Hancock and Marion

1907 Harry G. Strickland Hancock

1909 Harry G. Strickland HancocK

191 1 Harry G. Strickland Hancock

IQ13 Robert F. Reeves Hancock

1914 Robert F t Reeves Hancock

1915 Robert F. Reeves Hancock

COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 83

Date Senators Counties Represented

1828 Calvin Fletcher ..Hancock, Hamilton, Hendricks, Marion, Carroll

and Madison

1829 Calvin Fletcher . .Hancock, Hamilton, Hendricks, Madison, Marion
[830 Calvin Fletcher, Hamilton, Hendricks, Marion, Madison and Boone

[831 Elisha Long Hancock, Henry and Madison

:832 Elisha Long Hancock, Henry and Madison

[833 Elisha Long . . .Hancock, Henry and Madison

834 Elisha Long Hancock, Henry and Madison

[835 Thomas Bell Hancock, Henry and Madison

1836 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison

:837 Thomas Bell •. Hancock and Madison

838 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison

839 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison

[840 Thomas Bell Hancock and Madison

841 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock and Madison

[842 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock and Madison

843 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock and Madison

1 844 Andrew Jackson Hancock and Madison

845 Andrew Jackson Hancock and Madison

846 Andrew Jackson Hancock and Madison

847 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock and Madison

[848 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock and Madison

849 Thomas D. Walpole Hancock and Madison

850 John Hunt Hancock and Madison

851 John Hunt Hancock and Madison

>53 Andrew Jackson Hancock and Madison

>55 Andrew Jackson Hancock and Madison

>57 David S. Gooding Hancock and Madison

859 David S. Gooding Hancock and Shelby

5i Martin M. Ray Hancock and Shelby

863 Martin M. Ray Hancock and Shelby

865 James L. Mason • Hancock and Shelby

1867 James L. Mason Hancock and Shelby

869 Luther W. Hess Hancock and Henry

871 Luther W. Hess Hancock and Henrv

873 William R. Hough Hancock and Henry

875 William R. Hough Hancock and Henry

877 Benjamin Shirk Hancock and Henry

84 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Date Senators Counties Represented

1879 Benjamin Shirk Hancock and Henry

1 88 1 Simon P. Yancey Hancock, Marion and Shelby

1883 Simon P. Yancey Hancock, Marion and Shelby

1885 Leon Bailey Hancock, Marion and Shelby

1887 Leon Bailey Hancock and Marion

1889 A. M. Kennedy .. . Hancock and Rush

1891 Morgan Chandler Hancock and Rush

1893 Morgan Chandler Hancock and Rush

1895 Thomas K. Mull Hancock and Rush

1897 Thomas K. Mull Hancock and Rush

1899 Frank W. Cregor , Hancock, Madison and Rush

1901 Frank W. Cregor Hancock, Madison and Rush

1903 Edgar H. Hendee Hancock, Madison and Rush

1905 Edgar H. Hendee Hancock, Madison and Rush

1907 Edward E. Moore Hancock, Fayette and Rush

1909 Edward E. Moore Hancock, Fayette and Rush

191 1 Edward E. Moore Hancock, Fayette and Rush

19 1 3 Carey Jackson Hancock, Fayette and Rush

191 5 Edward C. Eikman Hancock, Favette and Rush

CHAPTER IV.

COUNTY BUILDINGS.

It has been observed that the first meetings of the Hancock circuit court
and also of the county commissioners were held at the house of Samuel B.
Jackson. The Hancock circuit court continued to hold its sessions there until
the September term, 1829, when it convened at "the court house in Green-
field." The commissioners met at the house of Samuel B. Jackson until
the May term, 1829, when they met at the house of Jeremiah Meek in the
town of Greenfield. Their meetings were then held at the house of Jeremiah
Meek until the November term, 1829, when the record recites that they also
convened "at the court house in the town of Greenfield."

'the first court house.

According to the best recollection of Jared Meek, recently deceased at
eighty-seven years of age, the first court house stood just across the street
west of the public square, and south of the old Gooding Hotel. He remem-
bered it as a two-story log house, fronting on what is now South State
street. The first reference to this house in the county commissioners' record
was made at the August term, 1829, when an election was ordered to be held
there. At the November term, 1829, the board allowed to Jared Chapman
"in part for his services in building the court house in the town of Greenfield,"
the sum of one hundred and eighty dollars. At the same meeting, November
9, 1829, the board ordered "that the lower south room of the court house be,
and it is set apart for the office of the clerk and recorder, and not to be en-
cumbered with any other business whatsoever." At the November term,
1829, another claim was allowed in favor of Robert Davidson "in the sum of
fifteen dollars, it being for extra work done by him in finishing the court
house in said county, the contract being previously taken by Jared Chapman."
This court house was used until about January, 1834.

THE SECOND COURT HOUSE.

At the January term, 1831, the board ordered the county agent to adver-
tise in the nearest newspaper that proposals would be received by the county
commissioners for the building of a court house in the town of Greenfield, at
their May term next, "as follows, to wit: forty feet on the ground (square)

86 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

to be made of brick, the same to be done in the usual plan." The record
shows that John Hays took the contract for erecting- it. It was several
years, however, before the house was entirely finished. At the November
term, 1832, its location on the public square was changed. At the May term,
1833, the foundation was practically completed. On January 7, 1834, John
Hays was paid in full on his contract. At the May term, 1834, the board
ordered the county agent to advertise for proposals for further finishing the
court house. Among the improvements contemplated were the hanging of
double doors, the making and hanging of "fashionable window blinds," paint-
ing the cupola, grading the yard, etc. The contract for this work was let
to Otho Gapen and William Nay lor on July 18, 1834.

It is interesting to observe in connection with the construction of this
house, which was the first court house on the public square, that a part of
the necessary funds were raised by subscription. These subscriptions were
either made at the time the site for the county seat was selected, and are the
subscriptions referred to in the report of the committee appointed by the Legis-
lature, or else they were subscriptions taken for the special purpose of erecting
this building. At different times notes were delivered to John Hays, the
contractor, as so much cash on his contract, with the privilege of returning
them to the county treasurer in case he failed to collect. At the May term,
1832, the subscription paper and also some notes of different citizens of the
county were delivered to Hays, "to use due diligence in collecting the same,
and if not collected, to return the same to the treasurer safe." Due care on
the part of the commissioners is also shown in an order made at the January
term, 1835, when an allowance of four hundred dollars was made to Gapen
and Naylor "in part payment of their contract, it being understood that the
allowance is not an acceptance of the work done, and that the same is here-
after to be examined."

At the March term, 1837, the commissioners ordered the county agent
to make provisions for furnishing three rooms in the upper story of the
court house, "partitions to be of good poplar plank 1J/2 inches thick, well
seasoned, tongued and grooved, and well put together ; a common batting door
to be made to each room with a lock and key to each door, and to be ceiled
overhead with good poplar plank ^-inch thick, * * * * one of the rooms for
the use of the Clerk and Recorder." A seat was also ordered made for the
judges and a bannister and seats for the jurors.

At the May term, 1839, a contract was entered into with Nathan Henry
for putting a new roof on the court house. We do not see shingles like them

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 87

any more: "Good poplar shingles, eighteen inches long and one-half inch
thick, laid five inches to the weather," etc.

At the December term., 1845, tne board contracted with Nathan Crawford
for the erection of two buildings as offices for the clerk, recorder, auditor and
treasurer. These offices were built, one to the northeast and the other to
the northwest of the court house. The buildings were each twenty feet by
forty-eight feet, and had vaults built in them for keeping the county's moneys
and records. Heretofore the records and valuable papers had been stored
away and kept by the officers in any manner possible. Now adequate provi-
sion was made for their safe keeping.

A hall extended through the original building from north to south. The
county offices were originally on the lower floor to the west of the hall.
The court room was in the southeast part of the building. In the southeast
corner of the court room was a large fire place, eight or ten feet wide, in
which large logs were burned. The floor of the entire court room was of
brick. It was in this room that Thomas D. Walpole made his reputation
as a trial lawyer. This court house stood and was used until about 185 1.

DURING THE INTERIM.

The minutes of the December session, 1850, of the board of county com-
missioners recite : "Ordered that the present session of the board be held in
the auditor's office in consequence of the court house being unfit for the
transaction of business." The auditor's office at that time was located in one
of the buildings erected in 1846. At the same session an allowance of five
dollars was made by the board in favor of the trustees of the Methodist church
in Greenfield "for the use of the meeting house to holding circuit court at
the September term, 185 1." This church stood on the west side of South
State street, a few blocks below Main street. The circuit court continued to
hold its sessions at the church, and the board of commissioners at the auditor's
office until December, 1854. At that time the building known as the county
seminary was taken and used for the court house. In June, 1855, a contract
was entered into between the county commissioners and the trustees of the
Christian church for the use of the church as a court house until the new court
house should be completed. All the court furniture was at once removed
from the seminary to the church, and the sheriff was given possession of the
key of the church during terms of court. It was agreed that the church
should suffer no injury, and that it should be occupied free of charge. At
the January term, 1856, the above order was rescinded, and the courts were
ordered to convene thereafter in the new court house.

o» HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

THE THIRD COURT HOUSE.

On March n, 1854, the commissioners ordered the old court house sold,
and also ordered the county auditor to give notice in the State Sentinel that
proposals would be received by the board on the third day of the next term
for the building- of a new court house.

At the June term, 1854, a special tax levy of forty cents was levied on each
one hundred dollars of taxable property for the purpose of building the pro-
posed court house.

On June 9, 1854, the contract for the erection of the new building was
awarded to Nathan Crawford, "the lowest and best bidder," for fourteen thou-
sand and four hundred dollars. At the December term, 1854, Edwin May was
employed as architect to superintend the erection of the house, and an order was
made allowing the sum of twenty-five dollars for every visit he should make to
the building during the erection thereof. Nathan Crawford began his work.
In September, 1855, the board ordered it painted, "the walls stone color, the
cupola a lighter shade, the blinds green, the roof copper color and all other
painting to be left to the painter's judgment and taste, provided it be done in
a good and workmanlike manner." At the same time the contractor was
ordered to place in the cupola the necessary timbers for the purpose of hang-
ing a bell therein.

At the January term, 1856, the board of commissioners ordered "that all
courts hereafter be held in the court room in the new court house." This is
the court house that is known to the present generation as the "old court
house." The county offices in this building were on the lower floor, on
either side of a hall extending through the building from north to south. The
court room was upstairs, the court and jury being seated at the east end of
the room. When court was in session, the bell in the court house tower rang
every morning at the time of convening. When the lawyers remained too
long in their offices, it was the custom for the sheriff or bailiff to step to
the door or window and call them. In fact, it was sometimes suspected that
some of the older lawyers of that day appreciated the value of the advertise-
ment in the call to "come to court," and that they delayed purposely.

The bell whose sound from the court house tower was familiar to the
older generation, now calls the people to worship at the Presbyterian church
in the city of Greenfield.

The court room in this building came to be used for various purposes
about the time of the Civil War. Finally several balls were given there, to
which many people of the county took exception. Public sentiment became

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 89

stirred up about the matter, and the board of county commissioners, at the
December session, 1865, made the following order relative to the future use
of the court room : "Ordered by the board, that the court room shall not
hereafter he used for the exhibition of shows or the holding of balls or parties
therein; nor shall the same be used by individuals for any private purpose
whatever."

This court house stood until 1896.

OUR FOURTH COURT HOUSE.

On September 11, 1895, the county auditor was directed to give notice to
architects that October 4, 1895, had been fixed as the day on which the board
would convene for the purpose of meeting architects who wished to submit
plans and specifications for the erection of a new court house. On that day
the following architects appeared before the board : A. N. Rush, Grand Rap-
ids, Michigan; McPherson & Brown, Indianapolis; Wing & Mahurin, Ft.
Wayne, Indiana; Louis H. Gilson, Indianapolis; Labelle & Lormer, Ander-
son, Indiana ; G. W. Bunting, Indianapolis ; Krutch & Laycock, Indianapolis ;
Bell & Kent, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

On October 5, 1895, the plans submitted by Wing & Mahurin, of Ft.
Wayne, were accepted. A contract was entered into with that firm whereby
they agreed to make all drawings, plans and specifications, and to superin-
tend the construction of the building, and were to receive as compensation
therefor, three and one-half per cent, of the actual cost of the building.

Samples of stone were submitted by : Cleveland Stone Company, of
Chicago ; Matthews Brothers, of Ellettsville, Indiana ; Forest City Stone Com-
pany, of Cleveland, Ohio ; Malone Stone Company, of Cleveland, Ohio. The
sample of Matthews Brothers, of Ellettsville, Indiana, of Bedford limestone,
was accepted. On April 30, 1896, the contract for the construction of the
building was awarded to Geake, Henry & Green, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

In June, 1896, an action in the name of William P. Bidgood was brought
against the contractors to enjoin them from building the court house. In
that action notice was also served upon the county treasurer, George W. Ham,
not to pay any warrant that might be drawn in favor of the contractors. This
had the effect of stopping the work for a while. In the early part of July,
1896, however, a legal opinion was obtained by the county commissioners and
other officers from Byron K. Elliott, of Indianapolis, that such warrants might
safely be paid, whereupon work was at once resumed by the contractors.

90 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

LAYING OF CORNERSTONE.

The laying of the cornerstone of the court house, on September 22, 1896,
was one of the greatest ceremonial events in the history of the county. The
ceremonies were conducted by the Masonic order. Members of the Knights
Templar from Rushville, Knightstown, Richmond, Ft. Wayne and other
points were in attendance to assist in the work. There was a great parade.
It included all of the great secret societies of Greenfield, and representatives
and delegations from all the lodges in the county. The line of march ex-
tended north on Pennsylvania street to Walnut; west on Walnut to Noble
street ; south on Noble to North street ; west on North to School street ; south
on School to Main street; east on Main to State street; north on State to
Grant street ; east on Grant to Wood street ; south on Wood to Main street ;
west on Main to public square. The following was the order of the march :

E. P. Thayer, Marshal of the Day, and Staff

Ft. Wayne City Band

Ephraim Marsh and Staff

Greenfield Commandery, Knights Templar

Knightstown Commandery, Knights Templar

Odd Fellows

Knights of Pythias

Band

Visiting Masons

County Officials

City Officials

Speakers

Operative Masons

Hancock Masonic Lodge

The parade was over a mile in length. The school children occasioned

great enthusiasm.

The following was the program of the day, given on the public square :

Music — Fort Wayne Band
Invocation Elder W. M. Gard

Music by Union Choir

Laying of the Corner Stone

Music by Band
Address Judge Charles G. Offutt

Music by Band
Address Hon. William R. Hough

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 91

Music by Band

Music by Union Choir

Benediction ^ _ Rev. M. E. Nethercut

Judge Frank E. Gavin, of Greensburg, acting grand master, conducted
the ceremonies connected with the laying of the cornerstone. He was assisted
by Martin H. Rice, grand treasurer, Henry Geake, John T. Duncan, William
Ward Cook and Homer Bragg.

A large box was placed in the cornerstone which contains lists of officers
and members of practically all the lodges and orders in the county. It also
contains copies of the following newspapers : New Palestine Courier, The
Hancock Democrat, Greenfield Republican, Greenfield Herald, Evening Re-
publican, Evening Tribune, Stone-Cutters' Journal. Among other things
deposited in that stone are the pictures of the Greenfield high school building,
and of the court house ; a list of the children in the Greenfield public schools ;
premium list of the Hancock county fair of 1896; a bar docket of the Han-
cock circuit court, February term, 1896, containing pictures of members of
the bar; also bar docket of September term, 1896; copies of addresses delivered
by the Hon. Charles G. Offutt and Hon. William R. Hough at the laying of
the stone; Holy Bible, presented by John T. Hatfield, and history of Han-
cock, presented by John H. Binford.

On May 22, 1897, the county commissioners purchased from R. R. Ellis,
a jeweler of Greenfield, the fine two-thousand-dollar Howard clock which was
placed in the tower.

At 10:30 A. M., August 24, 1897, the last stone was laid on the court
house, the builder leaving a small American flag to wave from it.

Among the principal items of expense connected with the building of the
court house were the following:

April 30, 1896, contract for construction of the building $128,764.00.

Extras, not including furniture, on account of changes, etc., as
shown by the "Record of Receipts and Disbursements for
New Court House" 80,933.78

Furniture 19,980.50

To Wing & Mahurin, Architects 8,634.60

Other amounts were paid out, not included in the above items,

making the total cost of the building a little more than $242,600.00

The building was completed, and the county officers took possession on
January 1, 1898.

9 2

HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

The court house contains forty rooms. It is a magnificent structure, of
Bedford limestone, artistically and compactly built ; commodious, well lighted,
absolutely fire proof, and heated by a steam plant that has been installed just
east of the jail. The offices of the county surveyor, the city clerk, city treas-
urer, and the mayor's office, are on the first floor. On this floor are also
a large "record room" for storing old records, a "farmers' room," a G. A. R.
room, and living rooms for the janitor. On the second floor are the offices
of the county auditor, treasurer, road superintendent, recorder, assessor, sher-
iff, and the commissioners' court room. On the third floor are the judge's
office, the large and small court rooms, the grand jury room, the court re-
porter's room, the law library, and the county superintendent's office. The
walls and ceilings of all the offices and halls were handsomely and artistically
decorated with paintings, and all except the ceiling of the third floor are well
preserved. The tile roof with which the court house was covered was not
a success, and leakages have completely ruined the entire ceiling over the
third floor. In 19 14 the building was covered with a new tile roof, which, all
are hoping, will prove more satisfactory.

In the hall of the second story is a marble tablet with the following his-
torical inscription :

B. F. WILSON

COMMISSIONERS

W. M. THOMAS

1897

J. MANCHE

L. BORING,

AUDITOR.

WING & MAHURIN

GEAKE & HENRY

ARCHITECTS

BUILDERS

There seems to be a consensus of opinion among men who visit the city
of Greenfield, that Hancock county has one of the most beautiful and most
artistically designed court houses in the state.

THE FIRST JAIL.

While the old log court house was in use just south of the Gooding
corner, a one-story, or probably one and one-half story, jail was built near the
northeast corner of the present public square. On June 11, 1829, the board
of county commissioners held a special meeting "for the purpose of transact-

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 93

ing business concerning the jail." On that day it was ordered, among other
things, that Robert Davidson and Jacob Blackburn be allowed one hundred
and four dollars and fifty cents "for building a jail in Hancock county." At
the January term, 1832, the commissioners ordered the county agent, Jared
Chapman, to advertise for bids for the erection of "a stairway to be erected
at the east side of the jail in Greenfield for the convenience of the upper room
of said jail." The stairway was certainly to be substantial, and timber was
plenty : "there shall be four sills ten inches square, of suitable length upon
which the stairs and platform shall stand ; the upright posts shall be six inches
square, the stairs shall be three feet wide in the clear; the platform the same
width of the stairs and four feet long; the posts shall extend three feet above
the stairs, and suitable railings round the same at the top; and the doors of
said jail to be put in good order for opening and shutting, all of which timber
shall be of good white oak and all work shall be done in a good and work-
manlike manner; the stairs shall rise the same as the court house stairs and
rail on the outside of the stairs from top to bottom."

In another order Nathan Crawford is "authorized to put a lock onto each
door on the outside of the jail in such a manner as will be more safe and
strong for said jail." The sheriff did not have his residence in the jail
then, hence from time to time orders like the following, concerning the care
of prisoners, appear on the commissioners' record :

"Cornwell Meek is allowed the sum of two dollars and twenty-five cents
for service rendered by him in victualing and taking care of prisoners in
the jail of said county."

"Ordered that Jeremiah Higgins be allowed seventy-five cents for
guarding jail and prisoner."

This jail stood only four or five years. About 1833 it contained a pris-
oner, one John Hays, who, it seems, was demented. He apparently tried to
escape by burning his way out. Instead of succeeding, however, the flames
consumed the prisoner with the jail.

THE SECOND JAIL.

On April 14, 1835, the board of commissioners met in special session
for the purpose of receiving plans for a jail for the county. The plan adopted
was for a one-story building, seventeen feet by forty feet on the ground, "walls
to be of brick and to be twenty-six inches thick and made in the following
manner: The outward half of the wall to be 13 inches, two courses of brick
then a plank the thickness of a brick, nine inches in breadth, which will be
placed on the wall four inches from the face thereof and extending to the

94 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

center of the same, which will require the width of a brick to fill out the
course, and the innermost half of the wall 13 inches, one course of brick, then
a plank as before 13 inches in width, which will bring the lower edge of the
first mentioned plank with the upper edge of the last mentioned, and to lay
and raise the wall in that manner." At first the floor of the jail was ordered
made of "niggerhead stones," but later it was ordered "that said floor be laid
of hewn timber ten inches, thick, and to extend all over the foundation and
that there be a plank laid across the ends of the timber the thickness of the
walls and to be pinned down and laid in such a manner as not to break joints
at the same place."

The jail was composed of three rooms. Below is a plan of the building
as it appears on the county commissioners' record :

The jail was to be finished by January 1, 1836. It was built directly
south of the court house and within eight feet of the south line of the public
square. The contract for its construction was let to Cornwell Meek, who
agreed to build it according to plans and specifications for twenty-two hundred
dollars. This jail was used by the county less than twenty years.

THE THIRD JAIL.

At the March term, 1852, the board ordered the county auditor to give
public notice "that on the second Monday in April, he will receive plans and
specifications for the building of a log jail for said county, from all who are
willing to suggest a good plan for building a substantial jail."

On April 12, 1852, the board ordered the auditor to give further notice
that at the June term proposals would be received for the erection of the jail,
to be of the following dimensions: "Thirty two feet in length and 18 feet
in width, two stories high, the first story to be eight feet and second story
to be seven and one-half feet in height, divided into four rooms with a hall
between them, and one door in front made of Oak plank two inches thick, pro-
vided with a good and sufficient lock ; and two good strong doors leading
from said hall into the lower rooms, and two doors leading from said hall up-

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 95

stairs into the rooms intended for jail rooms, the said doors to be made of
good oak timber and of the thickness of two inches and filled zvith good jail
door nails * * * * the floor upstairs to be laid in timber 6 inches thick and
then drove upon the same a plank floor of i 1 /* inches thick thoroughly nailed
with double 10 penny nails closely driven * * * * and overhead, the same as
the last mentioned floor." The walls were built of logs, twelve inches square.

In those days when iron was too expensive, a good substitute for it was
produced by driving heavy planks full of nails. This made it practically im-
possible for a prisoner to saw or cut his way through a door or wall. It will
be observed that in this jail, the doors and the floor and ceiling were driven
full of nails.

The contract for the erection of this jail was given to Jonathan Dunbar.
At the March term, 1853, he was allowed three hundred and fifty-eight dol-
lars in full on his contract. The jail was built on the south side of the pub-
lic square, and was used until the present jail was built in 1871. This build-
ing is still standing on West South sjtreet, just a little west of State street.

THE FOURTH JAIL.

The present jail was built in 1871, under the supervision of Charles H.
Brown, architect. The principal contract for its construction was let to John
R. Reeves. The original contract price was thirty-two thousand, nine hundred
dollars. The commissioners' record, however, shows that over forty-five
thousand dollars was paid out before it was finished.

The front part of the building is used as a residence for the sheriff,
the jail itself being to the rear. The following report made by the board of
state charities on September 4, 1914, will give a good idea of the building:

"Building and Equipment. — An old building of brick and steel. It is
neither strong nor safe. The lower part is poorly ventilated. Steam heat,
electric light; city water. Plumbing fair, but in good repair. Good sewer-
age. Washtubs are used for bathing. Iron bunks with mattresses and com-
forts in fair condition. The bedding is not washed.

"Management. — The jail is managed by the sheriff and his wife. No
printed rules for the government of prisoners. Tramps received upon order
of the marshal. Commissioners visit the jail frequently.

"Prisoners. — Five men awaiting trial, two serving sentence; total seven.
Provision for sex separation, but none for classification. Prisoners bathe
weekly. No rule in regard to the change of underclothes. Papers and maga-
zines for reading. Religious services not held regularly. No employment.
Three meals a day. The prisoners seem satisfied with food.

^6 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"Improvements. — The interior of the jail has been improved by paint.

"Recommendation. — Bath facilities, standard bedding and printed rules
are recommended.

"Expenses For 1913. — Repairs, $245.22; supplies, including fuel, light,
water, etc., $88.20; sheriff's fees, including boarding of prisoners, $1,112.30;
total, $1,445.72."

CARE OF THE POOR.

Among the first acts of the county commissioners, after they had divided
the county into three townships, was to appoint overseers of the poor for each
township. The first claim allowed by the board for caring for the poor, how-
ever, was not until the May term, 1831, when the record shows an allowance

in favor of James Glendon of "the sum of Six Dollars and cents for

services rendered by him in boarding and bedding a pauper in said County
and for removing the same out of the aforesaid county." Several other
claims of a similar nature were allowed at the same term. Among them "Lot
Edwards, Doct. is allowed the sum of Six dollars and seventy-five cents
for services rendered him as a physician employed by the overseer of the poor
in Brandy wine Township." This is the beginning of a series of claims of
this kind filed for caring for the poor of the county.

THE OLD APPRENTICE SYSTEM.

In 1843 a law was enacted giving the overseers of the poor within their
respective townships power and authority to bind as apprentices the minor
children of any poor person who had become chargeable as a pauper within
the township, or who was supported there in whole or in part at the charge
of the county; also all minor children whose parents had abandoned them or
had unreasonably neglected or were unable to provide for them ; also all minor
children who were or who would become a county charge and who had a law-
ful settlement in such township. The same law also provided that others
might bind out their children as apprentices. All of such contracts had to be
signed and acknowledged by the parties the same as deeds and had to be
recorded in a special record kept therefor. Such contracts were called inden-
tures. The record kept for that purpose in Hancock county shows that in all
twenty-nine children were bound out to service in this manner. No entry has
been made in this record for over forty years. A good idea of the nature of
such contracts and of the methods pursued may be had from the following
extracts of contracts :

The first is a contract between the overseers of the poor and "John Doe,"
wherein the overseers "have put and placed and bound 'Richard Roe,' a poor

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 9/

boy, aged four years, nine months and nine days; the said Richard Roe is to
serve said 'John Doe' the term of sixteen years, two months and twenty-one
days, that is to say until the said 'Richard Roe' shall arrive at the age of twen-
ty-one years, and the said overseers do by these presents give unto the said
'John Doe' all the right, power and authority over the said 'Richard Roe' and
his services during the term aforesaid which the laws of this state give to a
master in and over a lawful indentured apprentice, and the said 'John Doe' in
consideration thereof doth on his part covenant and promise and agree with
the said overseers and their successors in office and each of them and with
said 'Richard Roe' that he will give him, the said 'Richard Roe,' twenty-one
months schooling, one-half of which is to be given between the ages of nine
and twelve years, and six months between nineteen and twenty-one years of
age ; and to train him to habits of industry and morality, and during the time
of his service to provide him and allow to him sufficient meat, drink, wash-
ing, lodging and apparel, and all other things necessary during his said term
of service, and the said 'John Doe' further covenants and agrees to give to the
said 'Richard Roe' at the expiration of his aforesaid term of service two suits
of everyday apparel, and also to give him a freedom suit worth Thirty Dollars."
Following are the essential parts of another indenture, wherein a young
girl was bound out to "John Doe" and wife "to learn the trade and occupation
of a house servant:" "And the said 'John Doe' and wife covenant to teach
the said 'Rosanna Roe' the said trade and occupation and to provide her
during said apprenticeship with all necessaries proper to her age and condi-
tion and to cause her to be taught to read and write and the rules of arithmetic
to the double rule of three inclusive, if practicable ; and at the expiration of said
term to furnish to her, the said 'Rosanna Roe,' the following: one feather bed
and bed clothes for one bed, also a common suit of wearing apparel."

COUNTY FARM.

On March 6, 185 1, the county commissioners bought of George Ander-
son the following described real estate for the purpose of providing a home
and proper care for the poor of the county who were unable to support them-
selves and who had no one to care for them : The west half of the northwest
quarter of section 7, and the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of
section 6, all in township 15 north, range 7 east. This land was retained by
the county until 1866, when it was sold to Amos C. Gambrel. The method of
caring for the poor during those years well illustrated by the following con-
tract, made in March, 1856, with William G. Smith:

"Articles of agreement made and entered into this 5th day of March

(7)

98 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

A. D. 1856, between Chilton Banks, Daniel S. Wilkison and Rezin Perry,
County Commissioners of Hancock County, Indiana, of the first part, and
William G. Smith of the County and State aforesaid, of the second part
witnesseth :

"That the said party of the first part, in consideration of the rents, cove-
nants and agreements hereinafter contained, and which are to be paid and
performed by the said party of the second part, do rent, demise, and to farm
let unto the said party of the second part the farm in said County and State
known as the poor farm to hold the same until the first day of March 1857
at the rate of One Hundred Dollars per year for the rent of said farm.

"And said Commissioners agree that said party of the second part shall
have the care, custody, and keeping of the paupers of said County for said
term, and shall be allowed the sum of Two Dollars and fifty cents per week
for each and every pauper he may clothe, feed and lodge during said term.
And said Smith agrees with said Commissioners that he will pay the rent
hereby made payable and will take care of, clothe, feed, and lodge the County
Paupers for said term on said farm, in a suitable manner; that he will not
commit nor suffer waste on said premises, that no wood or timber shall be cut
thereon except such as may be necessary for firewood for his own use on said
farm, and that at the expiration of said term he will deliver up possession of
said premises to said Commissioners or their agent in as good condition a?
they now are, fair wear and tare and damage by fire excepted. And said
Smith further agrees that at each session of the Board of Commissioners dur-
ing said term, he will render to them an account of the names, time of arrival
and health of all paupers under his charge, and if any shall have left, the fact
and the time shall be so stated and said account shall be rendered under oath.
''Witness our hands and seals the date first written,

"Chilton Banks (Seal.)
"D. S. Wilkison (Seal.)
"Rezin Perry (Seal.)

"Wm. G. Smith (Seal.)"

It seems that during this period there were more paupers at times than
could be cared for by the tenant on the farm. The commissioners entered
into separate contracts with individual householders to care for such paupers,
say for the period of one year.

On June 5, 1866, the county commissioners bought another farm of two
hundred and thirty-eight acres of land about two and one-half miles east of
Greenfield as a home for the poor. This land has been farmed since that time
and the proceeds thereof used for the support of the inmates of the infirmary.

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 99

The first building on this farm was a one-and-one-half-story brick house that
had been built for a private residence. The house was occupied by the super-
intendent of the farm. Attached to the rear of the superintendent's residence
was a cheap frame building which was used as the infirmary. Mr. Binford,
in his "History of Hancock County," published in 1882, described the build-
ings as follows : "The building' is a discredit to the county, being old and
dilapidated, and not at all in harmony with the wealth and dignity of our citi-
zens. The superintendent's residence is a plain, old-fashioned, story-and-a-
half brick, built many years since for a private residence. The infirmary
building proper is a cheap frame, known by carpenters as a 'plank house,'
built in the rear of, and attached to, the superintendent's residence. The
building is not only cheaply constructed, and poorly ventilated, but small and
wholly inadequate to the demands of the unfortunate."

In 1883 plans submitted by Charles G. Mueller, architect, of Indianapolis,
were adopted by the county commissioners for the construction of a new
building. At the December session of the board, on December 11, 1883, the
contract for the construction of the building was awarded to John R. Cowie,
William New and John Sloan, as partners, for twenty-two thousand, four hun-
dred and fifty dollars. The record awarding this contract was signed by
James Tyner and Augustus Dennis. George W. Parker, the third commis-
sioner, entered a written protest against letting the contract for the reasons,
as alleged, that the taxpayers were already overburdened with taxation; that
many taxpayers were not as well situated as the paupers were at that time;
that it was cheaper to assist these paupers in homes and among their friends,
and that the asylum as contemplated was an extravagance. On the next day,
December 12, 1883, the contract was signed by the two' above-named com-
missioners, James Tyner and August Dennis, but Parker again entered a
written protest against contracting for the erection of the building, on the
grounds as alleged, that the architect, Charles G. Mueller, had given the
county no contract by which his compensation could be determined, and sec-
ond, because he was not a "home architect."

The building was constructed in accordance with the plans and specifica-
tions that had been adopted. It furnishes a good home for the poor, and
the report of the board of state charities, made after a visit to the institution
on June 4, 1913, is very favorable and very creditable to the management:

"Farm. — Two hundred and seventeen acres of good land, valued at two
hundred dollars per acre. Four acres in garden, in good condition. Variety
of vegetables. Two and one-half acres in orchard. Stock : Twelve head of
cattle, six cows, nine horses, fifty-five swine. Farm buildings in good con-

IOO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

dition. All are to be painted. Some old, dilapidated sheds in barnyard have
been torn down. Fences good. Two hundred rods of new fence and one hun-
dren and twenty rods soon to be built. Door yards well arranged and cared
for.

"Building. — Administration building in front. Two-story brick connect-
ing in rear. Inmates' kitchen and diningroom in basement. Men on first
floor, women on second. Separate dining-rooms. In good repair except the
rear porch. Trimmings recently painted. Gas plant in basement for light-
ing purposes. Steam heat. Ventilation by doors and windows. Rooms
well lighted and ventilated. Ample and comfortable furniture. Iron beds.
Chair in each room. Bedding is good, clean and changed frequently. Two
bathtubs. Bathing weekly. House clean. Floors oiled. Walls newly
whitewashed. Free from odors.

"Inmates. — Population: nine men, seven women Sex separation. In-
mates clean and well cared for. Sufficient clothing, clean and well taken
care of. Food consists of meat for breakfast and dinner, good bread, vege-
tables and fruits in season. Mush is served frequently during the winter.
Health good. Reading matter furnished. Religious services held frequently,
but not regularly.

"Management. — Salary of Superintendent Clarence G. Cook, one thous-
and dollars; physician, two hundred dollars. Superintendent hires one man
to help. Records very well kept. Superintendent is a good farmer and con-
scientious and his wife an excellent housekeeper. Cooking is done by in-
mates under direction of matron."

A SUGGESTION.

At the meeting of the farmers' institute at the court house at Greenfield
in January, 1907, a plan was submitted by the ladies of the Clio Club of the
city of Greenfield for converting the county farm, houses and premises, into
a boys' dormitory, manual training and industrial school. The ladies of the
club, through the report of their committee, expressed their opposition "to
the term, pauper, and its degrading effects," and held that there was "quite
a difference between poor and pauper."

The suggestion originated with Mrs. A. N. Rhue, and the thought of
the club is pretty well shown by the following excerpts taken from their com-
mittee's report :

"The tendency to avoid the poor house has been in a measure gratified .
since the township trustees are authorized to provide for the poor of each town-
ship. * * * * Most of the poor, especially the children, are better cared for,

COUNTY BUILDINGS. IOI

very nicely, kindly and quietly at their own homes, avoiding the publicity,
shame, and disgrace, and breaking up of family ties by being dragged away
to the poor house.

"As a matter of business economy and common humanity, we recommend
that this worn-out issue, this miserable pauper prison, be changed to a more
modern, more charitable, more profitable institution. * * * * We hope that
some day the big, empty poorhouse shall swarm like a beehive with a goodly
number of sturdy, ambitious farmers' boys, each one learning his individual
trade, whereby he can made his living, provide a home for himself and fam-
ily, 'and that when he is old he may sit under his own vine and fig tree, hav-
ing proven himself worthy of all the cost and trouble of establishing the Han-
cock Industrial School.

"Mrs. Ada JSIew,
"Mrs. Ione Reasner,
"Mrs. Mattie Thomas,
"Mrs. Rosa B. Rhue,

"Committee."

After the subject had been presented to the institute a general discus-
sion followed, in which both men and women participated. A number who
expressed themselves, commended the plan; others were in doubt as to the
results of the proposition.

CHAPTER V.

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY.

EARLIER PEOPLE.

That there were people in the county before the first white settlers ar-
rived, is, of course, well known. Spearheads, arrow points, stone axes, etc.,
may still be found in all parts of the county, especially on the hills and bluffs
bordering the creeks and rivers. Skeletons have been found in gravel pits in
different parts of the county. In the pit on the north side of the National
road, just west of Sugar creek, a well-preserved skeleton was unearthed a
few years ago, with relics, such as beads, arrow heads and implements of war
buried beside it.

The county offers very little evidence of the presence of the Mound
Builders. The following excerpt taken from the report of the state geologist,
for the year of 1885, sets forth about all of the evidence that we have:

"There is, in section 11, township 16, range 7, some curious earthworks
that probably belong to the age of the Mound Builders. These are located
on the farm of Freeman H. Braddock,.and lie on the south side of Brandy-
wine, at the extreme point of a very abrupt bend of that creek. A ridge of
clay land some ten feet above the creek bottom, and covered with oak timber,
projects sharply into a piece of marshy land to within three hundred feet of
the creek. From this point a levee, three feet high and ten feet wide, has
been constructed to the ancient bed of the stream. The excavation which
furnished the earth for this embankment is distinctly seen in the projecting
point of high ground, and immediately back of this are three pits about eight
feet in diameter and six feet deep, and east of these, about ten feet, are two
other pits of the same dimensions, but not quite so deep. These works are
evidently artificial and ancient, for large trees are now growing on the sides
of these pits and on the embankment. About fifty yards east of these pits
was formerly a small lake or pond, which may have been an excavation, but
probably was natural. It is now drained. When, by what people, or for
what purpose these works were made, we venture no conjecture."

WHITE SETTLERS.

The first white people came into the county in 1818, and established their
homes in Blue River township. From that date the increase in the population

102

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. IO3

has been rapid. During the first twelve years it increased at the rate of about
150 per year; during the next decade, 1830-1840, at the rate of over 600 per
year; from 1840- 1850, at the rate of about 200 per year; from 1850- 1860, at
the rate of over 300 per year. It continued to increase steadily until 1900,
since which time it has decreased a little. The following is the population
of the county as shown by the United States census reports, since 1830:
1830, 1,436; 1840, 7,535; 1850, 9,698; 1890, 12,802; 1870, 15,123; 1880,
17,123; 1890, 17,829; 1900, 19,189; 1910, 19,030.

TASKS BEFORE EARLY SETTLERS.

When the first settlers came into the county, they were confronted with
three distinct lines of work. The forests had to be cleared away, the land
had to be drained, and highways for intercommunication had to be constructed.

CLEARING AWAY THE FORESTS.

The first and most obvious task was to clear away the forest. To appre-
ciate the rate at which it disappeared, we should bear in mind that our county
contains 196,480 acres. In 1850, 48,600 acres of this land were reported
as improved. At the close of each decade following, the acreage of improved
land was reported as follows by the United States census : 1850,48,600
acres; i860, 80,880 acres; 1870, 98,883 acres; 1880, 122,539 acres; 1890,
139,776 acres; 1900, 157,114 acres ; 1910, 163,307 acres.

From the above reports it appears that the forest in Hancock county was
cut down at the following rate per year :

1840-1850 3,000 acres per year (estimated)

1850-1860. 3,228 acres per year

1860-1870 1,800 acres per year

1870-1880 2,365 acres per year

1880-1890 1,723 acres per year

1890-1900 T >733 acres per year

1900-1910 600 acres per year

DRAINAGE.

The first homes were established on knolls, where small patches of ground
were cleared for cultivation. There were creeks and rivers in the county
that carried away much of the surface water, yet there were great areas that
were not reached by the streams or their tributaries. The great problem was
to get outlets. In the early history of the county a few outlets were estab-
lished with which arms could be connected. These arms, when covered, were

104

HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

at first constructed of wood. Several methods were employed ; one was to
cut a channel from a foot to eighteen inches wide, and to the proper depth.
Slabs of timber, eighteen or twenty inches long, were then placed along one
edge of the bottom of the channel and made to lean against the other side of
the channel. The ditch when filled left a passage for the water under the
slanting timber. In the construction of the larger covered drains, wider
channels were cut to the required depth. Shoulders four or five inches wide
were left along each side of the bottom of this channel, then a second channel
cut to a depth of ten or twelve inches. Timbers were split like those used in
making puncheon floors and laid from shoulder to shoulder covering the
lower channel. When the ditch was filled a large open passage was left under
the timber to carry away the water. These first methods of constructing
covered drains are illustrated in figures I and 2.

After saw-mills were established, covered drains were frequently con-
structed of boards. Boards were set on edge along the sides of the bottom
of the channel and covered with a third board, as indicated by figure 3.

Clay tile were not used in the county until just before the Civil War. In
1858 Isaac Beeson, who then conducted a potter's shop at the southwest comer
of section 12-15-7, where the Western Grove Friends church now stands,
made the first clay tile. They were round tile, turned by hand on a potter's
lathe. After being used for a half century they were taken up and found in
good condition. Some of them may now be seen in the geological museum at
the State House at Indianapolis. In 1863, Jacob Schramm built a tile factory

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. IO5

on his farm in the German Settlement, in Sugar Creek township, and manufac-
tured what were known as "horseshoe" tile. It had no bottom, but was con-
structed with two sides and a top, on the principle of the board drains described
above. About this time, or a year or two later, James Thomas, of Jackson
township, also brought in some clay tile from a factory in Rush county. Just
about the close of the Civil War the "horseshoe" tile were replaced by flat-
bottomed tile, which were continued in use for a period of fifteen or twenty
years. They are familiar to most people of the county, and may still be exca-
vated in repairing the older ditches. During the eighties round tile came into
general use and since that time have been used almost exclusively in our cov-
ered ditches.

In 1852 a law was passed providing for the incorporation of drainage
companies for the construction of the larger outlets. Under this law, people
interested in the establishment of a drain associated themselves together in
a drainage company. They adopted articles of incorporation, which were
placed on record in the county recorder's office, and, after some preliminary
steps, were ready to begin work. It is not the intention here to go into the
details of incorporation, but the extent of the drainage work that was under-
taken by these companies can be indicated to a degree by an enumeration of
the articles of incorporation that were recorded btween 1866 and 1879. The
names of the greater number of the companies will also indicate the localities
in which they operated.

Incorporated

Hancock Big Slash Draining Company 1861

Little Sugar Creek Draining Company 1866

Little Buck Creek Draining Company 1866

Jackson Township Draining Company 1866

Hancock and Madison Ditch Company 1866

Indian Creek Draining Company 1867

Crumb Branch Draining Company 1867

Raccoon Slash Draining Company 1868

Black Swamp Draining Company 1868

Brandywine Ditch Company 1868

Black Hawk Draining Company 1869

Little Brandywine Draining Company 1869

Nameless Creek Draining Company 1869

Fox Draining Company 1869

Cranberry Marsh Draining Company 1869

Wildcat Draining Company 1870

106 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Nathan Creek Draining Company 1870

Lake Erie Draining Company 1871

Flatfork Ditch Company 1874

Hancock Draining Association 1875

Cory and Bridges Ditch Company l &79

• In connection with the construction of these large drains, the name of
James H. Carr, who was drainage commissioner of the county for many years
after the Civil War, should be mentioned.

While these larger outlets were being constructed by the drainage com-
panies, smaller drains were also being constructed by individuals. Where
smaller outlets were necessary across the lands of others, a method was pro-
vided by law by petition before the board of county commissioners, or before
the circuit courts of the various counties. This method has been preserved
to the present.

The largest work of drainage in the county was the opening of Buck
creek, by dredging it. The \vork was begun about 1888, but was not com-
pleted for several years. Much of the bottom land along Buck creek was
marshy and it was necessary to deepen and straighten the stream in order to
reclaim the land. It was an expensive work and aroused much opposition.
Legal proceedings were carried to the highest courts in the state before it was
settled. When the work was finally accomplished, many acres of marshy land
were reclaimed and converted into the most fertile fields of the county. Ed-
win P. Thayer, Jr., was the contractor on this work.

Another drain of similar dimensions that has been attempted several
times is the dredging of Brandywine. A petition to dredge Brandywine
creek was filed in the Hancock circuit court, in 1899, and another in 1905.
Several petitions have been filed for the same purpose since that time, and
such a petition is pending at present. This work has always aroused such
opposition that the petitioners have never succeeded in getting an order of
court for the establishment of the proposed work. There is no other work of
drainage left in the county that can reclaim so much land as the dredging of
Brandywine creek.

During the past fifteen or twenty years the tendency has been to cover
all ditches wherever possible, thus overcoming the inconvenience of cultiva-
tion, and reclaiming acres of land. In all parts of the county, public and pri-
vate ditches have been tiled, and this work continues at this time. The larg-
est covered ditch in the county is the Hollis ditch, in the northern and eastern
part of Center township. Over seven miles of tile are laid in the system.

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. IOJ

The main ditch is over three miles in length. It drains one thousand five hun-
dred fifty-seven acres, and the water gathered up by its arms is finally carried
through a thirty-inch tile for a distance of a half mile. The Briney ditch, in
the eastern part of Center township, is also one of the largest in the county.
It has a number of thirty-inch tile approaching its outlet, but not so many as
the Hollis ditch.

ROADS.

In the very early history of the county the state aided in the construction
of highways connecting important points. Hancock county profited by this
aid in the construction of the following roads, all of which can be located by
their names. These roads were under construction at the dates indicated :
Centerville state road; Brookville state road; Greenfield and Rushville state
road, 1832; Morristown, Greenfield and Noblesville road, 1832; Greenfield
and Shelby ville state road, 1834; Knightstown and Pendleton state road, 1834;
Greenfield and Lebanon, 1836; Indianapolis and Pendleton state road, 1837.

In the construction of these roads, the Legislature appointed viewers
to view and mark the proposed highways and make report thereon. The man-
ner in which this was done, the method of describing the course of the pro-
posed highway, and of marking the same, is rather interesting at this time,
and the following report made by the viewers appointed on the Greenfield and
Rushville state road, taken from commissioners' record "A", page 107, is
inserted :

"The undersigned Commissioners appointed under an Act of the Legis-
lature of the State of Indiana for viewing and making a State Road from
Rushville in Rush County to Greenfield in Hancock County, did after being
duly qualified according to the requisition of the Act aforesaid, proceed on
Monday the 23d day of October instant to view and mark said Road, and to
report as follows : — Commencing on the Brookville State Road, near the
bridge across Hodge's Creek and leave said State Road in front of Hodge's
House at a sugar tree 18 inches in diameter thence north 60 degrees west pass-
ing south of old Mr. Havens' house then continuing said course to the cross-
ing of the line between Section 35 and 36, Township 14 North, Range 8 East,
thence North 58 degrees west, south of a random line, on the south of a small
deadening and south of a small stream, the waters of Mud Creek, intersect-
ing the random line at a camp meeting ground, thence on said line to the bank
of said Branch to a bench, Tree marked 18 North, thence on the south side
of said Creek to where the true line crosses said Creek, thence North 50 de-
grees west through the farm of Wallingford and William Cassaday, passing

108 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

between said Cassaday's Barn and Spring House, keeping said course 50
degrees west of North to the crossing of Mud Creek thence North 58 degrees
west to the crossing of little Blue River and to escape the crossing of said
River three times run from the crossing 38 degrees west 160 poles to a
branch of said stream near the house of Henry Clendening, thence North 78
degrees west 160 poles to the fence of William Clendening near his northwest
corner of improvements thence north 58 degrees west through the land of
said Clendening, Henry Birt and others to the crossing of Beaver Meadow
Creek near the northwest corner of William Zorn's land and a county road on
the east side of said Zorn's land then to escape the crossing of a large swamp
tributary of Beaver Meadow North 75 degrees west 60 poles to a large poplar
in the field of John Walker north 41 degrees west 60 poles to the crossing of
said swamp where the old Connersville road crosses the same, thence north 59
degrees west through the lands of Snider Phelps and Bentley to the crossing
of Big Blue River at Bentley 's ford, passing the southeast corner of Micajah
Binford's land on the bluffs of Blue River thence after crossing the river north
58 degrees west through the lands of said Binford and Henry B. Hill north
of the north side of said Hill's house to the crossing of Six Mile Creek on
the land of Samuel Moore near said Hill's corner on the bank of said creek
thence north 59 degrees west to the north of Samuel Bundy's house. The
entering is marked on a sugar tree 18 inches in diameter on Bundy's improve-
ment pursuing North 59 degrees west to the crossing of a creek called Name-
less on the lands of Abram Miller, Esq., thence after crossing said stream
north 60 degrees west to where it intersects the random line of said swamp

on the lands of Glandon, thence on said random line 54 degrees

west to where said line intersects the National road on the east bank of little
Brandywine. Your commissioners would further state that the above loca-
tion embraces, perhaps, the most suitable ground for a road of the same extent
that they have any knowledge of in the counties of Rush and Hancock, that
the ground is generally of good quality and that a very small proportion of
wet land presents itself on said line, and that the best of crossing of streams
are nearly on a a line and that the several persons through whose lands the
aforesaid location runs seem well pleased. The Commissioners aforesaid
would further state that said Road could not possibly be properly located with-
out a surveyor and chain carriers and that they employed Henry B. Hill,
surveyor and Reuben Bentley and Bazil Meek acted as chain carriers and
hereby requests a reasonable compensation for said extra services. The whole
distance of said line from Greenfield to Rushville as measured is twenty-one

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. IOO,

miles nearly, but by sections is only twenty miles and twenty-five poles. Given

under our hands and seals this 12th day of October, 1831.

"Nathanial Smith (Seal)
"Bazil Meek (Seal)"

Similar methods were employed and similar reports were, of course, made

on all of the above state roads.

THE NATIONAL ROAD.

The National road was constructed through Hancock county in 1835.
Some work was probably done on it in 1834.- The road was built through an
unbroken forest. One gang of men started the work by cutting the trees
and clearing the right of way. Another removed the stumps and a third
graded the road bed.

Originally it was a "dirt road." Its culverts and bridges, however, were
all constructed in the most substantial manner. Small streams were arched
with stone and the larger streams, such as Sugar creek, Six Mile and Brandy-
wine, were spanned by bridges. Enclosed wooden bridges were constructed
over Brandywine and Sugar creek. Each had two drive ways, each about
twelve feet wide. The bridge over Sugar creek stood until July, 1892, when
some one evidently threw a lighted match into a load of wheat that had been
left there. Before the burning straw could be taken out the entire structure
was consumed by the flames.

By virtue of an act of the General Assembly of the state of Indiana,
approved January 31, 1842, it was made the duty of the boards of county com-
missioners of the several counties through which the National road extended,
to place the road under the charge and supervision of the road supervisors
through whose districts any portion of the road passed. That act also made
it the duty of such supervisors to keep the road in repair.

By an act of the Congress of the United States, approved August 11, 1848,
all that portion of the National road lying between the east and west boundary
lines of the state of Indiana was transferred to the state of Indiana.

By virtue of a special act of the General Assembly of the state of Indiana
the Central Plank Road Company was incorporated and was given control of
all that portion of the National road lying between .the eastern line of Han-
cock county and the western line of Putnam county within the state of Indiana.
Section 18 of this act required that the track of said road be constructed of
timber, plank, gravel or other hard material. The act also specified that the
track of said road should not be less than sixteen feet wide.

The Central Plank Road Company improved the road by planking it.

IIO HANCOCF COUNTY, INDIANA.

This work was done about 1850 or 1851 through Hancock county. The work
began at Indianapolis and proceeded eastward. General John Milroy had
the contract for the construction of a large portion of the work through Han-
cock county. Milroy, by the way, was a "General" in the same sense that
our present auctioneers are "Colonels."

In the construction of the plank road, stringers four inches by six inches
were laid along the highway at such a distance as to lie under the wheels of
wagons that traveled over the road. The stringers were laid so that the top
was about level with the ground; planks three inches thick and eight feet
long were then laid over them and earth was filled in along the sides to level
the road. The planks were laid along the north side of the grade. Wagons
kept to the right, and hence, teams going west had the right of way ; wagons
going east had to get off the plank when meeting other conveyances. The
planks were not nailed to the stringers and in many places they turned up at
the ends and became a nuisance to travelers. Within a few years after they
had been laid the road was covered with gravel. In most places the gravel
was put over the planks ; in some places the planks were removed.

The National road became a toll road when it passed to the control of
the Central Plank Road Company. It then remained a toll road until 1889,
when it was purchased by the county.

A few references are made to the National road on the records in the
office of the county recorder of Hancock county-. Deed Record "U" at page
13, shows that on January n, 1861, the Central Plank Road Company con-
veyed to Barney B. Gray all the part of the National road lying between the
east line of Hancock county and the west bank of Sugar creek, including the
west abuttment of the bridge over said creek.

Deed Record "U," at page 14, shows that on November 18, 1861, Barney
B. Gray and Eliza Ann Gray, his wife, deeded the above described portion
of the National road, lying in Hancock county, to James P. Foley.

Miscellaneous Record "A," at page 104, shows that after James P. Foley
bought the road he, with others, on November 19, 1861, organized the "Foley's
Charlottesville, Greenfield and Philadelphia Turn Pike Company," for the
purpose of improving the road.

Just at this juncture the Civil War broke out and the new corporation
found it impossible to raise money to make the improvements contemplated.
In 1864 the Hancock Gravel Road Company was incorporated for the purpose
of improving the same portion of the National road.

It seems that some question was raised as to the right of the new com-
pany to take charge of the road, but the county commissioners seemed to take

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I I I

the view that the road had been abandoned for several years, and made a find-
ing at their March session, 1865, that the statutes had been complied with and
therefore gave their consent to and granted the right of way of the above
described portion of the National road to said company. This company then
had charge of the road until it was purchased by the county, in 1889.

Just at present efforts are being made to have the National road paved
with brick. Several meetings of prominent citizens have been held, but as
yet nothing definite has been done.

COUNTY ROADS.

While the state was giving assistance in the construction of roads con-
necting important points, and while the National road was being constructed,
the county also busied itself with road building within its own confines. In
1830 the population was sparse and the entire county was still covered with
forest. There were few farms and only a few towns and mills. It is inter-
esting to observe that the first roads constructed under the supervision of the
board of county commissioners were constructed to connect different parts
of the county with the towns, or for the purpose of providing a way to reach
mills. Possibly as many or more highways were at first constructed to give
access to mills that had been built along the streams of the county, than to con-
nect localities with the towns. Two mills that are mentioned quite often in
the petitions for highways are Pierson's mill, which was located on Sugar
creek, five or six miles northwest of Greenfield, and Bellus' mill, which was
located on Sugar creek about two miles north of New Palestine. The high-
ways that were petitioned for in that early day did not follow section lines,
but generally followed the most direct road to the mill or to the town or to
some highway that had previously been built connecting with a mill or a town.
One can hardly get a correct idea of the methods that were pursued or the
manner in which the roads were constructed in the early history of the county,
without reading some of the petitions that were filed with the board of county
commissioners. The first petition was presented to the board, August 11,
1828. It requested the board to construct a road from a point in Brandy wine
township to the town of Greenfield. The petition is as follows :

"To the Honorable Board of County Commissioners of Hancock County :
Greeting : We, the undersigned subscribers, citizens of Brandywine Township
in said county do labor under many disadvantages for the want of roads being
opened through our county. Therefore we pray your honors to grant us a
road in the manner following, viz : to commence at the southwest corner of
Section 32 in Township 15, North of Range 7 East, thence to Sweem's Mill

112 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

on Brandywine Creek, thence to the southwest corner of Isaac Roberts land.

thence with said Robert's west line to the northwest corner, thence the nearest

and best way to the Town of Greenfield for which your petitioners in duty

bound will ever pray.

"Signed, etc., June 19th, 1828.

"Othniel H. Sweem,

"Jared Chapman, and others."

Two petitions came up for consideration on the 12th day of August, 1828,
and asked for the construction of a road from Greenfield to Anderson Town :

"We the undersigned petitioners do think it beneficial to have a county
road opened from Greenfield to Anderson Town and under this consideration
we the undersigned do petition the respected County Commissioners of Han-
cock for the grant of a road commencing at the National Road south at the
west side of B. Spilman's first choice Block, thence the nearest and best route
to the Northeast corner of the northwest quarter of Section 18, in Range 7,
Township 16, thence the nearest and best route to north line of Hancock
County on the direction of Anderson Town. Signed etc.,

"W. Wilson and others."

On May 4, 1829, it was ordered by the board that on a petition presented
to said board by George Worthington and others : "Road to commence on
the south line of the county as near Michael Murnan's mill as the situation of
the ground will permit, running thence on the nearest and best route to George
Worthington's, thence to William Pierson's Mill, thence on the nearest and
best route to intersect the contemplated State Road from Greenfield to An-
derson town on the East Side of Sugar Creek."

On the same day a "Settlement on Buck Creek" presented a petition,
signed by John Shirley and others, praying for a road "to commence at or
near the Mill Of William Pierson on Sugar Creek in said County, from thence
in a westward direction to the settlement on Buck Creek, thence in a south
westward direction until it intersects the Centerville State Road near the
house of Samuel Fuller."

On August 9, 1830, Joseph Chapman and others, filed the following-
petition :

"To the Honorable Commissioners of Hancock County : Gentlemen, we,
vour petitioners, pray your Honorable body to grant an order for a county
road to begin at the south side of Greenfield where the State Road from Shel-
byville to Fort Wayne leaves the same, thence the nearest and best way to
Joseph Thomas, thence the nearest and best way to William Murnan's on the

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 113

Brookville State Road, thence with said road to the comer between John Snod-
grass, Senior, and William Murnan, thence to the corner between Esom
Thomas and Elias Truett at the old State Road, Gentlemen, grant this and
we, your petitioners, will ever pray at the same time," etc.

On that day the following petition for a highway by George Anderson
and others was acted upon :

"To the Honorable County Commissioners of Hancock County, we your
petitioners beg your honors to grant us a county road to commence and end
as follows, to-wit : — Commencing at the east side of William Murnan's land
on the Rushville State Road, thence the nearest and best way to John Baker's
and from thence to Greenfield, the county seat of said county, we further rep-
resent to your honors that there is at this time a petition in circulation for a
road to commence and end near the same point but as this will be on the
nearest and best ground and the most beneficial to the public, we beg your
deliberation," etc.

At the January term, 183 1, Jacob Zumwalt filed the following petition
which was acted upon :

"It is ordered by the Board that the following petition presented to the
Board by Jacob Zumwalt and others praying for a road to commence and run
as follows, to-wit: Commencing at or near Sweem's and Stephen's Mill on
Brandywine Creek, thence in a southwestward direction until it strikes the
section line dividing sections 17 and 20, thence with said line west as near
the situation of the ground will admit, to the south west corner of William
Thomas' land, thence the nearest and best route to Bellus' Mill on Big Sugar
Creek, thence the nearest and best route to intersect the Brookville State Road
at or near James Parker's," etc.

At the same term a petition was also presented by Allen Simpson and
others for a road "beginning at the Brookville State Road on the line between
sections 28 and 29 and running the nearest and best way to Joseph Thomas,
from thence to Greenfield."

At the May term, 1831, the following petition was presented to the board
by David Temple and others asking for the following highway along Six
Mile creek :

"We, the undersigned do petition to the Honorable, the Board of Com-
missioners, doing county business in Hancock County; Indiana, praying for
the granting of a County Road leading up Six Mile and running up through
Josiah Vanmeter's land up the east side of main Creek until Benjamin Fort's
corner adjoining James Bartlow's, and thence through his land and through
Jackson's lands along up the west side of the Main Creek, on the most suitable

(8)

I 14 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

ground and thence through John Catt's land and so on to intersect the Ander-
sontown road on the west side of the creek on the most suitable ground," etc.

Following is a petition presented by Levi Leary and others at the Sep-
tember term, 183 1, of the board of county commissioners, asking for a highway
from Pierson's mill, to the northeast part of what is now Center township :

"We the undersigned citizens of Hancock County, to the Honorable the
Commissioners of said county, now in session whereas we deem it necessary
to have a road from William Pierson's Mill to the northeast corner of Section
15, Township 16, North, Range 7 East, beginning at said mill thence running
the nearest and best route to the south of James Reeves' land, thence with
said lane to the section line north of the school section, thence following said
line to said corner aforesaid — and we your petitioners do ever pray, etc.

"May 28th, 1 83 1. "Levi Leary and others

"Twelve Lawful Subscribers."

At the November term, 1831, the board made the following entry in rela-
tion to another in Jackson township :

"Petition from James Bartlow, Andrew Jackson and others following,
to-wit : Commencing at the National Road on the section line between John
Burris and Samuel Thompson and running up the line until the brakes of the
west fork of six miles, thence by John Fort's east of Benjamin Fort's orchard
and so on up to the west side of the creek on the most suitable ground, and
thence on east of James Dennis' to intersect his land and running west until
his meadow and thence running north through Samuel Dille's land, and thence
running past the northeast corner of the school section and thence to intersect
the county road running on the west side of the school section on the most
suitable ground. Signed, James Bartlow and others."

At the March term, 1832, the board ordered "that a road be located be-
ginning at the county line near John Jackson's, where a road from the falls
of Fall creek cross the county line, thence the nearest and best way to William
Curry's of Brandywine township."

changes in location of highways.

No attempt is being made here to give a full history of the construction
of all the early roads in the county, nor even to give a full history of the con-
struction of any of them. The foregoing petitions have been inserted for
the purpose of illustrating the general plan of making connections with the
roads that were important to the early settlers. It is needless to say that
as soon as the- forest began to disappear and the land was put under cultiva-

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 1 1 5

tion, these roads, running at various angles across the county, made it very in-
convenient to cultivate many of the farms. As soon as fields of any size
were cleared, the farmers began to feel the inconvenience of the location of
these highways, and they began petitioning for changes in their location. The
first of such petitions was presented to the board on January 7, 1833, and
is in the following words :

"To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of Hancock County,
whereas I wish to cultivate a portion of my land on the east township of the
northeast quarter of section 31, range 8, township 15, north, through which
a County Road runs angling, I do pray a change of said road as follows to
commence at the northeast corner of said lot thence south a few poles thence
in a westward direction to said road again, and I do further wish said Board
to appoint Viewers for that purpose.

"Festus Hall."

A number of such petitions were filed following this date, but we offer
just one more, which was presented to the board at the September term, 1835 :

"To the Honorable the Board of Commissioners of Hancock County, In-
diana, we, your petitioners, citizens of Buck Creek Township in said County
do humbly pray your honorable Body to grant us a change in the road leading
from the National Road on Buck Creek to William Pierson's Mill on Sugar
Creek, whereas the said road now runs on a line due north one mile and one-
half, then angles through a number of farms to the injury of those wishing to
improve their land, therefore we pray a change in said road," etc.

Between the January term, 1833, and the May term, 1838, twenty-five
petitions were filed with the board of county commissioners, asking for
changes in the location of highways. These petitions continued to be filed for
years to come. From 1850 to i860, thirty-three changes in the location of
highways were petitioned for, as indicated by the indexes of the county com-
missioners' records. It was not until after the Civil War that our roads were
all generally located on section lines as we now find them.

TURNPIKE COMPANIES.

All that has been said in connection with the great improvement made
in the drainage of the county immediately following the Civil War, can also
be said of road construction during the same period. Up to this time roads
had been laid out and graded, but very little had been done in the way of
building substantial road beds. Across low places, trees and logs were fre-
quently placed in the road to make passage possible during wet weather. In

Il6 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

1852 a law was passed by the General Assembly of the state of Indiana pro-
viding- for the incorporation of gravel road or turnpike companies. Some
amendments were made to this law, but in the main it provided that com-
panies could subscribe capital stock, improve highways, and then maintain
the same by collecting toll from people who used the roads. This brought in
the era of "toll gates," which are still familiar even to the middle aged. A
number of turnpike companies were organized in Hancock county under
this law. From 1865- 1882, forty or more highways, from one to twelve miles
in length, were improved under this system. Highways leading to the towns
were usually selected for improvement, and during the decade or more follow-
ing the Civil War it was practically impossible to reach any town in the county
without having to pass a "toll gate" and pay the fee for the upkeep of the
road. The "toll gates" were usually built near the edge of towns or at
such points at which the greatest number of people passed. At nearly all
of them sweeps were built which were kept down except when vehicles passed.
The most of them had a small porch adjoining the road, from which the "toll
keeper" received the fee, usually ranging from three cents to a dime or fif-
teen cents, depending upon the length of the road and the distance over which
the traveler passed.

A great number of people took stock and were financially interested in
these roads. The names of the principal turnpike companies, with the dates
of their incorporation, are inserted. The names of the companies will in most
instances indicate the location of the roads :

Hancock Gravel Road Company (National road) 1864

Greenfield and Brandy wine Gravel Road Company 1865

Eden and Pendleton Turnpike Company 1865

Greenfield and Western Grove Turnpike Company 1867

Fortville, Pendleton and Eden Junction Turnpike Company 1867

Barnard and Troy Gravel Road Company 1867

Greenfield and Pendleton Gravel Road Company 1867

Northwestern Gravel Road Company

Markleville and Knightstown Gravel Road Company

McCordsville and Eden Gravel Road Company

Charlottesville and Brandy wine Gravel Road Company 1869

Brandywine Gravel Road Company 1869

Brandywine and Greenfield Junction Gravel Road Company 1869

Prairie Branch Gravel Road Company

Western Grove Gravel Road Company

Hancock and Hamilton Gravel Road Company 1872

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. \\J

McCordsville and Clarksville Turnpike Company 1872

McCordsville and Buck Creek Gravel Road Company 1872

Greenfield and New Palestine Gravel Road Company . . . . 1873

New Palestine and Eastern Gravel Road Company J &73

New Palestine Gravel Road Company 1873

Doe Creek Gravel Road Company 1873

Woodville and Markleville Turnpike Company 1873

Sugar Creek and Philadelphia Turnpike Company . 1874

Leamon's Gravel Road Company . 1874

German Gravel Road Company 1874

Jackson and Center Township Turnpike Company . 1874

Hancock and Shelby Gravel Road Company 1874

Philadelphia and New Palestine Gravel Road Company 1875

Greenfield and Sugar Creek Gravel Road Company 1876

Center and Brandy wine Township Gravel Road Company 1876

Anderson and Warrington Junction Turnpike Company 1878

Sugar Creek and Fortville Gravel Road Company 1878

Buck Creek Gravel Road Company 1882

These roads were operated for a number of years, but in most instances
were not very profitable to the stockholders. In 1882 a petition was filed
with the board of county commissioners requesting the county to take over
the "toll roads" and make them "free gravel roads." An election was held
in April, 1882, but the movement was defeated. In the spring election of
1888 the question was again submitted to all voters of the county as to whether
the "toll roads" should be made "free gravel roads" by purchase, or whether
they should remain "toll roads." In this election the proposition of purchas-
ing the "toll roads" was again defeated.

On August 13, 1889, another special election was held to determine
whether the "toll roads" should be purchased. In this election the movement
was successful and the following roads were purchased by the county at the
prices indicated:

Hancock Gravel Road Company's road $7,500.00

Greenfield and Pendleton Gravel Road Company's road 2,275.00

Greenfield and New Palestine Gravel Road Company's road 1,650.00

Greenfield and Brandy wine Gravel Road Company's road 2,622.50

Sugar Creek and Fortville Gravel Road Company's road 2,665.00

Center and Brandywine Gravel Road Company's road 720.00

Doe Creek Gravel Road Company's road 1,217.75

Il8 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

The purchase of the Prairie Branch Gravel Road Company's road was
defeated in this election, whereupon the directors at once surrendered their
charter'and their road was made a part of the "free gravel road" system with-
out cost to the county. The greater number of the "toll roads" had already
surrendered their charters and the few that remained were soon given over by
the directors. The New Palestine and Eastern Gravel Road Company seems
to have been the last to surrender its charter. This was done at a special
meeting of the board of commissioners, November 22, 1894. At this time
there were between one hundred and twenty-five and one hundred and fifty
miles of free gravel roads in the county. From time to time additions were
made to this mileage by the improvement of other roads.

"three-mile roads."

The next great improvement in road building came with the passage of
the "Three-Mile Road" law in 1905. During the summer of 1906 a number
of petitions were filed with the board of county commissioners in accordance
with the provisions of this law, and a vast amount of money was expended
by the county during the next few years in road construction. Following is
a list of the roads that were improved under this law and under the "county
line" road law, beginning in 1907. The bond issue for the construction of
each road is also given :

BUCK CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Roads Bond Issue Date of bond issue.

James M. Evans et al Road $ 6,120.00 August 5, 1908

James F. McCord et al Road 1,640.00 March 1, 1909

Franklin Steele et al Road No. 1 9,663.60 January 4, 1909

Franklin Steele et al Road No. 2 8,156.40 December 7, 1908

Samuel Wallace et al Road 9,820.00 March 1, 1909

John N. Dobbins et al Road 7,220.00 March 1, 1909

Edward Eastes et al Road 5,840.00 March 1, 1909

Daniel Fisher et al Road 5,760.00 March 1, 1909

* James F. McCord et al Road 3,980.00 December 8, 1908

John R. Williams et al Road 6,000.00 January 1, 1909

John F. Wallace et al Road . .• 2,660.00 April 5, 1909

Total $66,860.00

*Buck Creek and Vernon

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.

119

VERNON TOWNSHIP.

Daniel Dinach et al Road $ 6,160.00

Lewis C. Pickle et al Road 6,430.00

Robert G. Wilson et al Road (West) . . 3,420.00

Robert G. Wilson et al Road (East) ; . 4,420.00

J. H. Kimberlin et al Road ( . 5,374.60

Henry Collins et al Road 4,960.00

Jesse P. Cook et al Road No. 1 6,600.00

Jesse P. Cook et al Road No. 2 8,000.00

Thomas W. Gardner et al Road ....... 30,480.00

T. J. White et al Road 5,140.00

*Lee D. Olvey et al Road 5,600.00

Total $86,580.00

*Vernon and Green

BROWN TOWNSHIP.

Elnathan Hays et al Road $ 4, 1 50.00

Ira W. Sparks et al Road 4,640.00

William Hoppes et al Road 6,080.00

Samuel B. Blackburn et al Road 6,140.00

Harry Davis et al Road 4,660.00

Joseph Wilkinson et al Road 10,100.00

*Elmer McComas et al Road 23,000.00

Charles W. Manfold et al 9,700.00

xjohn L. Hanna et al Road 14,000.00

Total $82,470.00

* Brown and Green
xBrown, Green and Vernon

CENTER TOWNSHIP.

John L. Fry et al Road $33,640.00

Richard Hagan et al Road 19,940.00

Charles F. Carlton et al Road 34,200.00

* Joseph M. Henry et al Road 8,200.00

xKim Derry et al Road 88,000.00

Total $104,780.00

*Green, Center and Jackson
xCenter and Jackson

August 5, 1908
November 6, 1908
March 1, 1909
March 1, 1909
January 4, 1909
February 1, 1909
February 1. 1909
February 1, 1909
February 1, 1909
April 6, 1909
June 7, 1909

July 8. 1908
January 5, 1909
January 4, 1909
January 4, 1909
July 15, 1910
April 15, 191 1
May 5, 1914
July 6, 1 9 14
July 6, 19 14

January 6, 1909
March 4, 1909
February 1, 191 5
April 5, 191 5
August 2, 191 5

120 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

BLUE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

Murry Moore et al Road $ 6,420.00 July 15, 191 1

Adam L. Sivard et al Road 10,000.00 January 5, 19 12

Charles E. Coffin et al Road 1,500.00 September 1, 19 13

Total $17,920.00

SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Columbus M. Jackson et al Road $ 2,900.00 December 4, 191 1

Fred Hitzman et al Road ' 2,960.00 December 4, 191 1

William G. Lantz et al Road 9,000.00 July 7, 19 13

Total $14,860.00

From the above tabulated statement it appears that from 1908 to the
present (August, 191 5), Hancock county has spent for road improvements
the sum of $373,470.00. This also represents only the face of the bonds that
were issued for the construction of the roads and does not include any inter-
est that is being paid thereon.

At this time (August, 191 5) we have two hundred and eighty-one miles
of free gravel road in the county.

EARLY LIFE IN THE COUNTY.

When the first settlers came into the county the nearest grist-mill was
on Whitewater, where Connersville now stands, or near there. Cincinnati
was the point from which groceries and other supplies were purchased. They
were brought to Indianapolis and to other points in wagons. Whatever the
settlers had to sell, such as grain, hogs and cattle, was also commonly taken
to Cincinnati. Many droves of hogs and cattle and flocks of sheep were
driven to Cincinnati over the National road. Anthony Fort, of Charlottes-
ville, at one time drove a flock of turkeys to market there. In fact, flocks of
turkeys were frequently driven through from central Indiana. Drivers are
said to have had little trouble with them except that when evening came they
always flew into the trees to roost, regardless of the wishes of their driver.

The Indiana Gazetteer, published in 1833, gives the following report
of Hancock county: "The face of the county is generally low or rolling; the
soil is chiefly a rich loam mixed with a sand and covered with a heavy growth
of beech, buckeye, ash, walnut, poplar, cherry and different kinds of oak; with
an undergrowth of spice, pawpaw, hazel and thorn. The staple products of

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 121

the county are wheat, corn, oats, pork, beef, flour and poultry. The county
is advantageously situated for mills; the streams passing through it afford
a number of excellent sites for water-mills ; it is also well supplied with springs
of purest water."

That the eyes of the settlers were open to the advantages of mill sites,
is evident from the number of mills that were built within eight 3'ears after
the organization of the county. Following are a few of them and the dates
at which they were established. These mills were propelled by water :

Joshua Wilson, 1824, on Blue river, grist-mill.

William Pierson, 1825, on Sugar creek, five miles northwest of Green-
field, grist-mill.

Othniel H. Sweem, 1826, on Brandywine creek, three miles below Green-
field, grist and saw-mill.

John Fort, 1827, Six Mile creek, above Charlottesville, grist-mill.

Steven Bellus, 1828, Sugar creek,- two miles north of New Palestine,
grist and saw-mill.

Black and Brother, 1832, Sugar creek, one mile south of Philadelphia,
saw-mill.

David Longnaker, 1833, Six Mile, above Fort's mill, saw-mill.

Isaac Willett, 1834, four miles northwest of Greenfield, grist-mill.

Steven Harlan, 1835, Sugar creek in Brown township, grist and saw-mill.

William Curry, 1835, about four miles northeast of Greenfield, grist-mill.

George Mason, 1835, Sugar creek in Green township, grist-mill.

William Beeson, 1836, in Green township, grist-mill.

Daniel Blakely, 1836, Sugar creek in Brown township, saw-mill.

All of these mills were small concerns. Some of them were hominy mills,
or "corn crackers," as they were commonly called, yet they made it possible
for the people of the county to obtain flour and meal without having to make
a long wagon journey for it.

These were days when people lived in rude log houses, with puncheon
floors and oiled-paper windows; when furniture was crude and often home-
made; when clothing was homespun; when the logs crackled in the fireplace
and the kettle swung from the crane. They were days, too, when crops were
planted and cultivated with a hoe; when the harvest was gathered with the
reap hook, the scythe and the cradle; when log-rollings flourished, and when
the smoke in the "clearings" was never lost from sight. Game was plenti-
ful. The howl of the wolf broke the stillness of the night and the bear and
the panther were at home in the forest.

122

HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Each township had its board of three township trustees, and each schooi
district its boara of three district trustees. Highways were few and went at
all angles through the woods. Everywhere there were swamps, swamps,
swamps. Yet the soil, that "rich loam mixed with, sand," was productive.
The streams were furnishing water power for the mills, and the springs were
supplying purest water. Grocers and merchants were establishing themselves
in the county, and all these things were adding something to the comfort of
the people, whose number was increasing daily.

For the purpose of raising revenue for the county, all persons wishing
to engage in the sale of merchandise, groceries or liquor had to pay a license
fee. The record of these fees makes it possible now to learn the distribution
of the groceries, etc. Below are given the names of the owners and the dates
on which their first license fees were paid to the county treasurer. Some of
these men made application to sell merchandise or groceries for such periods
as three months and six months. Ordinarily, however, the license fee was
paid for a period of one year. Some of the names appear on the record many
times, since the license fee was paid annually.

GROCERIES AND MERCHANTS.

Name. Date. Location. Business.

Elijah Tyner 1828 Blue River, Grocery

James Parker 1828 Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor

Nathan Crawford 1829 Greenfield, Grocery

E. & R. Tyner 1829 Greenfield, Grocery

Joseph Chapman 1829 Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor

James Hamilton . 1830 Greenfield, Grocery

George Troxell 1830 Greenfield, Grocery

Amos Dickerson 1831 Sugar Creek, Grocery and Liquor

Morris Pierson 183 1 Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor

Lewis Tyner 1832 Greenfield, Grocery

John Eastes 1832 National Road, Grocery

Jared Chapman 1832 Greenfield, Grocery

Thomas Lackey 1832 Charlottesville, Grocery

Eli Gapen & Son 1832 Greenfield, Grocery

Maxwell & Johnson 1832 Charlottesville, Grocery

Dunbar & Clark 1832 Greenfield, Merchandise

William Curry 1833 Greenfield, Grocery

William- Curry 1833 Greenfield, Grocery

J. M. Clark ^33 Greenfield, Merchandise

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.

123

Name. Date.

A. T. Hart 1833

John Delana 1833

John White 1833

John and William Justice 1834

George Tague 1834

Henry A. Milroy 1834

Crawford & Meek 1833

David Templeton 1834

E. B. and C. B. Chittenden 1834

Samuel Etter 1834

Charles Bouge !835

John M. Talbott & Co 1835

Jacob Boyse 1835

Harder & McLellen 1835

Robert Sanford 1836

James Robbins 1836

George Kingery 1836

Noah Perry 1836

George Henry 1836

Hill & Overman 1836

Cornwell Meek 1836

Nicholas McCarty 1836

John Hare 1836

Baxter & Clark 1836

Hiram Burch 1836

Jesse Atkison 1836

Barzilla Rozell 1837

Goodwin & Foley ^37

William Bentley 1837

Taylor Willett 1838

Atherton & Avery 1838

Asa Gooding , x 838

Jacob Schramm 1838

Location. Business.

Greenfield, Grocery

Sugar Creek, Grocery

Greenfield, Grocery

Greenfield, Store

Greenfield, Merchandise

Charlottesville, Grocery

Greenfield, Grocery

Sugar Creek, Store

Greenfield, Foreign Merchandise

Greenfield, Grocery

Charlottesville, Grocery

Greenfield, Grocery

Lewisburg, Foreign and Domestic
Merchandise

Charlottesville. Foreign and Domes-
Merchandise

Greenfield, Foreign and Domestic
Merchandise

Charlottesville, Foreign and Domes-
tic Merchandise

* Portland, Domestic Merchandise

* Portland, Grocery

* Portland, Grocery-
Brown Township, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Grocery

Greenfield, Grocery
Charlottesville, Grocery and Liquor
Sugar Creek, Grocery
Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor
Sugar Creek, Grocery and Liquor

124

HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Name. Date.

Meridith Gosney 1838

Crawford & Hart 1838

Thornburgh & White 1838

C. & I. Lewis 1838

Jonathan Evans 1838

Robert Eakin 1838

James P. Foley 1838

Peter F. Newland 1838

Joseph Lewis 1838

Jacob Slifer 1838

Joshua Stone 1838

William Johnson 1838

John Delaney 1839

John Dye .• 1839

Solomon Hull 1839

Asa Cooper 1839

H. Worster & Templin 1839

Gavice Richardson ^39

J. C. & R. F. Ramsey 1839

Jacob Huntington !839

M. Goldberg 1839

C. I. Morrison ^39

Thornburgh & Co. . . . 1839

Cranforce & Hart 1839

William Garrison 1839

Jefferson Beaucham . . . . J 839

William Bentley 1839

William Griffin 1839

Isaac Stevens 1839

Cornwell Meek & Co 1839

P. P. & J. F. Oaks 1839

Joseph Ingles 1839

John Martin 1839

Henry Lehman, Daniel Graft.. 1840

John Wilkinson 1840

A. T. Hart and Lewis Burk..i84o

Location. Business.
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Greenfield, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Sugar Creek, Merchandise, Grocery
Sugar Creek, Merchandise, Grocery
Brown Township, Merchandise and

Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Charlottesville, Grocery and Liquor
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor
Sugar Creek, Grocery and Liquor
Sugar Creek, Grocery and Liquor
Hancock, Gracery and Liquor
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Hancock, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Merchandise and Grocery
Greenfield, Merchandise and Grocery
Greenfield, Merchandise and Grocery
Hancock, Merchandise
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Hancock, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor
Greenfield, Grocery and Liquor

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.

125

These stores must not be pictured as large, commodious, well-lighted
rooms. Some of the above applicants had but a few articles to sell at their
residences. The real storerooms were small and, of course, lacked the variety
that we observe in our groceries of this day. Though this is true, it is ap-
parent that the necessities of life could be purchased at a number of places
along the National road, which was the great highway of travel. The state-
ment also shows that a few stores were located on the Brookville road in
Sugar Creek township and at least one or two on the Knightstown-Pendleton
state road. In this connection it is also interesting to observe the market prices
of that time. The following are the Greenfield prices, taken from the Green-
field Reveille, April, 1845 :

Wheat, per bushel $

Corn, per bushel

Oats, per bushel

Flaxseed, per bushel

Corn Meal, per bushel

Flour, per cwt 1

Hams, per pound ;./

Shoulders, per pound

Sides, per pound

Ginseng, per pound

Beeswax, per pound

Butter, per pound

Honey, per pound

Eggs, per dozen

50 Coffee, per pound $ .to

20 Tea, per pound 50

16 Sugar, per pound 06

70 Sugar (Orleans) 07

25 Cotton Yarn, per pound 13

50 Nails, per pound 06^

06^2 Iron, bar, per pound 05

05 Molasses, gallon 43

05 Salt, per bushel 44

25 Feathers, per pound 26

22 Lard, per pound 04

08 Cheese, per pound. . o6y 2

05 Rags, per pound 02

03 Chickens, per dozen 50

Prices as quoted in the Greenfield Spectator, September, 1848, are about

the same as the above with the following additions

Cattle on foot, per pound ... .$.02 I /4

Calves 2.00

Sheep 1. 00

Potatoes, per bushel i8)4

Imperial Tea, per pound 80

Hogs, per 100 pounds $ 1.75

Cows 10.00

Timothy Hay 5.00

Gunpowder Tea, per pound . . .80
Young Hyson, per pound . . . .623/2

TAVERNS.

On May 7, 1833, Daniel Bohn (father of our neighbor and fellow citi-
zen, Daniel Bohn) left his home in Adams county, Pennsylvania, and started
on horseback through the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, for the pur-

126 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

pose of finding a new home for himself and his family. On this journey he
traveled over the old Centerville state road, which passed through Green-
field. On June 30, 1833, he again arrived at his home in Pennsylvania.
During the journey he kept a diary in which he noted, among other things,
the taverns at which he stopped and the expenses of his lodging. None of
the taverns were in Hancock county, yet the bills presented to him give a
fair idea of what tavern prices were at that time. A few of the entries are
taken from this diary:

"On May 27, 1833, we lodged at the house of Messrs. Vose & Griffin,
Dublin, — Night Bill, $1.00.

"May 28, 1833, we lodged at the house of Mr. Wilson, three miles east
of Indianapolis, — Night Bill, $1.00.

"June 4, 1833, we lodged all night at the house of Mr. J. Wilson, —
Bill, $1.00.

"June 5, we lodged all night at the house of Messrs. Vose & Griffin
in Dublin,— Bill, $1.37^."

The bills included the cost of supper and breakfast, the night's lodging,
and the care of his horse. Meals were ordinarily furnished at 15 cents.
Board, including three meals daily, and bed, $1.25 per week.

The great amount of travel westward over the old Centerville state
road and, later, over the National road, caused a great many taverns or eat-
ing houses to be established along this line. The Brookville road, although
it led from Cincinnati, was in bad condition for travel. People from that
point ordinarily came to Richmond or Cambridge City, and then traveled
westward over trie National road. There were days in which fifty or more
teams followed each other westward in one train. Many of the travelers
camped along the road, while others drove into the large stable yards and
slept in their wagons.

The taverns were among the largest and most commodious houses of
that day. In connection with the tavern the keeper ordinarily had a stable
with a large yard in which the wagons and horses were kept. In fact this
was a legal requirement. For the protection of travelers, an act, approved
February 12, 1825, provided that no license to keep a tavern should be
granted to any person unless twenty-four citizens (later the number was re-
duced to twelve) should certify that the applicant was of good moral char-
acter, that it would be to the benefit of travelers and conducive to the public
good if such tavern should be opened, and that they believed it to be the
bona fide intention of the applicant to keep a tavern for the accommodation
of travelers. The applicant had to prove to the satisfaction of the board of

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. \2J

county commissioners that he was a bona fide owner or tenant, for one year,
or more years, of a good house with at least three apartments, and a stable
convenient to said house, with at least four good stalls. The applicant had
to show further that he was the owner of at least two- beds and bedding over
and above what was needed for his family, and that he had all other neces-
sary furniture, etc. He also had to give security for his faithful observance
of all requirements of the statute. Drovers also went along the road with
droves of hogs, sheep, cattle, etc., for market at Indianapolis or Cincinnati.
Many tavern keepers, and in fact others, were prepared to care for such
droves and flocks by having pens and lots fenced near the tavern. A portion
of the tract of land lying between the National road and the railroad just
west of Philadelphia and east of Sugar creek was used for this purpose for
many years by Charles Atherton, one of the very early pioneers of the
county.

Taverns could always be identified by signs that were hung up. Or-
dinarily the word ''Tavern," painted on a large board, announced this fact.
Others displayed a brightly polished brass plate with a design of some kind
engraved upon it. Travelers always understood that this signified a tavern.
The location of the Guymon House in Greenfield, for instance, was adver-
tised in the local papers for many years after the Civil War, "At the Sign
of the Eagle."

A few taverns were established along the Centerville road before the
organization of the county. Among them were Samuel B. Jackson, whose
house was. located near the the present site of the terminal car barns at Green-
field, and Jeremiah Meek, whose house stood on the north side of the old
state road, about where the county jail now stands. There were, no doubt,
others who made it a business to keep travelers, but of whom we have no
record at this time.

After the organization of the county a fee was collected from all tavern
keepers. This license fee was $5.00 during the greater part of the time.
The first license granted by the board of county commissioners of Hancock
county was issued to John Branden at the August term, 1829. The follow-
ing is the record :

"On the application of John Branden, Esq., by a recommendation of
twelve or more of his fellow citizens within the town of Greenfield and its
vicinity for a license to open a public house within the town of Greenfield in
said county of Hancock, Indiana.

"Therefore, it is ordered by the board that said John Branden be licensed
as such for and during the term of one year from the date of said license. —

125 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

And the said Branden now produces a certificate from under the hand of the
treasurer of said county of him having paid $5.00 — ^etc, as a tax on said
license."

At the May term, 183 1, the board made the following entry relative to
the application of Samuel C. Duncan for a license to open a tavern :

"On the application of Samuel C. Duncan for a license to open a tavern,
at his tavern in Brandywine Township and County of Hancock, therefore it is
ordered and considered by the board that the said Samuel C. Duncan be
licensed as such for and during the term of one year from the date thereof,
by his paying a tax on the same of $5.00, and filing his bond with approved
security according to law in such case made and provided. Whereupon he
presents Nathan Crawford as his security which is approved by the court."

At the same term the following entry was made by the board of county
commissioners on the application of John Branden :

"On the application of John Branden for a license to open a house of
entertainment in the town of Greenfield for and during the term of one vear
from the date thereof. Therefore it is ordered by the Board that the said
John Branden be licensed as such for and during the term of one year as
aforesaid by his paying a tax on the same of $5.00 to the Treasurer of said
County and filing his bond according to law, in such case made and pro-
vided. Security approved of by Board — William Ryse."

For a decade or more, beginning with 1829, taverns were established
and located as follows, as shown by the record of the county commissioners :

Keepers Dates Location

John Branden . 1829 Greenfield

Samuel Duncan 183 1 Brandywine township

James Parker J 834 Sugar Creek

Henry Woods 1836 Charlottesville

Peter F. Newland 1836 . Sugar Creek

*A. G. Morris 1836 Portland

John Hare 1836 Charlottesville

*Asa Gooding 1837 Greenfield

*James Parker J 837 Sugar Creek

♦Washington Landis 1837 Charlottesville

*David Richardson 1837 Sugar Creek

♦Elijah Knight 1838 Greenfield

*James Hamilton 1838 Greenfield

*Lewis Burk 1838 Greenfield

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 1 29

Keepers Dates Location

*Samuel Goble 1839 Portland

*Basil Meek 1839 Greenfield

* William I. Rush 1839 Hancock county

*William Mullins 1839 Hancock county

* Johnson Woods 1839 Hancock county

*John R. Burges 1841 New Palestine

*Also retailed spirituous liquor "by the small."

Taverns along the National road were advertised in the Greenfield
papers. The following taken from the Greenfield Spectator, September,
1848, calls attention not only to the hotel, but to the wagon yard, accommo-
dations for drovers, etc. :

"PENNSYLVANIA AND OHIO HOUSE.
"SIX MILES WEST OF GREENFIELD.

"The undersigned would respectfully inform his friends and the travel-
ing public that he has leased for a term of years the above house, formerly
kept by J. Ross, six miles west of Greenfield, where he will at all times be
prepared to accommodate those who may favor him with their custom in a
style inferior to none.

"wagon yard.

"In connection with the above house, there is a large wagon yard; also,
rooms for movers, drovers, etc. His bills will be in accordance with the
times. "Hugh J. Kelly. "

TAX LEVIES.

The first tax levy was made by the board of county commissioners at
their May term, 1828. It was not levied upon the value of the property. It
was a specific tax, not an ad valorem tax. Thus a tax of thirty-seven and a
half cents was levied on each horse, eighteen and three-fourths cents on each
work ox, twenty-five cents on each silver or pinchbeck watch. The amount
of the tax was fixed regardless of the value of the property. One horse
might be worth as much as two others, but the tax was the same on all. Dur-
ing the first years the assessors did not have to fix the valuation of prop-
erty. Their only duty was to collect the number of items of a man's prop-
erty and the tax was so much per. The following is the entry in the commis-
sioners' record, which established the tax rate in the year 1828 :

"It is ordered by the Board that the following rate of taxes be assessed

(9)

130 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

for the year 1828, on the persons and property of Hancock County, for polls,
fifty cents, for a horse, thirty-seven and a half cents, for a work ox, eighteen
and three-fourths cents, for silver and pinchbeck watches, twenty-five cents,
for gold watch, one dollar, and for land, half the rates of state taxes."

At the May meetings of the board in 1829, 1830 and 1831, the rate of
1828 was readopted. The following entry was made for 1832:

"It is ordered by the Board that there be assessed on Town Lots one
half cent on each dollar, on work oxen, twenty-five cents on each ox, fifty
cents on each horse over five years old, on each watch fifty cents, brass clocks
each, one dollar, on every hundred acres of first rate land, forty cents, second
rate, thirty cents, third rate, twenty cents, for road purposes equal to the
county aforesaid."

The above rate was also readopted for 1833 ar *d 1834. In 1835 the
following levy was made :

"Ordered that the rates of taxation on property for the year 1835 shall
be as follows to-wit: — On land one half the amount of the State tax; on
polls, fifty cents each ; horses over ten dollars in value, on pleasure carriages,
watches, fifty cents each."

At the January term, 1836, the following entry was made relative to
tax rates for that year :

"Ordered that the rates of taxation on property for the year 1836 shall
be as follows to-wit : — On land one half the amount of the state tax, on polls
fifty cents each ; on horses over ten dollars in value, on pleasure carriages,
and watches fifty cents each ; on work oxen three years of age fifty cents
per yoke; on each tavern license five dollars, on each grocery license in the
town of Greenfield fifteen dollars on all such as are taken at this term, those
taken out at subsequent terms in the town of Greenfield twenty- five dollars;
in all other parts of the county ten dollars on such as are granted this term
and such as are subsequently granted, fifteen dollars; license to vend wooden
clocks, ten dollars; license to vend foreign merchandise, ten dollars."

At a special meeting of the board on June 13, 1836, another levy was
made, which was on an entirely different basis, being levied on the value of
the property. Under this levy it became necessary not only to learn how
many horses, oxen, wagons, etc., a man possessed, but to assess that prop-
erty at a certain value and then determine the amount of taxes from the value
of the property. The entry made by the board at this special session is as
follows :

"Ordered that for the purpose of raising a county revenue there be a
tax levying of twenty cents on each hundred dollars of valuation and one

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I3I

cent on each hundred dollars of valuation for road purposes, and seventy-five
cents on each poll — for county purposes."

The method of taxation was hereby changed from a specific to an ad
valorem basis and has remained upon that basis to the present. Similar en-
tries were made for the years 1837 and 1838.

As the county grew, more money was required to transact its business,
and it is interesting to observe how the levy became more inclusive from
year to year. The levies made in 1839 and 1840 are very similar. The levy
of 1840 is given because of its greater clearness. Following is the entry:

"Ordered that for the purpose of aiding in raising a revenue for county
purposes, there shall be assessed on each license to retail spirituous liquors
in Greenfield the sum of twenty-five dollars and in all other parts of the
county the sum of fifteen dollars ; on each license to -vend foreign merchan-
dise and foreign domestic groceries five dollars for any amount not exceed-
ing one thousand, and two dollars and fifty cents for each additional one
thousand dollars; provided, however, that no license on merchandise shall
exceed in all the sum of twenty dollars ; on each license to vend wooden
clocks the sum of fifty dollars ; on each traveling caravan, managerie, or other
collection of animals, or show of wax figures, or circus exhibition to the
people for money, thirty dollars for each day's exhibition; on each one hun-
dred dollars valuation of taxables fifteen cents for state revenue, and fifty
cents on each poll for state revenue, on each one hundred dollars valuation
of taxables thirty cents for county revenue, and seventy-five cents on each
poll for county revenue, and on each .one hundred dollars of valuation of
taxables five cents for road purposes."

The license fee established in the entry above remained in force, and
similar rates were maintained for a number of years. The county treasurer
collected taxes. He did not, however, depend on people coming to his office
to pay them, but published notices that he would be in the different town-
ships at stated times to receive taxes. The following notice, taken from an
issue of the Greenfield Spectator, September, 1848, is illustrative of this early
custom :

"notice

"Is hereby given that the undersigned will attend at the usual place of
holding elections in each township in Hancock county on the following days
for the purpose of receiving taxes for the year, 1848, to-wit :" (Here follow
dates and the notice is signed, "J. Huntington, T. H. C")

There was also another officer, the "collector of revenue," whose spe-

17,2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

cial business it was to collect the taxes that had not been paid to the county
treasurer. The report of Joseph Chapman, collector of revenue of the county
for the year 183 1, shows that he collected $328.78. There was a delinquent
list of $24.38 that year. This left a balance of $304.40. The collector re-
ceived a commission of six per cent, for making collection. His commission
for the year 183 1 amounted to $18.27, leaving a balance to pay to the county
treasurer of $286.13.

The amounts collected annually were, of course, very small compared
with the amounts collected now. The total tax realized on the levy for 1829,
including poll tax, license fees, etc., amounted to $703.17; for 1833,
$787,883/2 ; and for 1835, the last year under the old system $925.28. For the
next year under the ad valorem system, $1,665.74 was collected; evidently
the change from the specific to the ad valorem system was a wise one for the
purpose of raising money.

The returns for 1832 showed 524 polls, 485 horses, 172 oxen, 27 watches
and one clock. The report for 1835 showed 684 polls, 709 horses. 130 oxen,
15 silver watches, one gold watch, three pinchbeck watches, and two brass
clocks.

SURVEY OF COUNTY IN 184O, ETC.

In 1840 the county had been organized twelve years. It had been
twenty-two years since the first settlers made their homes within its borders.
The magnitude of what had been accomplished by these early people can be
appreciated, in a measure at least, by a reference to the United States census
report of 1840, in which the statistics of the county are included. We had at
that time, as shown by the report: Horses and mules, 2,743; cattle, 5,745;
sheep, 5,789; swine, 28,306; wheat, 28,531 bushels; dairy products, valued at
$283,232; oats, 66,392 bushels; rye, 2,130 bushels; buckwheat, 1,641 bushels;
corn, 86,095 bushels; potatoes, 11,090 bushels; hay, 1,612 tons.

Several crops were grown in the early history of the county that are no
longer produced. Thus, in 1840, 1,614 bushels of buckwheat were reported;
in i860, 6,841 bushels, while in 1870 only 544 bushels were reported. The
last report was made upon this crop in 1890, showing that 551 bushels were
produced. After 1890 buckwheat disappeared from the reports from Han-
cock county.

Maple sugar was reported for a number of years. In 1840, 39,080
pounds are reported; in 1850, 38,213 pounds; in i860, 5,564 pounds. A
decade later 557 pounds were produced, while in 1880 only 90 pounds were
produced. In 1890 one-half of this amount was reported.

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 133

Hemp and flax were important in the early crops of the county. Six
and one-fourth tons were reported in 1840. In 1850, 4,926 pounds of flax
straw were reported and 317 bushels of seed. The culture of flax declined
for a time during and immediately after the Civil War. In the latter part
of the seventies it increased again and in 1880 the United States census reports
2,067 tons of straw and 57,972 bushels of seed. It was so extensively grown
in the county at that time that reference was frequently made to the crop by
the local correspondents. Thus, on May 1, 1879, the correspondent from
Woodbury wrote : "Farmers are about done sowing flax and there has been
an immense crop sown in our township this year."

On May 15, 1879, the Warrington correspondent wrote: "The farmers
are getting alarmed about their flax crop. They say if it does not rain pretty
soon the flax will be a failure."

The culture of flax was encouraged by oil crushers who bought the seed
and used it to make oil. The oil crushers furnished the seed to the farms
and agreed to purchase the crop when made. During the later seventies and
the early eighties independent firms sprung up over the country and a war
was made on prices. Flax culture thereafter soon became a matter of his-
tory in Hancock county.

It is interesting to observe also the importance of the tobacco crop in
the earlier development of the county. In 1840, 10,304 pounds were reported,
and 69,432 pounds in i860. Since the Civil War the tobacco crop has been
very light in the county. In 1880, 3,110 pounds were reported, but later re-
ports show less than 800 pounds.

We have only one census report in which skins and furs are reported
from Hancock county. That is from the report of 1840, in which their value
is placed at $809.

In the census report of 1840 Hancock county is also credited with one
distillery, which gave employment to three men and produced 10,000 gallons
annually.

We must bear in mind that in these early days the spinning wheel and
the distaff were found in practically all of the homes. The value of home-
made goods was reported in 1840 at $19,239. The value of the garden
products, on the other hand, for the entire county was reported at only $50.

The census report shows that the nursery and florist's stock was esti-
mated at a value of $1,150; that this gave employment to three men and
that the capital invested therein was estimated at $3,300. The nursery stock
was owned by Isaac Barrett just north of Charlottesville. A few years later
this stock was moved, or another nursery was started by Joshua Meek on a
farm just across Brandywine, northeast of Greenfield.

134 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Fifteen retail dry goods, groceries and other stores were reported with
a capital of $51,075.

The value of the wagons and carriages manufactured in the county dur-
ing that year was reported at $664. Five men were employed in the wagon
and carriage-making business and the capital invested therein was estimated
to be $500. The owner of the wagon-making establishment at Greenfield in
1845 was H. McClenen.

Nine grist-mills and eleven saw-mills were reported and the value of
their products per annum was $7,500. The value of hats and caps manufac-
tured in the county was estimated at $1,600. Two persons were employed
in the business and the capital invested therein was placed at $2,000. There
were two tanneries in the county that tanned during the year 350 sides of
sole leather and 400 sides of upper leather. Four men were employed and
$6,050 was invested in the business.

The population of the county was reported in 1840 as 7,535 persons; of
these, 1,494 were engaged in agriculture and nine in commerce. There were
seven common schools in the county, attended by 156 pupils. There were 330
persons in the county over twenty years of age unable to read or write.

The farmers' annual register, issued in 1845, shows that the county had
four attorneys, viz : David M. C. Lane, D. S. Gooding, J. R. Williams and
Thomas D. Walpole ; five physicians, B. F. Duncan, Simon Alters, Robert
E. Barnett, Hiram Comstock and N. P. Howard. The principal merchants
reported in the county were : John Templin & Company, H. T. Hart & Com-
pany, at Greenfield, and Jonathan Evans at New Palestine. Three post-
offices are reported : Greenfield, William Sebastian, postmaster ; Philadel-
phia, Charles Atherton, postmaster; Charlottesville, Henry Kinder, postmas-
ter. The register also reports that the National road passed through the
county, and that the Dayton and Indianapolis stage passed east and west
through Greenfield. The Greenfield Reveille was published at Greenfield in
1845.

In 1850 the Indiana Gazetteer continued this report of the county:

"The soil is unusually rich, though in some portions of the county it re-
quires draining before it can be cultivated to advantage.

"Wheat, corn and grass, of which a considerable surplus, as well as of
hogs, cattle and horses, are raised for exportation. The estimated value of
the surplus is $75,000.

"There are in the county twenty stores, eighteen mills propelled by water ;
five lawyers, fourteen physicians, thirteen preachers, and the usual propor-

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 1 3.5

tion of carpenters, smiths, coopers and wheelwrights. There are twelve
churches, belonging mostly to the Methodists and Baptists."

As shown by the United States census report of 1850, just above one-
fourth of the forest in the county had been cut away. At first thought it
would seem that the county was being pretty well cleared. A large portion
of the soil had been prepared for cultivation, yet only one acre out of every
four of the broad, prairie-like fields over which we now look had been cleared
for cultivation. Practically three-fourths of the fields that now fall within
our view were still covered with timber. The cash value of the farms of the
county were estimated at $1,405,948. The value of the live stock in the
county was estimated at $238,524. The population had grown to 9,594, of
which 104 were colored persons. The school attendance had increased to
2,413. The days of the large district schools were here or were approach-
ing. A few of the old records still left in the county giving the reports of
teachers made in 1854, show attendance of from fifty to sixty pupils in the
different parts of the county. Charlottesville, Philadelphia, New Palestine,
Nashville and Warrington had all been laid out and contained a few houses,
possibly a store or two and a blacksmith shop. Fortville, which had just been
laid out, was known as "Walpole." Cleveland was known as "Portland," and
Eden went by the name of "Lewisburg." Greenfield in 1850, as reported in
the Indiana Gazetteer for that year, contained sixty dwellings, with a pop-
ulation of about 300. The greater number of houses were along Main street,
with a few on the "back street" (North street). Greenfield was incorporated
as a town in 1850 and did not become a city until more than twenty-six years
afterward.

Several state roads had been built in various directions across the county
but they were all dirt roads, as was also the National road. The Plank road,
of which we hear so much, was not constructed until 1852. There was only one
railroad in the county, the Knightstown-Shelbyville railway. The Bee Line,
now known as the Big Four, which passes through McCordsville and Fortville,
was not built until 185 1, and the Indiana Central, now known as the Pennsyl-
vania Line, was not built until 1852.

It is not the intention to give a detailed discussion of statistics.. The
accompanying tabulated statement made from the United States census re-
ports will give an opportunity, however, for the study of the increase and
decline of the principal crops and products that have made our development
possible.

136

HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

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GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 137

COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.

This society was organized as an auxiliary of the American Bible Society
in 1837, by Rev. Richmond, who was also its first president. At the opening
of the Civil War, David S. Gooding was the president of the society. He was
followed by George Barnett, F. M. Gilchrist, G. W. Dove, and others. Prior
to the presidency of David S. Gooding, Joseph Mathews, John Rardin and
H. B. Wilson were at the head of the society. The purpose for which it was
organized was the distribution of Bibles among especially the poorer classes.
The society remained active until in the early nineties. At that time quite
a large distribution of Bibles was made and rather a large amount of money
was handled in the county in this work.

COUNTY FAIRS.

The agricultural possibilities of the county were recognized at an early
day and efforts were made to develop them. In 1835 the following entry
was made in the record of the board of county commissioners of Hancock
county :

"Ordered that the sheriff cause to be put up in each township three notices
that there will be held at the court house in Greenfield, on the third Saturday
of June, 1835, a meeting of the citizens of the county for the purpose of or-
ganizing a county agricultural society."

We have no history of the result of this meeting.

The first agricultural association of which we have any definite history
was organized in the county in 1856, for the purpose of holding county fairs.
Andrew T. Hart was elected president of the group of persons who associated
themselves together for this purpose. The first county fair was held at Green-
field during the summer or fall of 1856, at the east end of town, north of
the National road. After the first year, the fair was moved to the south side
of the railroad, east of Brandywine creek, on land belonging to Samuel Mil-
roy. The promoters continued to hold their fair on this land until i860, with-
out having any very definite business organization. They seem to have had
very little capital stock and did not own the ground on which the fairs were
held. In i860, they organized a joint stock company and elected the follow-
ing officers: Robert E. Barnett, president; John Hinchman and John P.
Banks, vice-presidents; James L. Mason, secretary; John H. White, treasurer.

At that time Henry Newby, Samuel Heavenridge and Joshua Meek
were appointed to select grounds for the fair. The committee made a favor-
able report upon eight acres of land, owned by Samuel Milroy, which was

I38 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

bought, and on which the fairs continued to be held until about 1879. Judg-
ing from newspaper reports, the fairs must have been conducted pretty much on
the plan of those with which we are familiar. Stock, grains, fruits and all
sorts of products were exhibited, for the best of which premiums were offered.
Then there were also side shows, balloon ascensions, and, in fact, almost every-
thing that can be offered as an attraction upon fair grounds.

The year 1867 seems to have offered a very successful fair. Almost a
double number of tickets was reported sold and one thousand entries were
reported in the different classes. The local paper contains the following
little note concerning this fair: "Those fond of sight seeing can be accom-
modated in almost any line from a double horse to a hoe-down by the sable
sons of Africa." A balloon ascension was advertised for the last day of the
fair.

The following officers were elected in 1874: Wesley Addison, presi-
dent; N. P. Howard, vice-president and general superintendent; William
Mitchell, secretary; John J. W r alker, treasurer; Burd Lacey, director eastern
district ; John H. White, director middle district ; John Steele, director western
district; John Hinchman, county at large; Joseph Baldwin, county at large.
The men above named took an active interest in the management of the fair
for a number of years.

During its later years, the fair seems to have been less successful finan-
cially than it was during its earlier years. A fire destroyed Floral hall in
1 87 1. It was never rebuilt, and the last fair was held in 1879.

In 1883, an effort was made to reorganize the association by issuing one
hundred and fifty shares of stock, at twenty-five dollars each, and distribut-
ing these shares in certain proportions among the people of the different town-
ships. No person was to have more than four shares. The effort at this
time failed. On December 5, 1885, there was a meeting of people interested
in the promotion of another fair, and the following directors were elected :
Blue River, Frank Tyner; Brandy wine, Coleman Pope: Brown, Dr. R. D.
Hanna; Buck Creek, George Parker; Vernon, Harvey Caldwell; Greenfield,
J. Ward Walker, Eph Marsh and H. B. Thayer; Center, Marion Steele;
Green, Dr. William A. Justice; Jackson, K. T. White; Sugar Creek, Anton
Schildmeier, Jr. The following officers were also elected : J. Ward Walker,
president; K. T. White, vice-president; Charles Downing, secretary; Nelson
Bradley, treasurer; Charles G. Offutt, legal advisor. The association was
organized as a joint stock company with a capital stock of twelve thousand five
hundred dollars.

On December 21, 1885, Boyd's grove, north of Greenfield, was selected

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 139

as the fair ground. The race track was prepared during 1886, and the first
fair opened on August 24, 1886. Fairs continued to be held on this ground
for fifteen years or more, when the association also became financially em-
barrassed. On February 23, 1903, William A. Hough was appointed receiver
to wind up its affairs. He afterward sold the ground to George T. Randall.
Mr. Randall platted the ground and it is now known as "Randall Place" in
Greenfield.

HANCOCK COUNTY SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

In the early files of the Hancock Democrat notices are found showing that
township Sunday school conventions were held in different parts of the county.
We find no record of a county convention, however, until on July 21, 1868.
Pursuant to a call that had been theretofore given, a convention was held at
Greenfield, at which all of the townships were represented. On that day an
organization was effected, which became known as the "Sabbath School
Union." The following were the first officers elected: President, A. K.
Branham ; vice-presidents : Blue River, Elihu Coffin, Jr. ; Brown, Dr. William
Trees; Brandy wine, John P. Banks; Buck Creek, Ephraim Thomas; Center,
M. C. Foley; Green, R. J. Ramsey; Jackson, James M. Clark; Sugar Creek,
T. E. Smock ; Vernon, Levi Thomas ; secretary, Jonathan Tague ; correspond-
ing secretary, E. I. Judkins ; executive committee, Dr. C. F. Lockwood, M. L.
Paullus and Thomas Kane.

A program had been made out for that day, touching upon the various
phases of Sunday school work and dwelling upon the necessity and advantage
of closer organization. Since this time county conventions have been held
practically every year and during some years more than one convention has
been held. The early conventions were generally held at Greenfield. On
April 27, 1872, the Hancock Sabbath School Society convention was held
at the Methodist Episcopal church at Greenfield. In 1873, a Sabbath school
union convention was held for a period of three days, April 25, 26 and 27.
Conventions were also held at different places, including Philadelphia, Fort-
ville, New Palestine, Charlottesville, and likely other points. In later years
the county conventions were practically all held again at Greenfield, township
conventions being held in the separate townships.

The Indiana Gazetteer, 1850, reported in Hancock county thirteen preach-
ers and twelve churches. Some of these churches possibly supported Sunday
schools, but the great growth of Sunday schools from that date to the present
can probably be shown best by the report of a survey of the county in 19 14,
and published in The Azvakener in July, 1914:

I4O HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Population, age 6 to 21 years 4,736

Total population 19,030

Number of Sunday schools 51

Number of scholars 5,1 18

Number of officers and teachers 678

Average attendance 3,229

Added to church from Sunday school 379

Number of cradle rolls 32

Cradle roll members 488

Number of home departments 26

Home department members 478

Number of Sunday schools keeping a record of tem-
perance pledges u 10

For many years the state apportionment was thirty dollars for this county.
It has been one hundred dollars now for a number of years.

Among the officers and workers in the Hancock County Sunday School
Association none have been more faithful than Mrs. Robert H. Archey, who
has been secretary of the association for the past twenty years, or since May,
1895. The presidents of the association during that time have been Charles
Ratliff, Rev. L. A. Wells, of the Friends church, at Greenfield; Edward W.
Felt, George J. Richman, W. C. Goble, Dr. B. S. Binford, Milo Goodpasture,
Charles. Cook and Henry Hawkins, the latter being president at this time.

The home department of the association was organized at Mt. Comfort
in May, 1895. Miss Emma Parnell was the first home department superin-
tendent.

OLD SETTLERS' MEETINGS.

As the people who first settled in the county grew older, and especially as
those who had spent their younger years in the unbroken forests grew to old
age, there was a desire to live over again the experiences of the older days.
The local papers announced meetings of the old settlers in various parts of
the state, and on July 18, 1874, a meeting of the citizens was held at Warring-
ton for the purpose of arranging for an old settlers' meeting in that vicinity.
On that day the following officers were elected: President, John Vandyne;
vice-president, Benjamin F. Reeves; secretary, A. J. Reeves; A. C. Tharpe
and T. H. Armstrong, marshals; committee on arrangements, Nathan Over-
man, W. Marsh, R. Blakely, Thomas Walker, George Mingle, J. N. Martin-
dale, E. H. Barrett, William Bridges, A. W. Hammer, John Vandyne, S.
McCray, Asa Perkey, E. Burns, James Warrum, James Stanley, W. G. Cauld-

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I4I

well, J. A. McDaniel, Bird Lacy, John B. Hays, John Jackson, R. Cooper,
Allen York.

Arrangements were made to hold a meeting at Holiday's grove, one-
fourth mile north of Warrington, on August 21, 1874. Quite a large assem-
bly of people was present on that occasion, but we have fuller details of meet-
ings that were held at later dates.

Old settlers' meetings continued to be held in that neighborhood from
time to time for a number of years. One of the largest was held on Septem-
ber 2.2, 1883, at Copeland's grove, north of Warrington. A gentleman named
Roach, from Anderson, addressed the people, giving a history of the manners
and customs of the county fifty years ago. He reviewed the price of corn,
stock, labor, the manner of cooking, log rolling, flax raising, manufacturers,
and the good qualities of the old pumpkin pies and chicken potpies. He also
reviewed, for the enlightenment of the younger generation, the old way of
sparking and marrying.

A feature of this meeting was an exhibition of relics. The following
were reported in the Hancock Democrat of that time : Sarah Newkirk,
table fork, sixty-five years old ; apron, seventy years old ; song book, made by a
relative, seventy-four years old ; another book, ninety years old ; J. D. New-
kirk, sickle, fifty years old ; C. C. Butler, Bible, one hundred and twenty-three
years old; Philip Cronk, sword used by relative in War of 1812; Matt F.
Cook, cotton dress home-manufactured, sixty-five years old ; Matt's first vest,
sixty-two years old; Margaret Garriott, Bible and Testament; H. C. Garriott,
first cap, forty years old ; William M. Hays, first pair of pants, forty years old ;
Hattie McDaniel, sugar tongs, one hundred years old; Elizabeth Bundy,
sugar bowl, seventy-two years old; Sarah Newkirk, reticule, seventy-five
years old.

A similar meeting was held at Fortville in the same year, and for a
number of years many of our people attended old settlers' meetings at Oak-
landon, in Marion county.

During the week of the county fair, 1879, a number of citizens of the
county appointed a committee to make arrangements for an old settlers' meet-
ing to be held at Greenfield in 1880. Nelson Bradley, Stephen T. Dickinson
and Washington Duncan were placed on this committee. The meeting was
set for August 17, 1880, at Boyd's grove, just north of the city of Greenfield.
A number of chairs were provided, and a large stand was erected for the speak-
ers. On the back of the stand was a large oil painting by John Keifer, repre-
senting the habitation of an old settler. It was a log cabin. In the door stood
the wife ; at the left, a rosy-faced girl, feeding the fowls ; on the right sat

I42 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

father, planning for the future ; near him stood the son, watching a dusky In-
dian nearby. A coon skin was stretched on the side of the house near the
chimney ; a barrel lay on the ground in front of the house, labeled "hard cider,"
and in a tree in the background sat a wise old owl. Near the picture on the
back of the stage was a large American flag.

The addresses delivered on these occasions Avere, of course, full of remi-
niscences of pioneer days. Quite a number of old settlers were invited to
speak, and a few of the speeches of this particular day are included herein.
They must always be interesting for the pioneer spirit which they will reflect.

BY REV. WILLIAM NICHOLS,, OF NEW PALESTINE.

"Ladies and Gentlemen : At old settlers' meetings it is fitting and proper
to call up the past and rehearse memories and events past and gone. I was
born in territorial government, long before it became the state of Indiana. My
birthplace is in the Whitewater valley, near Metamora. As minister I have
lived in three or four counties and traveled over all the middle and eastern
part of the state. I could go back in the history of our country and relate the
many trials of the past and the building up of the present. I have seen
grand movements arise from a wilderness and poverty. We all began there.
I see many here today who can recall to memory all this. You can tell inci-
dents startling and true! So can I, but I will content myself by relating a
little incident, which, although harmless, impressed me deeply; many have
probably experienced similar ones. When four years old, I was terribly
afraid of Indians. A large party of them came to father's house to trade. On
seeing them, my fear was so great that I slipped away and concealed myself
in a hollow stump. As I crawled into the hollow, a grand-looking old fellow
espied me and, knowing my design, he came after me ; taking me up, he car-
ried me to the front, by the side of all the Indians. I thought I was gone.
He meant no harm and wished only to scare me.

"We have all felt hardships; have seen enterprises of the republic start
from the bottom, yes, from the forest. Look over the history of the world ;
of every republic that has been established ; yet, will any compare with ours ?
Being free, the old settlers went to work with energy ; into the wilderness they
penetrated ; cleared the way for progress and a good republic.

"Young people of today know little of the trials we endured to secure an
education. A log hut, windows made by cutting out a log and pasting oiled
paper over the hole, was our school house. There we learned to read, write,
spell and cipher, and from such places the best men and statesmen of America
have risen. Presidents and other high officers there began their upward
career.

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 1 43

"I see many old ladies present. No one deserves to be reverenced more.
They have heard the prowling of the wolf and savage and never faltered.
Many a mother and sister present can remember when clothing made of deer
skin was the best. Well do I remember what pleasure it gave me to don my
first pair of pantaloons made of deer skin. My first coat was of deer skin
and, had it not been for the moths and I had I known we would ever thus
meet, I could have kept it and worn it today. Thanking you, I will give
way to others."

BY REV. DAVID CAUDELL, OF VERNON .

"Old Settlers and Citizens of Hancock : I have no doubt that many of
those present today, when we rehearse what events occurred, will say within
themselves, surely they exaggerate the truth. I came to this county on Oc-
tober 28, 1834 — forty-six years ago — a little over the average natural life of
most people. When I look over that time and the changes wrought, the hard-
ships endured, I conclude it is not I that have lived to be present here, yet it is
true. When I came to the north part of the county and settled in Vernon
township it was a wilderness ; no settlement or cabin for miles around. I set-
tled in a large woods and began the work of clearing. The woods here is no
comparison to the woods at that time. When I go back and consider these
things it seems it is not me here today. I can say what many old settlers can-
not say. I have most always enjoyed good health. No matter what kind of
weather, I went out if necessary. Many times have I gone five or six miles
to a log-rolling or barn-raising, and I have worked as high as eighteen days
rolling logs without returning home. No matter how much water or snow
was on the ground, we would not stop. Some of the neighbors, old settlers,
can witness everything I say to be true. When we look back and see how
young people dressed them, how now, how they acted then and how now, ]
am led to believe they will never fully realize how the way was paved for them
by their fathers and forefathers. Everything is now changed, even the mode
of worship. We always held the meetings in private houses. There were no
attempts at display, and everyone felt that we were on an equality. We had to
walk for miles to attend church. In order to save their shoes, the ladies would
carry them in their hands, tramp along, wade the swamps, until in sight of
the place of worship, when they would sit down and put them on. After
services, on the return toward home, no sooner were they out of sight than
they would sit down and take off their shoes and trudge along home. You
cannot find anyone who will do that now. Now they must have a horse and a
fine buggy or else they cannot go, ever though the distance be one mile. Our

144 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

women walked four miles and did not grumble. Six yards would then make
a nice dress, and they would wear it from six to twelve months. Now it takes
fifteen yards [William Sears: "Some take twenty-five." Laughter], and
they don't wear it five months. The first winter I could fell timber in my
yard. Our chairs were three-legged stools; the table, a bench with four
legs. Comparing the times then with now, it is calculated to bring up feel-
ings that young people can never experience."

BY JOHN P. BANKS, OF BRANDYWINE :

"In our younger days we would always say 'Ladies and Gentlemen,' but
on the present it is more fitting to say 'Fathers and Mothers.' You have
just heard two ministers tell a little of their experiences. A preacher one-half
century ago, if worth anything when he commenced, became poorer and
poorer — one evidence of his sincerity. The people grew wiser and better.
The old pioneer preachers, when worn out, found themselves without land or
other possessions, would fill their jacket pockets with pills, or go to mending
shoes to keep gaunt want and privations from their door. I was born in
old Virginia, at the time when it owned this territory. Moved to White-
water valley and went into the block-house with my parents, six miles north
of Connersville. After peace was restored, we settled and soon afterward
I married and went to Rush county. That county was wealthy. I only
had forty acres and, having ambition, I wanted more, so moved on. When I
came here, one-half century ago, Robert Milroy was superintendent of the
National road, and was building the stone bridge, now standing in Green-
field. Speaking of roads, I want to say a word about gravel roads. .We old
settlers cleared the way for the roads, helped build them, and today, when we
came to this meeting, were compelled to pay toll. It looks like poverty, to
hear that the officers instructed their gate-keepers to remain at home and
collect full toll. It is a disgrace. Shame on such deeds! The women de-
serve praise for their heroism in the early settlement of the country. I have
seen mothers, aunts and sisters, from dark to daylight with gun in hand
and the trigger cocked, keeping away the wolf and Indians. The old ladies
have borne the heat and work for the present. They were faithful, true
and heroic."

BY NOBLE WARRUM, OF JACKSQN I

"In the year 1840, I was appointed collector of the revenue of Hancock
countv, known now as treasurer. But this duty was not then performed as it
is now. The citizens of the county did not then call at the office and pay

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 145

their taxes ; in fact, we had no office, therefore, I was obliged to travel through
the county from house to house and receive and receipt, wherever I could find
a taxpayer. Many receipts have I filled on stumps and log-heaps, and (droll
as it may seem to you) I have received mink and coon skins in payment for
taxes. I well recollect on one occasion being over in Vernon township near
where McCordsville now stands, at one Wm. McCords, of whom I made a
collection and late in the evening I started for my old friend, William Cald-
well (who was the first justice of the peace that ever was in Vernon township).
But dark overtaking me, I let my horse have his own way. He guided me
to what was then known as the 'Big Deadening', where I found a cabin occu-
pied by a family by the name of Jones, and by the way, Mr. Jones was a very
clever gentleman, although they had just moved in and were unprepared to
receive and accommodate, yet he received me in a very kind and hospitable
manner. But the will was there, God bless him and his wife for their treat-
ment. The needy shared alike with the wealthy. In those times all loved
one another; but now, when pride creeps in, love creeps out.

"These old settlers came here not to plunder nor to get rich in a month
or a year, but to make an honest living, just as God intended they should,
by the sweat of their brow. And many times their sole sustenance was johnny-
cake and venison, being entirely destitute of salt. And this venison, in pre-
paring it for what was termed jerk, was cut in thin slices, and, by having thin
sticks inserted, were placed over our fires in our log-cobins, where it hung
until perfectly dry ; when prepared in this way — kept from moisture — it would
keep for almost any length of time. And occasionally we would kill a fat
bear and then we could afford to shorten our johnny-cake, and if we were
lucky enough to raise any pumpkins, we stewed them and made what was
known as 'pumpkin pone,' and on such occasions the neighbors generally re-
ceived a cordial invitation.

"And now, as regards the old pioneer mothers, who were willing to make
their living by the sweat of their brow. I have seen these old mothers, after
spinning nearly all day, sit down, as they said, 'to rest', and take their needle
and thread in hand and make a calico dress before bedtime, a plain calico
dress; they needed none of that artificial beauty. You saw none of those
whalebones nor bumps, Grecian-benders, nor humps — but their bodies were
the most beautiful of God's creation. And the young men of that day found
them just as attractive and as interesting as the young men of today consider
the young ladies of the present age, and were just as anxious to place their
arms around them, or steal a kiss from their ruby lips ; but I can't help saying,

(10)

146 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

God bless the ladies for their good, in all ages, and dressed in any kind of
a garb."

A roster was made of the oldest people present with the number of years
each had been in the county or state. The following list is taken from the
report made at the time to the local papers: Ruth Hudson, born 1795, in
county over fifty years; Matilda Catt, in county fifty-two years; Elihu Coffin,
in state fifty-two years; Benjamin Reeves, in county sixty years; William
Bridges, in county fifty years ; John B. Banks, in county fifty-one years ; David
Caudell, in county thirty-six years; Benjamin Price, in county forty-eight
years ; George Baxter, in county thirty-six years ; John R. Couden, in county
forty years; Benjamin McNamee, in county forty-seven years; Mrs. Berilla
Cooper, in county forty-six years ; George McConnell, in state fifty-six years ;
Lewis Jackson, in county forty years; Rolman and Nelson Johns, in Brown
township fifty-three years; Thompson Allen, in Brown township fifty-three
years; Washington Duncan, in county sixty years; Henry Duncan, in state
fifty-one years; Clarissa Duncan, born in state 1808; Melinda Elsbury, in
county fifty years; Martha Roberts, in county forty-five years; Sarah Stuart,
in county forty-six years.

It was estimated that at least six thousand people were present on that
day. A number of amusements were provided for the young as well as for
the old. In fact, it seems that the amusements provided for the younger peo-
ple proved distasteful to some of the older folks. We take the following from
the report made to the Hancock Democrat: "We heard much comment,
mostly unfavorable, on the allowing by the manager of the various gaming and
dancing establishments on the ground. One old gentleman, who resides in the
east part of town, on being met as he was leaving the grounds by a Democrat
reporter, and asked why he was going away so soon, replied, rather angrily,
that the 'devil was there', referring to the establishments."

Many relics were also exhibited, which served to remind the old settlers
of the happy hours spent years ago. Among the exhibits were a flax hackle,
a chair, a sickle, horn and a Bible. It was generally reported that many more
relics would have been brought had it been understood that the relics were to
be displayed.

On August 4, 1 88 1, a second meeting was held. It was estimated that
at least two hundred and fifty persons came on the train from the east, and
that from six thousand to nine thousand persons were in attendance. A fea-
ture of this meeting was a choir composed of the old folks, who sang "Auld
Lang Syne," "Morality," "Eternity," etc. Among the relics were a flax
hackle, hemp hook, a boiling pan, and the horns of a large buck killed many

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 147

years ago. The local reporter stated in his paper that "stands and other
places where money can be spent are more numerous than was ever seen at
any county fair."

The third meeting at Greenfield was held on August 5, 1882, and ten
thousand people were reported present. The old people again sang "Liberty,"
"Ohio," "Morality," etc., from the "Old Missouri Harmony." A few notes
are taken from the local paper of that date :

"Ebenezer Scotton, of Buck Creek township, wore an old coat which was
over sixty years old. It was embellished with large buttons.

"Jared C. Meek, of Eden, the first white child born in Greenfield, was
frequently pointed out on the ground as a person with a remarkable history."

The following were the presidents of the old settlers' meetings during
their most flourishing years: 1880, Nelson Bradley; 1881, Thomas Hawk;

1882, James Tyner; 1883, R. A. Riley.

The old settlers' meetings continued to be held for several years. After
the organization of the county fair, and the purchase of Boyd's grove by the
fair association, a day was set apart at the fair as old settlers' day. It seems,
however, that interest began to wane, and in a few years no further effort was
made to continue the meetings.

RAILROADS, INTERURBANS, ETC.

The Knightstown & Shelby ville railway was completed about 1848
and operated until about 1855. It crossed the southeast corner of Blue River
township, following the south valley of Blue river. The old grades may still
be seen at some places.

Prior to the construction of the Indiana Central railway, the Dayton coach
made its weekly trips over the Centerville state road and, later, over the Na-
tional road, between Indianapolis and Dayton. This was the first line estab-
lished for the carrying of passengers.

The Bee Line, now known as the branch of the Big Four, passing through
McCordsville and Fortville, was constructed in 1850. In 185 1 the Indiana
Central railroad, now known as the Pennsylvania line, was constructed through
this county. In 1867 work was begun on the "Junction" railway, now known
as the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton. The work on this road was concluded
in 1869. In 1881 the Indiana, Bloomington & Western was organized, but
trains were not run over the road until the latter part of 1882 or early in

1883. In 1890, the branch of the Big Four running through Shirley was
constructed.

Work on the first traction line was begun in the fall of 1899. The road

I48 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

was completed in 1900 between Indianapolis and Greenfield. The first car
ran out of Greenfield on June 13, 1900, and the road began carrying passengers
regularly on June 17, 1900. At first the line had difficulty getting into the
city of Indianapolis. All cars stopped at Central avenue, in Irvington, and
passengers changed to the city cars. After a few months, however, arrange-
ments were made by which the cars of the traction line ran into the city.

The Union Traction line, through Fortville, was completed so that cars
began running between Fortville and Anderson in December, 1900.

The contract for the construction of the Indianapolis-Rushville line was
let in 1901. As originally planned, the road was to be double tracked and was
graded with this object in view. The company became financially embar-
rassed, however, and the work was delayed. Finally one track was laid. The
road went into a receiver's hands and the first cars were not run until Feb-
ruary, 1906.

The Honey Bee line, or the Indianapolis, Newcastle & Eastern Traction
Company, running through Maxwell, was begun in 1906. In 1907, work on
the road was halted because of financial difficulties. The company's affairs
went into a receiver's hands and the road was not completed for traffic for
two or three years. Cars began running in June, 1909.

The Tidewater pipe line was laid across Brandywine and Blue River
townships in 1910. Oil is carried through this line from the oil fields of
Illinois to Jersey City. The line enters the county a short distance east of
Finly, and pursues an easterly direction across the corner of the county. In
191 5 a large pumping station was erected in Brandywine township, a half-
mile north of Fountaintown.

During recent years the people of the county have had the advantage of
traveling in every direction by railroad, while the trolley cars are passing over
the traction lines in either direction at every hour.

Aside from the convenience of transportation thus offered, these cor-
porations pay a large sum of money into the county treasury annually, as
taxes. In fact, very few people have any idea of the amount of revenue de-
rived from this source. Following are the amounts of taxes paid by these
corporations in the year 191 5 :

Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway Company. . . .$21,652.02

Peoria & Eastern Railway Company (through Maxwell) 9,608.12

Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan Railway Co. (through Shirley) 1,329.99
Cincinnati, Indianapolis & Western Railway Company (through

New Palestine) 3,690.06

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I49

Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago & St. Louis Railway Company

(through Fortville) 7,594.81

Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Traction Company (through

Greenfield) 4,958.69

Indianapolis, Newcastle & Eastern Traction Company 2,706.79

Indianapolis & Cincinnati Traction Company 1,046.26

Indiana Union Traction Company 1,597.40

Tidewater Pipe Company 768.70

Total $54,952.84

PROPOSED RAILWAY.

There is no subject upon which so much has been said in the history of
the county and so little done, as upon the subject of a railroad running north
and south through the city of Greenfield. The agitation for a north and south
line was begun about the time of the Civil War, or very soon thereafter, and
has remained a subject of discussion at short intervals from that time to the
present. The first agitation that caused people to believe that such a rail-
way would actually be built was begun during the summer of 1871. The pro-
posed line was the Columbus, Nashville & Greenfield Railway. The agitation
waned with the summer and the project was soon forgotten.

The next railroad, and one that received a great deal more serious con-
sideration, was the Chicago, Greenfield & Cincinnati railroad. At a special
session of the board of county commissioners of Hancock county in 1889, peti-
tions were presented by several townships in the county asking for appropria-
tions by the townships of the amounts indicated below to aid in the construction
of this railroad through the respective townships. The petitions also asked
that elections be ordered by the board in the respective townships to give the
voters an opportunity of determining whether the said amounts should be
donated. On that day the board granted the prayers of the petitioners and
elections were ordered in the following townships, to be held on November
16, 1889: Blue River, $15,000; Brandy wine, $10,000; Center, $43,000;
Green, $12,000; Vernon, $17,000.

In all of the townships except Center and Blue River, the majority of the
votes were cast against making the appropriation. The result of the election
was as follows:

I50 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Blue River —

For the railroad no votes

Against the railroad 96 votes

Majority for railroad 14 votes

Brandyunne —

Against the railroad 152 votes

For the railroad 29 votes

Majority against railroad 123 votes

Center —

For the railroad 800 votes

Against the railroad 176 votes

Majority for railroad 624 votes

Green —

Against the railroad 149 votes

For the railroad 80 votes

Majority against railroad 69 votes

Vernon —

Against the railroad 256 votes

For the railroad 226 votes

Majority against railroad 30 votes

The Chicago, Greenfield & Cincinnati Railroad Company was a corpora-
tion organized under the laws of the state of Indiana. Its purpose was to
build a railroad from Noblesville to Rushville, thus connecting with lines lead-
ing to Chicago and Cincinnati. The proposed road was to cross the Pennsyl-
vania line at Greenfield, and the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad at
Fountaintown. Local people were interested in the project. Morgan Chan-
dler was president and Charles Downing was secretary of the company. The
special election, however, determined the fate of the railroad.

In September, 1897, the Greenfield & Maxwell Railroad Company was
incorporated. The directors of the new company were, Ephraim Marsh, S. R.
Wells, W. J. Alford (of Anderson), George Cooper, Jerome Black, J. H.
Moulden, H. B.. Thayer.

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I5I

The purpose of the company, as indicated by its name, was to build a
railroad from Maxwell to Greenfield. On November 12, 1897, a petition,
signed by ninety taxpayers of Center township, was filed with the county
commissioners, praying for an election to be held in Center township to vote a
subsidy of forty-seven thousand five hundred dollars to the Greenfield &
Maxwell Railroad Company as an aid in the construction of the line. The
board ordered an election to be held on January 18, 1898. This movement
aroused a great deal of opposition in the township. The subsidy was asked
for on the theory that the new railroad would have a tendency to lower freight
rates and give greater accommodation to the traveling public of the county. The
opposition to the road argued that these things were, from a practical stand-
point, minor matters ; that the road was a private venture, and that the subsidy
simply meant the payment of that much money into the hands of the promoters.
In the election six hundred and nineteen votes were cast in favor of the appro-
priation and nine hundred and twenty-one against it, thus defeating the move-
ment by a majority of three hundred and two votes.

But the most interesting, by far, of all the proposed railways is the story of

BLACK DIAMOND.

The work of locating the Black Diamond system began on April 30, 1895.
The road, as planned, was to extend from Port Royal, South Carolina, to
Chicago. By the spring of 1898, it was reported by Albert E. Boone, general
manager of the system, that the survey from Port Royal, South Carolina, to
the city of Greenfield had been completed and paid for. A mass meeting of
the citizens of Hancock county was called at the court house on May 11, 1898.
The call was given by the general manager of the system, in which he informed
the people that four routes had been suggested from Greenfield to Chicago.
They were as follows :

Route 1. Greenfield via Mohawk, Fortville, Noblesville.

Route 2. Greenfield, Maxwell, Ingalls, etc.

Route 3. Greenfield via Mohawk, Fortville, Tipton, etc.

Route 4. Greenfield via Philadelphia, Gem, Cumberland, Hunters, etc.

The route to be selected was to depend upon the interest manifested at
the meeting to be held on May II. The name of the branch of the road
going through Greenfield was to be the Indianapolis, Vevay & Tidewater
railway. Colonel Boone gave notice that he himself would come to Green-
field on May 10. for the purpose of meeting any delegations that might want
any information concerning the proposed railway.

I52 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

The mass meeting was held as advertised. A large number of the citi-
zens of the county were present. Among those from a distance were, J. V.
Carter, editor of Vevay Democrat; Mayor J. R. Simpson, Paoli, Indiana ; Col-
onel Tutt, of Knoxville, and Albert E. Boone, general manager of the Black
Diamond system. The promoters asked the citizens in the townships through
which the proposed road was to run to appropriate seven thousand dollars to
defray the expense of the preliminary survey. At the conclusion of the meet-
ing Mayor Duncan was instructed to appoint a committee of the business men
of Greenfield to consult with the citizens of the townships through which the
proposed road was to pass, to get their views as to whether they were in
favor of building the road and assisting in defraying the expenses of the sur-
vey, profiles, etc.

From this time, all of the local newspapers between Port Royal, South
Carolina, and Chicago were filled with the doings of the promoter of the sys-
tem. Items from one paper were copied in the others, so that the proposed
work was continually before the people. News of what was being done at
any point traveled along the entire line through the chain of county papers.

On August 25, 1898, a petition, signed by a number of taxpayers of Blue
River township, was filed with the county commissioners, asking for an elec-
tion to be held in Blue River township to vote an appropriation of $17,941.10
as an aid in the construction of the Indianapolis, Vevay & Tidewater rail-
way. A similar petition was filed on the same day by citizens of Center
township, asking for an appropriation of $76,426.

The board of county commissioners ordered an election in these town-
ships on September 27, 1898. The following was the result of the election:

Blue River —

Against the appropriation 153 votes

For the appropriation 77 votes

Majority against the appropriation 76 votes

Center —

For the appropriation 923 votes

Against the appropriation 511 votes

Majority for the appropriation 412 votes

These appropriations were to be made on condition that the road be fin-
ished and that no part of the appropriation be due and payable until the line
should be completely finished and trains operated thereon.

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 1 53

The promoters seemed to be quite hopeful, as is indicated by the follow-
ing letter written by Colonel Boone to the editor of the Greenfield Republican :

"Zanesville, Ohio, September 28, 1898.

"From the telegram to the Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, I see the subsidy
carried at Greenfield (Center township), but failed in Blue River township.
I am deeply grateful, as well as satisfied. It guarantees for the Black Dia-
mond a footing amongst a class of people that will protect the franchise from
any and all attempts to secure unjust awards at court in case of litigation. I
shall now prepare my plans to make Greenfield the pivot point of line to
Vevay, to Chicago and to connect with an outer belt for Indianapolis.

"I cannot let this occasion pass without thanking you for the noble stand
you took when the Black Diamond needed loyalty and support. You can
assure your people that every pledge made in the petition will be carried out
to the letter, and the shops shall be no small affair. They will be large enough
for the business of two hundred and fifty-four miles of road — Vevay, via
Greenfield, to Hammond, Indiana. We will take out a new charter in the
name of the Chicago, Greenfield & Tidewater Railway Company, building
from Greenfield (south of Pan-Handle) to Vevay, as the 'Ohio River divi-
sion,' and from Greenfield (north of Pan-Handle) to Hammond, as the 'Lake
Michigan division'.

"All the franchise south of Greenfield will be perfected in the name of
the Indianapolis, Vevay & Tidewater, and same then transferred to the Chi-
cago, Greenfield & Tidewater Railway Company. The change is made be-
cause the road will not go to Indianapolis, and then, as we must build from
Maxwell to Vevay to earn the subsidy, the change must necessarily be made.

"I enjoy the hope that I have made clear my appreciation. With kind
regards to all friends of the Black Diamond cause in Hancock county, In-
diana, I am with respect. Albert E. Boone/''

"P. S. — A debt of gratitude you will forever owe to Charles Tutt, of
Knoxville, Tennessee, for his faithfulness to your city. I rejoice that the
name of Tutt will never perish, for it will be amongst the files that the com-
ing of the Black Diamond to Greenfield was due solely to the work of Charles
Tutt and the friends he secured in your county. The first engine upon your
line shall be called 'Colonel Tutt.' Boone."

"N. B. — Whilst the name Vevay will be stricken out for the insertion of
Greenfield, yet we will compensate Vevay by making a change of name of the
Springfield, Ohio River & South Atlantic to that of Vincennes, Vevay &
Tidewater. Boone/'

154 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

It did not become necessary, however, to take out a new charter in the
name of the Chicago, Greenfield & Tidewater Railway Company, nor did it
ever become necessary to change the name of any other branch of the system
to compensate Vevay for the loss of her name in the line to Chicago. Though
the promoters continued to give out information concerning the progress of the
work at different points along the line, the optimism of the people of Hancock
county received a rude shock when the following item was published in the
local papers within less than a year after the appreciative letter of Colonel
Boone had appeared in the same columns :

"J. V. Dill, liveryman of Greenfield, sold the effects of the Black Dia-
mond railway to pay the expense of livery hire of the representatives of the
Black Diamond system," etc.

Since that time we have had rumors of the construction of a belt road
to include a number of county seats in the counties adjoining Marion, but as
yet this road has not passed the stage that was reached by all the others.

The only company that has ever succeeded in operating a line for the
regular transportation of passengers north and south from Greenfield has
been the Greenfield Auto Traction Company, incorporated July n, 1910, and
operated under the management of W. C. Welborn, an attorney of the Han-
cock bar. This company operated an auto traction line between Greenfield
and Maxwell, and for a time between Fountaintown and Pendleton. The
line was discontinued in January, 19 13.

THE GRANGE.

About 1870, or perhaps a little later, the Grange movement swept over
Hancock county, and within two or three years twenty-one local lodges were
organized. In March, 1874, representatives of the various Granges met at
Greenfield and effected a county organization. The following officers were
elected : President, B. F. Reeves, Warrington ; vice-president, J. T. Dawson,
Philadelphia ; secretary, I. A. Curry, Greenfield ; treasurer, E. S. Bottsford,
Philadelphia; business agent, Alpheus Tyner, Morristown; gate keeper,
Thomas Bentley, Greenfield; executive committee, Smith McCord, R. J.
Moore, William Frost.

Arrangements were also made for the establishment of a Grange store
at Greenfield, of which Alpheus Tyner was to have charge. At the meeting
of the Hancock county council on the first Saturday of March, 1874, the
following resolution was adopted in recommendation of Mr. Tyner : "Re-
solved, that in the election of Alpheus Tyner as purchasing agent of the Pa-
trons of Husbandry of Hancock county, we recommend him as a man of integ-
rity and ability and entitled to your confidence and respect."

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 155

The following lodges were reported in April, 1874:

Blue River, John T. Coffin, master; B. B. Binford, secretary.

Eden, No. 469, E. B. Bragg, master; B. T. Cooper, secretary.

Philadelphia, No. 386, John E. Dye, master ; T. J. Dawson, secretary.

White Haven, No. 924, James Mitchell, master; L. Bussell, secretary.

Fortville, No. 528, J. S. Merrill, master; Charles P. Thomas, secretary.

Sugar Creek, No. 892, James Wilkinson, master; Weston Summerville,
secretary.

Sugar Creek, No. 638, J. P. Murphy, master ; T. J. Wilson, secretary.

Buck Creek, No. 509, I. S. Wright, master; B. F. Millard, secretary.

Cleveland, No. 343, G. W. Sample, master; I. Murdon, secretary.

Warrington, No. 591, J. M. Bundy, master; B. F. Reeves, secretary.

McCordsville, No. 431, Elias McCord, master; John Bells, secretary.

Palestine, No. 505, Uriah Low, master ; Edward Schreiber, secretary.

Milners Corners, No. 764, W. G. Caldwell, master; William McKinsey.
secretary.

Cumberland, No. 1045, Abner Newland, master; Thomas Furgason,
secretary.

Shiloh, No. 319, J. F. Hackleman, master; Alpheus Tyner, secretary.

Brandywine, No. , Harrison Wilkinson, master; F. M. Clark, secre-
tary.

Union, No. 1389, J. Q. White, master; Andrew Williamson, secretary.

Vernon, No. 1378, A. P. Hastings, master; S. E. Collins, secretary.

Six Mile, No. 1629, Charles Fort, master; Daniel Loudenback, secretary.

At this time the Grange of Hancock county had a membership of over
one thousand and five hundred. The organization took an interest in gen-
eral and economic matters, such as the development of farms, the beautifying
of the county, the school system, taxation and, finally, politics.

At a regular meeting of the county council at the Grange hall in Green-
field, on April 4, 1874, the advisability of nominating a county ticket was
considered. It was at this meeting, too, that the council expressed its dis-
approval of the frequent changes in the use of text books and adopted a
resolution in relation thereto. Other matters were presented, but there was a
special interest in this meeting, because the question as to whether the Grange
should enter the political arena was to be determined. The notice that the
advisability of nominating a county ticket was to be considered, in itself
brought a large attendance. Soon after the meeting opened, Mr. Furry, of
Sugar Creek township, offered the following resolution :

"Resolved, that a committee of five be appointed by the chair who shall,

I56 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

without delay, issue an address, accompanied by a call for a mass convention
of those actually engaged in agricultural pursuits (not to nominate a
ticket), but for a free consultation on all matters of interest to them. Such
convention may organize and perform all rules necessary to a nominating
convention at a future day."

J. H. White submitted the following as an amendment to the above
resolution : "That the committee take into consideration the propriety of
calling such convention, and report at the next regular meeting of this
council."

The amendment, however, was not entirely satisfactory to a number,
and William Lewis, of Jackson township, submitted the following as a sub-
stitute :

"Resolved, that this council instruct each Grange to elect one delegate
for each twenty members or fraction thereof, to meet at the court house in
Greenfield, three weeks from today at 10 o'clock a. m., to make their nom-
inating ticket."

The voting began, in the course of which Mr. Lewis's substitute was
first lost. Then Mr. White's amendment was lost, and finally the original
resolution was defeated. This left the matter of a county ticket undecided.
The council adjourned, to meet again on April 18, 1874. Nothing was done
at the second meeting, and the matter does not seem to have come up again
until at a special meeting of the county council held at Greenfield on July
18, 1874. At thismeeting George Furry introduced the following resolution:

"Believing the time has fully come when the agricultural and industrial
interests of the county (judging from the past) cannot reasonably expect
redress and protection from either of the present existing parties : therefore,

"Resolved, by the Hancock County Council, Patrons of Husbandry,
this July 18, 1874, that there be an election called of the agricultural and in-
dustrial classes in the several townships in said county, on the last Saturday
in July, between the hours of one and four o'clock P. M., for the purpose of
electing delegates to a county convention — one delegate for each one hundred
votes polled at the last general election, and one for each fractional part
thereof; said delegates to meet in the town of Greenfield in said county on
the first Saturday in August next, at one o'clock A. M., then and there to
proceed to nominate a county ticket of competent, faithful, temperate and
honest men, irrespective of their connection with any political, religious or
social order — men who will unflinchingly stand by in sympathy with the in-
dustrial interests of the county, strictly adhering to the principles which should

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 157

characterize every patron; that the nomination should seek the man and the
man be nominated."

The report of the vote of the council on this resolution was as follows :
Yeas — T. E. Bentley, R. P. Andis, William Lewis, Aaron Foster, A. J. Lee,
A. L. Ogg, Burd Lacy, J. S. Merrill, George Furry, George L. Judkins, L.
D. Milburn, E. T. Chandler, Aquilla Grist. Nays— I. A. Curry, T. J. Daw-
son, Smith McCord, William Frost, T. B. Miller, J. H. White, R. J. Moore,
James Finnell, John E. Dye.

George L. Judkins moved to reconsider the vote adopting this resolu-
tion. His motion was seconded, and entertained by the president, who sub-
mitted it to the council, whereupon there was a bolt from the room to prevent
its passage. Capt. Adams L. Ogg asked for a call of the house, which, after
being made, showed that a quorum was lacking. The council then adjourned,
to meet in regular session on the first Saturday in August, 1874. Under the
rules of the council the motion to reconsider stood for action at the next
regular meeting.

Two days later, on July 20, 1874, printed hand bills were scattered
broadcast over the county, of which the following is a copy :

"take notice

"The Hancock County Council, Patrons of Husbandry, have called upon
the voters of the agricultural and industrial classes generally, to assemble
at their respective townships on Saturday, July 25, 1874, to organize an inde-
pendent party, and to name there all things calculated to release us from
the burdens of extravagant and bad government.

"Many Voters."

Pursuant to the above notice, a number of men assembled at the court
house, on July 25, but the convention lacked unity and coherence. The lead-
ers in the convention seemed to be Capt. Adams L. Ogg, George Furry and
Thomas E. Bentley. Although the motion had carried on July 18, 1874, in
favor of an independent county ticket, it caused much dissatisfaction in the
Grange. On August 29, another reform or independent convention was held
at Greenfield, at which both a county central committee was appointed and a
county ticket nominated. The names of the committeemen as well as of the
candidates have been set out in the chapter on politics.

The following resolutions which stood as its platform give a good idea
of the reforms advocated :

"Resolved, that the man receiving the nomination for representative in
said convention shall unhesitatingly pledge himself to a speedy repeal of the

I58 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

late salary grab of the last Legislature, and pledge himself, so far as he may
be able, to reduce to a fair and reasonable basis, the salaries and fees of all
state, county and school officers, to abolish the office of county school superin-
tendent and many other offices that are useless burdens to the people.

"Resolved, that, in view of the fact that the county officers elected this
year are by law liable to receive the salaries and fees as prescribed by the
present law, therefore the said convention shall not tender to any man the
nomination for either of the county offices, who will not pledge himself that
if elected to any office he will faithfully perform the duty of such office for the
following named reduced salary :

"Clerk • $1,200.00

Treasurer 1,200.00

Auditor 1,200.00

Sheriff 1,200.00

Recorder (for each deed) 1.00

County Commissioners, per day 3.00

Trustees, per day 2.00

County Assessor, per day 2.00

Members of the Legislature, per day 5.00

"Resolved, that in case the above named officers should be elected by
said independent convention, they shall faithfully collect all fees subject to
the several offices under the present law, and all such money over and above
the above named salaries shall be given in charge of the county commission-
ers as a county fund, subject to their disposal for the actual benefit of the
county.

"Resolved, that we favor the election of a district prosecutor, who has
the ability within himself to conduct the interests of the state in criminal
courts without employing assistance, except in very extreme and complicated
cases, and then only a reasonable and stated fee."

Up to this time, the Grange had flourished in the county. Farmers took
a general interest in it, and good seems to have been accomplished. Its advent
into politics, however, was its undoing. The ties of party were stronger than
the ties of the order, and within the next year or two it lost rapidly in numbers
and influence. Within three or four years it became practically extinct. We
hear of it again on January 9, 1879, when the following notice was inserted
in the local papers, showing that an effort had been made to revive it, and
that new officers had been elected and installed:

"The Grange has been in a feeble condition for some time past, and has

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I 59

only been meeting occasionally. It has been rejuvenated and the members
have resolved to hold regular meetings. With this purpose the following
officers have been elected and installed for the ensuing year: Worshipful
master, David S. Gooding; overseer, Alfred Potts; secretary, William Fries;
assistant steward, H. C. Willett; chaplain, E. R. Gant; secretary, R. D.
Cooper ; gate keeper, A. Little ; treasurer, Hiram Rhue ; trustees, R. D. Cooper,
W. Collyer and J. W. Comstock, and committee on relief, William Sears,
A. Little and Eli R. Gant."

A good social spirit was fostered among the members of the Grange.
Picnics and other gatherings were held from time to time, of which we have
at least one detailed report. This is a "write up" in the Hancock Democrat
of a county picnic, held on June 20, 1874. Each lodge was invited to "come
clad in regalia and bring full baskets." The Democrat may not have looked
with favor upon the entrance of the Grange into politics. Such a step at least
could not be helpful to the Democracy of the county, but following is the
report of the picnic :

"By far the largest number of people, men, women and children, we
have seen in Greenfield for many a day was on the occasion of the Grangers'
picnic on Saturday last. The people came in early from all parts of the county,
and at 10 o'clock a procession was formed by Capt. A. L. Ogg and numerous
assistants, and marched (headed by the Greenfield Cornet Band) to O'Don-
nell's beautiful grove, west of town, to enjoy together, in a good old-fashioned
way, a festive day, free from the cares and strifes of life, to hear enumerated
their many and grievous wrongs, and the best manner of their redress; to
listen to eloquent dissertations of best means of freeing labor from the bond-
age of capital, and to have demonstrated to them the great advantage the manu-
facturer has over the consumer. The procession was a fine display of the
bone and sinew, nearly every Grange in the county being represented, all wear-
ing the modest regalia of the order, while above them waved their banners,
bearing appropriate mottoes, such as 'We have no litigation in the Grange,'
'Love, friendship and charity,' 'We oppose the salary grab,' 'We buy direct
from manufacturers,' 'We are opposed to monopoly,' and 'United we stand.'

"Appropriate addresses were made by Messrs. Crouch, of Indianapolis;
Pendleton, of Johnson county, and James, of Grant county.

. "The meeting was in all respects a grand success, and the horny-handed
sons of toil are entitled to great credit for the very orderly and gentlemanly
manner in which they conducted themselves during the entire day. All their
baskets were well filled with the substantials of life, and all left well satisfied
with the day's pleasure."

l6o HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

FARMERS^ MUTUAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATION.

During the latter eighties this movement swept over the state, and lodges
were organized in all parts of the county. Meetings were usually held in the
school houses, and the farmers of the community "joined." The "joining"
seems to have been the most of it. Its purpose and organization were similar
to the Grange, but very little seems to have been accomplished by the order.
The initiation of new members afforded much amusement. Stories are still
extant of what "happened" on those occasions. The mere mention of the
" F. M. B. A.'s" always brings a smile to the faces of those who were familiar
with its mysteries.

farmers' insurance association.

Foreign insurance companies had operated for many years in the county.
But in the latter seventies there was a feeling current among people that they
themselves could protect their property cheaper than it was protected by the
old-line companies. On June 12, 1876, a number of farmers associated
themselves together for this purpose. William Marsh was elected president
of the company; B. F. Luse, vice-president; Samuel B. Hill, secretary and
treasurer. One director was also appointed from each township. On Novem-
ber 4, 1878, this association was incorporated under the name of "Farmers'
Insurance Association of Hancock County." Its object, as stated in the arti-
cles of incorporation, was "to insure property, buildings and personal prop-
erty in buildings, against loss or damage by fire or lightning." As to mem-
bership in the company, the article of incorporation provided, "any person
owning some property in Hancock county, by paying an initiation fee of five
dollars, may become a lifetime member," subject to withdrawal or forfeiture.
Money was to be raised by assessment after loss. The incorporators of the
company were, Joseph Barrett, Elihu Coffin, Jr., William Fries, George Kin-
der, Henry S. Wales, George W. Reeves, John F. Candell, Isaiah A. Curry,
N. D. Coffin, James Parnell, Henry Loudenback, J. F. Coffin, John Hunt,
Lewis C. Jessup, John R. Cowden, William Brooks, John H. White, John T.
Duncan, Jacob Slifer, Wellington Collyer, Joseph L. Binford, Jonathan Jes-
sup, Daniel R. Loudenback, Jesse Cook, Robert W. Davis, James H. Anderson,
Richard Frost, John H. Hagans, Levi Jessup, T. E. Bentley, Samuel B. Hill,
Charles H. Fort, B. F. Luse.

Since the organization of the company, the following men have served
as president: William Marsh, S. S. Boots, John H. White, Thomas Mints,
William Elsbury.

William Elsbury has been president of the company since 1896. The fob

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. l6l

lowing - men have also acted as secretary and treasurer : Samuel B. Hill, who
served until about 1886 or 1887. He was followed by John E. Dye, who
served five or six years. Dr. Dye was followed by A. V. B. Sample, who
served a year or two, until he was elected clerk of the Hancock circuit court.
Mr. Sample was then followed by Mr. Dye, who served another year. Mr.
Dye was followed by Benton L. Barrett, in 1896, who served until 1914. At
present I. H. Day is secretary and treasurer of the company.

The books of the company have been destroyed a time or two and it is
difficult to get exact historical information. The following- table, however,
made from the assessment sheets and notices sent to members at the dates in-
dicated, give a fair idea of the amount of business that the company has trans-
acted during the past ten years :

Number of
Date Losses and Claims Filed Members

March, 1906 $2,193.55

August, 1906 2,729.78 1604

March, 1907 2,713.80

August, 1907 2,748.95 1612

August, 1908 2,554.04 1621

August, 1909 1,051.57 1616

January, 1910 6,409.00 1583

August, 1910 3775-Q5 !568

August, 191 1 3,573-51

February, 1912 4,406.30

March, 1913 2,567.16 1238

August, 1913 6,006.35 1210

August, 1914 2,022.18 1 180

August, 191 5 4,904.81

The report made by the secretary and treasurer on Saturday, October 9,
191 5, showed the total receipts for the fiscal year ending October 7, 191 5,
$14,199.17; disbursements, $5,541.31; balance on hands, $8,657.86. The
present officers are : William Elsbury, president ; R. B. Binford, vice-president ;
I. H. Day, secretary and treasurer.

DETECTIVE COMPANIES.

The first effort to organize a detective company in the county was made in
the fall of 1876. On September 8, 1876, articles of incorporation for the
"Police Association of Hancock and Shelby Counties," were filed with the

(11)

l62 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

board of commissioners of Hancock county. These articles had been drawn
under an old law enacted in 1852. The board of commissioners refused to
take any action on the articles for the reason that the law under which they
were drawn had been repealed.

On January 30, 1877, other articles of incorporation were drawn, in
which the corporation was named as "The Hancock and Shelby Police Force."
These articles were drawn under a law enacted in 1865 and were recorded in
the Miscellaneous Record in the office of the county recorder in Hancock
county. The object of the association, as stated in the articles of incorpora-
tion, was "the apprehension of horse thieves and other felons and for the mu-
tual protection and indemnity against the acts of such horse thieves and other
felons." The association was to continue for a term of two years. Its mem-
bers were practically all from the southern part of Hancock and the northern
part of Shelby counties.

From all that can be learned at this time, this association did not accom-
plish very much. Within another decade, however, there was a general organ-
ization of the county for the purpose as stated in the articles above.

Under the Voluntary Association act, the Buck Creek Township Horse
Thief Detective Company was organized in 1888 and since that time the fol-
lowing companies have been incorporated under this or later acts :

Organized Mem-
Name bers.

Buck Creek Township Horse Thief Detective Company 11888 19

McCordsville Horse Thief Detective Company 1888 90

Hancock Horse Thief Detective Company 1888 300

Sugar Creek Horse Thief Detective Company 1891

Brandy wine Horse Thief Detective Company 1893 80

Eden Horse Thief Detective Company - 1894

Fortville Horse Thief Detective Company 1897 225

Carrollton Horse Thief Detective Company 1898 45

Wilkinson Horse Thief Detective Company 1899 44

New Palestine Horse Thief Detective Company 1900 95

Milners Corner Horse Thief Detective Company 1902

Willow Horse Thief Detective Company 1902 21

Gem Horse Thief Detective Company 1908 135

The purpose of all of these companies, as stated in the articles of associa-
tion, is "to detect and apprehend horse thieves and other felons and for
mutual protection and indemnity against the acts of such horse thieves and

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 1 63

felons." The earlier companies were incorporated for a period of fifty years,
but later the law was changed and the companies organized since that time,
or that have re-organized since that time, are now incorporated on a per-
petual basis. The primary purpose of the organization of these companies is
the apprehension of horse thieves and other felons. In this the companies
have been very successful. All of the local companies are units in the state
organization, and the combined efforts of all units have made the property
which they seek to protect, practically safe. There are very few farmers or
others in the county owning horses but who are members of the local horse
thief detective companies.

NATURAL GAS.

Prior to the fall of 1886 gas had been found at Muncie, Noblesville and
Tipton. This indicated the existence of an extensive field immediately to our
north and naturally aroused discussion as to the probability of finding gas in
Hancock county. Montgomery Marsh was one of the chief agitators who
aroused interest in the gas question. An effort was made during the fall of
1886 to raise funds with which to drill a well. By January 1, 1887, eight
hundred dollars had been subscribed. The Greenfield Gas and Oil Com-
pany was incorporated and a contract was let for drilling the first well to
M. H. Porter. The work began in April, 1887, under the immediate super-
vision of a Mr. Yeagley, driller. As reported in the local papers, the first evi-
dence of gas was found on Monday, April 28, 1887. Before reaching Tren-
ton rock it burned to a height of twelve feet. Trenton rock was reached at
a depth of nine hundred and eighty feet. After drilling into Trenton rock to
a depth of four feet the flow of gas was so strong that it became difficult to
get water down to mix with the broken rock to bring it up. It was
let down in a pump and the drilling was continued to a depth of thirteen
feet into Trenton rock, when, as reported in the local papers, "the drill
was raised up and the rope went spinning around at lightning speed, and then
a great volume of gas and rock accompanied with a roaring noise came to the
surface. The derrick was crowded with people and Driller Yeagley shouted,
'All go!' — and they did. They left the derrick by all possible means of
escape, some of them bursting out through the boards one inch thick."

The work was a success. The well was a "gusher." It burned to a
great height and the reflection of its light could be seen on the skies for a
distance of twelve or fifteen miles in all directions from Greenfield. Of
course, it created a great deal of excitement all over the county. It was
mentioned in the newspapers of all the surrounding county seats. Although

164 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

it was in fact a great discovery for Greenfield, the whole affair was not
without its humorous side. The following item appeared in the Shelbyzille
Times :

"Greenfield is like the boy with the penny and without pockets. It has
a 'gusher' on its hands and does not know what to do with it."

To this the Hancock Democrat replied: "We regret exceedingly that
we cannot return the compliment. The 'gusher' will be taken care of and
the wishes of the citizens of Greenfield fully accommodated, and in addition
we might loan our neighbor a sufficient amount of the wasted article to sup-
ply the wants of his thrifty city."

Such items appeared frequently in the local papers and added spice to the
good fortunes of the people in different communities. But the first well at
Greenfield was not only an object of interest to local people. Special excur-
sions were run over the Pennsylvania line and people came in numbers to
see it.

The log of this well showed the following strata of earth through the
first seven hundred and thirty-five feet, as reported in the local papers:

Clay 25 feet

Quicksand and gravel 15 feet

Hard, fine and blue clay 40 feet

Sand and gravel 30 feet

Blue and gray clay 70 feet

Coarse gravel 20 feet

Fine sand 5 feet

Drift deposits, timbers, and petrified stone 10 feet

Hard limestone 65 feet

Slate 17 feet

Limestone 68 feet

Slate and shale 400 feet

Trenton rock was reached at a depth of nine hundred and eighty feet.
This well was located north of Fifth street and west of State street, a short
distance northwest of where Dr. W. A. Justice now lives.

Before gas was found in the first well a second company was organized
and subscriptions were taken for a second well. With the success of the first
well drilling began in all parts of the county and a number of gas companies
were organized in rural communities for the purpose of drilling wells for
private use. Other companies were organized for the purpose of piping the
gas to Greenfield and surrounding cities and selling it to consumers. Below

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 165

is given a list of the companies that were organized and the dates of their
incorporation :

Greenfield Gas and Oil Company 1886

Citizens' Gas Company 1887

New Palestine Natural Gas Company 1887

Charlottesville Natural Gas Company 1888

Fortville Natural Gas and Oil Company ii

McCordsville Natural Gas and Oil Company i<

Central Gas Company 1889

Maxwell Natural Gas Company 1889

Madison and Hancock Natural Gas and Oil Company, 1889

People's Gas Company 1889

Rock's Natural Gas and Oil Company 1889

Wilkinson Natural Gas Company 1889

National Gas Company 1890

Independent Natural Gas and Oil Company 1890

Mundon Gas Company : 1890

Mohawk Natural Gas Company 1890

Pigeon Roost Natural Gas and Oil Company 1890

People's Gas Company of Rushville 1890

Westland Natural Gas Company 1890

Western Grove Natural Gas Company 1891

Sugar Creek Gas Company 1891

Pleasant Hill Natural Gas Company 189 1

Davis Gas Company

McCordsville Natural Gas Company 1892

Cushman Natural Gas 'Company 1892

Citizens' Natural Gas, Oil and Water Company 1892

Fortville Mutual Natural Gas and Oil Company 1892

Dry Branch Natural Gas Company 1892

Mutual Gas Company 1892

Nameless Creek Natural Gas Company 1893

California Natural Gas Company 1893

Hanna & Masters 1893

Vernon Natural Gas and Oil Company 1895

Shady Grove Natural Gas and Oil Company ^97

White Haven Natural Gas and Oil Company. .• 1899

American Oil and Gas Company 1900

1 66 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Shiloh Natural Gas Company 1901

Maxwell Citizens' Gas and Oil Company 1902

Citizens' Gas Company of Wilkinson 1903

Prairie Branch Natural Gas Company 1903

Fortville Oil and Gas Company 1904

Jackson Township. Natural Gas and Oil Company. . . 1904
Brandy wine Gas Company I 9 I 3

Wells were also drilled by other corporations, including the Southern
Indiana Gas Company and the Consumers' Gas Trust Company. Some of
the above companies put down but one well for private use, while others
drilled a number of wells. In 1890, three years after the drilling of the first
well, the tax duplicate showed the following wells in the county, with their
general location : Westland, one ; Charlottesville, one ; Warrington, one ;
Wilkinson, one ; Willow Branch, one ; Maxwell, one ; Swamp Creek, one ;
Milner's Corner, one; Eden, one; Shelbyville Pipe Line, ten; Barrett's Cor-
ner, one ; Mingle's Corner, one ; Fortville, three ; McCordsville, one ; Green-
field Gas Company, four ; Kirkville, one ; Martindale Syndicate, two ; Nail
Works, Greenfield, one; People's Gas Company, Greenfield, three. Total,
thirty-six.

New wells continued to be drilled in the county during the following
years, while the flow of gas in the older wells ceased. It would be difficult.,
if not impossible, at this time even to estimate the number of wells that have
been drilled for gas since 1887. There is hardly a section,' however, that has
not had one or more wells drilled upon it, except in Sugar Creek and Buck-
Creek townships. Gas was found in such small quantities in these townships
that it was unprofitable.

The pressure of the first wells, as reported by the state geologist, ran
from two hundred and fifty pounds to three hundred and twenty-five pounds.
During the following years the pressure was reported by the state geologist,
as follows: 1893, 250 pounds; 1895, 210 pounds; 1896, 185 pounds; 1897,
150 to 200 pounds, depending upon condition and age of wells.

For several years after this there was a general decrease in the pressure
of the wells from eighteen to twenty pounds annually. The pressure now is
very low and pumping stations have been installed to force the gas into
Greenfield and into the surrounding cities within the gas belt. It is used for
cooking and in special heaters during the cool weather of the spring and fall.
The pressure is no longer sufficient to furnish heat during the cold winter
months.

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 167

When gas was first discovered there was a general feeling that the sup-
ply would never be exhausted. The pressure was strong enough to blow the
top off of a stove and it was used extravagantly and wastefully. It has been
humorously remarked that when the house became too warm doors and win-
dows were thrown open instead of turning off the gas. Hence the people
of this day are lacking in the fuel that might still have been abundant had it
not been used so wastefully. The discovery of gas, of course, had a great
influence on the people of the county. Greenfield, especially, entered upon
a great boom. Glass factories, stove foundries, nail factories, and other
concerns came to the city and stayed for a period of years while the gas
pressure remained strong. Wilkinson and Shirley, too, profited in a similar
manner by the discovery of gas.

FARMERS' INSTITUTES.

The county fairs were helpful in setting before the people the best of all
products that the county produced. The fairs, however, exhibited only
results, throwing little light on scientific methods that produced these results.
It was the realization of just this need, the need of more accurate and scien-
tific knowledge among the great mass of farmers, that gave rise to farmers'
institutes.

The first meeting of the farmers' institute of Hancock county was held
at the Masonic hall at Greenfield on January 20-21, 1890. Marion Steele
acted as president of the meeting. Following is the program of the two
days :

MONDAY.

Management of Horses and Other Stock on the Farm D. L. Thomas

Mistakes in Wheat Culture Professor Latta, of Purdue

Dairy Farming C. L. Hall

Growth of Sweet Corn, Peas, etc., for Canning Factory

McConnell, of Indianapolis

Poultry Mrs. V. P. Binford

TUESDAY.

Potato Culture Marion Steele

Sheep Husbandry Col. S. I. Gray

Culture of Sugar Cane Christopher Fields

Mistakes in Agriculture and Horticulture Sylvester Johnson

Drainage Professor Latta

1 68 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

The meeting of the agricultural people of the county gave them an
opportunity of expressing themselves upon a number of matters of interest
to them, and before adjournment they adopted the following series of
resolutions :

"Resolved, that we recognize the necessity and value of organization
among farmers, and heartily advise all farmers that attend, to increase the
intelligence, improve the methods, and heighten the success of agricultural
classes.

"2. That we favor a permanent association for institute work in this
county and believe that the continuance of the Hancock County Agricultural
and Horticultural Society, broadening its scope so far as may be necessary
for this purpose, would be the most feasible plan of organization.

"3. That we endorse the act of the last general assembly in making an
appropriation for farmers' institutes, and favor a further appropriation to
continue the w r ork.

"4. That we favor a revision of our present dog law that will give
better encouragement to sheep husbandry.

"5. That we favor a reduction of salaries of public officers to corre-
spond with present conditions, and recommend the passage of laws that will
effect such a reduction and convert all fees into the public treasury.

"6. That we are opposed to trusts and combines to control prices re-
gardless of the laws of supply and demand and respectfully urge legislation
looking to their suppression and control by law.

"7. That we recommend the publication of these resolutions in our
county papers and request the secretary to send copies of the same to our
representatives in the state Legislature.

"8. That we extend our thanks to the chairman and local manage-
ment and to the speakers and musicians who have donated their time and
( f forts in behalf of the institute, and to the railroad companies for reducing
rates to this meeting. "Will B. Walker,

"B. F. Stinger,
"J. F. Coffin,

"Committee."

Since the meeting of 1890 sessions of the institute have been held each
year just before or immediately after holidays. Upon at least two occasions
summer sessions have also been held. The programs given from year to
vear have included every phase of farm life. Grains, stock, cattle, sheep,
hogs, fruits, in fact everything that pertains to farm life, has been discussed
by experts or by people who have given thought to such subjects. The insti-

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 1 69

tutes from year to year have also given the farmers an opportunity to make
their wishes known, touching upon any question that might he hefore the
public. As will be observed from the resolutions, etc., inserted herein, our
people have expressed themselves upon current questions and a review of these
expressions ought to be a source of pride to the county.

In 1897, when the compulsory education law was before the general
assembly, the farmers' institute at Greenfield adopted resolutions asking the
Legislature to enact such a law.

At their meeting on January ]6-i7, 1900, when the rural free delivery
question was before the people they expressed themselves in favor of this
measure. At the same meeting they encouraged the organization of town-
ship institutes and expressed themselves in favor of better roads. All of
these matters were embodied in the following resolutions :

"Resolved, that the farmers of Hancock county, in institute assembled,
do hereby express themselves in favor of the establishment of rural mail
routes in Hancock county whenever and wherever practicable and we con-
sider the establishment of such mail routes practicable at this time.

"Resolved, that we will organize township institutes as aids to the county
institute, to which we may look forward with pleasure.

"Resolved, that we will make better roads so that it will be a pleasure
to travel on them in attending these institutes, and that we respectfully
request the citizens of Greenfield to take as much interest in them as they do
in any day of any political campaign, and that they hang out the old flag of
our country and let it wave during the entire session."

The attendance at this institute, as reported at the time, was as follows :
First forenoon, 225; first afternoon, 350; evening, 340; second forenoon,
375 ; second afternoon, 450.

The encouragement given by the county institute to the organization of
township institutes was not without results. In 1901 a township institute
was held at Fortville, and in 1902 at Wilkinson. Since then they have been
conducted in other townships also.

Although the farmers had previously expressed themselves in favor of
better roads, a more definite resolution was adopted in 1903, suggesting a
method of procuring better roads. The sentiment of the farmers upon the
liquor traffic found expression in their resolutions. At this institute it was
decided to combine the sessions of the ladies and gentlemen. Since this time
the ladies and gentlemen have prepared the programs of the institute jointly
and joint sessions have been held. The following resolutions were adopted
at the institute of 1903 :

I70 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"Resolved, that we favor a law that will permit the citizens of each road
district to elect their own road supervisors, and we also favor a law that will
require the citizens to work the roads where the supervisor orders.

"Resolved, that the supreme court of the United States having declared
that a greater amount of crime and misery is traceable to the use of ardent
spirits than to any other cause, we hereby declare our hostility to the liquor
traffic and favor its abolition in order that the expense of government may
be curtailed and taxes thereby decreased, that the earning power of both cap-
ital and labor may be enhanced and that the purity of the home and the
sobriety of the people be preserved.

"Resolved, that, owing to the inconveniences of holding separate sessions
composed of ladies and gentlemen, we recommend that future sessions of the
institute be held jointly, and we also recommend that lady directors be
appointed to assist in preparing a program."

On July 11, 1905, a summer session of the institute was held at the
court house in Greenfield, and in 1906 another summer session was held at
the Goble fruit farm. Quite a large number of the farmers attended these
sessions, especially the session at the Goble fruit farm, which was given very
largely to the study of horticulture.

Following the passage of the Nicholson bill in 1908, the farmers of the
county took occasion to commend the Legislature for its action on this bill.
They also pledged themselves to the support of a measure which would make
liquor packages in interstate commerce subject to the laws of the state into
which they were being sent. These resolutions were as follow :

"Resolved, that we commend the General Assembly of the state of Indi-
ana for its action in supporting the preliminary steps in the great movement
of temperance by passing the Nicholson law, the Moore law, and the Search
and Seizure law, and as farmers of this section of Indiana, we stand ever
ready to advance morality, common decency, and the protection of our homes
and families from the arch enemy, alcohol ; be it

"Resolved, that this institute stands pledged to the support of the Little-
field-Carmack interstate commerce bill, providing for the submission of inter-
state liquor packages to the laws of the state to which they ' have been
consigned."

The session of the farmers' institute in 1909 was held while the Legisla-
ture had under consideration the repeal of the county local option law. Our
people were opposed to the repeal of this law and so expressed themselves in
the following resolutions :

"Resolved, that for the preservation of the sacredness of the home in

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. I7I

Indiana, for the sake of sterling manhood of the fathers, and in defense of the
never-dying love of the devoted mother, and for the preservation of our sons
and daughters, that we are opposed to any institution or business that degrades
the home or human race; therefore we demand that the county local option
law be permitted to remain on the statute books until it is given a trial."

On September i, 1909, a farmers' excursion went to Purdue. Many of
the farmers of the county took advantage of this opportunity to see what the
great agricultural college of the state was really doing.

At the meeting in February, 19 10, a series of resolutions was adopted in
which the farmers expressed themselves on a variety of topics :

"Resolved, by the farmers of Hancock county in institute assembled :

"First, that we are proud of our calling and propose to do all in our
power to place it upon a still higher plane of usefulness and influence in the
years that shall pass away.

"Second, we point with pride to the rapid improvement of the farmer
and his family, intellectually, socially, and morally in the past few years,
much of which is due to the just and fair remuneration he has received for
his daily toil.

"Third, that being citizens and taxpayers, we have a right to a vital inter-
est in all matters of government that affect either the material or moral wel-
fare of the whole population of the country.

"Fourth, that as husbands and fathers who love our families and our
homes as we love our lives, we are steadfastly and forever opposed to any
custom, law, institution, or business whose tendency and effect is to debase
and degrade the children of men, and as the abolition of the saloons in Han-
cock county has removed from our midst one of the greatest evil influences
that lead men astray, we are unalterably opposed to the repeal of the county
local option law and demand its rigid and impartial enforcement.

"Fifth, whereas there is an increasing tendency for the creation of new
offices and commissions, and of office seekers, after elected, to want salaries
increased ;

"Resolved, that we do not favor the increase of offices and commissions
and are opposed to the increase of salaries until good men refuse to fill and
accept offices at the present salaries.

"Sixth, as our further influence as agriculturists depends upon the kind
of farms we have and the kind of men and women who farm them, be it

"Resolved, that as farmers we use our best efforts in the care, con-
venience and beautifying of our country homes, and the care and influence
in the educational and moral training of our children by encouraging our
rural schools and churches.

172 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"That as courts and juries are very expensive, we urge the settling of
differences and disputes by arbitration.

"That we realize the great good our state university at Purdue is doing
toward education, which better prepares the younger generation to meet the
future needs of our country," etc.

In 1910, township farmers' institutes were held at Shirley, Eden, Fort-
ville. New Palestine and Charlottesville. The most of these township insti-
tutes have been maintained since that time. In 1913 a "Purdue Short Course"
was given at Fortville. In 1914 arrangements were made for bringing a
similar train from Purdue to Greenfield with exhibits of grains, live stock,
etc., and lecturers who discussed the exhibits as well as other topics. In
January, 19 15, a resolution was adopted in favor of the appointment of a
county agent as provided for by the act of 191 5.

One cannot follow the history of the Hancock county farmers' institutes
during the past twenty-five years without feeling that the agricultural people
of this county have given expression to ideals that were pure and lofty. In
every endeavor they have been progressive ; in all the resolutions adopted there
is not a single reactionary note. Every position that has been taken on ques-
tions presented makes for purer homes and better living in the county.

The following are the men who have acted as president of the farmers'
institute and the dates of their election as far as it has been possible to make
the list complete. A number of the men served two or more years : Marion
Steele, 1890; J. F. Coffin, 1892; D. H. Goble, 1896; Alonzo Tyner, 1898;
George Walker, 1900; Vard Finnell, 1902; Vard Finnell, 1903; E. C. Mar-
tindale, 1904; E. C. Martindale, 1905; George Walker. 1906; Joshua H. Bar-
rett, 1907; Richard Hagans, 1909; Thad Snow, George Walker, 1910;
John H. Souder, 191 1 ; Walter K. Boyd, 1913; Ward Parnell, 1914.

Since 191 1 Isaac H. Day has been elected president of the board com-
posed of the presidents of the township institutes. All funds appropriated
by law for the use of the farmers' institutes have been drawn in his name.

STORMS, CYCLONES, ETC.

Hancock county cannot be said to lie within a storm region, yet on sev-
eral occasions within the last forty years a few destructive cyclones have
passed over the county. On June 5, 1880, such a storm passed over Sugar
Creek and Brandy wine townships. On July 1, 1880, another cyclone passed
over Jackson and Brown townships, carrying away fences and doing much
damage to the crops. On May 12, 1886, a destructive cyclone passed over
Wilkinson.

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 173

On May 27, 1888, another storm passed over the northern part of Sugar
Creek township and through Center and Jackson townships. The barn of
Chris Reasner, of Sugar Creek, was blown down. The roof of the Ellis
school house, east of Greenfield, was taken off and left hanging in the top
of a tree near by. Cultivators standing in the fields south of Gem were blown
as far as forty feet from where they had been left, and many gas well der-
ricks around Greenfield were blown down. Many other buildings in the
path of the storm were also seriously damaged.

The most destructive cyclone that has ever passed over the county prob-
ably came on June 25, 1902. It will never be forgotten by those who lived
within its course. The portion of the county receiving the greatest damage
extended from McCordsville eastward and south. All crops, including com,
wheat and oats, within its track, were completely destroyed. Much of the
straw was whipped into the ground and covered with dirt by the rain that
followed. Much of the corn was broken off level with the ground and the
rest of it lay flat. There were few buildings of any kind within its range
that were not seriously damaged and by far the greater number were prac-
tically destroyed. Orchards and forest trees were broken down, while the
rails from fences were carried for long distances through the air. A funeral
was being held at Cleveland, at which A. V. B. Sample, former clerk of the
Hancock circuit court and a prominent teacher during his earlier life, was
killed. This storm worked a great hardship upon tenants, whose crops in
many instances were completely destroyed and who had nothing left with
which to pay their rent.

EPIDEMICS.

An epidemic of smallpox in Buck Creek township in 1847 is discussed
in the chapter on the "Practice of Medicine."

Since that time contagious diseases have frequently appeared in the
county. In fact hardly a school year has passed without the appearance of
some one or other of such diseases. During the winter of 1881-82, however,
smallpox was quite prevalent in the county, as well as in the state.

On February 1, 1882, the county board of health of Hancock county
adopted the following rules governing vaccination, which had been adopted
by the state board of health on January 1, 1882:

1. After January 1, 1882, no person until after they have been success-
fully vaccinated shall be admitted into any public or private school or insti-
tution of learning within this state, either in the capacity of teacher or pupil,
and nil persons admitted therein shall present to the principal thereof the

174 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

certificate of a reputable physician as to the fact of their being successfully
vaccinated.

2. It shall be the duty of all unvaccinated persons within this state to
be successfully vaccinated within sixty days from January I, 1882. And all
unvaccinated persons coming into this state shall be required to be vaccinated
within sixty days after coming into the state.

3. All children born within this state shall be successfully vaccinated
within twelve months after birth. All vaccinations shall be with reliable
bovine virus.

The county board of health also adopted the following specific rule
relating to Hancock county :

"After March 3, 1882, all who attend the schools in any capacity will
be required to furnish a certificate of successful vaccination from a reputable
physician. School boards and township trustees are required to suspend all
pupils after March 3, 1882, who have not complied with the rules of the
health boards in reference to vaccination."

These rules created more or less excitement in the county, and at least
a few of our citizens gave expression to their feelings through the columns
of the local papers. The following is an illustration from Green township :

"Editor Democrat : I wish to say a few words to the doctors of Green-
field about vaccination to save them from ruin and destruction; that will
be their fate as sure as they attempt to enforce this law, as law they call it.
Our forefathers fought for freedom and independence, and why not we?
As we do not propose to be ruled by a king, as they would like to be called,
especially Dr. Howard, who is the foreman of the ring. There are five
hundred men ready now to come forward and show them that the giant pow-
der was not exhausted at New Palestine. As this vaccination is just to put
in the doctors' pockets a little more money, we want them to know we mean
business, sink or swim. As almost half of this county have to work for the
pittance of fifty cents a day it is about all they can do to keep starvation from
their doors when they have families to support. But still, you have got to pay
Mr. Doctor fifty cents a piece for vaccination. And now, Mr. Editor, to
make a long story short, we will say the first man that is fined they had better
say their prayers for there is always a stopping place. Please print and save
trouble."

But not everybody in Green township felt just like the writer, as may
be seen from the following paragraph taken from the Eden items :

"We noticed in the last number of the Democrat that there is a prospect
of a war to be waged against the M. D.'s of Greenfield if they attempt to

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 175

discharge their duties as prescribed by the state board of health and enacted
by the Legislature of the state of Indiana. How could such an army of men,
five hundred strong, be mustered into service from such a township as Green,
which only contains about three hundred voters? Rise up, my little man,
and put your John Hancock to your communication. Let us see your height.
'Are you so tall that you can stand like some steeple high, that while your
feet are on the ground your hands could touch the sky?'

"Notwithstanding the terrific threat made by one of Green township's
patriots last week in regard to vaccination, the giant powder has not been used
as yet, no blood has been spilled for the sake of freedom or independence, nor
has any poor soul as yet shuffled off this mortal coil at the hands of this
liberty-loving people. But, on the contrary, the people through this part of
Green township have cheerfully complied, like law-abiding citizens, with the
requirements of the state board of health. When they go to beating up for
volunteers they need not come to Eden."

In 1902 a serious epidemic of smallpox broke out at Greenfield. A pest-
house was erected south of the city and east of State street, where a number
of patients were treated by Dr. J. P. Black.

Early in the spring of 19 14 smallpox in a light form broke out in differ-
ent localities of the county. An order was issued by County Health Com-
missioner Dr. Joseph L. Allen requiring all school children to be vaccinated.
There was again some opposition to the order, but by far the greater num-
ber of people complied therewith. The disease was so general in the county,
however, that but few schools finished their regular terms, and in several
townships they dismissed on different dates because of the absence of the
pupils.

SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF TUBERCULOSIS.

The Hancock County Society for the Prevention of Tuberculosis was
organized December 12, 1912, with the following officers: President, Joseph
L. Allen; vice-president, Lucy H. Binford; secretary, Percy M. Gordon;
treasurer, J. L. Smith; vice-presidents, Martha J. Elliott. Carthage, rural
route No. 21; Edgar Hope, Greenfield, rural route No. 4; J. A. Fort, Wil-
low; Mrs. J. P. Black, Greenfield; A. E. Curry, Greenfield, rural route No.
5 ; Cynthia Peacock, Charlottesville ; Gertrude Ashcraft, Greenfield, rural
route No. 4; J. W. Ray, Fortville.

Walter Hatfield, Miss Tillie New and Miss Selma Stephens have been
elected to fill the vacancies caused by the death of James L. Smith, and the
removal of Madames Gordon and Black, respectively, from the county. The

1/6 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

membership consists of thirty-two life members, one hundred annual con-
tributing members, three hundred honorary members and ten advisory mem-
bers.

The first work of the society was the selling of Red Cross Christmas
seals, which netted fifty-three dollars and forty-nine cents. The society col-
lected two hundred and seventy-seven dollars for the relief of flood sufferers
in Indiana in 19 13. It has had three patients in the state sanitarium at Rock-
ville, Indiana.

The present officers are : President, Joseph L. Allen ; vice-president,
Lucy H. Binford ; secretary, Tillie New; treasurer, Walter Hatfield.

HANCOCK COUNTY FEDERATION OF COUNTRY CLUBS.

A federation of the country clubs was effected in March, 1914, with the
following officers: President, Mrs. Iduna M. Barrett, Greenfield; vice-presi-
dent, Miss Edith J. Hunt, Charlottesville; secretary, Miss Hazel Parnell,
Greenfield, rural route No. 3 ; treasurer, Mrs. Harry Porter, Morristown.

The object of the federation, as stated in the constitution, is the ''consid-
eration of questions pertaining to social, educational or literary matters and
methods for the best culture and advancement of the county."

The charter members of the organization were as follow : County Lit-
erary Club (Blue River and Brandywine townships), 1903; Western Grove
Woman's Club (Blue River township), 1910; Thursday Circle (Charlottes-
ville), 191 1 ; Klover Reading Klub (Brandywine township), 1912; Four
Corners Society (Blue River township), 1912; Westland Ladies' Sunshine
Club (Blue River township), 1913.

The Priscilla Club, organized in 1912 (Blue River township), united
with the federation in the spring of 19 15. There are several other country
clubs that do not belong to the county federation.

NEWSPAPERS.

Following is a synopsis of the life of each newspaper published in the"
county since the date of its organization, as far as it has been possible to make
the list complete. The Home and School Visitor and The Independent Med-
ical Investigator are discussed elsewhere.

The Coon Skin was a Democratic sheet published at Greenfield by Joseph
Chapman. John Hardin Scott, now eighty-six years of age, has a clear recol-
lection of the paper in the political campaign of 1844. The publication of
the Coon Skin was suspended not later than the outbreak of the Mexican
War when Chapman enlisted.

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 177

The Greenfield Reveille, published January i, 1845, by Jonathan H.
Hunt as publisher, and James H. Hunt as editor and proprietor. It was a
Whig organ, published weekly.

The Investigator, published at Greenfield in 1847 by Mitchell Vaughn;
later by R. A. Riley. Riley was prominent in the county Democratic con-
vention in 1845, and it is probable that the Investigator was a Democratic
newspaper.

The Greenfield Spectator, published September 1, 1848, by John Myers;
John D. Doughty, editor. The policy of the paper was expressed in prominent
letters across the top of its front page, "Neutral in politics, devoted to litera-
ture, science, arts, agriculture, miscellany, markets, general intelligence, etc.,
etc." A large part of this paper was given to stories and poetry.

The Family Friend. — When the old court house was offered for sale in
1854 the county auditor was ordered by the county commissioners to adver-
tise the sale thereof in the Family Friend. Mrs. Permelia Thayer has a clear
recollection of the paper. It seems to have been similar to the Greenfield
Spectator.

American Patriot was published in March, 1854, by J. P. Hinshaw. It
was a four-page sheet, "independent in all things, neutral in none." It was
devoted to "pure literature, morals, temperance in all things, agriculture,
commercial and general intelligence." Its publication was suspended after
a year or two.

The Greenfield Sentinel, a weekly newspaper published in 1855 by
Thomas D. Walpole, and was later edited for a time by William Mitchell.
Democratic.

The Hancock Democrat, published in 1859 by a stock company com-
posed of Noble Warrum, D. S. Gooding, William R. West and George Y.
Atkison. Judge Gooding was editor-in-chief for several years, and William
Mitchell, local editor. Before the close of the Civil War William Mitchell
assumed full control of the paper. John F. Mitchell took charge in 1876.
John F. Mitchell, Jr., entered the firm in 1907. Has always been a Dem-
ocratic newspaper except during the Civil War, when it became the county
organ of the Union party. Now published by the William Mitchell Printing
Company.

Constitution and Union, published in January, 1861, by Lee O. Harris.
Publication suspended after about two months. Issued in the cause of pre-
serving the National Union.

Family Visitor, published in 1864 by a man named Wright. Later trans •
(12)"

I78 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

f erred to a Air. Hinshaw. Seems to have been a sheet similar to the Green-
field Spectator, described above.

The Greenfield Commercial, Republican newspaper, published in 1867
by Amos Beeson; later by L. E. Rumrill. Was published for several years.

The Greenfield News, a weekly newspaper published during the seven-
ties by William Walker and Walter Hartpence. Republican.

Greenfield Republican, Republican newspaper, published a short time
during the seventies by D. B. Deem.

The Jeffersonian. published in June, 1878, by R. G. Strickland. Dem-
ocratic. Bought in 1890 by Gus Morton and Charles Teel. Bought by Eu-
gene Lewis in 1892 and name changed to The Greenfield Herald. Purchased
in 1893 by S. S. Boots and shortly thereafter taken over by the Herald Pub-
lishing Company. Publication suspended about 1906.

The Greenfield Herald, Democratic; 1893, as stated above.

Greenfield Republican, a Republican newspaper, published in 1880 by
Robison & Cooper. Later owned by Nixon, Henry Marsh and Robert Lynn.
Purchased by W. S. Montgomery in May, 1888. Sold by Mr. Montgomery
to Newton R. Spencer in February, 19 10. Now published by Spencer Pub-
lishing Company.

The Tooth Pick, published for "forty days and forty nights" in 1885 by
Marry G. Strickland, Noble Warrum, Jr., and R. E. Bragg. Humorous
sheet. Printed on paper of various colors. Pony delivery. Daily. Pub-
lished at Jeffersonian office.

The Tribune, daily, published at Greenfield by Howard Branham about
1888. Later by Charles Pauley and Austin Boots. At first independent in
politics. Later had Democratic tendencies. Purchased by W. S. Mont-
gomery, proprietor of the Greenfield Republican and Daily Republican.
Tribune and Daily Republican merged under name of The Tribune about 1895.

Daily Republican. — Daily Republican sheet, published by W. S. Mont-
gomery in November, 1893, and merged with The Tribune.

Daily Democrat. — Daily Democratic paper, published by William
Mitchell Printing Company during the political campaign of 1900. John
flufford, editor.

Evening Star. — Non-partisan. Published in August, 1906. by Eugene
Boyden. Purchased by Ben Strickland and Newton R. Spencer, December 1,
1906, who soon afterward sold a third interest to Eugene E. Davis. Pub-
lished at the Globe plant.

Greenfield Daily Reporter. — Non-partisan. Published by Newton R.
Spencer, April 27, 1908. Bought Evening Star and published both as Green-

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. 179

field Daily Reporter in February, 1909. Took over The Tribune in February,
1910, and has since published both as The Greenfield Daily Reporter. Now
published by Spencer Publishing Company.

Fortville Journal, published for a few months, about 1879 or 1880, by
George Hacker and Mr. Melton. Local news.

Fortville Journal, published in September, 1883. Burned in December,
1883. Reestablished in 1884. Owned and published by Green & Williams,
W. S. Rader, W. S. Nagle. Name changed to Fortville Sun in February,

1886. Local news.

Fortville 5ww.— February, 1886. Sold to George E. Simmons in May,

1887. Other owners, Cal Gault, Lon Graf fort and John C. Jenkins. Was
the organ of the Farmers' Alliance in the campaign of 1882; S. B. Prater,
editor. Destroyed by fire in 1893. Reestablished in 1894. Publication
suspended in 1895. Local news.

Fortville Tribune, established in fall of 1893 by Robert Maranville.
Other owners, Ora Pogue and George Simmons. Purchased in April, 1909,
by Gus E. Stuart, the present editor and proprietor. Local news.

The Fortville Reporter, published for about three months during the fall
of 1 901 by Gus E. Stuart.

New Palestine Star, weekly ; published at New Palestine by Julius C.
Melton in 1887. Suspended after a year or two.

Nezv Palestine Courier, weekly; published by a company of persons in
1885. William Parish took charge in November, 1895. Discontinued in
April, 1897. Local news.

New Palestine Nezvs, weekly, published in September, 1897, by Julius
C. Melton. Local news. Suspended in September, 1899.

New Palestine News, weekly, published February 15, 1900, by George
Metzger. Purchased by Paul Bell. Suspended in May, 1903. Local news.

Wilkinson Herald, first published at Wilkinson about 1897 by Dr. B. H.
Cook. Moved to Shirley about 1899 and sold to Frank Martindale and name
changed to Shirley-Wilkinson News. Local news.

Shirley-Wilkinson News, first published at Shirley about 1899 by Mar-
tindale and later by his son. Sold to one McClain who changed the name
to Shirley Gazette. Local news.

Shirley Enterprise, established about 1901 and published for two or
three years. Local news.

Shirley Gazette, first published at Shirley about 1901 by McClain. Later
owned by one Gordon and C. B. Shields. Name changed to Shirley Nezvs
about 1905. Local news.

l8o HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Shirley News, first published about 1905. Now owned and published
by Roy Ensimger.

Wilkinson Gazette, published August 29, 1907, by A. L. Goodwin.
Local news. Discontinued after a few months.

Charlottesville News, weekly, published for a year or two about 1888
by Otto Bennett. Local news.

Home and Farm, published by S. C. Rhue at Charlottesville in Septem-
ber, 1906. Suspended in a short time.

The following newspapers are now published in the county : The Han-
cock Democrat, Greenfield Republican, Greenfield Daily Reporter, FortziUc
Tribune and Shirley News.

AERIAL NAVIGATION.
(William R. Hough, in Hancock Democrat.)

One day in the summer of 1859 or i860, as to which of these years it was
my memory does not now exactly serve me, the citizens of our then little town
had their curiosity somewhat aroused by the discovery of a number of
quarter-size printed posters tacked up in several of the most public places in
town, announcing that on a certain evening in the following week this man,
John Alley, would deliver a lecture at the court house on the subject of
aerial navigation. At the appointed time it was my good fortune to be pres-
ent with a considerable number of other of our citizens, and to hear advanced
what we then regarded with amusement as the vagaries of an eccentric, if
not an unbalanced, mind. His ideas in relation to the construction and opera-
tion of a flying machine were not well matured, but were vague and incon-
clusive, and the lecture did not meet the expectations which the contents of
the posters announcing the same had excited in the minds of his audience.

His ability as a poet and prophet was better evidenced by the contents
of the posters than by the lecture. These poster's were so much out of the
ordinary and of such interest to me that I have never forgotten the principal
features they contained, and they were very vividly recalled to my mind by
the successful operation of the flying machines which I witnessed at the
exhibition at the Speedway, near Indianapolis, a few days since, and in
which I witnessed so complete a fulfillment of the prophecy contained in
them that I feel impelled to give it the publicity which I think it deserves by
asking a place for it in the columns of the Star, and so to do what I may
toward the perpetuation of the memory of one who has hitherto been "to
dumb forgetfulness a prey," although entitled to rank as a true prophet of

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT. l8l

modern times. The top line of the posters read as follows : "Fly, fly, cleave
the sky; if a man can't, pray tell me why !" Then the date, the subject of the
lecture and the name of the lecturer was given, and then came the closing
prophetic poem, as follows :

"The time long looked for is at hand,
When man, grown tired of sea and land,
On artificial wings shall fly
And navigate the liquid sky.
Not in balloon made fast to boat,
And only with the winds to float,
But. mounted on a flying car,
He'll steer his course through trackless air,
Cross counter winds, confront to breeze,
And over mountains, lakes and seas,
Survey all nations with delight,
Outride the eagle in his flight,
And teach the world from freedom's home
To every land where man may roam,
The light of science, revelation,
Man's high eternal destination."

This backwoods seer, "to fortune and to fame unknown," a few short
years after the delivery of the lecture mentioned, in 1863, without having
created more than a ripple of amusement in the minds of his unsophisticated
neighbors, by this, in the light of the present day, most remarkable prophecy,
"died without the sight" of its fulfillment and, freed from the limitations of
his poor unprepossessing physical habitation he passed into the life invisible
"unhonored and unsung."

CHAPTER VI.

EDUCATION.

BASIS OF SCHOOL FUND.

It will be recalled that the first step toward the establishment of a
school fund was taken by the Continental Congress in adopting the ordinance
of May 20, 1785. This ordinance provided that section 16 in each township
should be reserved for the maintenance of the public schools within that
township. Under the early laws of the state the custody and control of this
land were given to the trustees of the respective townships, and among the
first acts of the board of county commissioners of Hancock county after the
organization of the board was the appointment of trustees for each of these
school sections. These trustees, with a few changes in the law from time
to time, had power to lease such lands for any term not to exceed three
years, taking rents payable in money, property or improvements to be made
on the real estate. If directed by a majority of the qualified voters of the
township such leases could be made for any term not exceeding ten years.
For a longer term a special act of the Legislature was necessary, and such an
act was approved January 24, 1828, permitting the trustees of section 16,
township 15 north, range 7 east (in Brandy wine township), to lease a part of
said section to Othniel H. Sweem for a period of twenty years for the pur-
pose of building and operating a mill thereon. The trustees had and exer-
cised all the rights and powers of a landlord in coercing the fulfillment of
contracts relating to such lands and preventing waste or damage. Bv an act
approved January 23, 1829, any five freeholders in any township could call
a meeting of the voters to determine whether the school section in that town-
ship should be sold. A few years later another law was passed providing
that at any time when five qualified voters of any congressional township
should petition the trustees of such township, setting forth their desire for a
sale of such land, said trustees should insert in the notices for the annual
election of trustees, the further notice that a balloting would be had to
determine whether the land so petitioned for should be sold. At the time of
the election each voter favoring the sale of such land wrote on his ballot the
word "sale" ; if opposed, he wrote the words "no sale." If a majoritv voted
in favor of the sale, the land was sold. In some of the counties of the state

182

EDUCATION. 183

this land was managed for many years in accordance with the provisions
of these statutes, and the income therefrom was used for the maintenance
of the schools. In Hancock county, however, these sections were sold soon
after the county was organized. The dates of the sales are as follow :

Sections 16, 15, 7, Brandywine — April 5, 1830.

Sections 16, 16, 7, Center — July 28, 1830.

Sections 16, 15, 8, Blue River — November 15, 1830.

Sections 16, 15, 6, Sugar Creek — October 29, 1830, to January 7, 1833.

Sections 16, 16, 8, Jackson — July 1, 1831, to March 8, 1833.

Sections 16, 17, 7, Green — February 1, 1834, to February 6, 1837.

Sections 16, 17, 8, Brown — November 21, 1835.

Sections 16, 17, 6, Vernon — November 16, 1841, to December 17, 1850.

Sections 16, 16, 6, Buck Creek — January 2, 1845, to November 28, 1849.

The most of the school land in Hancock county sold at one dollar and
twenty-five cents per acre, although a few tracts brought from three dollars
to five dollars per acre.

COUNTY SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

Before the office of county auditor was created the county school com-
missioners sold school lands, loaned and accounted for the school funds, and
distributed the proceeds thereof to the various school corporations. In Han-
cock county the school commissioners sold practically all of the school sec-
tions before the first county auditor was elected. The duties of the county
school commissioners were at first shared and finally taken over entirely by
the county auditor. The men who filled the office of school commissioner
from 1830 to 1852 were: Meredith Gosney. John Justice, William Johnson,
Asa Gooding, James D. Henry, Morris Pierson, John Avery, J. Etter, J.
Tharp, Orlando Crane.

TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT PRIOR TO 1859. .

Until 1859, with a few minor changes, the business of each township
was managed by a board of three trustees. At the first election in each
township one trustee was elected for one year, another for two years, and a
third for three years. Afterward one trustee was elected at each annual
election for a term of three years. The board appointed one of its members
clerk, who was ex-officio president of the board. It was his duty to call
meetings, to keep a record of the proceedings of each meeting, to record and
plat the school districts, and to do such other things as the trustees should

184 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

order him to do. Another member was appointed treasurer. It was his
duty to receive all rents, profits, interest, etc., belonging to his township, to
pay out the same according to orders of the board ; to keep accurate accounts
of his receipts and expenditures and to make reports to the board of the
financial condition of the township when required by the board to do so.

Each board also divided its township into school districts as circumstances
required. In fact, the school districts as we now know them, were, for the
most part, laid out by these township boards. They caused the districts to
be organized, and when established caused a notice to be given of the first
general meeting for the election of district trustees. They reported to the
county school commissioner, and later to the county auditor, the enumeration
of all children between the ages of five and twenty-one years, resident within
the township. They divided semi-annually the school funds received into
the township treasury, among the districts within the township.

DISTRICT MANAGEMENT PRIOR TO 1 859.

All school districts that had been organized prior to 1843 were recog-
nized and confirmed as such by a statute of that year. Each when organized
became a body corporate by the name of "School District No/ — , of Town-
ship No. — , in Range No. — , in the County of , in the State of

Indiana." The districts as laid out, and as numbered under this act of 1843,
are still generally known by such numbers in Hancock county.

The business of each district, with some minor changes again, was trans-
acted by three trustees, also elected for a term of three years. In case of a
tie the election was settled by lot in the presence of the inspector. The dis-
trict trustees took their certificates of election from the hand of the township
clerk. This board appointed one member clerk and another treasurer. They
met when any district business required and gave notice of all elections and
meetings of the voters of the district. Whenever there was a meeting of
voters of the district one of the trustees presided, the clerk, if present, other-
wise the treasurer. In the absence of both the third member of the board
presided. The person presiding kept a record of the proceedings and votes
of the meetings and entered them on the record book of the district. The
general powers and duties of the trustees are set out in the following para-
graph of the statute :

"The trustees shall make all contracts, purchases, payments and sales
necessary to carry out the vote of the district, for the procuring of any site
for a school house, building, hiring, repairing, or furnishing the same, or dis-
posing thereof, or for the keeping of any school therein; and in the absence

EDUCATION. 185

of instructions by a district meeting may contract with a teacher, to be paid
in whole or in part out of the public funds, or by persons sending in due pro-
portion, or according to their private subscriptions."

They also kept a record of all voters in the district and of the number
of children in each family between five and twenty-one years of age, and
had the right to determine what branches should be taught in their district
school, provided they were such as were generally taught.

DISTRICT MEETINGS PRIOR TO 1859.

The law provided for a general meeting of the voters of each district
to be held on the first Saturday of October of each year. Special meetings
could be called at any time. To be entitled to vote at these meetings one had
to be a resident of the district and also either a freeholder, or a householder
with children of school age. At these meetings district trustees were elected
or vacancies filled. The people also had the right to designate the site for
a school house; to direct the building, hiring or purchase of a school house
or site for the same, and to fix the sum to be expended therefor, or for the
furniture or library therefore, and for the keeping of the same in repair.
They also had the right to direct the sale of any school house or the site
thereof, or of any property, real or personal, belonging to the district. They
could determine the length of the school term and the manner in which the
teacher should be paid, and could also direct what part of their distributive
share of the school funds should be applied to the purchase of a site for a
school house or for the building thereof. The school sites in Hancock county
were not very expensive in those days and it was a very common practice
for a donation, usually of a half acre, to be made by someone for school pur-
poses. Many of the school sites are still held by the townships by virtue of
these deeds. In order to expedite the construction of school houses an act
of 1843 provided that the inhabitants of each district should have the power
of assessing a "labor tax," or of determining the amount of work to be done
by each able-bodied white male resident of the district between the ages of
twenty-one and fifty years toward building a school house, not to exceed two
days work for each : or they could determine the amount of money to be
paid as a tax instead of performing such labor. By the act of 1843 the tax
for school purposes was limited to twenty-five cents on the hundred dollars.

From the earliest days of the county the people of the districts exercised
their rights under the law. The hardy pioneers, clad in homespun, repaired
to the little log school house with its puncheon floor, oiled-paper windows,
huge fireplace and rough hewn seats, and there deliberated upon their local

1 86 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

affairs. If one of the district trustees was present he presided. In the
absence of all members of the district board some other person opened the
meeting. Matters considered were settled by vote. The decision was reported
to the district trustees who made it a part of their official record. Not the
least among the matters settled each fall was the question as to who should
teach the district school during the coming term. The selection of the teacher
by the district meeting finally came to be the established custom in many
localities of the county. In fact it prevailed in some communities for many
years after the present township trustee law was passed in 1859. In 1864,
for instance, the following bit of record was entered on his books by Lemuel
Hackleman, trustee of Blue River township :

"April 22, 1864.

"Samuel B. Hill, director for district No. 1, Blue River township, Han-
cock county, Indiana, reports verbally that the citizens of said district have
unanimously consented to employ Margaret Brown to teach a school in said
district the fourteen days due said district ; said Margaret Brown shall receive
one dollar and ten and one-half cents per day, the balance of the time a com-
pensation of fifteen dollars per month ; therefore we ask the trustee to employ
said Margaret Brown and we wish half the public money applied.

"Samuel B. Hill,

"Director."
Following the above entry appears the contract of the trustee with
Miss Brown as teacher.

As late as 1882 the county board of education of Hancock county con-
sidered the advisability of permitting the people of the districts to select the
teachers for their schools. In the minutes of the May meeting of the board in
1882 appears the following : "The question of allowing school meetings to
select teachers was discussed at some length by the board. It was generally
conceded that the better and safer plan was for the trustees to select and
employ the teacher." ,

In many localities, however, the teachers were "elected" at the district
meetings until about 1890. In other localities the selection was left to the
township trustees.

The first schools of the county were subscription schools. During the
days of the subscription school it was the custom for a teacher to canvass
the district and secure as many signatures and as large an enrollment on his
"paper" as possible. When a teacher had secured the subscription of the
people of the district, the district trustees employed him in case public money
was also to be used in defraying the expenses of the school. In this instance

EDUCATION. 187

the district determined by petition what was in other localities settled by-
district meeting.

MANIPULATION OF SCHOOL FUNDS.

First, the district trustees of each school district took the enumeration
of the children within their district between the ages of five and twenty-one
years and reported the same to the township clerk. The township clerk then
made a report for his entire township, first to the school commissioner, and
after 1841 to the county auditor. The county auditor then apportioned the
school funds to the different townships on the basis of the enumeration.
When the amount due each township had been determined the township
trustees ordered the county auditor to pay the same to the township treasurer.
The township treasurer then apportioned this amount to the different dis-
tricts of his township upon the basis of their enumeration. The sum due
any district was paid to the district treasurer upon the order of the township
clerk, granted upon the order of the district trustees, certified by their clerk,
directing the treasurer to draw the same.

The township and district records of Hancock county previous to 1859
have nearly all been lost. In one of these old trustees' records, however, we
find receipts like the following:

"March 4, 1839.

"Received of James D. Henry, School Commissioner of Hancock County,
one hundred and fifty dollars and six and one- fourth cents for Township 15,
Range 8 East, (Blue River) by me, A. Allen, T. T."

In this record we also find the first steps taken toward getting a share
of the school fund, and also some of the orders made by the district trustees
directing the township treasurer to pay to the district treasurer the money due
the district. The following are taken from the township record kept by
Adam Allen, township treasurer :
"State of Indiana, Hancock County :

"Personally appeared before me, A. Allen, treasurer Congressional
Township 15, in Range 8, in the County of Hancock and Rush, Samuel
Brown, Treasurer of School District No. 3 in said Township, who says on
oath that there is in said district a school house of convenient size with suf-
ficient light and that it is finished so as to render the teacher and pupils com-
fortable.

(Signed) "Samuel Brown,

"Affirmed and subscribed before me this 26th day of February, 1839.

"A. Allen,
"Treasurer of T. 15. R. 8."

1 88 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Following is an order for money on the township treasurer, to be applied
toward finishing a school house :

"We, Elihu Coffin, Samuel Brown, James Hazlett, trustees of School
District N. 2 Township N. 15 N. of R. 8 E. in the district of lands at Indian-
apolis, in the county of Rush and Hancock do hereby order and direct the
sum of thirty dollars for the use of finishing the School House in said dis-
trict and wish the township treasurer to pay the money to Samuel Brown,
district treasurer. Given under our hands this February 28, 1839.

"Elihu Coffin,
"Samuel Brown,
"James Hazlett/'

Below are two orders for money to be applied toward paying the
teachers :
"State of Indiana, Hancock County, March 16, 1839:

"We the undersigned trustees of school district N. 8 in Township 15,
Range 8, East in said County, do order and direct that our proportion thirty-
nine dollars of said Township shall be applied for the purpose of paying our
school teacher James McAdams for the term of three months past, for which
we wish the Township Treasurer for that purpose to pay the above named
sum over to our district treasurer, Isaac Adams.

"Isaac Adams,
"Caleb Holding,
"Lewis T. Adams."

"We, David Smith, John Hunter, and Harrison James, Citizens of
School District, No. 4 in Township 15, Range 8 East of Lands sold at
Indianapolis in the County of Hancock, have employed a teacher to teach
our children in said district school for the term of three months as a private
school and we wish the Township Treasurer to pay us our portion of the
school funds in his hands this March the 8th, 1841.

"David Smith,
"John Hunter,
"Harrison James/''

the county seminary.

The state Constitution of 1816 made provision for the establishment of a
public school system from the primary grades to the state university. The
early statutes of the state provided for the establishment of a seminary in
each county. The fund used for building such a school was derived from

EDUCATION. 189

moneys paid as an equivalent by persons exempt from militia duty, which was
divided by the state among the counties equally, and of all fines assessed for
any breach of the penal law, which fines were applied in the counties where
assessed. The county commissioners at once after the organization of their
board in 1828, appointed Meredith Gosney trustee of the seminary
fund of Hancock county for a term of three years. In 1829 Benjamin Spill-
man was appointed as such trustee "in the room of Meredith Gosney, re-
signed." In 1832 Edward B. Chittenden was appointed. These men and
their successors in office collected the fees assessed, etc., and kept the same
on interest until September 5, 1842, when the report of A. M. Pattison, W.
M. Johnson and J. Mathers, trustees of the seminary, shows that they had on
hands bonds and notes and moneys amounting in all to one thousand and
forty-three dollars and seventeen cents. This was sufficient to begin the
construction of a building.

On January 8, 1842, Morris Pierson and his wife, Elizabeth, conveyed to
the trustees of the seminary a plot of ground twelve rods square, "to be
appropriated to the exclusive use of a county seminary to be thereon erected."
This ground was located just south of the corner of South Pennsylvania
and South streets. The seminary building erected thereon stood on ground
now occupied by South Pennsylvania street, just north of the railroad.

On August 23, 1843, tne trustees entered into a contract with Cornwall
Meek, "for the construction of the walls and roofing, and enclosing of a
seminary building on a lot adjoining the town of Greenfield in said county —
the size of the building to be thirty by forty feet — and the contractor to com-
plete the work by the fifteenth day of November, A. D. 1842.

"In consideration of which the said trustees are to pay to the said Corn-
wall Meek as a full consideration for said contract the sum of six dollars and
fifty cents per thousand for the brick work, to be measured in the wall — and
six hundred and seventy-five dollars for the carpenter work, and lumber —
payments to be made as follows : — The sum of one thousand and sixteen dol-
lars and five cents cash obligations to be paid so soon as the said Cornwall
Meek files with the said trustees a bond for the faithful performance of said
contract — and the remaining balance to be paid to the said Meek as soon as
the same shall be collected by said Trustees."

John Elder drew the plans and specifications for the building, for which
he received twelve dollars.

The following notice taken from a . September issue of the Greenfield
Spectator, 1848, gives a good idea of the schools, its curriculum, etc. :

I9O HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"HANCOCK SEMINARY.

"The undersigned will commence his Second Term of School in the
above building, on Monday, the 24th day of September, 1848, assisted by
Miss M. Walls.

"Rates of Tuition:

"For Spelling, Reading, and Writing $2.00

"For Geography and Arithmetic, with the above branches. ... 2.50
"For Grammar, with the- above branches, and any of the pri-
mary branches of an English education 3.00

"For any of the higher branches, including Philosophy, Astron-
omy, Botany, Chemistry, Geometry, Plane and Spherical
Trigonometry, Algebra, Surveying, Navigation, and

Latin 4.00

"P. Lawyer."

The following paragraph taken from the same issue of the Spectator
also indicates some of the difficulties that. were encountered by the profession
under the old system :

"IN WANT OF 'DIMES.'

"The undersigned takes this method of informing those who are indebted
to him for tuition for last quarter to call and settle with him before the begin-
ning of the next. P. Lawyer/'

Another teacher in the seminary was William T. Hatch, who taught
until 1850. He was followed by John Wilson, H. R. Morley and James L.
Mason, who taught successively until 1854. Though the building was erected
by the county, it was before the days of the free school system, and parents
paid tuition for their children who attended just the same as those who sent
to the subscription schools in the districts.

From December, 1854, until June, 1855, the seminary building was used
;is a court house. At the June term, in 1855, the county commissioners
ordered the county auditor and treasurer to proceed to sell the property
known as the county seminary in accordance with the provision of an act
approved June 12, 1852.

After the county had disposed of its interest in the property of the
seminary, another school was established and conducted in the same building
for several years which was attended by students from all parts of the county
and from surrounding counties. This was the school known as

EDUCATION. 191

GREENFIELD ACADEMY.

In the issue of the American Patriot of February 28, 1855, notice was
given that the first term of the Greenfield Academy would commence at the
Methodist church on March 12, 1855. The school year was divided into three
terms of fourteen weeks each, with tuition as follows : Collegiate studies,
$7.50; academic, $5.00; primary, $3.00. A. D. Cunningham was named as
principal. John Herod had taught in the new school on North street during
the same winter. Another school under the same was started in December,
1857, by the Rev. David Monfort, a Presbyterian minister.

The following paragraphs, taken from its catalogue issued in i860, gives
a good idea of its work :

"Course of Study.

"'The Course of study recently introduced, embraces in the Scientific
Department, all the branches of Mathematics, Natural Science, Philosophy,
History and English Literature, usually taught in colleges ; and in the Classi-
cal Department all that is required to prepare the student for entering the
Junior Class in the best colleges of the West.

"Location, Facilities, and Health.

"Greenfield Academy is located at Greenfield, Hancock County, Indiana,
twenty miles east of Indianapolis, on the Indiana Central Railway. It is a
pleasant and retired village, where the student is under the best social in-
fluence and free from the temptations and vices of more populous towns.
Good boarding can be had at private houses from $2.00 to $2.50 per week

"Government.

''The government of the Academy will he maintained, as far as possible,
by an affectionate appeal to reason, common sense, and the higher moral feel-
ings, rather than by stern command or excessive punishment. The govern-
ment is mild, yet firm, encouraging the timorous and checking the way-
ward.

"Religious.

"The labors of each day are commenced by reading the Word of God,
with brief explanations and practical applications, and invoking the Divine
blessing and direction. All pupils are required to attend these exercises.

"There are three churches in Greenfield : The Christian, the Methodist,
and the Presbyterian. The student is left to his own choice as to which of
these he will attend.

192 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"Inducements to Teachers.

"Special pains are taken with young ladies and gentlemen who are desir-
ous of qualifying themselves for teaching.

"Since the Academy was established, about twenty-five of the pupils have
engaged in teaching in this and the adjoining states, and so far as we are
informed they have been successful.

"Musical Department.

"We would especially invite attention to the Musical Department which
is under the care of, Miss Fannie Martin, an able and experienced teacher,
where great facilities will be afforded to young ladies for the development of
musical talent, which will meet the highest demand of the age."

The academy maintained three departments. The subjects taught in
each department, with the tuition per term of fourteen weeks, were as follow :

"Primary Department.

"Spelling, Reading to the fourth book, first part Arithmetic and

Primary Geography $3-5° .

"Middle Department.
"Mental and Practical Arithmetic, Geography, English, Gram-
mar, History, Penmanship, Composition, and Declama-
tion $5.50

"Classical Department.
"Latin, Greek, Algebra, Geometry, Surveying, Bookkeeping,
Natural Philosophy, Mental Philosophy, Moral Science,
Rhetoric, Logic, Physiology, Botany, Chemistry, Geology,
Astronomy, etc $8.50 .

"Summary.

"Number of pupils in Classical Department 34

"Number of pupils in Middle Department 74

X umber of pupils in Primary Department 138

"\ t

"Total during year 246

"Board of Directors.
"R. E. Barnett, M. D., president; Hon. R. A. Riley, secretary; George
Walker, treasurer.

EDUCATION. 193

''Board of Instructors.

"J. H. Stevenson, A. B., and J. R. Hall, Joint Principals and Teachers
of Classical Department ; J. R. Silver, Teacher in Middle Department ; Miss
Mazie P. Hall and Miss Sarah Stevenson, Teachers in Middle and Primary
Departments ; Miss Narcie V. Lochwood and Miss Fannie Martin, Teachers
in Musical Department."

On the student list appear the names of Hamilton J. Dunbar, Bell Reed,
Henry Snow, Isaac R. Davis, Flora T. Howard, Thomas H. Offutt, Willie
M. Pierson, Richard Warrum, Bell Boyd, Emma Linehack, California Offutt,
Willie Swope, Sarah Osborn, Edwin Howard, Oscar M. Barnett, Nannie
Foley, Berrysills Johnston, J. E. Earles, Mary E. Longnaker, A. V. B. Sam-
ple, Warsaw Barnett, John Davis, Almond Keifer, Sophronia Ogg, James
Riley, Noah Bixler, George W. Carr, Jerry Martin, Melvina Ryan, Lizzie
Welling, Pet Guyman, William H. Duncan, Wilson Chandler, Jehu Heaven-
ridge, W. H. H. Judkins, C. G. Offutt, Asa E> Sample. James R. Boyd, Inez
L. Guinn, Cerena Martin, Fannie Pierson, Levi Thayer, Josephine Boyd,
Eliza J. Hammell, John Mitchell, Mary C. Swope, William Wood, Cindie
Gebhart, William Pratt, Sue Foley, Elizabeth M. Galbreath, John A. Guyman.

COUNTY LIBRARY.

It is rather interesting to observe that when Hancock county was carved
out of the wilderness, the act providing for its organization contained the
following section :

"The agent who shall be appointed to superintend the sale of lots at
the county seat of the county of Flancock shall reserve ten per cent, out of the
proceeds thereof, and out of all donations to said county, and pay the same
over to such person or persons as may be appointed by law for the use of
the library of said county, which he or his successors shall pay over at such
time and in such manner as shall be directed by law."

This section gave a source of revenue for building up a library in the
county. From time to time report was made of this money to the county
commissioners. At first the county agent had charge of the fund, but later
trustees of the county library were appointed by the board. Among the first
trustees were Lewis Tyner. Harry Pierson, Lot Edwards, Benjamin Spell-
man, John Sweens, John S. Ogg and John Foster. At the March term, 1833,
Joshua Meek and Leonard Bardwell were appointed trustees in the place of
Ogg and Foster, resigned, "to serve until their successors are elected and
qualified." In 1843 Otho Gapen was appointed. Books were purchased by

(13)

194 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

these trustees from time to time, and a librarian was appointed to care for
the books. Gradually, however, they disappeared and were lost. The United
States census report of 1850 shows one public library in the county with two
hundred volumes. But the following report of W. R. West, librarian, made
in December, 185 1, with the accompanying entry on the commissioners' rec-
ord, constitutes about the last chapter on the county library:

"To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of Hancock county :

"I would respectfully make the following report as librarian of Han-
cock county, — first, on examination of the library, after I accepted the ap-
pointment of librarian, I found it consisted of the scattered fragments of
books saved from the fire at the time the library was burned and those remain-
ing being only parts of works and even them so injured by fire that they
are nearly entirely valueless, and a part of those that escaped the fire were
scattered and it was impossible to collect them. And finding the library in
this impoverished condition, I did not deem it my duty to attempt to keep the
remaining fragments together, and consequently they have passed from my
control and possession, and I am willing to restore to the county the value
of the books I received as librarian and herewith tender my resignation as
librarian of Hancock county. W. R. West, Librarian."

"And now comes into open court William R. West and produces to the
court the treasurer's receipt for the sum of twenty dollars, the amount re-
ferred to in the above report, which is accepted by the court, and said William
R. West having tendered his resignation, is hereby discharged from further
action as such librarian."

People who remember this library say that at one time it contained
quite a collection of books. Many of them dealt with historical and biograph-
ical subjects, but it also contained story books and fiction. The library trus-
tees made rules and regulations for the use of the books. Every inhabitant
of the county giving satisfactory evidence for the safe keeping and return
of the books was entitled to use them.

TOWNSHIP LIBRARIES.

As a part of the general school law of the state, enacted in 1852, provi-
sion was made for the establishment of what became known as "township
libraries." A state tax of one-fourth mill on each dollar was assessed, also a
poll tax of twenty-five cents, the moneys raised thereby to be applied ex-
clusively to the purchase of township school libraries. The books were
bought by the state board of education and then distributed by the state board

EDUCATION. 195

among the several counties of the state. When distributed the books became
the property of the townships receiving them.

In 1854 these books reached Hancock county. Three boxes were re-
quired to hold one complete library, and for purposes of identification the
boxes were marked "A," "B" and "C." At the December meeting, in 1854,
of the board of county commissioners they made a distribution of the libraries
among the various corporations, as follows:

"To Center Township and the town of Greenfield, one full school library
jointly.

"To Brandywine and Blue River Townships, one full school library
jointly; Brandywine Township to take box 'A,' and Blue River, Box 'B' ; Box
'C to be divided equally between them and to change every six months."

A similar division and arrangement was made for Brown and Green
townships ; Sugar Creek, Buck Creek and Vernon were given two full libraries,
and Jackson one full library.

There were in the collection some very valuable books. Whether they
were as generally read as had been anticipated is rather questionable. At the
September meeting, in 1874, of the county board of education, the topic, "How
can we make the township libraries more useful?" was thoroughly discussed
by the county superintendent of schools and the township trustees. The rec-
ord of that meeting recites that "it was found that these libraries, which con-
tained many excellent books for teachers, pupils, patrons, and others fond of
good reading, are not doing the good for which they were designed. Many
libraries are but little read. It was thought that more attention should be
given to the manner and place of keeping them. Trustees were advised to
observe the school law, which says : Trustees at the commencement of each
school term, at each school house in their respective townships, shall cause
a notice to be posted up stating where the library is kept, and inviting the
free use of the books thereof by the persons of their respective townships.' "

Science, biography, history, fiction — in fact, something on almost any
subject, was included in the libraries. They were substantial leather-bound
volumes, bearing on the outside of the back the imprint, "Indiana Township
Library." There are still a number of these books in some of the townships;
in others they have all been lost.

YOUNG PEOPLE'S READING CIRCLE LIBRARIES.

In 1888 the Young People's Reading Circle Board was organized for the
state. This board recommended its first list of books for the children of the
state in that year. A number of these books were put into the schools dur-

I96 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

ing the term of 1888- 1889. Additions have been made from year to year
until now there is hardly a district school in the county without its case well
filled with choice books.

FREE SCHOOL QUESTION.

The question as to whether the public schools of Indiana should be
maintained entirely by taxation, with tuition free to all, has been submitted
in one form or another to the voters of the state on three different occasions.
In 1848 the people were asked to state their preference by ballot, as between
free, state-supported schools on the one hand and private or denominational
schools on the other. In this election there were 1,489 votes cast in Hancock
county, as follows : Six hundred and sixteen for free school, eight hundred
and seventy-three against a free school system. Although a majority of the
votes in Hancock county were cast against the free schools, the measure was
carried in the state as a whole. In 1849 a specific law, broad in its scope,
covering the entire matter of school administration, was submitted to the will
of the people. In this election the majority of the votes of Hancock county
were cast against the proposed law. It should be observed, however, that the
law submitted in 1849 presented numerous questions on all phases of school
administration which may have been objectionable, and that the matters
presented in the two elections were quite different. The fact that Hancock
county voted against both measures does not necessarily mean that her people
were not progressive.

On August 6, 1849, the question of a constitutional convention was sub-
mitted to the votes of the people. In this election 1,473 v °tes were cast in
Hancock county: 1,033 f° r tne convention, 394 against it. In 1852 our
present state Constitution, making provision for a free school system, with
tuition free to all, was submitted to the voters of the state. In this election
Hancock county cast 1,434 votes, 1,358 for the constitution and only 76
against it.

TEACHERS, COURSE OF STUDY, ETC.

The first qualification of a teacher to be considered and inquired into
was his disciplinary power, which meant his ability to wield the birch and
hold his own against the larger boys of the school. If he could do this the
first and greatest point was settled in his favor.

Under the law the district trustees had the power to direct what sub-
jects should be taught in their school. As a matter of fact, however, it was
more often determined by what a teacher was able to teach. Reading, writ-
ing and arithmetic contained the fundamentals, and the school that procured

EDUCATION. 197

a teacher who knew arithmetic to the "rule of three," and whose discip-
linary powers were up to the standard, was ready to take a forward step.
If a teacher knew a little history or geography, or perhaps grammar, those
subjects were added to the curriculum for the term. The subjects that the
teacher did not know were, of course, omitted. Later on, in the fifties and
early sixties, grammar, geography and history were frequently added and
even such subjects as algebra, trigonometry, natural philosophy and chem-
istry appear upon the teachers' reports. That some of these higher subjects
were intensely interesting and helpful is beyond question.

Following is a report made by a teacher in the county at the close of a
three-months term in 1854, giving the names of his pupils, their ages and the
subjects taken by each :

Thomas Moore, 13 — Orthography, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic.

Elias S. Marsh, 7 — Orthography, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic.

Eliza J. John, 10 — Orthography, Reading.

Martha R. Iliff, 9 — Orthography, Reading.

Rebecca J. Hendricks, 7 — Orthography. Reading, Writing, Arithmetic.

Lucinda A. . Cannon, 8 — Orthography, Reading.

Mary Jane Cannon, 7 — Orthography.

Margaret E. Marsh, 7 — Orthography, Reading.

Xathan Catt, 1 1 — Orthography, Reading, Arithmetic.

Benjamin Catt, 9 — Orthography.

Silas Moore, 8 — Orthography, Reading.

Eli Catt, 7 — Orthography.

Martha Elsbury, 11 — Orthography, Reading, Arithmetic.

Margaret Elsbury, 4 — Orthography.

Calvin Elsbury, 9 — Orthography.

William A. Sleeth, 11 — Orthography, Reading.

James M. Sleeth, 7 — Orthography, Reading.

Eliza C. Sleeth, 9 — Orthography, Reading.

Sarah J. Marsh, 6 — Orthography.

Margaret Heavenridge, 14 — Orthography, Reading, Arithmetic.

John Heavenridge, 9 — Orthography.

Christopher C. Marsh, 9 — Orthography, Reading.

Aaron A. Sleeth, 13 — Orthography, Reading.

Margaret John 14 — Orthography, Reading, Writing.

Margaret McLaughlin, 11 — Orthography, Reading.

Louisa J. Cartwright, 10 — Orthography, Reading, Arithmetic.

I98 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Mary E. Moore, 3 — Orthography.

John B. Anderson, ic — Orthography, Reading.

Cynthia A. Sebastian, 19 — Orthography, Reading.

Sarah E. John, 16 — Orthography, Reading.

Joseph L. Cartwright, 9 — Orthography.

Hannah M. Cannon, 4 — Orthography.

James M. Price, 8 — Orthography, Reading.

Mary Price, 6 — Orthography.

Mary Heavenridge, 3 — Orthography.

Mary Jane Marsh, 13 — Orthography, Reading.

Eli Galbreath, 8 — Orthography, Reading.

Lucretia Galbreath, 6 — Orthography.

Elizabeth Galbreath, 15 — Orthography, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic.

George W. New, 10 — Orthography.

John Price, 6 — Orthography.

Sarah E. New, 10 — Orthography.

Caroline Phillips, 13 — Orthography, Reading, Writing

It will be observed from the report that in this school the younger pupils
studied nothing but orthography. Those a little older also, studied reading,
while those farthest advanced took the full curriculum, reading, writing and
arithmetic. Between the lines of that report also appear the teacher's lim-
itations. Following is a report of another teacher made at the close of a
three-months term in the same year:

Mary C. Rawls, 15 — Grammar, Arithmetic, Geography, Physiology.

Maranda W. Rawls, 14 — Grammar, Arithmetic, Geography, Reading,
Spelling, Writing.

Tabitha J. Rawls, 8 — Reading, Writing, Spelling, Arithmetic.

Mary Brown, 8 — Reading, Writing, Spelling, Arithmetic.

Mary J. Bundy, 9 — Reading, Writing, Spelling, Arithmetic.

Ruth A. Bundy, 7 — Reading, Spelling, Arithmetic.

Emily Brown, 12 — Reading, Writing, Spelling, Arithmetic.

Selah Brown, 8 — Reading, Writing, Spelling.

Elmina Coffin, 8 — Reading, Writing, Spelling.

Emily Coffin, 5 — Spelling.

Sarah A. Myers, 10 — Reading, Writing, Spelling.

Eliza Bundy, 5 — Spelling.

Almira Galbreath, 5 — Spelling.

Sarah E. New, 10 — Spelling.

Delphina C. Davis, 15 — Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography.

EDUCATION. 199

Matilda Newby, 11 — Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Spelling.
Joseph O. Binford, 11 — Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography,
Spelling.

James L. Binford, 8 — Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Spelling.
Mica j ah Butler, 8 — Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Spelling.
Oliver Brown, 10 — Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Spelling.
Milton C. Brown, 1 1 — Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Spelling.
Eli Galbreath, 8 — Spelling.
George W. New, 6 — Spelling.
Albert Binford, 5 — Spelling.
Sylvester E. Hamilton, 8 — Spelling.

Even a casual comparison of the two reports will most likely disclose
a difference in the wealth of what was offered to the above schools.

Still another report, made in March, 1855, at the close of a three-months
term, shows that the following branches were taught : Spelling, reading, writ-
ing, arithmetic, English, grammar, philosophy, algebra and geometry. The
report also shows the number of pupils taking the different subjects, as
follows: Spelling, 59; reading, 56; writing, 50; physiology, 6; arithmetic,
51; English grammar, 14; philosophy, 7; algebra, 5; geometry, 3.

If one may judge from the report alone, the pupils of this school had
cause to be congratulated for having a teacher who was able to offer them
something worth while and to lead them into richer fields of learning. The
above reports also form a concrete illustration of the fact that the curriculum
of any school was determined by what the teacher was able to teach. The
same truth is even more forcibly illustrated by an enumeration of the sub-
jects taught and text books used in the schools of the county before the Civil
War. At the close of each term of school during those years the teacher
reported among other things the subjects taught and the text books used.
An examination of a number of these reports shows that in the district
schools of Hancock county prior to the Civil War, different teachers taught
some or other of the following subjects, and that all of the text books
enumerated below were at some time used:

Spellers — McGuffey's, Webster's, Murray's.

Readers — McGuffey's, Bronson's Elocution, Murray's, Indiana Series.

Writing — Spencerian.

Arithmetic — Ray, Ray and Talbot, Davis, Ray and Stoddard, Stoddard.

Geography — Mitchell, Smith, Olney, Patton, Smith and Montieth, Cotton.

History — Hume's History of England.

200 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Physiology — Cutter, Taylor.

Grammar — Brown, Pinne's, Green, Smith, Kirkam.

Philosophy — Omstead, Parker.

Algebra — Ray, Davies.

Geometry — Davies:

Trigonometry and Conic Sections — Legendre, Davies, Lewis.

Surveying — Lewis.

Chemistry — Youngman.

Geology — Hitchcock.

Physical Geography — Fisk.

Astronomy — Mattison.

Botany — Woods.

Although a number of these advanced subjects as they were taught in
the district schools would no doubt have failed to stand the present day test,
they undoubtedly evoked great enthusiasm and were the life of the school
for the young men and women then in attendance.

Some of these very early schools of the county, too, were conducted as
"loud schools," or schools in which each pupil studied his lesson aloud.
Oscar F. Meek, deceased, late of this county, used to grow eloquent in relat-
ing his experiences as a pupil in the "loud school." Jared Meek and John
Harden Scott, octogenarians, the latter of whom is still with us, were also
pupils in thes'e schools. Although very few now among us have ever attended,
or heard, the "loud school," we are yet many who learned our geography in
songs, and who can still hear distinctly in memory's ear the measures of :

"Maine, Augusta, on the Kennebec River,
Maine, Augusta," etc., etc., etc.

The capitals of the states were learned in songs in some of the schools
of the county as late as 1885.

teachers' remuneration.

The first teachers in the county depended for their remuneration upon
subscription lists. The term of school was usually about twelve or
thirteen weeks in length, and the teacher received from one dollar and fifty
cents to two dollars per pupil for the term. The teacher frequently appended
to this contract the condition, that if a child missed any days, the parents
might send another child for the number of days missed, without extra
charge. This enabled the teacher to collect for full time. Either cash, or

EDUCATION. 20I

anything convertible into cash, was taken in payment for services. This was
the time, too, when teachers "boarded round" among the patrons of the
schools as part compensation. Later, however, when more money was
raised by taxation and school fund money became available, the teachers
were paid in cash. During the decade preceding the Civil War teachers were
paid on an average of about fifteen dollars per month. During the Civil
War period teachers' salaries rose to a little more than one dollar per day.
Ladies received from fifteen to thirty cents less than the men. The follow-
ing contract, made when he was nineteen years of age, by our highly re-
spected and honored fellow citizen, lately deceased, is typical of the teachers'
contracts of that time :

"Blue River Township, Hancock Co., Ind.
"Article of agreement this day made and entered into between John H.
Bin ford, a School teacher of the one part, and James P. New, Trustee of the
other part. Witnesseth, that the said John H. Binford agrees to teach school
in District No. 4 in Blue River Township, Hancock County, Indiana, for
the sum of one dollar and 15-100 per day. Said school to commence on the
1 st day of January, 1864, and continue for forty-eight days. And for said
services properly rendered said James P. New, Trustee of said Township,
agrees to pay the full amount of wages due said teacher as ascertained by
this Article of Agreement.

"Witness our hands this November 26, 1863.

"James P. New, Trustee,
"John H. Binford, Teacher."

Experienced teachers with established reputations were paid a little
more than the above amount per day. A few contracts can be found show-
ing that district teachers, and practically all of the schools in the county
were district schools at that time, received as much as one dollar and sixty-
five cents per day. Even at that time, however, some people of the county
began to realize that the schools could never be lifted to a very high state
of efficiency unless the teachers were better paid. It is interesting to find
among the old records of Blue River township the following letter addressed
to the township trustee in which expression is given to this fact :

"7th March, 1864.
"Friend Lemuel Hackleman, Trustee :

"We have a glimmering prospect of hiring a teacher for our winter
school at about $50.00 per mo. and we think our neighborhood demands such

202 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

a teacher and I wish to know whether thee would approve our action at the
price mentioned. We have not been extravagant heretofore and for my own
part I believe a great deal depends upon improving the class of teachers for
our common schools. Please give an answer through the bearer. Also
about how many days we will be entitled to.

"Respectfully,

"Samuel B. Hill."

The record, however, fails to show that the trustee entered into such a
contract with any teacher.

The compensation of the teachers became a little better after the Civil
War. A report made by the county examiner in 1865 shows that men were
paid on an average of about one dollar and seventy-five cents per day, and
ladies about one dollar and fifty cents per day. A report made by Superin-
tendent John H. Binford in 1873, shows the average daily wages of men were
two dollars and thirty- five cents per day, and of ladies, one dollar and sixty-
five cents. At the September meeting of the county board of education the
following resolution was adopted for the payment of teachers: "Resolved,
that for the present school year we will pay all teachers in our employ, except
those engaged in graded schools, according to the following equitable plan,
viz. : Two cents per day multiplied by the general average of the license, added
to two and one-half cents per day multiplied by the average attendance of
the school." But at the May meeting of the county board of education, in
1878, the following resolution relative to teachers' wages was adopted :
"Resolved, that we are not in favor of paying teachers more than one dollar
and seventy-five cents per day for the fall and winter term of 1879."

In the last decade of the century just past, beginning teachers were
usually paid one dollar and seventy-five cents per day, and the older and
experienced teachers were paid from two dollars and twenty-five cents to two
dollars and fifty cents in the districts, and the principals of small town schools
from two dollars and fifty cents to three dollars per day. When the town-
ship high schools were organized the teachers were at first usually paid
three dollars to three dollars and twenty-five cents per day. From 1903 to
1907 the salaries of high school teachers rose on an average to four dollars
and four dollars and fifty cents per day. During the next three or four
years nearly all the principalships were raised to five dollars per day, and
during the last year or two the principalships of Westland, Charlottesville,
Wilkinson, McCordsville and New Palestine have been paying six dollars
per day. Grade teachers, since the passage of the teachers' wage law of

EDUCATION. 203

1907, have generally received such compensation as they were entitled to by
virtue of their licenses.

SCHOOL HOUSES.

The first school house erected in the county was built in Blue River
township in 1823. In 1824 a building was erected on the present site of
Greenfield, and from 1830 to 1836 houses were erected in Jackson, Sugar
Creek, Green and Brown. Buck Creek and Vernon townships, now among
our banner townships for fertility of soil and natural wealth, were at that
time swampy and were not populated as early and as rapidly as some of the
other townships, and consequently their schools were not established until
a little later. Many of the first buildings were small log houses, not to exceed
twenty feet square, though many were built later about twenty-six feet
by thirty feet. They were covered with clapboards and had oiled-paper
windows. A huge fireplace was built at one side or one end of the building
•which enabled the children to keep warm on the side next to the fire. All
had puncheon floors; that is, floors made of slabs or logs split or hewn
instead of being sawed. The seats were made of split saplings or mill slabs
from twelve to fifteen feet in length. Usually seats were placed on either
side and extended back from the fireplace. Another was placed across the
front of the fireplace. To the rear of these seats a table, possibly three feet
wide and twelve or fifteen feet long, extended across the room, and on either
side of the table were placed split pole or mill slab seats, each of the length
of the table. At this table or desk the children faced each other and were
enabled to work with some degree of comfort. Those occupying the other
seats had to hold their slates and books on their laps. Frequently, and in
fact very commonly, another desk was made along one or two sides of the
house by driving pegs into the logs and laying a wide board on them. This
was called the "writing desk." In some of the very early school houses
there were no blackboards at all. In others a wide board was hung on pegs
driven into the logs. In many buildings there were two additional pegs
driven into the wall near or over the teacher's desk. Across them might
have been seen a bundle of sticks several feet in length. The teachers of
those days believed that there was great virtue in their presence in the school
room.

Of course, the "furniture" and the rooms were not arranged alike in all
schools, but the room and equipment above described are rather typical of
that very early day. The log schools were retained until about the time of
the Civil War or a little later, when they were replaced by frame buildings.

204 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

In the latter eighties and during the nineties those frame buildings were
replaced by the one-room brick schools of which a number are still standing.
In the towns larger buildings were constructed, and during the last few years
the best types of sanitary buildings have been constructed for the consolidated
and grade schools. For many years none of the old frame buildings have
been in use anywhere in the county except in Brandy wine township. There
practically all of them are still retained.

IMPROVEMENT OF SCHOOL SYSTEM.

When the first settlers built their cabins in the wilderness of Hancock
county, from 1818 to 1835, and even later, actual conditions imposed upon
them other duties than the perfecting of school organizations. Teachers,
men and women, fresh from the colleges, found more lucrative and more
desirable fields for the practice of their profession than in the wilderness.
Hence the first teachers of the county were generally such persons as were
able to read, write and cipher a little, and who for the time had nothing
else to do.

Under the first laws of the state the circuit courts appointed three per-
sons to examine the teachers of the respective counties. At the February
term, 1842, of the Hancock circuit court, for instance, the following entry
was made :

"The Judge, the Associate Judges being present, appoints Thomas D.

Walpole, Morris Pierson, and Anderson M. , examiners of school

teachers in Hancock County."

At the March term, 1850, a similar entry was made, by which Reu-
ben A. Riley, Meredith Gosney and William E. Hatfield were appointed.

The first step taken toward an improvement of these conditions was the
passage of a law providing for the appointment of "three suitable persons
in each township as examiners of common school teachers, who shall con-
tinue in office until others are appointed in their place. Such examiners
shall examine such persons as may apply for that purpose, and certify what
branches they are qualified to teach. No teacher shall be employed unless
he is a person of good moral character, nor shall any teacher be paid as a
teacher of a district school without having procured a certificate of qualifi-
cation as provided in the next preceding section."

This law was enacted in 1843. At the December term, 1845. ^ e board
of commissioners appointed the following school examiners for the county:
Buck Creek, Barzillia G. Jay, John Collins; Harrison, Isaac Barrett, William
H. Curry; Center, Harry Pierson, D. M. C. Lane; Vernon, William Cald-

EDUCATION. 205

well, Elias McCord; Union, George Pherson, William Shaffer; Green, An-
drew Hatfield, George Henry; Brown, Mr. Reeves, William Denwiddie;
Blue River, Orlando Crane, George Hatfield; Brandywine, Hiram Comstock,
Eleazer Snodgrass ; Sugar Creek, Samuel Valentine, George Leechman ;
Jones, Charles Atherton, H. H. Hall; Jackson, Robert McCorkhill, James
P. Foley.

In 1853 provision was made for a county examiner. By virtue of an
act approved March 5, 1855, provision was made for the appointment by
the board of county commissioners of at least one and not more than three
school examiners for each county whose terms were to expire on the first
Monday of March of each year. The county examiner examined all teachers
and licensed them "for any time not to exceed two years, at the discretion
of the examiner." The license had to specify the branches the applicant was
able to teach, and the examiner was entitled to a fee of fifty cents in advance
from every person taking the examination. Every applicant had to have
a knowledge of orthography, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography and
English grammar.

On March 6, 1865, an act was approved providing for a general system
of common schools and matter properly connected therewith, etc., which
gave the county examiner many of the powers and duties now exercised
by the county superintendent of schools. Among other things this act con-
tained the following provision : "Said school examiner shall examine all
applicants for license as teachers of the common schools of the state, by a
series of written or printed questions, requiring answers in writing, if he
wishes to do so, and in addition to the said questions and answers in writ-
ing, questions may be asked and answered orally." Examinations were held
each month in the year. "For each person examined he shall be entitled to
a fee of one dollar, which fee shall constitute the only compensation he shall
receive for services rendered in examining teachers."

Under the township examiners the examinations generally consisted
merely of conversations with the applicants and inquiries touching the extent
of their knowledge, etc. Even under the first county examiners the exam-
inations were principally oral and could hardly be said to involve a test of
fitness at all. Many stories are still told by the teachers of those days of the
examinations they took following the wagon while the examiner gathered
corn, etc.

The men who served the county as county examiners were : James Ruth-,
erford, from June, 1853, to March, 1856; Reuben A. Riley. March, 1856, to
March, 1857; James L. Mason, March, 1857, to March, 1859; William R.

206 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Hough, James L. Mason and David Vanlaningham, March, 1859, to March,
i860; James McKean, A. V. B. Sample and William R. Hough, March, i860,
to March, 1861 ; Jonathan Tague, Asa Sample and George W. Stanley, March,
1861, to June, 1861; William S. Fries, June, 1861, to June, 1864; Mansfield
C. Foley, June, 1864, to June, 1868; A. V. B. Sample, June, 1868, to June,
1871 ; James A. New, June, 1871, to June, 1873.

During the regime of the county examiners the following notice
appeared for a number of years in every issue of the Hancock Democrat,
beginning in the early sixties :

"notice to teachers.

"I will examine teachers at the Masonic Hall (late at the School House)
in Greenfield on the first Saturday of each month and at no other times. All
examinations will be public, commencing punctually at 10 a. m. of each day.
Applicants must be present at the commencement, or they will not be exam-
ined for one month.

"In addition to the ordinary branches, teachers are expected to pass an
examination in Physiology and History of the United States.

"When not personally acquainted with the examiner, applicants must
produce the testimonial of good moral character.

"Licenses will be revoked on proof being made to the examiner of in-
competency, immorality, cruelty or general neglect of the school."

(Signed by)
"William S. Fries, M. C. Foley, A. V. B. Sample, et al,

"County Examiners."

In 1873 an amendment to the act of March 6, 1865, was approved, by
which the county superintendent's office and the county board of education
were created. This amendment gave to the county superintendent the gen-
eral supervision of the schools of the county and lodged in him the power
of final determination of all local questions pertaining to the schools. Under
this act and the acts amendatory thereof, the following men have been elected
to the office of county superintendent of schools of Hancock county : John
H. Binford, 1873; William P. Smith, 1875; Aaron Pope, 1879; Robert A.
Smith, 1881; Will H. Glascock, 1885; Quitman Jackson, 1889; Lee O. Har-
ris, 1897; George J. Richman, 1903; Frank Larrabee, 1907; Geoge J. Rich-
man, 191 1.

It was fortunate for the county that a man of Mr. Binford's organizing
ability was elected as the first county superintendent of schools. He organ-
ized in every department, possibly to a fault. There were regular dates for

EDUCATION. 207

township institutes, others for joint or combined township institutes, and
still others for regular meetings of all the teachers in the county. Though
so much organization grew burdensome to the teachers, it introduced order
and system into the educational work of the county, which has not been lost
to this day. In time many features of the organization were abandoned,
but the teaching profession has always retained organizations in smaller units
as well as in the county as a whole. It would be difficult to say now to just
what degree the educational standing of the county during the past years has
been due to Mr. Binford's vigorous and aggressive methods.

Of the men above named, Aaron Pope died while in office. He had
endeared himself to his co-workers, and today there stands at a short dis-
tance to the southwest of the mound in Park cemetery at Greenfield a' white
marble shaft with the following inscription :

To the Memory of
AARON POPE
Born September 16, 1844
Died July 21, 188 1
This monument is erected by the teachers
of Hancock County as a tribute of re-
spect for him as a man, and of .honor to
him as a faithful and efficient worker
in the schools over which he presided as
County Superintendent from March,
1879, until the time of his death.

After leaving the county superintendent's office, Superintendent Glas-
cock became deputy state superintendent of public instruction. Later he be-
came superintendent of the State Institution for the Blind at Indianapolis.
At the time of his death he was superintendent of the city schools at Bloom-
ington, Ind., and was also an instructor at Indiana University, at Bloom-
ington.

Capt. Lee O. Harris, poet and prose writer, was appreciated by the peo-
ple of this county while he lived, and since his death they have not ceased to
honor his memory. He took great interest in establishing and perfecting the
organization of our high schools, and deserves to be known as the father of
the township high school system of Hancock county.

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

The county board of education has always been composed of the county
superintendent, ex-of ficio chairman ; the township trustees and the presidents

208 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

of the school boards of incorporated cities and towns. The first board of
education of Hancock county under the new law met on September i and 2,
1873. In fulfillment of the purpose for which it was organized, it made a
number of rules and regulations for the schools of the county, some of which
certainly "blazed'' the way for things we have today. Among those of
special interest to teachers are the following:

"All teachers in the public schools shall be at their respective school
rooms at least twenty minutes before the time of commencing school. They
shall not permit loud and boisterous talking in the school room, running over
the floor, and climbing over the desks, and other unnecessary noise before
school and during recess.

"Teachers shall prohibit communication during study hours and exer-
cise due diligence in preserving the school buildings, furniture, apparatus,
etc., in a neat and respectable condition.

"Every teacher shall make fires, sweep and scrub the school room in
which he is employed to teach, or have the same done at his own expense,
except in buildings where a janitor is employed by the trustee or trustees.

"The study of primary arithmetic may be begun when the pupil has
finished the third reader; primary grammar when the pupil has read one
term in the fourth reader; United States history when the pupil has finished
the fourth reader; and physiology when the pupil has read one term in the
fifth reader.

"No public school shall be taught on Saturday more than one day dur-
ing a term, except in connection with the township or county institutes.

"In no school shall any teacher conduct two classes of the same grade
in two different text books on the same subject.

(Signed) "John H. Binford, President.

"A. H. Barrett, Secretary."

During these early years of the board's organization the record shows
that they considered and discussed such matters as an equitable plan for pay-
ment of teachers; the wants of the school, such as the proper seating of the
houses, more and better blackboard room, outline maps, charts, dictionaries,
globes, ash buckets, shovels, pokers, necessary rear buildings, etc. The
adoption of text books was also made by the county board until the passage
of the state text book law in 1889. In 1874 the following text books were
unanimously adopted : Montieth's geographies, two books ; Harvey's gram-
mar, Barnes' history and Steel's physiology. In 1876 the American Educa-
tional readers, Ray's arithmetics and McGuffey's spellers were adopted. In

EDUCATION. 209

1877 Ridpath's history and Harper's geographies were added to the list.
These books, with a few changes, continued to be used in the county until
the state adoption was made in 1889.

The selection of text books was a matter that gave the board more or
less concern for many years. People of the county felt the burden of fre-
quent changes and protested against them. The county papers during those
years had occasion to publish many letters from "patrons of the schools,"
in which the "patrons" expressed their views on the text book question.
Various organizations from time to time also adopted resolutions touching
upon changes of text books. One series of such resolutions, adopted by the
Hancock county council of the Patrons of Husbandry, or "Grangers,"* on
April 4, 1874, is offered herewith :

"Whereas, it is stipulated by the law of the state that the township trus-
tees and trustees of incorporated cities and towns, may or shall establish a
series of text books to be used in the common schools, and

"Whereas, an entire change of said books would involve a very heavy
additional expenditure of money upon an already almost intolerably taxed
people, at a time when it seems to us that economy and reform should be
the watchword of everybody, individually and collectively, in public as well
as private life, and

"Whereas, there seems to be no necessity for a change, as the school
districts are already very satisfactorily and uniformly supplied with a series
of books that seems to us in the main to be unsurpassed in quality or price, and

"Whereas, we represent directly in common council the Patrons of Hus-
bandry of at least one thousand and five hundred adults, and we believe
almost the entire population of Hancock county, and we know of none asking,
demanding, or pressing a change except book publishers, amateur agents and
speculators, and

"Whereas, an order for a change would perhaps be respected by a por-
tion of our people and disregarded by others, if for no other reasons, because
of financial inability to comply with such order, and as there is no power
in law by which a change can be enforced, the difficultv that should be
avoided would, in our opinion be greatly increased, instead of diminished;
therefore,

"Resolved, that in accordance with the foregoing, we respectfullv
though earnestly, memorialize said board of trustees, and request that thev
make no further change upon this subject."

(14)

2IO

HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

As a matter of fact book agents were active and publishing houses vied
with each other in securing the adoption of their books by county boards
of education.

On several occasions the board also ordered the county superintendent
to prepare a course of study for the county. These manuals also included
statistical matter, lists of teachers, etc. The earlier ones are lost, but in 1884
Superintendent R. A. Smith prepared a manual of about thirty pages for
the county. In 1886 Superintendent Will H. Glascock prepared one of forty
pages, and in 1889 another of about forty-five pages. In 1890 Superinten-
dent Quitman Jackson issued a "Manual of the Public Schools of Hancock
County" of forty-two pages. Since that time the state course of study has
been made full and complete, and no other manuals have been issued.

During the several years just prior to 1900 high school classes were
formed and the organization of the township high schools was begun. The
state high school course had not been very fully developed nor had a state
adoption of high school text books been made. This necessitated further
action of the board during these years in preparing a county high school
course of study and in adopting high school text books. In 1898 the board
organized the schools on a three-year basis with uniform text books, examina-
tions and promotions. From time to time the county superintendent was
ordered to prepare a manual for this purpose. Uniformity was maintained
in the county in these matters, so that, if necessary, students could go from
one school to another without additional expense or loss of time. The com-
pletest of these manuals was a small booklet of thirteen pages issued on May
1, 1906. The following tabulated statement taken from the manual shows
in a general way the scope of the work included in this three-year high school
course :

COURSE OF STUDY FOR HANCOCK COUNTY TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOLS.

Years First Term

Second Term

I Algebra English
A I

Phy. Geog.
A

History
A

Algebra Latin
B A

Phy. Geog.
B

History
B

II Algebra English
C IIA

History
C or
Physics
A

Latin
B

Algebra English
D IIB

History
D or
Physics
B

Latin
C

III Geometry English
IIIA

Physics
A or
History
C

Latin
D

Geometry English
B IIIB

Physics
B or
History
D

Latin
E

The following excerpts from the pamphlet will also show the thought
of the board in making the course :

EDUCATION. -211

The foregoing courses have been arranged with a view toward intensive
rather than extensive study.

The work in rhetoric has been designed to provide for all the drill pos-
sible in sentence, paragraph and theme writing; to give a knowledge of the
principles underlying composition and literary work, and to give the pupil a
basis for the study and appreciation of the mechanical side of an author's
work as well as of his ideals.

The courses in literature have been arranged with two objects in view :
to give the pupil a close acquaintance with a few American authors, and to
enable him to make an intensive study of two forms of literature, the novel
and drama.

The suggestions for the study of the novel and drama have been ap-
pended simply for the sake of uniformity of work as far as uniformity is
desirable.

PLAN FOR STUDY OF NOVELS.

i. The story — plot, action, etc.

i. Does the plot have structure?

2. Are there many incidents?

3. The chief incidents.

2. Characters.

1. Who are the principal characters?
Groups of characters?

2. How portrayed? Author describe them?
Others talk about them? By their actions?

3. Setting, background, or place.
Much description?

4. What is the author's conception of life?

1. Hopeful or depressing?

2. Does he look at many characters superficially or study a
few deeply?

5. Purpose of the Novel.

Is the story worth while? Why?

PLAN FOR STUDY OF PLAY.

1. The Story.

1. The incidents with reference to arrangements.

Which belong to introduction, which to climax, which to
conclusion ?

2 12- HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

2. Why have these incidents been selected rather than others?

2. Characters.

i. Who are the chief characters?

2. What is the principle by which the characters are formed into
groups ?

3. Do the characters act according- to their nature?

4. Is the end of each character justified by actions in the play?

3. What use is made of conversation and descriptive passages?

4. As far as can be judged, does the dramatist punish evil and reward
good? Does he have faith in man, and does he leave a hopeful or
depressing view of life?

5. Is the theme of the play real and universally true? Does it apply
to us?

6. What is the essential difference between comedy and tragedy?
Show in the play before you how, if tragedy, it might have become
comedy, and if comedy, it might have become tragedy.

COMBINATION OF CLASSES.

Twelve recitations will be required to carry out the present course of
study without combining classes and alternating subjects. Wherever this
can be done physics will be put in the third year and mediaeval and modern
history in the second year. If the teaching force of a school should not be
sufficient for twelve recitations daily then the second and third years should
combine their work in physics and mediaeval and modern history, taking
those subjects in alternate years. Physics will be taken up in the autumns
of the even years, '06, 'c8, etc. ; mediaeval and modern history in the autumns
of the odd years, '07, '09, etc.

As the course is now arranged there should be no other combinations.

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION.

General.

The school year is divided into two terms or units. In order to be en-
titled to a diploma the student must be able to present passing grades in
each subject for each unit of work as indicated by the course. If a student's
work is not up to the standard required in any subject such additional work
shall be required of him as will justify the principal of the high school in
giving him a passing grade.

EDUCATION. 213

Phvsics.

Each student shall be required to keep a laboratory note-book in which
he illustrates and explains all experiments that he performs or that may be
performed before the class. Each pupil shall be able to present such a lab-
oratory note-book before he is entitled to a diploma.

Thesis.

Each pupil shall prepare a thesis upon some subject related to the work
he has gone over.

High school examinations will be held at the end of each term. Teach-
ers will be notified as to the dates of these examinations. Each member of
the above named committee will prepare lists of questions for each examina-
tion on the subjects assigned to him, and send the same to the county super-
intendent three weeks before the dates of the examination.

TEXT BOOKS ADOPTED BY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Algebra — Wells, D. C. Heath & Company.
Plane Geometry — Wells, D. C. Heath & Company.
Latin — Bennett's Foundations, Allyn & Bacon.
Caesar — Kelsey's, Allyn & Bacon.
Ancient History — Myers, Ginn & Company.
Mediaeval and Modern History— Myers, Ginn & Company.
Physical Geography — Dryer's, American Book Company.
Principles of Rhetoric — Spalding, D. C. Heath & Company.
Physics — Hoadley, American Book Company.

English References — Newcomer's American Literature, Moody &
Lovett's First View of English Literature.

Since the passage of the law in 1907 the high schools of the county have
been organized in conformity with the state high school course of study.

teachers' associations.

There were likely few, if any, general teachers' meetings in the county
prior to i860. In February, 1861, a notice was inserted in the Hancock Dem-
ocrat, calling a meeting of all the teachers of the county at one p. m., February
16, 1 86 1, at. Forest Academy, thre^e and one-half miles northeast of Green-
field, for the purpose of organizing a teachers' association. The notice
recited that the teachers would be addressed by Professor G. W. Hoss, of
Northwestern Christian University, and that in the evening J. H. Stevenson,
principal of Greenfield Academy, would address the association.

214 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

The weather on that day was inclement and the roads were almost im-
passable, yet a number of teachers were present. J. H. Stevenson was
elected president of the meeting-, and M. V. Chapman, secretary. During the
afternoon the teachers adopted the following:

CONSTITUTION. .

"Article i. This association shall be known as the Hancock County
Teachers' Institute.

"Article 2. Its object shall be, first, the improvement of its members
in knowledge of the branches common to the profession ; secondly, in modes
of teaching.

"Article 3. The officers shall be a president, two vice-presidents, a
secretary and treasurer, who shall be elected annually by ballot. These offi-
cers taken as a body, shall constitute an executive committee.

"Article 4. Any teacher or other friend of education may become a
member of this institute by signing the constitution and paying fifty cents
into the treasury."

After the adoption of this constitution the following officers were
elected for the ensuing year : President, J. H. Stevenson ; vice-presidents,
Martin V. Chapman and William T. Pratt; secretary, Richard Frost; treas-
urer, J. E. Earls.

When the organization had been completed the hour was growing late,
and George Lipscomb, a teacher present, moved the association that the
organization of classes be deferred until after another preliminary meeting.
This motion was carried. After a long discussion it was determined to hold
another preliminary meeting at the Masonic Hall at Greenfield on March 30,
and a strong effort was made to have a full attendance of the teachers at
the second preliminary meeting. Quite a long argumentative appeal was
made to the teachers through the local papers, setting forth the necessity
and the advantages of such an organization. Their efforts were attended
with a fair measure of success. Over forty names were enrolled at the meet-
ing and the Masonic Hall was filled with visitors. Professor Hoss deliv-
ered his lecture on "Parents and Teachers," and among the local people,
James L. Mason, W. R. Hough, Parr and Stevenson, made short addresses.
Before the adjournment quite a contest arose as to the place of holding the
next meeting. The "Forest Academy" people had no hope of getting the
meeting, so they united with the eastern teachers in an effort to have the
meeting held at Cleveland. Many teachers of course wanted to have the meet-
ing held at Greenfield. They were led by Stevenson, Bond and Silver. The

EDUCATION. 215

eastern teachers were led by Welling and Chapman. It was finally decided
to hold the meeting at Greenfield on August 12. 1861. The vote stood,
Greenfield, 21; Cleveland, 19, as reported by Richard Frost, secretary.

In the meantime the county was stirred with the excitement of the Civil
War, and it became necessary for the teachers to make some changes in their
arrangements. In July, 1861, the following notice appeared in the local
paper :

"Session of the Hancock County Teachers' Institute, which was to have
been held in Greenfield, has been changed to Cleveland. Owing to unavoid-
able circumstances, many influential teachers have been called away to the
battlefield from this place and vicinity — those upon whom much depended for
its success; hence its removal.

"It will commence Monday, August 12, 1861, at the M. E. Church.

"It will be opened by a lecture by Prof. Miles J. Fletcher, Superinten-
dent of Public Instruction of the State."

In the above notice, likely, we have the only reference to a depletion in
the ranks of the teachers on account of enlistments in the army. In this con-
nection, though it was perhaps an extraordinary instance even for that time,
the following humorous incident is taken from the issue of the Hancock
Democrat of September 11, 186 1, as illustrative of what was likely to tran-
spire during those days :

"got the war fever.

"William Dunlap, a school teacher of Jackson township, went off very
suddenly with the disease on Monday of last week. He opened his school
as usual on the morning of that day, took the fever about 10 o'clock a. m.,
boarded the cars at 12 m., and before night was a soldier in the War for the
Union, armed and equipped. Bully for Hancock !"

But to resume. The institute at Cleveland was reported a success. Not-
withstanding the excitement of the times, many teachers were present and
great interest was manifested. The session continued for one week. Classes
w r ere organized in elocution, with Prof. E. M. Butler in charge. Physiology
was taught by Dr. A. B. Bundy,,of Cleveland, and rhetoric and composition,
by Professor Hoss.

On motion of Professor Smith, of Indianapolis, the following reso-
lution was adopted at this meeting : "That we, as teachers, approve the in-
troduction of music into our common schools as an agreeable and harmon-
izing agent in discipline and mental culture."

Many visitors were in attendance during the week, and before the insti-
tute closed, they adopted the following resolution, offered by Mr. Bedgood:

2l6 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"Resolved, that we as citizens of Cleveland and vicinity, having been
happily, intellectually and beneficially entertained by the sessions of the
Teachers' Institute in our village, we vote to the professors, teachers, and
members our cordial thanks."

"After a social reunion on Friday evening, on which occasion a num-
ber of toasts were read and responded to, the session adjourned, all de-
lighted with having spent a pleasant and profitable week at the Institute.

"M. V. Chapman, President,
"Richard Frost, Secretary."

From the report of this meeting it is evident that a good spirit pre-
vailed. Certainly the institute was not without its feature of entertainment,
and, if we judge rightly, elocution and gymnastics must have been happily
combined in Professor Butler. Immediately after the close of this institute
the following notice was published in. the Hancock Democrat :

"Mr. Editor: Please announce that Mr. Butler will repeat the exercises
in Gymnastics, in Masonic Hall, on Friday night next, which he exhibited
with so much applause at the Teachers' Institute.

"I think Mr. Butler will highly entertain anyone who will favor him
with an audience, as I had the pleasure of witnessing his exercises at the
Institute. It will be free to all."

On Saturday, October 12, 1861, a one-day session was held by the
teachers of the county at the Masonic Hall at Greenfield. This meeting was
known as the "Teachers' Association" and was "appointed by the institute."
Yhe following was the order of the exercises on that day :

Open, 9:30 A. M.

Recitations commence, 10:00.

Written Arithmetic, 10:45, J- E. Earls, teacher.

Discussion of same, 1 1 :oo.

Orthography, 11:45, Miss Mattie Rawles, teacher.

Discussion of same, 12 :oo.

AFTERNOON.

Open, 1 :30.
English Grammar, 2:15, D. S. Welling, teacher.

Discussion of same, 2 :3c
Primary Reading, 3:15, E. M. Butler, teacher.
Discussion of same, 3 :3c
Miscellaneous Business, 4 :oo.

EDUCATION. 217

On Saturday evening, December 28, 1861, the teachers of the county
gave an entertainment at the Masonic Hall at Greenfield. It was given for
the purpose of arousing interest in the teaching profession and of elevating
the profession in the county. The entertainment was advertised as a "Teach-
ers' Exhibition" and among those taking part in it were : A. E. Sample, John
Bousloy, Eli Butler, George L. Lipscomb, Richard Frost, Henry Snow,
Melissa Bond, Leonidas Milburne, A. V. B. Sample, James Shap, Dr. Butler,
Bell Mathers, George West, M. V. Chapman, Samuel Wales, L. O. Harris,
J. E. Earles, E. M. Lucinda, Joseph Hunt, J. M. Alley, William Pilkington,
Pelatiah Bond, W. H. Judkins, George Glass. We have no report of this
entertainment.

On Monday, August 11, 1862, the second regular session of the Han-
cock County Teachers' Institute convened at the Masonic Hall and con-
tinued for two weeks. Classes were organized and recitations conducted
daily in the subjects given below: Elocution, E. M. Butler, teacher; Eng-
lish grammar, H. Mendenhall, teacher; intellectual arithmetic, M. Collier,
teacher; natural philosophy, William Fries, teacher; physiology; geography;
vocal music, William Morgan, teacher; object lessons, G. W. Hoss, teacher;
gymnastics, Hunt and Butler, teachers.

The following text books were used during this institute : Readers,
McGuf fey's sixth ; music, Golden Wreath ; written arithmetic, Ray ; intellec-
tual arithmetic, Stoddard; physiology, Cutler; rhetoric, Quackenbos.

E. M. Butler was president of this institute and A. V. B. Sample,
secretary.

Though the first general session of the Hancock County Teachers' Insti-
tute was very enthusiastic, the organization seemed to have difficulty in hold-
ing the attendance of the teachers. After the meeting in August, 1862, re-
ports of the institute are very meager and the organization seems to have
been abandoned after a year or two.

On December 3, 1864, a number of teachers met at the Masonic Hall
at Greenfield for the purpose of effecting another organization. James
Williamson was elected chairman of this meeting and George L. Lipscomb,
secretary. At this meeting the following resolution was adopted :

"Resolved, first, that a school be established at this place to be known
as the Hancock County Normal Institute.

"Resolved, second, that the officers of the institute shall consist of a
president, two vice-presidents, a secretary and a treasurer. These officers
shall constitute a board of managers and teachers, and shall take charge of
such classes as may be organized."

2l8 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Following the adoption of these resolutions the following officers were
elected: President, M. C. Foley (then county examiner) ; vice-presidents, A.
J. Johnson and G. L. Lipscomb; secretary, James Williamson; treasurer,
Richard Frost.

The institute was to meet at the Masonic Temple at Greenfield once
every two weeks on Saturday at 10 a. m., and was to adjourn at 4:00 p. m.
Arrangements were made for conducting classes in the following subjects :
English grammar, James Williamson, teacher; mental arithmetic, George
Lipscomb, teacher; written arithmetic, M. C. Foley, teacher; spelling, Rich-
ard Frost, teacher.

Arguments were again presented through the county papers showing the
necessity of raising the standard of teaching and urging the teachers to
attend. The following statement taken from the Hancock Democrat, gives
a good idea of the spirit of the teachers in making this effort:

"We call your attention to the secretary's report of the organization of
a normal institute for the purpose of drilling and perfecting teachers in their
profession, and the advancement of the cause of education throughout our
county, and ask your hearty cooperation with us in the good work. This is
not merely an experiment, but a bona fide institution, thoroughly organized
and entered upon with determination to succeed. The benefits to our educa-
tional interests arising from it are many and various. Among the principal,
aside from the drilling of the teachers, is that it will tend to establish a uni-
form system of teaching throughout the county, which all teachers must
acknowledge would in itself be an ample reward for the exertion. The
nucleus is formed, and if teachers and the friends of education will gather
about it and lend us their assistance, the educational interest of Hancock
countv will receive an impetus that will overcome all the difficulties we have
formerly labored under."

An effort was also made to conduct an "educational column" in the
Hancock Democrat, beginning with January, 1865. The first article, a full
column, appeared "On the Improper Use of Language," and another on
"The Responsibility of the Teacher."

After a few weeks, however, no more articles appeared. "The Han-
cock County Normal Institute" seems to have met about the same fate as its
predecessor, the "Hancock County Teachers' Institute." There were teach-
ers in the county who were earnest in their efforts to raise the standard of
their profession, but the difficulty lay in interesting the profession generally.

In 1865 a law was passed making provision for holding county insti-
tutes under the supervision of the county examiners. In 1873 another law

EDUCATION. 219

was passed creating- the county superintendent's office and giving the county
superintendent of schools and the county board of education greater powers
in the administration of the school work. Following the enactment of these
laws the following resolution touching upon teachers' meetings was adopted
by the county board of education of Hancock county at their December
meeting, 1873 :

"The county superintendent is hereby authorized to hold a" county insti-
tute at Greenfield on the fourth Saturday of each month having five Satur-
days, for the interest, benefit, and professional improvement of the teachers
of the county. Such institutes shall begin at 10 a. m. and close at 4 p. m.,
and each teacher of the county shall attend the full session of each institute
or suffer the same penalties therefor as prescribed in section for non-attend-
ance at township institutes." (Author's Note: The penalty was to "forfeit
one day's wages for each day's absence therefrom and fifty cents for each
hour or fraction thereof.")

In the above resolutions the teachers' meetings are designated as "insti-
tutes." but the meetings above contemplated were in addition to the town-
ship institutes and the county institutes as we know them today. The record
indicates that at least two general teachers' meetings of the county were held
for several years. At some time before 1880, however, these meetings were
combined into one, and a one-day session was held on the Saturday before
Christmas, or during the holidays.

Among the teachers who were active in the profession for several years
or more in the early seventies and during the decade or two following, should
be mentioned: Lee O. Harris, George W. Puterbaugh, Henry Wright, Will-
iam M. Coffield, Ella Bottsford, Vania Gates, Scott Mints, Alpheus Rey-
nolds. A. V. B. Sample, Will T. Walker, Maggie Brown, Mary E. Dille,
Sarah J. Wilson, Florence C. Taylor, W. H. Glascock, Ida Geary, Jennie A.
Buchel, Vard Finnell, Joshua Barrett, J. W. McCord, Anna Harris, J. S.
Jackson, C. M. Curry, E. E. Stoner, J. H. White, Moses Bates, W. B. Botts-
ford, Anna Chittendon, Mattie A. Sparks, William A. Wood, Morgan Car-
away, John Thomas, Kate R. Geary, Mattie J. Binford, Duncan McDougall,
E. C. Martindale, A. N. Rhue, Angie H. Parker, Henry B. White, George
Caraway, Walter S. Smith, Ezra Eaton, Ira Collins, Worth Trittipo, S. C.
Staley, Clara Bottsford, W. H. Craig, Harvey Barrett, N. B. Brandenburg,
W. H. Simms, Maggie Buchel, Mary Lynch, Robert Hurley, Victor Lineback,
J. W. Smith, C. A. Ogle. Lulu Dove, Rena M. Wilson, William M. Lewis,
James K. Allen, Isaac Hunt. W. P. Smith, R. A. Smith, Dugald McDougall,

220 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

R. H. Archey, William Elsbury, James L. Foley, Allie Creviston, W. W.
Harvey, W. J. Thomas, J. F. Reed, Quitman Jackson, Addie Wright, John
W. Jones, Porter Copeland, Aaron Pope, Will F. Handy, Edwin Bacon,
Lizzie Gilchrist, Clara Fries, S. S. Eastes, R. Warrum, J. P. Julian, J. L.
Smith, Jennie Willis, James Goble, J. W. Stout, Edward H. Tiffany, George
S. Wilson, Philander Scudder, Charles J. Richman, Emma Hill, Allen S.
Bottsford, Fannie Fish, May McDougall, Sallie Cotton, A. E. Lewis, Frank
Morgan, W. C. Atherton, John Brooks, Anna Woerner, John W. Winslow,
Logan Glascock, Flora Love, M. O. Mints, O. P. Eastes, Ada Anderson,
Laura Dance, Cicero Reeves, Arthur L. Foley, Clay Vanlaningham, Edwin
Braddock, William Whitaker, Kate Applegate, Lucy Hill, B. F. Eubank,
Ellsworth Eastes, Kate Armstrong, Asa L. Sample, John W. Scott, J. D.
Dennis, E. W. Felt, S. C. Staley, Laura Pope, Thomas J. Wilson, Alice Corey,
Emma Parnell, Fassett A. Cotton, I. N. Hunt, J. A. Everson, Ada Mitchell,
James M. Bussell, J. V. Martin, George C. Burnett, E. B. Thomas, Charles
R. Reeves, Edwin Keller.

At the May meeting, 1886, the county board resolved "that the township
institutes be dismissed in the month of December in townships where the
teachers agree to attend the county association." About 1895 the association
began holding two-day sessions annually on Friday and Saturday after
Thanksgiving. The work was usually given in large part by the teachers
themselves and touched all phases of the problems presented to the teaching
profession. In 1908 the plan of a one-day session was again adopted, and
since 1909 the teachers have convened annually in general session on the
second Saturday of November.

Among those whose faces have been familiar in the county meetings of
the teachers for several years or more during the last quarter of a century,
and who are no longer engaged in the profession, or have gone elsewhere,
are : O. J. Coffin, Etta Barrett, A. C. Van Duyn, Leona W'ilson, Lawrence
Wood, Date Glover, Alice Meek, J. W. Jay, John Hervey, Harvey Apple,
H. L. Thomas, W. A. Service, J. E. Radcliffe, John Larrabee, Jeremiah S.
Bates, James Furgason, Maggie Addison, Charles L. Collingwood, Charles
C. Collier, W. G. Bridges, Clarence Luse, Cora Weber, Eunice Barrett, Alvah
N. Reeves, Estella Boyce, Isaac H. Day, John F. Wiggins, Millie McCord,
W. H. Larrabee, Minnie M. Grist, Leora Jessup, O. W. Kuhn, Nida Card,
Albert Frost, John T. Wilson, Barclay O. White, Rhoda Reeves, Neva
Roney, Milo Gibbs, Kizzie Staley, Luella Eastes, Anna Ostermeyer, J. F.
McCord, S. B. Prater, William A. Meyers, Eliza Everson, Inez Martin,
O. F. Boyce, Walter H. Welborn, W. H. Alger, Gilderoy Winslow, Ozrow

EDUCATION. 221

Kemerly, G. C. D'Camp, Marshall T. Hittle, Will Leamon, J. Q. McGrail,
Pearl Green, W. B. Stookey, Elwood Morris, Kate D. Wilson, Lizzie Bald-
win, Nancy V. Cook, Merritt Wbod, Clarence Dunbar, Bert Cohee, O. L.
Morrow, Edward Eikman, Bessie Z. Jackson, George B. Thomas, George H.
Trees, Estella Ham, Hugh Souder, Maude Bradley, Frank McClarnon, Car-
lin Griffey, Edgar Hope, Arthur Boone, John T. Johnston, Gertrude Mur-
phy, George W. Kennedy, Leonard Cook, Myrtle Garriott, Harvey Rhue,
Harvey Power, Samuel S. Cory, Eva Pusey, Mabelle Ham, Chester B. Mur-
phy, Adolph Schreiber, Maude Thomas, Virginia Morton, Lillian New, Maud
Jackson, Mabel Smith, Belle Schramm, LaVaughn Evans, Mary Sample,
Allen Eastes, Raymond Wilson, O. S. Julian, Minnie Staley, Ethel Smock,
John T. Rash, Jennie Pope, J. M. Pogue, Audrey Binford, Charles E. Cook,
Will E. Curtis, Rhoda Coffield, Stella Newhouse, Clara Armiger, Sallie
Bolander, Gertrude Larimore, Minnie Houck, Ethel Clift, Robert F. Reeves,
Charles H. Wright, Ethel Harlan, Horace Martindale, Herman Ehlert, Chal-
mer Schlosser, Martha Wiggins, W. C. Goble, Frances L. Petit, Ethel Ake-
man, Edward Slaughter, J. Henry Perry, Pearl Stant, Jennie Jackson, Clar-
ence Trees, C. May Heller, Horatio Davis, Claudia Teel. Pearl Collyer,
Mildred Trittipo, Hannah M. Test, Martha Stockinger, Roscoe Thomas,
Albert Reep, Catherine Pusey, Verna Walker, Bess Hittle, Abbie Henby,
Margaret Black, Elmer Bussell, Clara Hagans, John A. Coffin, Tamma
White, Alpha Green, Nellie Larrabee, C. M. Cannaday, Viola Ham, Anna
H. Randall, Mack Crider, James O. Davis, Effie L. Alford, Pet Roland,
Carrie Jackson, Shady Wilson, Elsie Hudelson, Myrtle Binford, Nettie Bates,
Earl R. Gibbs, W. R. Neff, Maggie Martin, Hettie Hunt, Tillie Craig, Har-
riett White, Earl Binford, Hugh Johnson, John H. Whitely, Sarah White,
O. W. Jackson, Henry Hammer, Frank L. Marsh, Lee Justice, Hattie Silvey,
Venice Curry, L. L. Lydy, Kate Morton, Ora Staley, Alta Trittipo, Maude
Iliff, Laura Black, James Snodgrass, Stella Z. Miles, Nelle Martin, Mabel
Felt, Edith Weber, Mary Binford, Nelle Reed, Nannie Hagans, Marion
Bottsford, Lester Foster.

COUNTY NORMALS.

Following logically the earlier efforts that had been made in the county
to raise the standard of the teaching profession, county normal schools were
organized annually for a series of years. The first one was organized in
Greenfield in 1875 by Ex-County Superintendent John H. Binford. In 1876
normal schools were organized at Greenfield, McCordsville and Charlottes-
ville. The school at McCordsville was conducted by W. H. Motsinger, prin-

222 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

cipal of the public schools at that place. County Superintendent Smith con-
ducted the one at Charlottesville, assisted by R. A. Smith and J. Worth
Smith. The following notice, published in the county papers, gives, a good
idea of the school :

"normal institute.

"I will conduct a Normal Institute at Charlottesville, Hancock County,
Indiana, beginning July 17, 1876, and continuing seven weeks. The Course
will comprise a rapid review of the Common Branches together with such
other instruction as is necessarily involved in the science of teaching.

"A Model School will probably be conducted in connection with the
Institute.

"The best teaching talent will be secured.

"For Circulars, address,

"W. P. Smith, Co. Supt,
"Greenfield, Ind."

The enrollment at this school consisted of forty-eight students in the
normal department, and forty-one pupils in the model school. Among the
students who attended were : Mrs. Florence Taylor Larimore, Mrs. Belle

Craft McCraw, Mr. Campbell, J. K. Allen, Mary Ross Allen, Miss

Overman, Mary Morrow.

The following advertising literature gives facts concerning the normal
conducted by Mr. Binford in 1876:

"Instructors — John H. Binford, B. S., principal Greenfield graded
schools ; Prof. W. A. Yohn, of Valparaiso Normal School ; Mattie Binford,
A. B., Earlham College; Kate R. Geary, formerly of Greenfield schools.

"Lecturers — Hon. James A. Smart, state superintendent ; Prof. George
\Y. Hoss, of Indiana University; Prof. D. Eckley Hunter, of Bloomington,
Indiana.

"A Model School, under the immediate instruction of Miss Kate R.
Geary, will be one of the many commendable features of the school. Here
teachers will first learn by observation, then by practice, under the eye of
the critic teacher.

"The Course of Study will embrace a thorough review of the common
branches: the science of pedagogics, and beginning and advanced review
classes in the higher branches to suit the wishes of advanced pupils.

"Tuition — Per term. $5.00; in the Model School, $2.00 to $3.00."

These excerpts from the advertisements of the county normals give a

EDUCATION. • 223

g-ood idea of the schools. Thev were continued in this county until 1880.
Others were held in 1887, 1888, 189 1 and 1896.

Among the instructors at these normals who are well remembered in
the county are : Perry Smith, Walter Smith, R. A. Smith, Quitman Jackson,
W. H. Sims, J. W. Jay, E. D. Allen, E. M. Blanchard, W. H. Glascock, J.
Worth Smith, Dr. L. B. Griffin, W. H. Motsinger, Mrs. Leon O. Bailey, J. V.
Martin, W. H. Craig, W. A. Wood, George S. Wilson, A. H. Reynolds, H.
D. Barrett, Olmie C. Steele.

That these normals did efficient service for the upbuilding of the teach-
ing profession in Hancock county is evident from the following list of per-
sons who enrolled at some one or other of the sessions : William C. Ather-
ton, Amanda Kinnick, Iduna Smith Barrett, Jennie Snodgrass Major, Fred
Lipscombe, Walter Orr, Cynthia Fries Peacock, Mary McDougal, Anna
Snodgrass Neier, Riley Luse, W. H. Sherry, Ada Mitchell Fort, Sadie Els-
bury Warrum, Vania Gates, Mattie Black Gipe, Ida Geary, J. F. Reed, John
S. Frost, Alice Creviston Glascock, Bertha Scott Hunt, Victoria Lineback
White, Jasper McCray, Jennie Buchel Hogle, Julia Fields, Howard Barrett,
Harvey Barrett, Anna Harris Ra'ndall, W. A. Wood, Clara Bottsford, Will
Reeves, W. E. Walker, N. B. Brandenburg, M. O. Mints, R. A. Roberts,
Mary Goble, Iola Coffin Bragg, Flora Catt Thomas, George Grimes, James
Goble, George S. Wilson, Berry White, Ida Cook Curry, Rhoda Goble, Agnes
Jordan, Millie McCord, W. H. Craig, O. S. Coffin, E. W. Felt, Mellie Thomas
Lowry, Mrs. Cassie Veach Barrett, F. O. Fort, Frank Larrabee, Will Bar-
rett, Henrietta Gates, Laura Pope Reed, Charles Reed, W. H. Glascock,
Victoria Wilson Morford, Pharaba Wolfe, Roscoe Anderson, Maggie Buchel
Ashcraft, Elva Thornberry, Mark Catt, Joshua Barrett, Agnes McDonald
Hamilton, Emma Parnell, Ella Bottsford, Mabel Bottsford Cooper, Edith
Lamb, W. J. Walker, Mary Lynch, Robert Hurley, Maud America Everett,
W. M. Coffield, Ella Bogue, Irene Wilson Stoner, Eugene Lewis, Christine
Gilchrist, Thomas Wilson, Manie Chandler Burke, George Burnett, Isaac
Hunt, Kate Bussell, J. W. Jones, Rosa Grass Quick, W. H. Handy, Mattie
Thomas Felt, Fanny Denton.

ATTEMPTS TO PROCURE HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.

At least two attempts have been made to procure the location of higher
institutions of learning within the county. The first effort made was to
procure the location of the

INDIANA AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

At the time the question of the location of the state agricultural col-
lege was before the people, James L. Mason represented Hancock county

224 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

in the state Senate. He introduced a bill into the senate in 1867, providing
that this school he located in this county. Efforts were being made by a
number of counties to secure this institution, but it seems that Mr. Mason
had sufficient support in the Legislature to give the people of the county some
hope of getting it. At that time our board of county commissioners offered
to donate $100,000 toward the establishment of the school in case it should
be located within Hancock county. The matter remained undecided for the
next two years, when on February 6, 1869, our board of county commis-
sioners met in special session to consider further what this county should do.
After deliberating upon various propositions and hearing representative citi-
zens of the county, action was taken by the board and the following order
entered upon their record :

"The board of county commissioners of Hancock county, in the state
of Indiana, propose, offer and bind said board of. county commissioners of
said county, and their successors in office, to pay to the state of Indiana, on
condition that the proper authorities of said state will locate and erect the
contemplated agricultural college of said state in the vicinity of Greenfield
in said county, the sum of $100,000 in cash, by the first day of June, 1869,
or for that purpose they will pay to the state of Indiana the sum of $125,000
in cash in three equal annual installments, the first installment on the first, day
of June, 1870, $41,666 2-3; second installment, June 1, 1871, $41,666 2-3;
third installment, June 1, 1872, $41,666 2-3.

"And the state of Indiana by her proper authorities shall have the option
of the acceptance of either of the above propositions. And when so selected
and accepted by the said state the accepted proposition shall be binding on
said county of Hancock. "William New,

"James Tyner,
"Commissioners."

The location of the college still remained undecided through the sum-
mer of 1869. In November of 1869, however, Mr. Purdue, of Lafayette,
made an offer that was unequalled anywhere else in the state, and procured
the school for his county. This decision was announced to the people of
Hancock county by the Hancock Democrat with this finishing touch :

"A Mr. Purdue, of Lafayette, offered one hundred thousand dollars
of his own money, in addition to the offer of the county, for the location of
the agricultural college at the Battle Ground. His condition is that it shall
be called 'Purdue Agricultural College.' This is a most munificent offer,
but why should the Legislature favor the rich against the poor?"

EDUCATION. 225

During the winter of 1880-81 a movement was begun to establish at
Greenfield a normal known as the

INDIANA NORMAL SCHOOL.

An association was organized and incorporated under the laws of the
state to promote the project. The incorporators were S. S. Boots, Nelson
Bradley', Morgan Chandler, Noble Warrum, William New, Philander H.
Boyd, Israel P. Poulson, Henry L. Moore, Ephraim Marsh and T. E. Glid-
den. In the fall of 1881 the incorporators each subscribed one thousand
dollars, on condition that ten thousand dollars additional be subscribed. The
following resolution was adopted relative thereto :

"Be it resolved, that when ten thousand dollars shall be donated to the
'Indiana Normal School," we will proceed without delay to erect suitable
buildings in or near the city of Greenfield, to accommodate all the students
that may attend said school, "and will thereafter maintain and operate the
same."

John W. Jones, an attorney of the Hancock bar, was the moving spirit
in this project. He published a number of articles in the county papers urg-
ing the expediency and advantages of establishing such a school in this county.
On February 15, 1882, the incorporators asked Mr. Jones to set a date for
a general discussion of the matter, at which the citizens could attend and be-
come acquainted with the probable results of such a school. Such a meeting
was held February 27, 1882, at the court house. A number of speeches were
made at this meeting and much more interest was taken than at any previous
time. A resolution was adopted unanimously favoring the purchase of a tract
of land by the city, to be turned over to the incorporators. A number of
petitions were circulated among citizens asking the city council to order an
election at an early day to take the sense of the voters on the question. In
the issue of the Hancock Democrat of March 2, 1882, appeared the following:

"Our people are becoming stirred up on this subject. The public impor-
tance of the school is so apparent and the opportunity now at hand is so favor-
able and the fear that if this enterprise does not now succeed it will never
be offered again, are each combining to stir up the energy of our citizens."

The effort, however, did not succeed. Subscriptions to the necessary
fund were not forthcoming, and the movement was soon abandoned entirely.

COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP INSTITUTES.

The act of March 6, 1865, also made provision for holding county and
township teachers' institutes, and for appropriating fifty dollars annually of

(15)

226 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

the county funds to help defray the expenses of the county institute. In
Hancock county the first institute was held in the fall of 1865, at Greenfield.
There were but a few teachers present. Instruction was given in orthography,
reading, arithmetic and English grammar. In 1866 no institute was held.
In the county examiner's record, under the topic of "Teachers' Institutes,"
appears the following note : "Failure. County commissioners would make
no provision as other counties and as the law provides."

The first full report of a county teachers' institute held in Hancock
county was made by James A. New, county examiner, in 1871. The report
is as follows:

"i. Number of teachers' institutes held within the year, one.

"2. Where held, Greenfield, Hancock County, Indiana.

"3. Number attending — males, 92; females, 25; total, 117.

"4. Branches taught, orthography, oral, grammar, grammar, writing,

geography and map drawing.
"5. Number of evening lecturers, two.
"6. Money drawn from treasury, $50.
"7. Total cost of institute, $35.
"8. Number of township institutes held, one.

"9. Number of townships sustaining teachers' associations, one.

"James A. New, Examiner,

"Greenfield, Indiana."

There were difficulties to be overcome in those days, as disclosed by
the following entry made in the county examiner's record on August 17, 187 1 :

"The following is a list of the names of persons who have paid the
requisite fee, and become regular members of the institute, and who shall
and will receive the advantages derived from being members of same to be
given by examiner and trustees.

"This measure becomes necessary in order that the Common Schools
may be benefited, and that the expenses incurred by Institutes be paid.

Names. Residence.

John Thomas

James McKean

James E. Johnson Philadelphia, Indiana

William A. Wood Philadelphia, Indiana

John M. New Westland, Indiana

Harper F. Sullivan Westland, Indiana

EDUCATION. 227

Name Residence

William S. Fries Greenfield, Indiana

Henry Wright Mt. Comfort, Indiana

William A. Dunn Philadelphia, Indiana

Benjamin F. Marsh Westland, Indiana

Theodore Winn Greenfield, Indiana

Morgan Caraway Westland, Indiana

Isaac N. Hunt Westland, Indiana

James K. Allen Cleveland, Indiana

George W. Puterbaugh Greenfield, Indiana

Lee O. Harris Greenfield, Indiana"

That some of the teachers were interested in better supervision and a
more effective organization of the schools of the county is evident by the
jdoption of the following resolution at this institute:

"Resolved, That it is the opinion of the members of this institute that
there should be a county superintendent of public schools in every county,
whose duties, in addition to those at present performed by the examiner,
shall be to devote his entire time during the continuance of said schools to
visiting and superintending the same. And further : That said superintendent
should in all cases be a professional teacher. Therefore, we the teachers of
Hancock county do earnestly commend this measure to the consideration of
our state Legislature.

"Resolved, that while we feel thankful to those citizens of Greenfield
and vicinity who have been present at our institute, and have felt encouraged
thereby to continue our labors in the educational work, we cannot but deplore
the lack of interest shown by our township trustees and many teachers of the
county, as manifested by their absence throughout the entire week. This
we mention more in sorrow than in anger, and still hope for better times
and more energetic men.

"Resolved, that we, the members of this institute, believe that our
school law should be so changed or modified as to make the drawing of the
public money by each county contingent upon an additional amount to be
raised by a tax within said county for the purpose of continuing our public
schools for a period of at least six (6) months.

"Resolved, that we consider the principles contained in the foregoing
resolutions of vital importance to our county; that a committee of three be
appointed by the president of this association to wait upon the representatives
from this county and the senator for the counties of Hancock and Henry

228 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

immediately after the election and call their attention to these, our wishes,
and earnestly solicit them to work for this end in their official capacity.

'George W. Puterbaugh,
"William A. Wood,
"Lee O. Harris,

"Committee on Resolutions."

The first county institute conducted by a county superintendent of schools
was held September 29 to October 3, 1873. Superintendent John H. Binford
reported eighty-six males and thirty-five females present : "The eight com-
mon branches, orals, composition, science of government, theory and practice,
etc., etc.," were presented. The cost of the. institute was sixty dollars. At
the bottom of the report is the following note : "The number reported includes
many that were not teachers — there was an average of actual teachers of
about thirty. The institute was a decided success."

During that year there were ninety-nine teachers in the county, so that
only about one-third of them were in actual attendance at the institute.

During the next ten or fifteen years the work of the county institutes
was directed toward a discussion of the subject matter of the common
branches. Possibly it was because the opportunities for qualifying were lim-
ited as compared with today, and that necessity demanded that the teachers
concern themselves with what to teach, rather than with how to teach it.
During the eighties and nineties, however, and with the increase in the num-
ber of colleges and universities, the instructors who came to our county insti-
tute took up questions of method, psychology, etc., and the greater emphasis
was placed on how subjects ought to be presented. During the last decade
the inspirational feature of the county institute has been perhaps even un-
duly emphasized. With the passage of the vocational law of 1913 the atten-
tion of our institute has again been directed to the question of what to teach
in these new lines.

The attendance at the Hancock county institute has remained about the
same as reported by Superintendent Binford in 1873. The cost of conducting
it, however, has increased greatly. Able institute instructors are paid on an
average of one hundred and twenty-five dollars per week, and the total ex-
penses of conducting our institutes for several years have been respectively :
1889, $141.00; 1890, $158.00; 1892, $165.00; 1894, $181.00; 1898, $200.00;
1902. $227.00; 1905, $249.77; x 9°9, $290.00; 1910, $291.00; 1913, $242.25;
1914. $268.14. To defray these expenses, one hundred dollars is drawn from
the county treasury. An institute fee of one dollar is collected from each

EDUCATION. 229

teacher during the county institute, and an examination fee of fifty cents is
collected from each applicant taking the examination for teacher's license, all
of which is put into the institute fund.

Township institutes have been held in each township on one Saturday
in each month during school terms since the passage of the act of 1873. In
1872 James A. New, county examiner, reported one township as sustaining
a teachers' institute or association. In 1873 Superintendent John H. Bin-
ford reported : "Township institutes held within the year, none." At the
September meeting of the county board of education, in 1873, however, the
following resolutions were adopted :

"Resolved, that we will employ no teacher who does not attend the
teachers' institute appointed by the county superintendent, and that we will
to the full extent exact the penalty prescribed by the law for non-attendance
on the same.

"There shall be organized in the county by the county superintendent
three combined township institutes for the months of October and March,
each of which shall hold one session during each of said months. The first
shall be composed of Blue River, Jackson and Brown townships, and shall
meet on the first Saturday of October and March at the public school house
in Cleveland, unless otherwise ordered by the county superintendent. The
second shall be composed of Brandywine, Center and Green townships, and
shall meet at the school house in Greenfield on the second Saturday of Octo-
ber and March. The third shall be composed of Sugar Creek, Buck Creek
and Vernon townships, and shall meet on the third Saturday of October and
March at Mt. Comfort, unless otherwise ordered by the county superin-
tendent."

At the September meeting of the board in 1875, the month of November
was substituted for the month of October, and the institute for the western
tier of townships was abolished. At the September meeting, 1880. the joint
institutes were "deemed impracticable since the teachers are not willing to
attend the same." The attendance of the teachers at the township institutes
received a great stimulus in the passage of the act of 1889, providing that
teachers be paid for attendance at these institutes.

TERMS OF SCHOOL.

With the increase of teachers' salaries came also longer terms of school.
A report of the county superintendent made in 1875 shows the average
length of the school term as follows: Blue River, 142 days; Brown, 80 days;
Center, 78 days; Jackson, no days; Brandywine, 86 days; Buck Creek, 123

230

HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

days; Green, 88 days; Vernon, ioo days; Charlottesville, ioo days; Fortville,
83 days ; Greenfield, 90 days.

During the next decade the townships practically all began maintaining
a six-months term. Within the last ten years another month has been added,
while our high schools and some of our township schools now are beginning
to maintain an eight-months term.

ENUMERATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

The records of the enumeration of school children during the early years
of the county's history are incomplete and many of them have been lost.
The United States census report shows that in 1840 seven common schools
were conducted in the county with an attendance of one hundred and fifty-
six pupils. In 1850 an attendance of two thousand, four hundred and thirteen
pupils was reported. The enumeration taken in 1866 shows that there were
in the county the following number of children between the ages of six and
twenty-one years: Males, 2,621; females, 2,471; total, 5,092. The number
of children kept increasing for a number of years, and then began to decrease,
as shown by the following table :

Enrollment

Average Daily

in Schools

Attendance

Years.

Enumeration.

for the year

for the year.

1866

5,092

4,324

1873

5,3io

4,438

2,652

1876

5,600

4,287

1882

5,58i

1884

5,660

1886

5.742

1887

5,745

1889

5,857

1890

5,857

4,653

3-5IO

1892

6,118

4,730

3-599

1893

6,348

4,693

3,458

1894

6,401

4,726

3,634

1895

6,353

4,908

3,585

1896

5,95o

4,838

3,582

1897

6.064

4,775

3,791

1898

6,162

4,74i

3,9o6

1899

5,93i

4,753

3,689

1902

5,949

4,688

3.679

1903

5,849

4,534

3,629

1914'

4,671

3,793

3,266

EDUCATION. 23I

Without giving the table for all the years, the enumeration of school
children of the county has decreased at the rate of about one hundred pupils
per year during the last eleven years. According to enumeration reports
there are fewer children between the ages of six and twenty-one years in the
county now by about four hundred than there were at the close of the Civil
War. The number reached its maximum in 1894. The highest average daily
attendance, however, was reached in the schools in the school year, 180,7-8.
It will be observed that the enrollment in the schools in 1872-3 was only
about one hundred less than in 1903, yet the average daily attendance of
that year is almost a thousand less. This is, no doubt, accounted for by the
fact that in 1873 a large number of the young people attended school for a
short time during the winter term, but were absent on "good days for work,"
and withdrew early in the spring. This gave the schools a large enrollment,
but a low average daily attendance.

The great decline in the enumeration of school children is also having
a marked effect on the county's distributive share of the school funds drawn
from the state. For instance, the state school tax levy for 19 14 was thirteen
and six-tenths cents on every one hundred dollars of taxable property. Dur-
ing the year thirty-two thousand, one hundred and ninety-two dollars and
thirty cents was collected in taxes and interest on school funds, and paid
over to the state treasurer. But when the state funds were again apportioned
among the counties, on the basis of their enumeration, Hancock county re-
ceived only $19,571.49, or $12,620.81 less than was collected by this county
and paid into the state treasury. The figures above illustrate what occurs
from year to year in the collection and distribution of the state school taxes.

CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATION OF HIGH SCHOOLS.

In 1865 the county examiner reported eighty-seven district schools in
Hancock county, but he reported no graded schools at all in the townships.
In 1873. and again in 1876, eighty-nine districts were reported. During
more recent years the number of district schools having only one teacher
was reported as follows: 1892, 87; 1893, 85; 1896, 84; 1897, 81; 1900, 67;
1902, 66; 1903, 63; 1906, 62; 1907, 61 ; 1908, 52; 1909, 49; 191 1, 47; 1912,

41; 1913. 38; 19H, 37: 1915- 3 2 -

With the abandonment of district schools from year to year, the children
have been transferred to larger centers, where they have the advantage of
better gradation, etc. This movement has also made possible and expedient
the organization of township high schools. Several high schools, including
those in Blue River, Brown, Green, Jackson and Vernon townships were

232 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

organized, or at least classes had taken up high school subjects by 1895. All
the remaining townships except Brandywine had high school classes started
not later than 1900. The organization of these schools was well begun by the
time that County Superintendent Lee O. Harris took his office in 1897. At
that time Hancock county still had practically all her district schools, but it
will be observed that by the end of his administration, in 1903, eighteen dis-
tricts had been abandoned. The pupils from these districts were attending the
consolidated schools. Since that time almost one-half of the remaining dis-
tricts have been abandoned. Blue River township had all her pupils in the
consolidated school at Westland during the school year of 1914-15, under
the trusteeship of Obed J. Coffin. During the school year of 1914-15 the
various school corporations expended $7,325.00 for the transportation of
pupils to the consolidated schools. The school houses in which our children
now attend may be grouped as follows : Stone, 1 ; brick, 66; frame, 8 ; total, 75.

CUSTOMS OF DIFFERENT PERIODS.

Mention has been made of the fact that in 1865 an "Educational Col-
umn" was conducted for a time in the Hancock Democrat by the Hancock
County Normal Institute. In 1876 County Superintendent W. P. Smith
again conducted such a "column." Articles were contributed by Mr. Smith
and also by the teachers of the county. The first article to appear was offered
by Lee O. Harris on "Composition." Another article of some length was
contributed by A. V. B. Sample on "Duties of Parents." Other articles under
the captions, "Force of Habit," "Description of School Room," "Cultivation
of the Mind," and "Words," appeared from time to time for several years.
In addition to such articles personal mention was made of the work and doings
of teachers. In fact, a sort of an "exchange" was maintained in these columns,
to which the teachers felt free to contribute, and which reflects a general
cooperative spirit in the profession.

About the same time, or rather in 1875, knotty problems in arithmetic
began to appear, for which solutions were asked. Teachers vied with each
other in their efforts to solve these problems and publish their solutions in
the local paper. Frequently different solutions giving different results were
published, which gave rise to interesting arguments running from week to
week on the solutions offered. Following is a problem which may probably
be called typical, selected at random from those offered :

"Three boys start to sell oranges; one has ten, one has thirty and the
other fifty; they want to sell them at the same price and all receive the same
amount of money. At what price must they sell and how much did each
receive ?"

WESTLAND HIGH SCHOOL

CHARLOTTESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

WESTLAND CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

EDUCATION. 233

During the winter of 1870-71. N. W. Fitzgerald, principal of the Green-
field school, adopted a plan of encouraging attendance, good behavior, indus-
try, etc., 111 the Greenfield schools by establishing "honor rolls." The "honor
roll" was made up at the end of each week. Pupils who had been neither
absent nor tardy, who had been "perfect" in recitations, and who had a
grade in deportment of not less than, say ninety-five per cent., had their
names placed on this "roll." At the end of each week the "honor roll" was
published in the local papers. During that winter a few teachers in the
county adopted the same plan and published the "honor rolls" of their schools.
In a year or two this custom became very common, and "honor rolls" from
schools in all parts of the county were published. This practice was con-
tinued in the county pretty generally for about sixteen years.

In the spring of 1871, W. P. Smith, later county superintendent of
schools, finished a term at the Pleasant Hill school in Brandywine township.
The term had been successful, relationships had evidently been cordial and
agreeable, and in the issue of the Hancock Democrat of March 30 of that
year he made the following public acknowledgment :

"Many thanks to the friends and patrons of the school for the prompt
and cheerful cooperation they have rendered me during the term, and for the
many 'good things' they provided for us and our visitors on closing day.

"To the Scholars : You will please accept my thanks for strict obedience
to the rules of school, punctuality in attendance, promptness in recitation
and close application to study; and now that school is out let me ask you not
to lay aside your books entirely, but spend your leisure moments in reviewing
the lessons you have recited at school that you may be able to begin your
studies at the next term where you left off this.

"With best wishes for your future success in life, I bid you adiew, as
your teacher for the present. W. P. Smith/'

To this letter was also appended the "honor roll" of this school : Reuben
Bentley, Joseph Kelm, James Parnell, Abijah Kemmerly, Henry C. Marsh,
John J. Roberts. William Kennedy, Willie H. Marsh, Andrew J. Smith, James
H. Smith. Newton Rhue. Charles P. Duncan, Mary E. C. Kelm, Emma Par-
nell, Iduna May Smith, Ella Griggsby, Emanuel Smith, Henry McKinney,
Dard Roberts, Laura Parnell, Malinda E. Smith, May J. Smith, Rebecca
Stump, Isaac T. Winn, James J. Duncan, James Roberts, Harriett Parnell,
Sarah A. Smith, Inez E. Smith.

This was the beginning of a series of such acknowledgments which often
appeared at the close of schools during the seventies and eighties. They
were not always in exactly the same tone, as will be seen from the following,

234 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

which came from the teacher of district No. 10 in Vernon township in the
spring of 1872 :

"I would say to the scholars, the most of you have treated me well, and
have not caused me any trouble. Hoping you will retain these few instruc-
tions 1 have given you until a good old age, you have my best wishes through
life.

"To the patrons of the school : I am sorry to say you have done but little
in word or deed to encourage me in my work, but I trust you will do better
in the future. J. H. Scotton, Teacher."

Sometimes the acknowledgment also included a narrative of the "last
day," like the following from district No. 2 in Green township, in March,
1876 :

"The day set in very inclement, but nevertheless, scholars, patrons and
friends came marching in with turkeys, chickens, pies, cakes and everything
that would tempt the palate.

"The morning program was as follows : A complete review of the
analysis of the alphabet, advanced reading, written spelling and manuscript
history. After these exercises we had two tables spread across the house
with everything nice to satisfy the appetite.

"The afternoon program consisted of concert reading. Grammar, Geogra-
phy, Arithmetic, and closed by remarks from patrons and teacher. The
scholars have been industrious, obedient and kind. I will return my thanks
through your paper for the kindness and hospitality, both by patrons and
pupils, shown me while teaching in their district."

"J. Benson, Teacher."

Local pride was also reflected :

"School No. 9, near Willow Branch P. O., closed March 15, 1876, with
a general turnout of patrons, pupils and visitors. The forenoon exercises
consisted of, first, recitations in primary spelling and reading, after which
the time until noon was spent with arithmetic classes. Noon now at hand, we
dismissed for dinner. We set two tables, each twelve feet long, which were
covered with edibles of all kinds.

"I will say in conclusion that we have had a very pleasant time this
winter. This being my third term at this place, and very likely the last, I
can say that I consider it a credit to any teacher to occupy old Spiceland
school house. No. 9, Brown township.

"I now return my thanks to patrons and pupils for their kindness toward
me as their teacher, and may they ever be found moving forward in the inter-
est of an education. James L. Smith, Teacher."

EDUCATION. 235

In the spring of 1876 the teacher of Benevolence school in Center town-
ship made the following statement in the local paper :

"Pupils reported as most industrious and consequently most successful :
Alice Goble, John Handy, Phebe Price, Ella Kinsey, James Heffernan, Ollie
Wiggins, Mollie Trees, Eddie Gray, Rufus Temple, and George Wiggins.

"I can safely say for all that more practical pupils cannot be
found anywhere. No cases of tardiness in the school during the term.

"The patrons of the district have my sincere thanks for the dinner fur-
nished on this occasion. Theodore Winn, Teacher."

Many other acknowledgments could be added to the foregoing, but they
illustrate the types of public acknowledgments that appeared in the columns of
our local papers during those years.

But expressions of good will did not all come from the teacher alone.
On several occasions the pupils also had something to say, and some of their
doings at least found their way into the local papers. We offer the following
from the pupils of "Sparks school," district No. 1, in Brown township, at the
close of their school, in March, 1876:

"Resolved, that we return our earnest thanks to our well esteemed teacher
for the general hospitality he has shown us during his two terms of school.

"Resolved, that we return our thanks to our teacher for discharging his
duty among us as pupils without showing any partiality.

"Resolved, that we return our thanks to our esteemed teacher, A. J.
Larue, for the information he has imparted to us as pupils since he came to
our school.

"Resolved, that we are under many obligations to our teacher for rais-
ing us up from the degrading name which the pupils were under in our dis-
trict, caused by unruly pupils, and elevating us upon a level with other dis-
tricts in the township and county.

"Resolved, that we recommend our teacher to any class of scholars that he
may chance to meet in the future.

"Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be presented to the teacher's
father, John R. Larue.

"Resolved, that we request William Marsh, trustee of Frown township,
to send a copy of these resolutions to the Hancock Democrat for publication.

"Resolved, that if our teacher thinks these resolutions worthy, we re-
quest him to present a copy of them to the county paper in which he resides.

"Resolved, that we return our thanks to our teacher for giving his con-
sent to return at our next term of school and assist us in advancing our
education."

236 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"Signed by scholars. Obee H. Garrett, James B. McDaniel, John H. Smith,
Samuel N. Hunt, Charles Riggs, Levi L. Keesling, William Smith, Bay Cook,
Lilly Cook, Mary A. Cook, Cimmie Cook, Hattie Giles, Florence Cook, Tidy
Cook, Henry J. Garrett, Joseph McDaniel, Joel A. Cook, Sanford Dudley,
Cora Leiber, Eilnore Cook, William J. Dudley, Daniel M. Smith, Laura Cook,
Mary A. McDaniel, Emma J. McDaniel, Nancy Cook, Fannie Broomfield,
Delia Cook, Isaac L. Garriott, John R. Keesling, James Broomfield, Charles
McDaniel, Levi McDaniel, William R. Riggs, Mattie Cook, Luvina A. Gar-
rett, Missouri Cook, Mary Smith, Annie Giles, Nancy McDaniel, Visy Cook."

On the same occasion the patrons of the above school gave the following
signed statement to the Hancock Democrat for publication :

"We, the employers of school District No. 1, return our best wishes and
thanks to A. J. Larue for his general hospitality and moral conduct, and for
discharging his duty impartially, and for such we recommend him to any and
all schools that he may chance to meet in the future.

"(Signed) : Joseph Garrett, Joel Cook, Morris Cochran, J. A. McDaniel,
Lorenzo D. Cook, Daniel Hedrick, James C. Smith, Matt F. Cook."

At the close of school in the following spring, 1877, the pupils at Lea-
mon's Corner, in Jackson township, no doubt felt that their teacher was
worthy of as much recognition as might be given to the teacher of any other
school. It is interesting to observe that among the pupils who signed the
following resolutions are some whose names have long been well known
throughout the state of Indiana:

"School closed here last Saturday. We, the pupils, return to our teacher,
Miss Mattie Lineback, our sincere thanks for the kind and faithful manner
in which she performed her duty.

"Resolved, that we will treasure up the seed which she has sown, and will
improve every opportunity that will advance us one step further up the hill
of science. (Signed) William H. Glascock, George Burnett, Jennie Mc-
Corkle, Louiza Sheets, Cora Felt, Charles Chandler, Eugene Lewis, Emma
Becket, Anna Chandler. James Clift, John Felt, Eliza Shipley, Mattie
Glascock."

In the spring of 1879 tne pupils of the Thomas school in Brandy wine
township adopted the following as a tribute of respect to Napoleon B. Branden-
burg, who was a very popular teacher in the county for a number of years,
in Sugar Creek, Brandywine and Center townships :

"tribute of respect.

"We, the pupils of school district No. 1, Brandywine township, feel it
our duty to tender our teacher, N. B. Brandenburg, a series of resolutions

EDUCATION. 237

of respect for his services rendered as teacher for our benefit, as they now
come to a close.

"Resolved, that he has labored diligently and earnestly with us and in
our behalf to bestow upon our minds something that will enable us to occupy
the positions to which we may be called.

''Resolved, that in performing this work he has not been partial in any
respect, but has imparted instruction willingly and in the best possible manner
to one and all, everything of a mysterious nature vanishing into ideas with
a clearness that moulds upon the mind never. to be forgotten.

"Resolved, that we unite in complimenting our teacher for his faithful
efforts as a teacher in advancing us in our studies and for his untiring
exertions to advance our best interests, and we heartily commend him to
those among whom his lot may be cast as a teacher, efficient, capable, and
worthy of their respect. Happiness and prosperity go with him. (Signed)
Thomas Hope, Julia Fields, Julia Hutchison, Willard Hutchison, Lillie Woods,
Lura Thomas, Thomas Wilson, Mary Collyer, George Potts, Ira Davis,
Charles Thompson, Lida Potts, Emma Collyer."

The patrons on that occasion adopted the following: "We, the patrons
of said school, vouch for the propriety of the above resolutions: (Signed)
John Sylvester, A. J. Jeffries, John V. White, A. M. Potts, William Kidwell,
Wellington Collyer, B. F. Fry, H. J. Fry, Hiram Thomas, Smith Hutchison,
Christopher Fields."

It was during these years, too, — the seventies — that the closing day of
school came to be a social event in every district. It is still so lovingly re-
ferred to as the

"old-fashioned last day."

The "last day" also received ample space in the columns of our local
papers, and the "visitors" shall tell their own stories. We begin with the
last day at Carrollton. March 25, 1876:

"We had a school of five months, which could not be beat in the town-
ship, and which closed Saturday, March 25. It was taught by Cyrus Boring.
Between the hours of nine and ten the parents came pouring in with baskets
filled to the brim. They went immediately up to the Grange Hall to prepare
a dinner for the school, which was done directly and in order. We had two
tables, each thirty feet in length. These tables were well filled with as nice
looking victuals as my eyes ever beheld. The dinner was composed of boiled
ham. baked chicken, fruits, pies and pickles of all descriptions, and nineteen
large cakes from three inches to fifteen inches thick. These were covered with

238 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

icing as white as snow and trimmed with various colors of candies. The
tables were covered with small edibles too tedious to mention. After the tables
were prepared they all left the hall and went down to the school room, where
they had the privilege of listening to splendid music. Then they marched,
two and two, up to the hall. The scholars occupied one table, and the parents
and visitors the other. Then Mr. Boring called' all to order and thanks were
returned by John D. Lucas.

"Then the feast commenced, and in a short time our nice victuals all
disappeared. Then we returned to the lower room, where we had splendid
music from the organ and singing from the scholars for one hour and a half.
The school was then called to order by the teacher and a piece was read
by James Reed from The Democrat of March 16, prepared by A. V. B. Sam-
ple, subject, "Duty of Parents." Then the parents were called on to make a
few remarks. Then the small children were called on to speak their pieces,
which were very interesting. Then Mr. Renecamp was called upon to make
a few remarks, which he did, and they w r ere very appropriate for the occasion.
Mr. Boring then got up and talked some fifteen minutes to the scholars and
parents. He said he had not been mad during his five months of school.
This speaks very well for Mr. Boring. He taught his first school in this place
twelve years ago. He had only one scholar this term that came to him then.

"Gumbo."

William M. Lewis, at present the genial proprietor of the book store, no
doubt has many pleasant recollections like the following:

"On Tuesday last (February 20, 1877) Mr. William Lewis closed his
fourth school at Brown's Chapel school house, Jackson township. The day
being a fine one, I concluded I would visit the school. Among the more im-
portant exercises in the forenoon were advanced grammar and arithmetic.
The several classes did their work in a manner that deserved great credit;
the rough roads of arithmetic seemed to fade away before them and every-
thing seemed easy for them. At twelve o'clock it seemed that the exercises
were stopped, but we were pleasantly mistaken, for it turned out that they were
only changed in order to make them more general. In a few minutes the
ladies changed the scene into one of the most bounteous displays of good
things to eat imaginable. After partaking of a hearty repast the young folks
repaired to the play ground, where the bright light of the sun shone on fair
young ladies and brave young men present. About one and a half o'clock
Mr. Lewis called the crowd together to hear the exercises of the afternoon.
The first exercise was a class in elocution, consisting of J. E. Stephens, Henry
H. Crider, Lafe Crider, John Slifer and Miss Emma Scott. Among the selec-

EDUCATION. 239

tions read were "Gone With a Handsomer Man," and "Courting in the Coun-
try"; and I must say that the reading was certainly excellent, and the effect
produced by some of the reading was very interesting. After the class was
dismissed Henry Crider and Miss Scott were recalled and read "Hiawatha's
Wooing" and "The Famine," Mr. Crider reading the former and Miss Scott
the latter. They both did splendidly. After the reading was over came
declamations, essays, etc., which kept us interested until near four o'clock,
when Mr. Lewis made a few remarks which were very interesting, followed
by others present. On the whole I have concluded I spent one of the most
pleasant days of my life, and after this I shall visit schools more frequently.

"Visitor."

The following from "Nebraska school," in Center township, also in
1877, is interesting for the clearness with which it sets before us the festivities
and exercises of the last day, and because of some of the men whose names
appear therein as pupils of this school :

"At twelve o'clock school was dismissed for dinner, which had been pre-
pared by the patrons of the school. Dinner being spread, it was interesting
to see the polite and genteel manner in which Miss Mattie Lineback served
her guests at the table. One side was reserved for visitors, the other for the
pupils, who were marched up in good order. After thanks were returned by
our friend, William Brooks, all partook of the dainties which were spread
before them and good enough for a king. Dinner being over, we enjoyed
ourselves in social chat for an hour, there being some forty or fifty visitors
present, besides quite a number of pupils. At the ringing of the bell all took
their places to hear the afternoon exercises, which were mostly literary and
delivered in good style. I was diverted to see little Johnnie Wiggins, son of
our friend, John F. Wiggins, come to the stand to speak. He came so earnest,
with eyes sparkling like jewels. There is something noble in that little fellow.
He has had the misfortune to lose one of his hands, but he is not without, tal-
ent. I would say to Mr. Wiggins, give that boy an education and he will make
a man of himself. Much credit is due Miss Ettie Felt for the becoming man-
ner in which she acted the part of the old lady, with her cap and spectacles
on. By the way, Eugene Lewis is a very good speaker and Billy Glascock a
very good journal reader. Everything was done decently and in good order.
The last was an essay by Miss Lineback, which was gotten up in good style
and read with politeness. I am happy to say that Miss Lineback is an ac-
complished lady and understands her business. At four o'clock the school
closed and I returned home much pleased with what I had seen and heard.

"A Visitor."

24O HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Though the "eats" were lacking, the program rendered at New Palestine
on closing day in 1879 was thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the
times :

"Last Thursday and Friday were spent in oral examinations at the New
Palestine graded school and the result is satisfactory to all. Rev. Winches-
ter asked a few questions, to which answers were readily given. The schools
of the upper department assembled in the lower room when the literary exer-
cises commenced. Among the many creditable acquittals I will men-
tion a few: "Darius Green and His Flying Machine," by Allie Bottsford, a
boy whose executive ability is unsurpassed by one of his age. Next a dia-
logue, "Mrs. Partington's Tea Party," by Ida Lipscomb, Cora Ulrey, Kate
Armstrong and Annie Warner. A declamation entitled, "Old Man of Fifty-
three," by May Bottsford, was well done. Two renderings by Henry War-
rum, of Nameless Creek, entitled "A Sermon to Ladies" and "Woman's
Sphere," were well delivered. Essays were read by Willie Buchel, John
Sharp, Flora Rice, Rosa Warrum, Glennie Hook, Lulu Vansickle, and many
others. They also had an excellent paper read by Misses Jennie Buchel and
Cora Winchester.

"Mr. Wood having engaged the services of State Superintendent Smart,
we had the pleasure of listening to one of his interesting lectures at the
M. E. church. The teachers at this place, though they have not as suitable a
nouse and apparatus as others, have given satisfaction as far as I have been
able to learn, and deserve credit for their untiring efforts to advance the cause
of education. May they as teachers ever be prosperous.

"A Well Washer."

These narratives could be duplicated many, many times from the columns
of the local papers during those years and for a decade following.

SPELLING SCHOOLS.

The spelling school was an institution that dated back almost to the be-
ginning of the schools themselves. It was one of the first forms of entertain-
ment that our schools offered to the communities. Many years before the
Civil War schools had their "best spellers." School met school, well knowing
that their "best spellers" could spell every word in the old McGuffey spelling
book, and that their opponents must go down in defeat or the match must,
be a draw. Not only did the school have its best speller, but the community
had its best speller, and he was relied on, "sent for" if necessary. Where is
the community in the county that did not have at least one or more farmers
who worked all day and then spelled to the wee hours of the night to uphold

EDUCATION. 24I

the reputation of the district in any match that a challenge might bring
forth ?

In the earlier days especially, one school challenged another. Often,
simply a "spelling school" was announced. When the people had congre-
gated captains were announced who chose the spellers. Then different plans
were followed. Sometimes "runners" were chosen; sometimes the contest
was to see who could "stand the longest"; and sometimes it was determined
in favor of the side missing the fewest words. Generally the contest was
entered for entertainment and to win. But it was not an uncommon thing
for some patriotic and enthusiastic citizen to offer a prize to the winning side
or to the winning school.

It seems that spelling schools began almost with the organization of
schools in this county, and continued more or less generally until within a
decade or two of the close of the last century. They were conducted not
only by the public school as an institution, but by organizations, societies, etc.,
and were frequently the means of raising funds, just as we now give enter-
tainments, socials and suppers for the same purpose.

One of the most interesting spelling matches in the county was arranged
by the ladies of the Greenfield Benevolent Society. The ladies canvassed the
city and procured the consent of a number of business men and others to spell.
Among them were : W. S. Wood, J. A. New, J. L. Mason, L. W. Gooding,
A. Reynolds, G. T. Randall, O. Moon, William Mitchell, Lon Hammel, Mrs.
Dr. Martin, Colonel Roberts, War Thomas, J. Ward Walker, I. P. Poulson,
George B. Cooley, A. B. Linebeck, J. H. Binford, A. T. Hart, W. Hammel,
Kate Geary, Hattie Havens, William J. Matthews, R. A. Riley, Lee O. Har-
ris, H. J. Dunbar, James Walsh, Dr. E. I. Judkins, W. R. Hartpence, J. Roth-
enberger, W. O. Thomas, Rev. White, Marg. Roland, Emma Swope, A. W.
Hough, H. L. Moore, Mrs. H. C. Chapman.

The contest was set for the evening of March 13, 1875, at the court room.
By common consent the following appointments were made: J. H. White,
master; G. W. Puterbaugh, umpire; J. Ward Walker and William Mitchell,
captains.

It was also agreed that the winning side should be awarded three cords
of wood and a ham of meat for the benefit of the society. The contest was
to determine which side could remain standing the longer. Since so many of
the spellers are clearly remembered, it is interesting to observe the order in
which they "went down," and the words they misspelld :

1. Lee O. Harris, petrify. 3. W. S. Wood, typify.

2. James Walsh, typify. 4. I. P. Poulson, typify.
(16)

J 4 2

HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

7
8

9
io
ii

13
14

J 5
16

17
18

Capt. A. L. Ogg, adamant. 19

S. E. Duncan, adamant. 2c

Mrs. H. C. Chapman, license. 21

Mrs. A. C. Heaton, habitude. 22

Miss Sarah Walker, pestilent. 23

Colonel Roberts, impanel. 24

U. Royer, pursuant. 25

William Mitchell, metallic. 26

Mrs. Gwinn, metallic. 27

Mrs. F. H. Crawford, satirize. 28

Mrs. W. S. Wood, satirize. 29

Capt. R. A. Riley, azimuth. 30

G. T. Randall, calabash. 31
Mrs. L. W. Gooding - , maccaboy.32

L. W. Gooding, hypothenuse.
B. Clayton, idolater.
J. Ward Walker, belligerent.
Theo Winn, consulate.
Charles Winn, serious.
Riley Cross, aromatic.
Dr. E. I. Judkins, allegoric.
•Mrs. Brown, panegyric.
William Hammel, vicegerent.
W. R. Hartpence, decimal.
H. R. Clayton, epilogue.
James A. New, vapory.
H. L. Moore, repellent.
Rev. C. T. White, seizure.

At this point, John H. Binford, who had been chosen by Mr. Walker,
was left standing alone, and the honors went to Mr. Walker's side. The
Symphony Glee Club furnished music during the evening, and the receipts
netted the Benevolent Society eighteen dollars and ten cents.

Spelling matches similar to this one were held in various parts of the
county, in which old and young participated. One other very interesting
match was arranged between Greenfield and Knightstown. Each side spent
more or less time in practice for the contest, which was held at the court
house on the evening of May 14, 1875. Among the contestants from Green-
field and vicinity were : H. J. Dunbar, Mrs. Nellie Brown, Mrs. C. W. Gant,
Miss M. E. Dille, L. W. Gooding. John H. White, L. M. Test, I. P. Poulson,
Ephraim Marsh, Miss Royer, J. H. Binford. William Hammel, James A.
New, D. S. Gooding, G. W. Puterbaugh, Capt. A. L. Ogg, Oscar F. Meek,
\Y. B. Hartpence, E. W>. Smith, James Walsh, C. F. White, H. R. Clayton,
Mrs. N. P. Howard, Mrs. L. W. Gooding.

This contest was put on a basis that required not only good individual
spellers, but good team work, to win. The side which lost the fewest points
in misspelling words was to be declared the winner. Unfortunately for our
spellers, they misspelled more words than did their opponents, and Knights-
town carried off the honors of the match. This occasion, however, was also
attended with a good time socially. The Knightstown team came over early
in the evening and were entertained by the Greenfield people. Several arti-
cles and letters from members of the visiting team appeared in the local papers
here afterward expressing appreciations of hospitality and of the good time
generally.

EDUCATION. 243

Fortunately but one generation has arrived in the county too late to
become familiar with the old-time spelling- school.

TOWNSHIP COMMENCEMENTS AND COUNTY ORATORICAL CONTESTS, PRIZES, ETC.

Commencement exercises began to be held in some of the townships in
the early eighties. They were not very elaborate, however. As late as 1891
the common school graduates of Sugar Creek township met on commence-
ment evening without a previously arranged program. The graduates were
prepared to "speak their pieces," and when the county superintendent arrived
a program was arranged. A choir was made up from the young people of the
audience, who sang several selections from the regular Sunday school books
that were in the church ; the children spoke, and this concluded the program.

During the decade following, however, these occasions grew to be much
more pretentious. Elaborately embossed invitations began to be issued, or-
chestras were employed, the rooms decorated, and the parents went to great
expense in purchasing apparel for the graduates. Neither parents nor chil-
dren wished to be outdone, which made it very hard for people who could
ill afford to make such outlays. The same thing was true during the first
decade of the present century. The county board of education considered
these matters at several meetings and recommended greater simplicity and
less expense in the matter of dress, etc. During the last few years the par-
ents and graduates have begun to take the same view. At a number of com-
mencements during the last three or four years the boys have been wearing
a plain, but neat uniform suit. The girls, too, have adopted a uniform dress,
usually a plain white regulation suit with red tie. The classes appear to a
very good advantage, the commencement is not expensive, nor so foolish, say
many.

During the early history of the township commencements all the grad-
uates recited their own selections. This was continued very generally until
four or five years ago, when the common school commencements began to
be combined with the high school commencements, for which a professional
speaker has been employed.

At the September session, 1889, of the county board of education. Trus-
tee James P. McCord, of Vernon township, moved that the county superin-
tendent be ordered to arrange for a county oratorical contest, and that he
select suitable prizes for the same. This motion was carried and the county
oratorical contest became a feature of the county institute week at Green-
field until about 19 10. At each township commencement the "best speaker"
was chosen to represent the township at the contest. The selections spoken

244 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

at the oratorical, and also for a time at the township commencement were sup-
posed to be original, and many of them were, but entirely too many of them
seemed to be composed under the inspiration of the "Royal Path of Life,''
"Portraits and Principles," and other books of similar type. There was a
great deal of interest in the contest, and sometimes also a great deal of feel-
ing, even among the school officers over a failure of their representative to
take the prizes.

For several years, from 1886 to 1889, the county board of education
offered prizes to the schools for the best attendance during the term. At
the June meeting, 1887, the members of the board expressed themselves as
being pleased with the results obtained. For the school year, 1887-8, the
prizes consisted of ten dollars each, and diplomas were given to pupils per-
fect in attendance during the past year. In 1888 Lossing's "Encyclopedia of
United States History'' was selected as the prize.

COUNTY EXHIBITS.

The first exhibit of the school work of the county was made at the
west school building at Greenfield in the spring of 1876. From this exhibit
the best work was selected as the county educational exhibit at the Cen-
tennial Exposition at Philadelphia. In order to defray the expenses of mak-
ing the state exhibit at Philadelphia the schools of all the counties made
efforts to raise funds. In Hancock county "school exhibitions" and enter-
tainments were held in practically all of the towns and townships. "There
will be a school exhibition at Ellis school house, northeast of Greenfield, on
Saturday next. The exercises will be varied. Admission, ten cents. Pro-
ceeds to go to the Centennial fund." So ran the announcements in the col-
umns of the local papers during the early months of 1876. At Fortville, Mc-
Cordsville, New Palestine and Greenfield elaborate exhibitions were given,
and in some instances repeated. Churches, halls and school houses were
utilized, and at several points comparatively large amounts were raised. At
the exhibition of the Greenfield pupils at the Masonic Hall over forty-eight
dollars was taken in on two evenings, and a total of over seventy-six dollars
was raised by the Greenfield schools. At some of the other towns in the
county as much as twelve dollars and fifteen dollars was contributed to the
fund. This method of raising funds was adopted on the suggestion of the
state central committee, who asked the state to contribute twenty-five thou-
sand dollars to assist in erecting suitable buildings, defraying expenses, sug-
gesting that the money be raised by school exhibitions, concerts, etc.

In April, 1882, another exhibit was made at Greenfield. It consisted

EDUCATION. 245

mostly of manuscripts on the various school subjects, maps, etc. It was esti-
mated that ten thousand pages of manuscript and seven hundred maps were
exhibited.

In the fall of 1884 preparations were made for holding another county
. school exhibit at the close of that term of school. A committee was ap-
pointed to devise plans and ways and means for holding the exhibit. They
reported as follows :

"report of committee on school exhibit.

"We, the committee on school exhibit, appointed by the county super-
intendent, submit the following report :

"Time and Place — The exhibit shall be held on the second Saturday in
April in the west school building in Greenfield.

''Plan of Work — (a). Higher Grades. County superintendent shall
prepare a list of fifteen questions for the fourth and higher grades, ten of
which are to be selected and written upon by the pupils. The examination
to be held on same day in each' school. One-half the work to be done in Jan-
uary, the other half in February.

"(b). Lower Grades. Work of third and lower grades to consist of
manuscripts, maps, drawings, and such other miscellaneous work as the
teacher may see proper.

"(c). General Work. It is understood that the work of any or all
grades shall not be confined to the work designated above, but may consist
of any work which, in the discretion of the teacher, would add to or show up
the work of his school. Such as miscellaneous drawing, paintings, outlines,
diagrams, work in higher branches, etc.

"Rules — 1. All work exhibited in the above classes must be performed
by bona fide members of the school and strictly under the discretions and
regulations governing monthly examinations of teachers.

"2. All manuscript work should be written with pen and ink in books
prepared for that purpose, which will be placed in the book stores.

"3. The answer should be numbered to correspond with the number
of its question and a list of questions should accompany each subject.

"4. All work should be completed by the 1st of April, and it shall be
the duty of each teacher to prepare his work in convenient form and see that
it is presented for exhibit.

"5. The questions prepared for examinations shall be held by county
superintendent and submitted to the teachers just before the examination and

246 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

not be unsealed until the morning of examination in the presence of his

school.

''Miscellaneous — Each teacher is requested to contribute ten cents, to be

paid to county superintendent, for the purpose of defraying necessary

expenses. ■ "J. W. Smith,

"J. K. Allen,
"E. W. Felt,
"W. S. Porter,
"W. C. Atherton,
"Ollie Stoner,
"Mattie Thomas,

"Committee."

This exhibit was held as planned in the spring of 1885. A large number
of pupils from all parts of the county were in attendance.

During the winter of 1886-7 quite a large number of manuscripts, in-
cluding maps, etc., was collected in the county and displayed as an educational
exhibit at the county fair at Greenfield in 1887. A similar exhibit was made
at the county fair in 1888.

The next exhibit was prepared during the winter of 1892-3. The county
exhibit was held at Greenfield, from which work was selected for the Colum-
bian Exposition at Chicago in 1893. This work consisted largely of written
work, maps, etc., that illustrated the regular work of the schools. A large
part of the necessary funds for defraying the expenses of making the school
exhibit at the Chicago exposition was also raised by the school children of the
state. A "Penny Fund" was originated, into which the school children con-
tributed their pennies to an amount of about five thousand dollars. In the
raising of this fund the children and teachers of Hancock county participated.

During the winter of 1903-4 another county exhibit of school work was
made at the high school building at Greenfield. This work consisted of
examination papers from all grades, including the grades and high schools,
compositions and other manuscripts illustrating the daily work of the schools.
Ample space was also given to music and drawing. Stenographic reports of
recitations, township, town and city histories, collection of Riley pictures, and
photographs of the best school houses in the county, formed the features of
the exhibit. From the county exhibit a rather large exhibit was selected for
the St. Louis Exposition in 1904.

No collection of class room work was submitted to the Panama Expo-
sition at San Francisco, in 191 5. A photographic exhibit, consisting of pic-

EDUCATION. 24/

tures of the oldest type of frame school buildings, the latter type of one-room
brick school houses, and some of our best high school buildings, including also
inside views of industrial arts and domestic science departments, was sub-
mitted as a county exhibit from Hancock county.

teachers' unions.

During the winter of 1877-78 this matter was presented to the teachers.
It likely was not considered seriously by the teachers as a whole, yet several
letters were published in the local papers in which individual teachers urged
the advisability of effecting such an organization. Several letters were also
published in which other teachers advised against taking such steps. The
argument advanced for a teachers' union was practically the same as that
advanced for labor unions.

A more definite step in this direction, however, was the organization in
1904 of a chapter in the county of the Order of Pestalozzi. A lodge was
instituted at Greenfield during the week of the county institute in September,
1904. Ora Staley, then principal of the Charlottesville school, was elected
as the chief officer. The lodge never convened, however, after the evening
of its institution, and very few of our teachers ever became familiar with
its mysteries or its purpose.

LINCOLN FUND.

During the winter of 1914-15, while the great European war was rag-
ing, the Red Cross Society made an appeal to the school children of America
to contribute a penny each for the relief of the suffering children of the war
zone. The response everywhere was generous. In Hancock county,
especially in those schools where a proper explanation of the matter was made,
the children responded gladly. Though not all schools participated, the fol-
lowing contributions amounted to a little over two cents per capita for all the
school children of the county :

Blue River Tozvnship. .

Consolidated school $3-92

Brandywine Tcmmship.

No. 1 — Alpha Smith, teacher $3-25

No. 2 — Elijah Reeves, teacher 1.10

No. 3 — J essie Boring, teacher 1 .00

248 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Brozvn Township.

Warrington, room 3 $ .45

Shirley schools 2.00

Wilkinson schools 3.54

No. 9 — Charles Carlton, teacher 96

Buck Creek Township.

No. 4 — Esther Luse, teacher $1.00

Mt. Comfort schools 2.50

No. 6 — Ward Davis, teacher 50

No. 7 — Ethel Snider, teacher 1.00

No. 8 — Effie Welling, teacher 1.00

Center Tozuhship.

No. 1 — Gladys Teel, teacher $ .75

No. 3 — Hazel Hanes, teacher. .

No. 6 — M. Bussell, teacher ,

No. 7 — Thelma Bussell, teacher.

Maxwell schools

No. 14 — Ernest Hiday, teacher. .
No. 15 — Rosa Garriott, teacher.
Mohawk schools

75
64

50
80

50
70
00

Green Township.

No. 1 — Dean Baker, teacher $ .50

No. 2 — Will Reed, teacher 1.00

Eden schools 2.co

No. 7 — Wynema Binford, teacher i.eo

Jackson Township.

No. 4 — Julia McClarnon, teacher $ .83

No, 1 — Robert Hunt, teacher 54

No. 6 — Mary Payne, teacher 1.00

Cleveland schools 1.60

No. 9 — Grover Van Duyn, teacher 1.05

Charlottesville schools 5.32

No. 3 — Martha Coffin, teacher 1.00

EDUCATION. 249

Sugar Creek Tozvnship.

Philadelphia schools $1.10

No. 3 — Julia Herrlich, teacher 2.25

New Palestine schools 3.00

Vernon Township.

McCordsville schools .....$ 3.85

No. 3 — Will McCord, teacher 1.00

No. 5 — John Walker, teacher 1.30

Greenfield schools 14.35

Total $72-55

This fund was known as the "Lincoln Fund," in honor of our martyred
President, who gave his life in the service of humanity. The money, amount-
ing to over six thousand dollars, from the state of Indiana, was distributed
to the destitute children of all the warring nations of Europe.

COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

The first compulsory education law of the state was passed in 1897. It
made provision for county truant officers, also for a truant officer for in-
corporated cities. Since 1899 one truant officer has served the entire county.
The officers appointed for the county under the above and succeeding acts
are :

Charles Huston — Appointed in 1897, for Greenfield; served four years.

James H. Kimberlin — Appointed in 1897, for Vernon, Buck Creek,
Brown and Green townships; served two years.

James Veach — Appointed in 1897, for Jackson, Blue River, Center, Sugar
Creek and Brandywine townships ; served two years.

Charles Huston — Appointed in 1899, for county; served two years.

George W; Shekell — Appointed in 1901, for county; served three years.

George Hull — Appointed in 1904, for county; served two years.

William Morse — Appointed in 1906, for county; served one year.

F. M. Carpenter — Appointed in 1907, for county; served one year.

William P. Wirick — Appointed in 1909, for county ; served seven years.

The most of the work of the truant officer to this time has been among
the poor in the cities and towns of the county. Very little need for such an
officer has existed in the townships. A few prosecutions have been made

25O HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

from year to year, but his duties have been principally to serve the notices
required by law in such cases.

BOYS* CORN CLUB.

During' the winter of 1906-7 steps were taken by the county superin-
tendent of schools to organize a boys' corn club. In the spring a quart of
good high grade seed was offered to each boy and a hundred or more boys
entered the contest. The business men offered a number of valuable prizes.
Among them were : Thomas & Son, riding cultivator, $25 ; Spot Cash, suit
of clothes, $15 ; J. Ward Walker, suit of clothing, $15 ; J. W. Cooper, double-
barrel shotgun, pair of skates, game of carom, hand printing press ; Hancock
Democrat, $15 in cash; Greenfield Republican, magazine or journals, one
year's subscription: Greenfield Publishing Company, magazine or journal,
one year's subscription; W. S. Fries, $5 in cash; George Walker, $5 in cash;
Cuyler studio, one dozen $6 photographs; Service & Rogers, pair of W r alk-
Over shoes; Greenfield Star store, rain coat; J. G. Heath, $1.25 pocket knife;
William M. Lewis book store, $1.25 book.

On the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving a corn show was
held at the court house at Greenfield. Prof. M. L. Fisher, of Purdue Uni-
versity, scored the corn and on his decision the premiums were awarded. The
club was maintained for about four years by County Superintendent Larra-
bee, in conjunction with the farmers' institute. There was a general interest
in the club among the boys, but it was finally discontinued because of a
general lack of interest in the organization by the farmers' institute and the
difficulty of financing it.

VOCATIONAL WORK.

The legislature of 19 13 passed a bill introducing vocational work in
the public schools of the state. The McCordsville school at once introduced
the work in manual training and domestic science. All the other township
schools introduced the work in agriculture and domestic science. The teachers,
of course, did not pretend to know much about these subjects, but by far the
greater number of them have made a bona fide effort to accomplish some-
thing along these lines during the past two years.

For the work in agriculture text books were adopted in both the grades
and high schools, and such experimental work was done as was possible. A
similar plan was adopted in teaching domestic science. The theories under-
lying different processes were discussed and the pupils were encouraged to
experiment at home. At the opening of the schools in 1914. however, a

EDUCATION. 251

much greater equipment was supplied, especially in the consolidated schools.
For most of these schools a sufficient equipment was provided to enable
the pupils to experiment under the direction of the teacher. During the
term of 1914-15 one or more dinners were also served by the domestic science
classes in most of the schools on special occasions, and the guests especially
were impressed with the importance of this new departure in school work.

parent-teachers' association.

There has been organized within the county one Parent-Teachers' Associ-
ation. On Tuesday evening, December 1, 19 14, the parents and teachers of
the Charlottesville schools met at the high school building for the purpose of
organizing such an association. The following officers were elected : Presi-
dent, Mrs. Wilbor Wright ; secretary, Miss Mina Overman ; program com-
mittee, Mrs. Albert Luse, Mrs. Anna Niles and Mrs. Cynthia Peacock. Those
present at that meeting were: Mrs. Wilbor Wright, Mrs. Albert Luse, Mrs.
Oscar Adkins, Miss Ruth Reeves, Mrs. Roy Lowe, Mrs. Clarence Haskett,
Mrs. Percy Bantz, Mr. Lawrence Cox, Miss Katherine Rutledge, Mrs. Cynthia
Peacock, Miss Mina Overman, Mr. Walter Orr, Mr. and Mrs. John Walker,
and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ramsey.

Regular meetings of the association have been held in connection with
the Jackson township institute, at the afternoon sessions on the first Saturday
of each month.

The subjects that have been considered during the winter are : "Habits,
Manners and Morals of the Child," "When and How to Appreciate the Child,"
"Why Should Our Children be Given Manual Training and Domestic Science
When Our Fathers and Mothers Did Not Receive Such Training?" "Con-
fidential Relation of Mother and Son," "Efficiency in the School Room," and
"Efficiency in the Home." At these meetings musical numbers have been
interspersed, including piano and vocal solos, quartets, songs by schools, etc.

Though a mere beginning has been made, both parents and teachers who
have participated in the work of the association feel that it has been eminently
worth while for a better mutual understanding of the child, and a deeper
appreciation by each of the viewpoint of the other.

A similar organization was effected at Wilkinson in 191 5-16.

TEACHERS, I915-16.

Following are the names of the teachers now teaching in the county :

25.2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Blue River Township.

Westland High School — Francis C. Landrus, Hazel C. Binford, Elsa
Ropp.

Grades — Noble Crider, Arthur D. Gray, Frances Burk, Hilda Coffin.

Brandyivine Township.

No. i, Georgia Moore; No. 2, Hazel Wood; No. 5, Virgil Duncan; No.
6, Bernice Boone; Carrollton, Orville Pope, Hazel Hanes.

Brown Tozunship.

No. 1, Floyd Walker; No. 9, Mrs. Maggie Willis.
Warrington — O. W. Kuhn, Kate Kennedy, Essie McCray.
Shirley — Earl Kuhn, Leonard Bussell, Elijah Reeves, Margaret Reed,
Agnes Dovey, Tressa Blakely.

Wilkinson High School— J. P. Amick, W. G. Willis, Helen Beers.
Wilkinson Grades — Obe VanDuyn, Kate Reeves, Effie Reed.

Buck Creek Township.

No. 1, Cloyd Boner; No. 4, Frank Leslie; No. 6, Marguerite Plessinger;
No. 7, Columbus Griffith; No. 8, Ethel Snider; No. 9, Esther Luse.
Mt. Comfort High School — Carey E. Munsey, Mrs. Leo C. Mogle.
Mt. Comfort Grades — Samuel E. Wallace, Merle Ashcraft.

Center Township.

No. 3, Rosa Garriott; No. 6, Naomi Tapscott; No. 7, Thelma Bussell;
No. 14, Ernest Hiday; No. 15, Marshall Bussell; No. 16, Gladys Teel.
Mohawk — Harry Ostermeyer, India Wright.
Maxwell High School — A. M. Brown, Oakley Luse.
Maxwell Grades — Florence Amick. Hazel Rees, Anna Reeves.
Supervisor of music, art and domestic science, Pearl Butler.

Green Township.

No. 1, Dean Baker; No. 2, Irene McDaniel; No. 4, Sherman Rothermel ;
No. 7, W. H. Reed.

Eden High School — O. W. Jackson, Stella Bussell.
Eden Grades — Ernest Warrum, Leora Beagle.
Supervisor of music and art, Marie Hendren.

EDUCATION. 253

Jackson Township.

No. 1, Helen Craft; No. 3, Lucile Ging; No. 4, Julia McClarnon; No. 5,
Lawrence Cox; No. 6, Earl Powers; No. 9, Grover VanDuyn.

Cleveland — R. M. Julian, Alice Glascock.

Charlottesville High School — Walter Orr, Ruth Reeves, Marvel Frost.

Charlottesville Grades — Merrill Wilson, Mina Overman, Cynthia
Peacock.

Supervisor of music and art, Lola Beeler.

Sugar Creek Township.

No. 2, Anna Kimple; No. 3, Julia Herrlich.

Philadelphia — Frank S. Boone, Geraldine Conklin.

New Palestine High School — W. W. Winn, Caroline Lubbe, Helen
L. Self.

New Palestine Grades — Glendale Brandenburg, Gertrude Ashcraft, Hazel
Mitchell, Margaret Williamson.

Vernon Tozvnship.

No. 4, John D. Leslie; No. 5, Frank I. Irvin.

McCordsville High School — Leonard Luce, Annalee Shortridge, Ethel
Moe.

McCordsville Grades — Peter Hinds, John Walker, Nevada Davis, Edna
Trittipo.

Fortville.

High School — Roy R. Roudebush, Floyd R. Carter, Vera Trittipo, Car-
oline Crouch, Frances McGregor.

Grades — Samuel J. Stokes, J. L. Smith, Ruth Cheney, Glenn Moon,
Bertha Helms, Inez Teague, Isa Pollard.

Greenfield.

Superintendent — Frank Larrabee.

High School — Elmer Andrews, Lenore McShane, Nora Corcoran, Floyd
Garrison, Thomas Harney, Beatrice Hayes, Eloise Henley.

Departmental — Lawrence Bridges, Helena Amick, Edith Shelby, Charles
Boone.

Washington School — Arthur Williamson, Daisy Harlan, Margaret Bald-
win, Louise Hill, Edna Butler, Lizzie Harris.

254 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Longfellow School — Anna Jackson, Elizabeth Hanes, Kate Martin,
Iduna Barrett.

Lincoln School — Howard Macy, Hester Yelton, Alma Justice, Xelle
Kinsley.

East Greenfield School — Elizabeth Curry.

Supervisors — Merle Brandenburg, drawing; Hazel Dillon, cooking;
Catherine Fern Trees, music; Selma Stephens, sewing; Charles Boone,
manual training.

CHAPTER VII.

MILITARY.

Three times since the organization of the county have our citizens heard
the Nation's call to arms. Each time the people have responded
enthusiastically.

The first call was made at the outbreak of the Mexican War in 1846.
Company D, Fifth regiment, Indiana volunteers, was organized in Hancock
county under James K. Bracken. The company was mustered in October 8,
1847, to serve during the war. The Fifth regiment was under the command
of Col. James H. Lane, and served with General Scott until July 28, 1848,
when it was mustered out.

The company organized at Greenfield was composed of the following
men, as nearly as can be ascertained : James R. Bracken, captain ; Andrew
M. Patterson, first lieutenant; James Hamilton, second lieutenant; Hugh
J. Kelly, third lieutenant; Micajah Francis, first sergeant; Henry Ramsey,
second sergeant; Isaac Tamplin, third sergeant; Lewis T. Osborn, corporal;
Robert Walker, corporal ; Robert Smith, corporal ; Henry Galloway, musician.
Privates — Joseph Anderson, Ezra Conoway, Robert H. Caldwell, William H.
Chapman, Sylvester Childers, John Chapman, John L. Liming, William
Black, Moses B. Cook, Burt W. Jackson, Jared Arnold, Jacob Cohee, John
Childers, Alexander Andis, William R. Gaston, James H. Carr, William
Daily, Alexander Cook, Samuel Chapman, Richard Lindsey, Joseph Chap-
man, Cicero Chapman, Solomon Kauble, William Banks, Harvey Carr, Alfred
Denny, Robert P. Andis, Daniel Goodwin, Noah Carr, Miles Elsbury, .Isaac
N. Ferree, John Furgason, James H. Gray, Templeton Hatfield, James Hub-
ble, William Jordon, Thomas Lineback, Eli Marsh, Jefferson Nugen, James
Reed, Jesse Shoate, Hiram Tyner, Hugh McClellan, Edward Pierson, John
L. Scott, Andrew Flowers, Henry Galloway, James Goble, James Hunting-
ton, George W. Johnston, Jameson, Samuel Liming, Thomas

Maston, John Probasco, Robert Romack, George Street, Henry Martin,
Adams L. Ogg, Howard Richardson, Robert Smith, Washington Flowers,
Henry Goodwin, Jeremiah Hendren, William Jones, William K. Jacobs,
James Kinghan, Rigby Marsh, James Montgomery, James Parks, Newton
Scott, George Tooley, William Mitchell, Andrew Pauley, Rus-
sell, George W. Swain, John Tryon, Matthew L. Paullus.

Little can be said of the experiences of these men at the front. The

255

256 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.

following letter preserved by the writer's people and published in the Hancock
Democrat on June _>], 1877, gives us just a glimpse of what they saw and
experienced :

"Jalpa, Mexico, December 3. 1847.
"My Dear Wife and Children :

"Again I am placed in my tent, very tired, but cheerful and happy as
ever 1 was in my life, and I suppose that I need not say that I hope that
these few lines may find you enjoying the same state of health, as I do think
you will be ready to acknowledge and believe that my very soul has always
been wrapped up in the love of my family.

"We have traveled six hard days' march towards the city of Mexico,
and will have some ten or twelve more before we get there, as it is verv labo-
rious moving a large army. The whole country through which we have
passed is hilly, mountainous and rocky, but looks romantic, and in some
places very pretty, as the trees are now covered with blossoms, but there is
but little fruit. There is but little danger here, or indeed do I think there is
but little danger any place in this country, as we can hear of no army any
place in the government. There are a few guerillas along the road but
dare not appear or show fight. I saw one who had just been killed and some
of the boys say they saw six or eight more. I was out hunting and saw a
few black fellows, but they run like devils, and I got no shot. There were
but two of ns, A. Pauley and myself, but it appears as though one can chase
a dozen. There is still no immediate prospect of peace.

"On the ascent from Vera Cruz to Mexico the climates succeed each
other, as it were by stories, and in our travel we have passed through every
variety of vegetation. The tropical plants are succeeded by the oak, and the
salubrious air of Talapa replaces the deadly air of Vera Cruz. The sky is
generally cloudless, and but very little rain, and a succession of hills, seem-
ingly at some day the boundary of lakes are now the limits of extensive
plains or rolling prairies but the rocks or stones all very near the surface.
The country is barren because it is very dry and stony, but every stream is
accompanied with some fertile land. The snow is in sight on the mountains
and contributes much to cool the air now, as it is cloudy ; and it is said to be
the coldest day ever experienced in this country. It would be called cold in
our country in May. The coffee bush grows here. The berries are now
ripe, and is a small red berry, very juicy, and as poisonous as can be.

"The timber is low and crooked. I have seen no tree in the country that
would have made a rail cut. Everything, weed, bush and tree, except the
scrubby oak and orange bush and coffee bush has thorns on. The thorns

MILITARY. 257

resemble the thorn on the honey locust, but they are more crooked and as
thick as they can grow from top to bottom, leaf and all.

"Joseph Chapman."

On March 27, 1879, a notice, signed by Thomas H. Branham, Robert
Smith, Jerry H. Hendren, Robert P. Andis and Adams L. Ogg, and pub-
lished in the local papers, called a meeting of all Mexican War veterans at
the mayor's office at Greenfield for the purpose of organizing an association
of the veterans of that war. The following veterans were present at the meet-
ing: Adams L. Ogg, John Roberts, Jerry H. Hendren, Robert P. Andis, Dr.
E. W. Pierson, Thomas H. Branham, Louis T. Osborn, John H. Childs,
Alexander Andis and Newton Scott. An organization was effected with
Adams L. Ogg, president, and Thomas H. Branham, secretary. Although
there were but a few of the soldiers left it seems that this organization was
maintained for several years. Annual meetings of the veterans were held in
different parts of the state as long as any survivors were able to attend. The
state encampment was held at Greenfield in 1904.

There are no longer any members of this company living in Hancock
county. Among its last survivors were Robert Smith, James H. Carr and
Jeremiah Hendren, who departed this life five or six years ago. Jeremiah
Hendren, the last of our Mexican War veterans, died on October 29, 191 1.

THE CIVIL WAR.

When the first call of President Lincoln was made at the outbreak of
the Civil War, a fife and drum corps was organized by Capt. Reuben A.
Riley, Henry Snow and others, who made a circuit of the county to stir up
enthusiasm in the enlistment. A company was organized and mustered in
at Indianapolis on April 22, 1861, as Company G of the Eighth regiment,
Indiana volunteers (three-months service). The muster roll is as follows:
Reuben A. Riley, captain; John Stephenson, first lieutenant; Lee O. Harris,
second lieutenant; John M. Stevenson, first sergeant; Marion M. Stevenson,
Pilatiah Bond and John S. Edwards, sergeants; John H. Duncan, Samuel
Marsh, John S. Chittenden, Henry Snow and Elberlee S. Duncan, corporals ;
Jacob Mullen, George P. Stevenson and Sylvester Shorn, musicians ; privates,
William W. Alexander, Jacob T. Battett, John S. Allison, Benjamin Bond,
Lusettus Anderson, Arthur S. Brown, James Buchanan, Martin V. Chapman,
Jesse D. Dobbins, John Dye, Jr., Orando Ellis, Jabez E. Harrison, Jacob
Hook, George W. Johnson, Thomas S. Jones, John A. Lynam, Thomas M.
Martin, Henry Mickle, John Pope, Nicholas Remeshart, William H. Scott,

(17)

258 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Joseph T. Short, William Sleeth, George, W. Smith, George W. Travis
James L. Clayton, Thomas Day, Martin Dunn, Samuel Dye, Alfred Gapen,
Charles Hartner, Aaron Hutton, Isaac T. Jones, Miller J. Laporte, Seth
Marsh, George F. McNamee, John A. Morford, Newton Pope, Jasper Rawl-
ings, William J. Scott, William H. Short, Lafayette Slifer, Andrew Stutsman,
David N. True, William Campbell, Charles Dipper, Fred Dye, Benjamin
Elliott, William Gapen, William G. Hill, Milton Jackson, Henry Jones, George
L. Lipscombe, Lot W. Martin, Jasper C. McKelvey, Marion Philpott, James
S. Reeves, George Rynerson, Conrad H. Shellhouse, Aaron A. Sleeth, Levi
Slifer, Calvin Sullivan, Elijah Tuttle, David Ulery, John Wolf.

On starting for the front this company was presented with a large flag
made by several of the Greenfield ladies, Mrs. Permelia Thayer, Mrs. A. P.
Williams, Miss Alice Pierson, Miss Martha Meek and others. The flag
was made in the house now occupied by Mrs. Permelia Thayer, on the north-
east corner of Main and Pennsylvania streets in the city of Greenfield.

The "three-months men" were mustered out on August 6, 1861, after
having been as far east as Virginia, and having participated in the engagement
at Rich Mountain in that state. Many of them, however, reenlisted at once for
a period of three years, or during- the war.

THE VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR.

It is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to make a complete roll of
the men who enlisted as volunteers from this county and who were among
the veterans of the Civil War. By far the great majority of our boys en-
listed in Indiana regiments. But many, who were temporarily absent from
home, also enlisted in other states, and Indiana has no record of their names.
In going over the records in the adjutant-general's office, page by page, it is
still practically impossible to make a correct roll, since in so many instances
the record is incomplete, failing to show the residence of the men. In such
cases personal acquaintance would be required with each man to determine
accurately to which county he belongs.

Below is given the roll of enlisted men from our county as nearly cor-
rect as we have been able to make it. Some of the men who enlisted as pri-
vate soldiers were later commissioned as officers. Others were transferred
to different regiments. Some of the officers were also promoted from time
to time. This accounts for some names appearing several times, especially
in the companies that were filled almost entirely with Hancock county boys.
The men have been grouped in companies, showing their associations during
the war.

MILITARY. 259

Among those who always claimed Hancock county as their home, but
who were not credited to this county, were Gen. Oliver P. Gooding, who was
for many years in the regular army, but who was appointed colonel of a
Massachusetts regiment during the war, and who rose to the rank of brig-
adier-general. Adams L. Ogg, who was in Iowa, organized a company there
and was captain of Company G, Third Iowa volunteers.

The following men enlisted and were credited to Hancock county:

FIFTH CAVALRY, NINETEENTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company G.

Reuben A. Riley, captain; Solomon T. Kauble and William H. Pilkin-
ton, first lieutenants; John H. Duncan, Lee O. Harris and William H. Pilkin-
1011, second lieutenants; Elias Marsh, first sergeant; James Furry, commissary
quartermaster sergeant ; William A. Pope, . commissary sergeant ; Jasper N.
Pope, James T. Pope, Milton T. Morris and John Galliher, sergeants ; George
S. Andrick, George H. Alford, David Bellville Joseph Marsh, William G.
Ritchie. George W. Miller, Rezin D. Collins and William W. Price, cor-
porals; William Smith and Herman Ridlin, buglers; Loyd Offutt, farrier;
Jared C. Meek, blacksmith; Jonathan Cartwright, saddler; John R. Hoobler,
wagoner. Privates — George S. Andrick, George H. Alford, Alexander An-
dis, Perry H. Andrick, William S. Ayers. David Bellville, Landon Bellville,
John Breece, John Burnwick, Marion T. Burris, Francis M. Brizendine, John
|\ Chapman, John Copeland, Charles W. Campbell, Charles Campbell, Samuel
P. Cottrell, John Day, John Dye, Jonas H. Davidson, William Daugherty,
George W. Duncan, John Egger, Morris Font, John Galliher, William H.
Gooding, Marshall M. Meek, Benjamin F. Gant, Henry C. Gant, Henry
Harris, Nathaniel Haskett, Adam Hutton, James Hudson, Milton Jackson,
John Kellum, John Kiger, Paul Kowan, Almon Keefer. Hiram Lawson,
Joseph Marsh, George W. Miller, Joseph Martin, Henderson McFarland,
Thomas Mack, Jesse McKinney, Jared C. Meek, George McGee, William P.
Mints, Albertus Milroy, William H. Pilkinton, Jasper N. Pope, Peter S.
Pope, Albert Martin, Lewis Gillum, Herman Ridlin, Jeremiah Reedy, John
Rockey, Jonathan Snow, Andrew I. Smith, Oliver H. Smith, John H. Smith,
John A. Samuels, William A. Pope, William Price. William M. Sleeth,
Zachariah T. Snell, Henry W. Thornton, Samuel C. Thompson, Ralph L.
Thompson, James Thomas, John H. Taylor, John Vail, John Wort, Charles
[. Willett. Ephraim P. Witham, James T. Pope, Isaac Powers, James Pugh,
Sanford Grigsby, Ransom M. Meek, William G. Ritchie.

260 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

NINTH CAVALRY, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT, INDIANA

VOLUNTEERS.

Colonel, George W. Jackson ; major, William R. Walls.

Company B.

William R. Walls and John C. Rardin, captains; John C. Rardin and
John B. Harrod, first lieutenants; John B. Harrod and John V. Hinchmar;,
second lieutenants. Privates — James D. Anderson, Asbury E. Anderson,
Benjamin F. Alexander, John Bennett, George S. Bailey, Frederick W. By-
field, Leroy Bush. Jacob T. Barrett, James Burris, Heny Beachman, Jacob
Buchel, Thomas Cady, Joseph Craining, Rossville Curry, Charles A. Kirk-
hoff, John Manche, Mark Hamilton, Willis Hudson, Francis P. Jones, An-
drew S. McGahey, George Parker, James W. Pilkinton, James Shaffer, John
Steward, Hugh Short, John H. Walls. John A. Vernon, Benjamin W T aller,
Joseph Conner, Alexander Copper. William H. Cross. Charles E. Church,
George W. Crews, Michael* Chancery, David Connett, Calvin Clark, Fred-
erick BlCssinger, Odell Despo, Ephraim C. Duncan, Andrew Dunn, John W.
Davis, Deane Lewis, Mathias Kiger, John C. McCorkle, Aaron J. Rawlings,
Wilson Hamilton, Henry Jones, Joseph H. Pauley, George Parsons, Joseph
M. Russell, Isaac Shaffer, Calvin Sullivan, Christian H. Seers. Marcellus
Walker, W r illiam H. Waller, Aaron D. Nixon, William Lamb. John S.
Loehr, Ambrose Miller, Reuben Xiles, Charles Everts, James Elmore, John
Egger, Isaac Grigsby, Joseph H. Gray, John Grigsby, William Harvey.
Thomas R. Henner, Joseph V. Hinchman, Patrick Hanley. Othniel Fisk.
Edward Hudson, James Hook, Joseph Hutton, Daniel McPhall. Franklin
R. Poole, Ephraim Parmon, William Robison, John W. Sherrill, August
Smith, Francis O. Seers, Daniel Thornton, John J. Winn, William Smith.

THIRTEENTH CAVALRY, ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT. INDIANA

VOLUNTEERS.

Company I.

Samuel P. Anderson,. Isaac McBane, Benjamin T. Robison, Albert Alyea,
Isaac Lane, Samuel C. Willis, Samuel E. Collins. James T. Reynolds. Thomas
J. Lincolnfelter.

EIGHTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company B.
William R. Walls, Samuel H. Dunbar, Philander Smith, Stephen A.
Jones, captains; Solomon T. Kauble. Samuel H. Dunbar, William G. Hill.

MILITARY. 26l

Philander Smith, Stephen A. Jones and George H. Black, first lieutenants;
Samuel H. Dunbar, William G. Hill, Philander Smith and Nicholas Miller,
second lieutenants; William G. Hill, first sergeant; William Short, John S.
Chittenden, Elijah Tuttle and Philander Smith, sergeants; Aaron Scott.
- Thomas M. Martin, Richard Lamb, William Branson, William Gapen, David
M. Dove, James Hawkins and Richard Leamon, corporals; John S. Davis
and John Ulrey, musicians; Jacob Mullin, wagoner. Privates — William W.
Alexander, David Adams, George Black, Henry Bush, Samuel S. Brooks,
James Bush, David Dove, William C. Dove, Jacob Dinkle, Francis M. San-
ford, James P. Scott, John Scott, Ebenezer C. Scotten, William W. Scotten,
Martin Shelton. Samuel Shelby, Wilson S. Slifer, Ruel Stevens, Aaron Scott,
Philander Smith, W'illiam H. H. Seeley, George W. Smith, William H. Sip-
linger, Peter Sellery, John B. Scotten, Lewis Snell, William T. Snider, Isaac
P. Thompson, Henry P. Thomas, John B. Anderson, Andrew J. Alyea, Will-
iam Branson, John Bush, Noah Bixler, Charles H. Clapper, Samuel Dunbar,
James Deny, Thomas Dinkle, George W. Dixon, George M. Davidson, John
Dorman, Joseph Davis, Samuel H. Dillman, Fred Elsbury, Amos Everson,
Jra B. Fountain, Andrew J. Fuller, Andrew J. Gilbert, Eli Gapen, John C.
Gephart, Henry Goar, James M. Goble, Charles G. Gunn, William Hill,
Thomas J. Huston, Cyrus Haines, John Hall, Francis H. H. Hudson, William
T. Askins, John A, Alyea, John Brock, Jacob Bower, Abijah Bales, Levi-
Collier, Charles E. Deppery, Alexander Derry, Richard Lamb, Richard Lea-
mon, Isaac Lineback, Peter Lamb, Albert Lake, Adam F. Louder, Alfred
Louder, William Louder, Jacob Mullin. James Louder, Henry McCorkle,
W. H. H. Morgan, Emanuel Morris, Francis Miller, Isaac McGee, William
McConnell, Jacob Martin, Lester R. Moore, Clark McDonald, William B.
Martin, Henry Mann, William S. Thomas, Elijah H. Tyner, John Ulrey,
John N. Underwood, James M. Underwood, John F. Wiggins, Lawson Wig-
gins, Alfred Wilson, Adams F. Wilson, Edwin H. Wilcoxen, Stephen A.
Jones, Isaac T. Jones, John Jennings, John Jack, Thomas Jones. John Jack-
son, Solomon T. Kauble, Christian Kreager. William W. Welling, Stephen
B. Meek, Azor M. Xixon, Marion Philpot, Samuel Robinson, Edward H.
Ronev, Benjamin A. Roney, Nicholas Reamsheart, Christian Redmire, John
S. Welling.

Company C.
John G. Hendricks. '

Coinpaux D.

Alexander Osborn.

2f>2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Company G.

John Baker, Henry H. Burris, John W. Long, Stephen R. Meek, Robert
J. Smith.

Company H.

John Brock, John W. Ellis, James P. Mendenhall.

NINTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company C.

Joseph F. Bartlow, Jonathan Bundy. James M. Bragg, Simeon Dennis,
Henry Frederick, Henry Kinsey, Thomas W. Mondon, Lawson Rash,
Thomas H. Robb, William Simmons, Robert T. Wood, Daniel Welt, John
ML White, Joseph Wolf.

Company D.

Albert Banta, John H. Bolander, James W. Cooper, James S. Davidson,
Jacob Brantlinger, Lewis C. Davis, Francis M. Hays, William McKinley,
William Personett, James T. Russell, Isaac Whetsel, Eli Prickett, William
H. Russell, Peter Robison, Rufus Scott, William Sanders, John W. Simcox.

Company E.

Granville Bellville, John Price, William F. McCorkle, John Lockwood,
Oliver Dillman, James Pauley.

Company. F.
John S. Hackleman.

Company G.

Henry Collins, Albert Roberts.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company A.
Henry S. Davidson.

Company F.

Stephen Bedgood, Herman Kunz.

Company I.

John J. Earl, William Rudrick, Charles J. Williams.

Tohn W. Grenier.

MILITARY. 263

Company K.

TWELFTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Solomon D. Kempton, lieutenant-colonel ; Noble P. Howard, assistant
surgeon; Gordon Browning, commissary sergeant.

Company A.
Jesse McDaniel.

Company B (One-Year Service).

Thomas B. Noel, captain; Solomon D. Kempton, first lieutenant; James
Huston, second lieutenant; John W. Statts, first sergeant; Newton S. Dex-
ter, Peter Statts, Isaac P. Ringwalt, John Hall, sergeants ; Samuel P. Col-
well, William G. Elliott, Homer L. Buntrum, Various Virgin, William O.
Irish, Amzi W. Thomas, Alexander H. Lile and Richard W. Jones, corporals ;
Robert Alfont and John L. McConnell, musicians; Harrison McGuire, wag-
oner. Privates — Benjamin F. Alexander, George Alley, Albert Alfont, Har-
rison H. Adams, Eli Abney, Christopher Alt, Hammer L. Bentreen, Isaac
Butcher, Darius Collins, James Dowling, William Hasley, George W. Knotts.
John D. Kirkman, Claud Hugeneard, John W. McConnell, Janies H. Lewis,
Theodore Mosier, George Romack, Thomas Sherman, James A. Watson,
William F. Bright, Samuel P. Cottrell, Edward Clampet, Joseph A. Gwinn,
Ulysses P. Haskell, Herman Kassler, William O. Irish, Cornelius Laymon,
Ira McCullom, James N. Lister, John A. Messier, John H. Savage, Joshua
Winn, William R. Windle, John C. Burris, George W. Clark, Newton Dex-
ter, James C. Jordon, Brazil Johnson, Albert Keffer, Robert Faucett, Har-
rison McGuire, Amos McGuire, Michael Larkin, Ransom Olney, Edward
•Smith, David T. Winn, Levi Wiseman.

Company G {Three-Year Service).

James Huston, captain ; Eastly Helms, first lieutenant ; Abraham Whel-
chel, Benjamin F. Alexander, sergeants; Jacob Hiday, Ezekial Cooper, Mil-
ton Curry, James Barnard, Abraham Bannon, corporals; John Waterman,
wagoner. Privates — Benjamin F. Alexander, John H. Bannon, John Brant-
linger, John B. Boone, John C. Cottrell, Thomas Cottrell, Alfred Dobbins,
William H. Ellingwood, Archibald Gardner, Thomas Hiday, Mell Hunter,
Samuel Lister, Erasmus Myers, George Piper, Thomas M. Rash, John T.
Rash, John S. Sample, William Shaffer, Milo Shaffer, William Wrigfht,

264 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

John Whelchel, Samuel B. Allison, Thomas B. Bannon, Abraham Bannon,
Robert Chitwood, John Clark, James H. Crosslev. James Dunham, Andrew
Forgey, John Ginder, Jacob Hiday, Elijah Lunsford, Elijah Marshall John
W. Reynolds, David Richards, William Scott, Peter Shaffer, John Shull,
George D. Walker, Aaron C. Wright, Richard Allison. William C. Bannon.
James Barnard, Milton Curry, Davis Catlin, George Denny. Henry Edwards,
Hugh Forgey, Hiram Gardner, John Hunter, James M. Lister, Joseph Mc-
Guire, Amos Rash, Daniel Rash, Dezra Shroy, Joseph Shaffer, Hiram Shaf-
fer, Freeman Shull, Marcellus B. Waler, James Humphreys, Jacob Shaffer,
James Lister.

Company H.

Samuel Applegate, Elijah Asbury, Aaron Bills. Nelson Bills, Abner
Brown, Benjamin Brown. William H. Bolander, John Brooks, Anion Bucy,
Xicodemus Camp, William Camp, William Brantlinger, Joseph D. Camp,
George W. Camp. David Davidson, Jacob Hooker, Elijah Horton, James
Luntsford, Michael H. Mack, William Olvey, Francis Vanzant, Joseph Van-
zant, Jesse Vanzant.

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company J.
Thomas J. O'Reilly, Ebenezer Toon, Oliver H. Tuttle.

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

The Greenfield band enlisted and became the regimental band for this
regiment. Professor Eastman, prominent in Greenfield musical circles at
that time, was its leader. The following were the members : Omer Arnold,
Samuel W. Bamett, F. M. Crawford, James E. Cravens, James H. Crowder,
William Elliott, Albert G. Griffith, William E. Hart, John W. Lambertson,
Edwin M. McCrarey, Samuel M. Martin, John H. Noble, William L. Ogg,
Martin E. Pierson, Thomas E, Richardson, James T. Reed, Henry Snow,
Xathan Snow, James F. Stewart, Alfred M. Thornburgh, David Youst.

NINETEENTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company F.

Joseph L. Hartley, Leroy Holding, John Civ, Theodore Ward, Abram
v. ly, Peter Lamb, J. Holden.

MILITARY. 265

TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT,, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company H.

Lemuel Bailey, Shelton Bailey, William Bannon, John Clark, John Ca-
hill, William Mesler, William J. Shull, Mark Thompson.

Company I.

James G. Boyce, Samuel Burk, John Davis, Irvin. B. Lutes, Richard
Meek, William Sapp, Conrad Shellhouse, William J. Siherry, William Si-
berry, James Roberts, Charles C. Wilson, Jefferson Ulery.

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company K.
Perry J. Rhue.

THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company D.

Benjamin Griffith, Jefferson Roland, Thomas S. Surgnar, Charles S.
Smith. John Varner, Samuel Walker.

Company E.
Thomas Lymon.

THIRTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company A.

Thomas L. Brooks, Oliver Bartlow, Henry Carroll, Alexander Foley,
Jackson Galloway, Abraham Miller, John O. Moore, Adam Parkhurst, Robert
Pauley.

Company D.

Thomas Burris, James D. Cunningham, Manley Colburn, David M.
True, Moses Conner, Benjamin Elliott, Marion Owens, George D. Owens,
William Rynerson, Andrew Stutsman.

Company E.

■Alpheus T. Collins, James A. Lacey, Nimrod Lacey.

FORTIETH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company C.
Thomas C. Welsh, John S. Welsh.

266 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company C.
Reason Shipley, Vinton Whitehurst.

FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company D.

Jonathan Dunbar, first lieutenant; Seth Marsh, second lieutenant; Seth
Marsh, sergeant; William Curry, Henry C. Duncan and John Hook, cor-
porals. Privates — Moses Burris, William Curry, Cyrus Creviston, John Hook,
Seth Marsh, Ralph L. Thompson, Elisha Whorton, Taylor B. Burris, James
Dorman, Henry Duncan, Benjamin Hudson, Jesse Stump, Samuel E. Thomp-
son, George Windsor, James K. Banks, Ebenezer Cross, Jere Ferrin, John
Rittenhouse, George Slifer, Wellington Thomas.

Company F.
John K. Henby.

Company I.

George W. Farris, William N. Kitchen, George W. Owen. Leroy
Wagoner.

Company K.

William Anderson, William Chappell, John W. Chappell, John L. Dun-
can, Joseph Shutes, Reason Hawkins, David Snow.

FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company A.

Taylor Thomas, W. W. Ragan, first lieutenants ; Samuel Marsh, W. W.
Ragan, second lieutenants; Henry C. Perkins, first sergeant; Aaron Hutton,
sergeant; Samuel Marsh, Aaron Sleeth, corporals; Andrew J. Bridges,
musician. Privates — Henry Anderson, William H. Boman, Harrison Berry,
Conde Burns, Richard M. Casto, Lucellus Anderson, Harrison Black. Seth
Bellville, John G. Berry, William Casto, Joseph B. Atkison, William R. Berry.
George W. Berry, Perry Beaver, Oliver Carson, Xoah W. Carr, Isaac Can-
non, John Grigsby, Alexander Handy, John S. Loehr, John Mitchell, Chris-
tian Meyer, Asbury Neal, Jasper Osborn, James K. Ragan, James Scott, John
M. Williams, Wesley Williams, John Whitecotton, George W. Carr, Charles
M. Dubois. Joseph Hubble, Joel H. Knight, Joseph Martin, Nathan C. Meek,

MILITARY. 267

Augustus Munden, Benjamin Osborn, James M. Personett, W. W. Ragan,
Bert Scott, George W. Wiggins, James A. Watson, John W. Dubois, Arch-
ibald Coleman, Theodore Edwards, Caleb Holden, Jacob Kessler, Edward
Martin, John Mayor, Samuel Marsh, Thomas O'Donnell, James M. Price,
Stephen L. Stowder, Jasper M. Wingfield, James M. Whittaker, William
Whittaker.

FIFTY-SEVENTIJ REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company A.

John A. Craft, Isaac T. Earl, captains; John A. Craft, Isaac T. Earl,
first lieutenants ; John A. Craft, first sergeant ; George Kinder, corporal ;
Thomas Pyeatte, musician ; Jonathan Wlolfe, wagoner. Privates — Joseph
Brooks, Eden Burns, William T. Byers, Henry Carroll, Charles H. Fort,
John W. Fletcher, John D. Gibbs, John V. Halley, William F. Lakin, John
Madison, Thomas E. Niles, Joseph M. Reynolds, Ira Shaffer, Marshall Van-
dyke, John M. Tygart, Oliver H. Bartlow, William Boyer, Samuel Boyer,
George L. Chandler, Americus Fish, Granville Fisk, Thomas H. Griffith,
William H. Jones, George W. Landis, John McCorkle, John Probasco,
Joseph Roland, Thomas M. Tygart, Charles H. Weaver, Daniel Burk, Jere-
miah Boyer, Homer Craft, Lorenzo D. Fort, James M. Fletcher, Henry C.
Garrett, Hiram Griffith, Jonathan Keller, Charles W. Lemay, Benjamin Mil-
ler, Lewis B. Parris, Robert A. Smith, James Thomas, Michael Ward.

SIXTY-SIXTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company H.
James W. Adams, William R. Renan.

SEVENTIETH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company A.
Perry Dommanget.

Company K.
William Crossley.

SEVENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company I.

Isaac Alfrey, Samuel DeCamp, George Garberick, John Ledmore, Will-
iam H. Sanders, Melvin Brooks, Abram I. Helms, Byron Kurtz, John Sher-

268 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

man, George \Y. Wallace, Nehemiah Brooks, William H. Hiembles, John
Kinneman, Jeremiah Sherman, Joel R. Woods.

SEVENTY-NINTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

John G. Dunbar, major.

Company B.

John G. Dunbar, captain; John G. Dunbar, first lieutenant. Privates —
George W. Ashcraft, James M. Boyce, Alfred Brock, James B. Gapen,
Thomas Glass, Dudley Hudson, Charles W. Killenbarger, William Morgan,
John Pope, Ralph Robertson, Bayan Sheets, Clay Willett, Jesse Black, Nel-
son Boyce, Thomas J. Carr, William Gapen, George Hall, William Hutton,
Jacob Leonard, David Muth, Joseph B. Richey, George Robertson, Isaac
Stutsman, William H. York, Alfred P. Boyce, Martin Breece, James M.
Elliott, Daniel Beeson, Samuel T. Hook, Francis M. Jones, William H. Lucas,
August Muth, Isaac Richey, George Shaw, William Tague.

Company C.

Sydney Moore, William Reynolds, sergeants ; Ransom R. Alvey, Cor-
nelius Mingle, George H. Jackson, James M. Jarrett, corporals. Privates —
Ransom R. Alvey, Andrew Brown, John W '. Cooper, Enos Denny, Andrew
J. Eakes, James Frazier, Peter Hudson, Huander Jackson, John G. Loomis,
Lewis Price, Samuel Steele, William Wallsmith, Samuel Torrence, Thomas
J. Brinegar, Philander Cox, Benjamin T. Cooper, Tunis Dangler, Richard
Foster, Robert Faucett, Charles Harvey, James M. Jarrett, Benjamin Loomis,
William H. Roberts, William Torrence, James S. Walker, John Blanton,
Isaac Chappel, Cornelius Collins, Joseph R. Eakes, William J. Franklin,
William H. Hunt, George H. Jackson, Hiram Leonard, Francis M. Pardue,
William Reynolds. William Valentine, Neal McCole.

Company D.

Ezra Buchanan, first sergeant; William Richman, corporal. Privates —
Christian Brier, Amos Deshong, James A. Eastes, Fred Knoop, George F.
Langenberger, Samuel McDuffey, John P. Murphy, Samuel Roney, Jacob
Sewell, Henry Sumwalt, William C. Wright, Charles H. Burris, James Dill-
man, F. M. Eastes, William Knoop, John L. Lynch, W r illiam Miller, Henry
Philpot, John Stanley, Joseph H. Snider, Leroy Yanlaningham, William Col-
lins, Michael N. Dunn. Henry Eikman, George Kuntz, Christian F. Meyer,
Cyrus P. McCord, Anton Rabe, Martin V. Stanley, Christian Spilker. Anthony
Wishmever.

MILITARY. 269

Company G.

John Allen, John C. Beeson, Nathan Catt, Charles W. Cook, John H. F.
Fonty, David Harrison, James H. Lewis, John McBane, Samuel Richey,
Sylvester Barrett, Harmon W. Boles, John N. Cline, Daniel Copeland, Jacob
H. Gibbons, George W. Johnson, Nimrod Low, Solomon Richardson, John
H. Scott, Amos C. Beeson, John W. Boles, Benjamin F. Conner, Warren
Cross, Fleming Glass, William Lang-ford, William T. Miller, John W. Richey.

NINETY-NINTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company B.

James H. Carr, George Tague, Robert P. Andis, Isaiah Curry, captains ;
George Tague, Robert P. Andis, Isaiah Curry, John M. Alley, first lieuten-
ants ; Robert P. Andis, Isaiah Curry, Henry Miller, James R. Brown, second
lieutenants ; Isaiah Curry, first sergeant ; Thomas Holland, John M. Alley,
Perry McOuerry, sergeants ; Thomas J. Collins, John B. Herrod, Larkin
Potts, Henry C. Tyner, Amos Milner, Tilghman Collyer, Richard J. Barrett,
William Shipman, Lewis F. Richman, corporals; Andrew Curry, musician
(fife); William R. Curry, musician (drum)^; Thomas P. Mealis, wagoner.
Privates — John M. Alley, Richard Allen, Richard J. Barrett, George W.
Blakely, James Bussell, James R. Brown, Joseph H. Boman, Tilghman H.
Collyer, Wesley S. Catt, George H. Allen, Henry B. Ashcraft, Joseph Bald-
win. Nathaniel Blakely, Loran Butterfield, Garrett Baldwin, Zachariah B.
Curry, Andrew Curry, William Catt, Samuel D. Allen, Salem C. Ashcraft,
Augustus M. Barrett, Smith Bright, John L. Butcher, Jonathan Baldwin,
Thomas J. Collins, James W. Cass, John H. Collins, William Curry, Jacob
Davis, John N-. Flowers, George B. Hudson, Samuel Gard, Abram Hedges,
Amos Miller, Joseph T. Milner, Joseph B. Morford, George S. Morris,
Charles Myers, Harrison Nibarger, William H. Power, Nevil Reeves, George
Roland, William R. Shaw, William Siddell, Charles W. Scott, Francis M.
Shipley, Seward Vandyke, William Wilson, Madison Winn, Michael J.
Youse, James A. Cook, William Fletcher, John B. Herrod, Samuel H. Har-
lan, Alonzo M. Gibbs, Riley Kinghan, Thomas McGuire, William Milner,
John A. Morford, James Mui-phy, John Nibarger, Thomas J. Nibarger,
Michael Redman, William W. Reeves, Lewis F. Richman, James J. Ship-
man, Levi Slifer, James Q. Sample, Henry Tibbetts, Robert H. Vernon, Will-
iam M. Wilson, Vinton Withurst, Nimrod Davis, James Flowers, Charles B.
Hamilton, John M. Harlan, James Gard, Perry McQuerry, Thomas J. Miller,
Job Milner, Elisha Morford, Henry Miller, Lemuel I. Nibarger, Christian

27O HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Ortel, Oliver Reeves, Riley A. Reeves, William Shipman, Isaac P. Shaw,
Edward C. Smith, Reason Shipley, Henry Trice, Samuel W. Waters, Tere-
miah W r ood, Henry W. Wright.

ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company K.

John P. Armstrong, David L. Anderson, David O. Bennett, John Bogg,
Jacob Everson, Levi M. Kennedy.

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company F.
Henry Heller.

Company I.

James M. Berry, Robert Reynolds, Henry M. Edmunds, Mark Thomp-
son, Thomas W. Dickey.

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
( ONE-HUNDRED-DAY SERVICE).

Company K.

Cornelius Bartlow, Eli Black, William Chapman, Edward Coffin, Wil-
son Catt, Jeremiah Oldham, Isaac Wyant. Isaac Waller, Henry H. Bevel,
Joseph Burk, John Drake, Allen Curry, Richard Frost, Newton C. Reeves,
Robert W. Wood, James Jack, John Barr, George W. Dugan, Francis M.
Cooper, Wesley Carroll, William P. Lacey, Joseph Steffey, Vanes Virgin.

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Company E.
Henry Ash.

one hundred and forty-seventh regiment, indiana volunteers.

(one-year service).

Company F.
Richard McCorkle.

Company H.

W. H. H. Rock, second lieutenant. Privates — Cornelius Bartlow.
George J. Dille, Andrew Ormsten, William C. W'atson, Henry Barr, Perry

MILITARY. 27I

Lynam, Ira Shaffer, Asa Allison, Phillip Denny, James C. Pratt, Joseph
Steffey, Eli Gordon.

one hundred and forty-eighth regiment, indiana volunteers.

(one-year service).

Company A.
William Rozel.

Company C.

Lee O. Harris, John B. Howard, first lieutenants. Privates — Oliver
Andis, William Bracken, Charles VV. Basey, John D. Carmichael, Milo Dick-
son. John A. Gross, Fred C. Keft, Robert Johnson, Riley Madden, William
Myers, Samuel T. Patterson, William R. Shirley, Asa Smith, James I.
White, Calvin Bennett, Martin Coble, Oliver P. Cochran, David Bixler,
George W. Bennett, Elijah Hunt, Wesley Kinder, Gilman Lane, Robert
Morical, William H. McFadden, Aaron Reitsell, Addison Soots, Christian
Wishmeyer, Hamilton Welling, John W. Hunt, Lansford Clements, David
Carson, William Curry, James M. Baker, Henry L. Dawson, Jacob Hook,
David Gray, Thomas W. Lankford, Isaac Miller, Eli N. Marshall, Cornelius
Ramsdell, Oliver Strahl, Morris Whittaker, Leven T. Young.

Company F.

John A. Sandy, Solomon Stranbrough, John Courtney, John Welsby.

Company G.
Thomas L. Purdue.

Company I.

Adam Bird, Francis M. Christian, David Clark, Anthony Hansing, Rob-
ert M. Dunlap, Henry Hensing, Thomas W. Lankford, Reuben Pardee,
James E. Reynolds, Elijah White, Lewis H. Brown, William H. Smith,
Joseph Fetron, William Woodall, Jacob Miller, Oliver Squires, Jacob Volmer.

TWENTY-EIGHTH UNITED STATES REGIMENT.

Company F.

Henry Snow, captain.

Nelson Hunt and Junius Hunt (colored).

The soldiers from Hancock county were, in the main, kept in the western
theater of the war during the early part of the struggle. Many were in

2J2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Arkansas. Missouri, with Grant along the Mississippi, with Thomas, Rose-
crans and Buell, in Kentucky and Tennessee, and a very large number were
with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. In the latter part of the war
these troops were, of course, with Sherman and Grant in the eastern field.
But what the veterans of the Civil War have done has been written large on
the pages of the nation's history, and no attempt will be made to detail that
story here.

It was a common practice for the men at the front to return their sav-
ings to their families from time to time. Frequently a number of them who
had come from the same locality sent their money in one amount to some
person in whom all had confidence. In February, 1863, for instance, the
men of Company B, Eighth regiment, forwarded to Capt. A. K. Branham
one thousand, eight hundred and twenty dollars to be distributed to persons
in various parts of the county. We cannot know at this time just whose
money was included in this amount, but after a large part of it had been dis-
tributed Captain Branham inserted a notice in the Hancock Democrat that
the money belonging to the following persons would be sent as directed by
them : William Everson, Abram Hanes, Thomas Lake, Mrs. Mary A. Snell,
New Palestine; Samuel Fuller, Cordelia Shelton, Catherine Jones, Julia Scot-
ten, Philadelphia ; Hamilton Welling, Christian Kreager, Cumberland ; John
M. Miller, Rebecca Davis, Cleveland ; John Jackson, Pendleton ; John Roney,
Mt. Comfort.

In October, 1863, Andrew T. Hart received a package containing one
thousand, one hundred and thirty-seven dollars from Company B, Ninety-
ninth regiment, for the following persons : Benjamin Reeves, Lysander
Sparks, Rosannah Hamilton, James Milner, Phoebe True, Jesse Allen, Louise
E. Shaw, Mary C. Curry, William Watts, Thomas Bright, Margaret Milner,
Sarah Curry, Sarah Milner, Elizabeth Reagan, J. H. Curry, Daniel Butter-
field, Susanna Redman, Eleanor Hudson, L. J. Youse, Elizabeth Cass, Cath-
erine McGuire, Joseph Morford, Martha Tibbits, Willard Lowe.

These instances might be multiplied, but they illustrate the practice of
the soldiers in sending home their money, either for the use of their families,
or to be saved until their return from the war.

Some of the personal experiences of the boys, however, and something of
their military life, is reflected from the following letters. The first two let-
ters, from Lee O. Harris and R. A. Riley, give the experiences of the com-
pany of "three-months men" who went to the front from Hancock county.
The third letter, from Samuel A. Dunbar, gives a good idea of the campaign-
ing of Company B, Eighth regiment, in Arkansas, while the last one, writ-

MILITARY. 2/T,

ten by a member of Company B, Ninety-ninth regiment, comes from the field
of heavy fighting around Missionary Ridge.

"Camp Benton, Ya., June 25, '61.
"Editor Hancock Democrat and Friends at Home :

"I am now writing in the shade of a tree, in Camp Benton, which is
situated on one of the highest hills in Western Virginia. Below me lies a
beautiful valley, stretching between the lofty hills. A beautiful stream winds
its way through it, while at the foot of the hill on which our camp is situated,
lies the town of Clarksburg, the capital of Western Virginia. It has a beau-
tiful site, situated here on the summit of this lofty hill, the valley lying in
quiet beauty below me, and mountain on mountain piled to the clouds and
stretching away in every direction as far as the eye can reach. Both regi-
ments are encamped upon this hill, and are now busy fortifying it. A wall,
breast-high, is now almost completed, extending entirely around the hill, and
a battery of six cannon is stationed on one side. Our position is one of the
strongest natural defenses I have ever seen and commands the whole of the
surrounding country. The enemy have no access to the town except over the
mouths of our cannon, 'a hard road to travel,' I believe.

"A regiment of the Ohio troops arrived in town today; there was a regi-
ment here before we arrived, and another picketed along the railroad from
Parkersburg to Grafton. The boys are all in fine spirits and eager for the
fight, though I do not anticipate an attack at this point, now that we are all
so well prepared. It is reported that ex-Governor Wise is on Laurel Ridge,
about thirty miles from here, with five thousand men, yet, in this position
we do not fear twenty thousand. Several secessionists have been captured and
brought into camp, but released on swearing allegiance to the government.
Having given you a general description of our camp, I will go back and tell
you how we got here.

"On Wednesday morning, June 19, I was awakened about three o'clock
by the blowing of trumpets, rattling of drums and shouting of men ; such a
noise I have never heard before. It sounded like the howling of fiends or the
midnight orgies of devils. On inquiring the cause I learned that we had
received our marching orders and, notwithstanding I am a quiet man in the
main, I was infected with the general joy and shouted long and loud. I ran
to the door of my tent and saw soldiers running, jumping, turning hand-
springs and summersets, and making the most extravagant demonstrations
of joy. They were considerate enough to leave off, however, as soon as all
were completely exhausted, and the longest winded could not shout above a

(18)

_>74 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

whisper. Shortly after breakfast we began to take down our tents and pack
our baggage, and before noon we marched to Indianapolis, where we em-
harked on the cars, and taking the Lawrenceburg & Cincinnati railroad, we
were soon flying on our course on the wings of steam, followed by the shouts
of hundreds who had collected to see us off. Everywhere along the road
it appeared as if the whole community had collected along the track and
greeted us with shouts and waving of hats and handkerchiefs. At Greens-
burg the patriotic citizens were awaiting us, and as soon as the train stopped,
the cars were surrounded by detachments armed with well charged baskets,
•buckets and pitchers, and immediately began the attack, filling our haver-
sacks with provisions of every imaginable kind. Our men faced the music
like heroes and pitched into the eatables with a will. Long life and great hap-
piness to the noble hearts of Green sburg! May heaven bless them as they
deserve ! At six o'clock we arrived at Cincinnati. Here we were met by the
city military, amounting to nearly tw 7 o thousand, who escorted us to the
Fifth street market house, where we were regaled with a splendid supper.
All Cincinnati was alive with excitement; the streets were crowded from one
end of town to the other, and at every turn the cry was, 'Huzza for the Indi-
ana troops! Huzza for the Eighth and Tenth!' On the corner, near the
market house, was a banner with this inscription, 'Cincinnatians' Welcome to
the Xoble Sons of Indiana ; may God bless and preserve you !' We marched
from the market house to the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad and embarked
on the cars, where we lay all night, and on the next morning started for
Marietta, a town about two hundred and fifty miles up the river. Through
Ohio we were met and welcomed with the same demonstrations of joy that
we witnessed in Indiana. At Chillicothe we were welcomed with another
attack of provisions and good things. We arrived at Marietta about dark,
when we were marched on board of steamboats, where we lav all night. Next
morning we sailed down the river to Parkersburg, where we remained until
Saturday night, when we embarked on board the cars on the Baltimore & Ohio
railway and started en route for this place, arriving here on Saturday about
noon, where we are likely to remain for some time. You shall hear from me
again soon if my life is spared to write.

"Yours truly,

"L. O. Harris, U. S. A."

"Beverly, Va., July 14, 1861.
"Mr. Editor: — Dear Sir:

"Since our march from Indianapolis, such has been the constant hurry

MILITARY. 275

and bustle, care and toil, that I have never had time to write when I could
command paper and ink,, that I have not written you before. We first set
foot on 'Virginia's sacred soil' at Parkersburg, the third day from Indian-
apolis, from thence two days after to Clarksburg by railroad through tunnels
of pitchy darkness and over dizzy precipices. The road was guarded all
along. At Clarksburg (the capital of western Virginia)' we took possession
of a hill about three hundred feet high, immediately south of the town, com-
menced to fortify it, and about 1 o'clock A. M. Capt. Loomes' flying battery
six pieces arrived. It was hauled to the foot of the hill, and there we took
it apart, attached long ropes, and piece at a time, with two hundred men to
a piece, pulled it up to the top, and by daylight had cannon, ammunition
and all in position on the hill, and commanding the whole surrounding town
and country within its range. We then resumed work on our fortification,
and by night had a breastwork from six to ten feet high, for nearly a mile,
in an oblong circle. The traitors had prepared to burn the town, and expel
or hang all Union men there, the day after our arrival. We were too quick
for them, and they fell back to a pass called the 'Valley of Death,' in the
Rich Mountain, within five miles of Beverly, where they were stronglv for-
tified at a pass called Camp Garnett, one and one-half miles further on the
Beverly road, and at the Valley of Death they had breastworks of logs and
rocks, probably 400 yards in length and two pieces of artillery (that we cap-
tured). I think they had three. At 4 P. M. on the 10th, six companies of
the 8th and 10th Indiana Volunteers marched to the advance, on hearing that
they were coming to give .us battle. We took our position in advance of
our encampment — consisting of eight regiments — in line of battle but the
rebels went back to their holes again. The 8th regiment, that is, six com-
panies of it, held their position on the field for the night, and Company I,
consisting of 53 men, rank and file — 33 of Company I, and 20 of Company
E — took the picket guard, running a chain of sentinels within two hundred
and fifty-nine yeards of their fortification, and then transversely with the
same, and remaining sleeplessly vigilant the entire night. Just after daylight
on the morning of the nth, six companies of the 8th, 10th, and 13th Indiana,
and the 19th Ohio regiments filed right leaving the road, without cutting
one for their access, and climbed over Rich Mountain, through heavy woods,
barrens, thickets, among the laurel and huckleberries, among rocks, cliffs
and precipices, on dizzy heights and sightless depths, a distance of from 12
to 15-miles, entirely flanking and surprising the enemy in the Valley of Death.
"We arrived on the battlefield at about half-past 1 P. M., when the
picket fired on our advance guard led by Capt. Chris. Miller, of the 10th,

j-(> HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

severely if not fatally wounding him, and also wounding severely in the arm
one of his men. The skirmish then commenced, on our side, while round
shot, bombs, and spherical-case shells hissed and bursted over our heads.
We continued skirmishing for over an hour, waiting for the Ohio regiment
to come up, to get our positions, and for the cessation of one of the heaviest
rains I have ever seen fall. Thus drenched and chilled, the Ohio regiment
came up the mountain in sight and the rain ceased, when the ioth Indiana
regiment engaged their left wing out of good range of their artillery. The
left wing of the 8th lay right in line, view and range of their artillery, when
they fired a shell that exploded directly over them (the 8th). then a round
shot that went through a tree about 12 feet over the heads of the 8th. I told
Col. Benton that the enemy had a point blank range on the regiment, and to
let the regiment lie down. The command was given and the boys dropped,
when instantly a charge of grape poured over them, about breast high but
harmless. The enemy cheered, thinking the regiment was cut to pieces (as
they afterward told me) while indeed the boys were lying like crouching
tigers, waiting for the command to pounce upon them. We remained there
for about half an hour, when the word came, and the boys went down the hill
over rocks, logs and brush, firing and advancing, without much order — for
that was impossible, from the nature of the ground — but with terrible pre-
cision, shooting with direct aim at every moving object distinguishable in the
smoke before them. Then followed the most sublime and terrible concerted
regimental firing that ever waked the echoes of that old mountain. Com-
pany I, commanded by Lieut. Walls, directed their fire upon the gunners of
their artillery, and leaving but one standing, and him wounded in the hand
and side. Then the rush from the cannon from both sides, when our men
hoisted one poor fellow off of the cannon with their bayonets. The enemy
gave way, and the retreat commenced, and firing after and pursuit. Neither
of the latter continued long. Then came the congratulations over the victory,
mixed with the groans and cries of the wounded and dying, then the search-
ing and care for the wounded. Then a collection and burial of the pale and
bloody dead. The busy and bloody-handed surgeons, with lint, chords, band-
ages, saws, scalpals, probes and bullet forceps were busy bandaging and
dressing what could be saved, and amputating hopelessly shattered and lacer-
ated limbs. I walked over a part of the battlefield that evening, and I hope
never again to witness such a sight of blood and carnage. At one large rock
about 30 feet long behind which the enemy had concealed, shooting over,
there laid piled upon and across one another, sixteen men, every one of whom
was shot through the brain. I will not further attempt to describe the car-

MILITARY. 277

nage. The enemy had between 1,800 and 2.200. with two pieces of artillery
which we captured. The six companies of the 8th. 10th, and 13th Indiana
Regiments, amounting to about 1,500 to 1,700 men, did the fighting, the Ohio
being held mainly in reserve, and coming in just at the close.

"The counted dead of the enemy on the field is 131 and is doubtless
more than double that number, as many were seen carried off. Some were
found in the bushes and coal banks and among the rocks over a quarter of a
mile from their breastworks. We have about 900 prisoners, six pieces of
artillery, a large amount of small arms, seventy-two wagons, and from
$6o,cco to $100, oco worth of captured military property. Upon the rebels
being so terribly defeated, slaughtered and routed at the 'Valley of Death,'
they fled into the mountain — they abandoned their arms, camp tents, ammuni-
tion and fortifications at Camp Garnett, one and a half miles distant and in
the night left all, some even throwing away their blankets and coats and fled to
the mountains. They also fled from Beverly, five miles distant. The next day
a flag of truce was sent in and seven hundred who had been in the battle,
came in a body, stacked their arms, and surrendered themselves prisoners of
war. They, with those taken in the battle and since swelled their numbers to
about 900, as before stated.

"I am informed, by a messenger from there, that General Morris cap-
tured 1,800 rebels at Laurel Hill, together with their cannon, arms, and mili-
tary stores, on the next day after the battle. Yesterday a detachment was
sent from here to Stanton, twelve miles from here, and a messenger came
back today saying they had fled panic stricken from there.

"The war in western Virginia is ended for the present, if not forever.

"Xone of Company I were killed or missing. Sergeant M. M. Stephen-
son was severely wounded by a musket ball a little above the right knee, the
ball passing below the bone without breaking it. The hemorrhage was great,
but upon its being staunched, reaction took place, and he is now doing well,
and will probably recover without material lameness or injury. James Buch-
anan was wounded in the fleshy part of the hip, just above the hip joint, but
got up. straightened his leg, tried it, cursed the traitors, and fought on with
redoubled energy. Andrew Stutsman was wounded on the knee by a fall on
.the rocks while making the charge. Charles Weaver had his wrist bruised
and sprained by the bark and splinters knocked from a tree near which he
was, by grape shot. All' who were in the battle were brave to a fault. Our
boys were much fatigued and exhausted by hunger, cold, rain, watching,
marching and fighting, but are getting rested and ready for more work if
needed soon. The health of most of them is tolerable, some are suffering

278 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

with diarrhoea and some with flux. Three or four are in the hospital, none
dangerous I think.

"While I have been telling of the enemy's heavy losses, etc.. I had almost
forgotten to speak of our own. Thirteen of the Indiana troops were killed,
and about forty wounded.

"My own health is poor and broken down. Five days ago I was taken
with diarrhoea, and from weakness, loss of sleep, hunger, and the long, toil-
some march over the mountain, and the sudden cold and heavy rain. I sat
down, cramping and exhausted, by a tree, in the midst of the battle, delivering
the command to Lieut. William R. Walls, who gallantly led the boys through
the balance of the fight. Shot, shells, grape, musket and rifle balls were
bursting and hissing over and around me. There is an excitement and
sublimity in a well contested battle, that can neither be appreciated or realized
by any one who has not witnessed it and participated in it. Our boys who
were left behind to guard the camp, and too sick to make the toilsome march,
are filled with regret and chagrin because circumstances forbade their par-
ticipation in the fight.

"We expect to be 'home again' in a few weeks, bringing Company T
back without the loss of a man. My paper is exhausted. My compliments
and love to all. R. A. Riley/'

"Helena, Ark., July 14, 1862.
"Dear Mitchell: —

"Having had no opportunity for a long time to write to you, or anybcdy
else, and supposing that our friends are anxious to hear from us, I hasten to
write you. I joined my regiment at Sulphur Rock, on the 1 ith of June, and on
the 22nd we left there for Clarendon, on White river, to join our gun boats.
We approached said point by easy marches, until the day we entered Augusta,
when we marched eighteen miles. The day after we arrived, at 2 o'clock in
the morning, Companies A and R of the 8th, under command of Maj. Thomas
Brady, and a battalion of cavalry, commanded by Col. Baker of the 1st Indi-
ana, by special order, went in search of a regiment of rebels, mostly conscripts,
under Col. Matleck. After a march of ten miles we came upon their camp.
freshly evacuated. The infantry deployed as skirmishers in the cane brake,
which is the hottest and hardest work ever the lot of man to perform. We
remained thus for two miles, rallying at a point on the river, three miles
above a ferry where the butternuts Avere crossing. Col. Baker hastened for-
ward, arriving a little too late, but in time to fire one of his mountain
how risers, killing two and dispersing them in every direction. He took

MILITARY. 279

their camp equipage and provisions. While this was going on Maj. Brady
heard of a train concealed four miles above our position in the cane brake,
and of course we made for it. We found five wagons richly laden with the
good things fixed up by the special friends for palates of the traitors. They
didn't get it. We eat our supper, saved our breakfasts, and turned the bal-
ance over. This was on the Fourth of July. On the 5th we returned to camp,
arriving tired and worn out. The next morning at two o'clock we left camp
and marched sixteen miles, halting on the bank of Cache river. The road on
each side of the stream having been blockaded by the rebels cutting timber
across it, — a game they have played until it is played out. When our advance
arrived at this point a small party of them, concealed in the blockade, fired
upon the guard, hitting nobody. Our men killed one, who fell into our hands,
and knocked seven off their horses, but they got away badly wounded or
dead. Lieut. Hill, who commands the pioneers of the brigade, went to work
on the blockade and in two hours had a road cut through and the troops pass-
ing over. In the morning a portion of the nth Wisconsin and 1st Indiana
Cavalry went out upon the road in advance to feel for the Texas Rangers,
who we knew were in the neighborhood. About noon they came upon about
two thousand of the gentlemen lying along the side of- the road. Our toys
went into them with fury, both sides fighting like fiends. More cavalry and
the 33d Illinois were ordered forward first, and then the 8th. We arrived
upon the ground and drove the rebels five miles, when night came on, and
they got away from us. News of this fight spread like wild fire through
reheldom, and upon our arrival here we found that transports had been sent
from Memphis to Clarendon, to gather up the remnant of our army, sup-
posed to be cut to pieces and in a starving condition. The rebels every-
where throw it in our faces, and crowed loudly. Poor, deceived iools, why
did they not know the true result of the engagement? We found nearly
200 of their dead upon the field, and their wounded filling every house along
the road. Our loss was between forty and fifty, — eight killed and the balance
wounded. The night after the fight we encamped beyond Cotton Plant, on
a bayou. The next day we marched to Clarendon, a distance of 35 miles,
under the hot sun of this climate, and through the deepest sand and the thick-
est and most suffocating dust. For miles we had to march without water,
and when we did get any it was swamp water, the filthiest you ever saw in
any swamp. This march beats everything in our military history, and had
we not been ironclad we never could have stood it. On our arrival at Claren-
don we found that our boats had from some cause or other given us out and
retired. Duvall's Bluff, above Clarendon, was evacuated by the rebels, thev

2S0 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

retiring to Little Rock. On the 1 ith we left that, point for this, and by some
management not in army regulations our wagons, provisions and camp equip-
age were started upon one road, and we upon another. Our suffering would
have been extreme had it not been for 4 crackers to the man which we found
in a wagon belonging to Curtis' quartermaster. On this scanty allowance we
traveled 18 and 23 miles a day until last night. Our train arrived this morn-
ing, we having lived from the time we started until this morning on four
crackers to each man. We are now encamped on the bank of the Mississippi.
Helena is a beautiful little town, clean and neat. Shortly after our arrival
a trading boat came down and you should have seen the effect it had upon
the men. So long shut up in the darkness of Arkansas hills and swamps, cut
off from all correspondence with friends and the world, exposed to danger
and disease, almost naked, and but a few days' rations of crackers left, you
can imagine how exhilarating the sight of a boat would be. We are below
Memphis about 100 miles. Last night was a moon light one, and Lieut. Hill
and myself, after the camp had become still, seated ourselves upon the bank
of the river and looked upon a scene as beautiful as I ever saw. At this
point the river is one and a half miles wide, Mississippi forming the other
side.

"The Indiana troops are almost naked, having drawn but few clothes
since leaving Otterville, and but few uniforms can be found among them. We
will get a new suit here and cut a stiff. Lieut. Bill Hill, with his pioneers
attended the train and through the most desperate swamps building and cut-
ting roads with an energy and celerity that drew from General Benton a
very high compliment. This morning the camp is all gayety and life. The
boys are enjoying the highest spirits. Besides the prospects for bread, meat
and clothes, we have a faint hope of being ordered out of Arkansas.

"Col. Baker and his cavalry are covering themselves with glory. They
fear nothing; fight any force, no matter how large, when or where they find it.

"Gen. Hindman lives here, Gen. Curtis occupying his mansion, with the
stars and stripes floating above it. The health of our company continues ex-
cellent, much to our surprise. Our friends can rest assured that for the
present we are all doing well.

"Yours respectfully,

"S. H. Dunbar,
"8th Indiana Regiment,

"N. B. In the fight I have spoken of, at one time the rebels were in
the woods, but in hearing distance. The Wisconsin boys were supporting

MILITARY. 28l

the Indiana howitsers, when they heard the command given by the rebel com-
mander, 'Take the gun !' Our boys came to a 'ready,' and the line of rebels
came rushing forward. Wisconsin waited until they came within fifty yards,
when they poured a desperate volley into them, charging bayonets immedi-
ately, and throwing the enemy into confusion. They rallied again, after
which one of our boys yelled out to them : 'Here is that gun, why in the hell
don't you come 'and take it?"

"Headquarters 8th Indiana Infantry,
"Near Vicksburg, Miss., May 28, 1863.
"Dear Mitchell : —

"I wrote you from Port Gibson a day or two after the fight of the 1st
Inst. I then informed you of the loss of Company B, and presume ere this
you have published it to our friends. Since that writing we have engaged
in the unfortunate engagement of 'Champion 'Hills' and 'Black River Bridge,'
not having a man hurt in either. On the 19th inst. our artillery opened on
the fortifications protecting Vicksburg, and skirmishing began. Our divi-
sion was at once thrown forward, in rifle range of the rebel works, and a
spirited fight at once began with the rebel sharpshooters. We soon discovered
that we could effectually silence their artillery by keeping a storm of bullets
pouring into their port holes. W T e played this game upon them without
material loss, until the 22nd of May, when General Grant peremptorily ordered
that at 10 o'clock A. M., the whole line should charge, reaching from the
Yazoo to Warrenton. Upon this announcement being made to the men, a
gloom and hopelessness was visible on every face. All were fully convinced
that it was a mad move, and that we would meet slaughter and defeat. Never-
theless, at the appointed hour, we fell into line and moved forward. The
column had been in motion but a few moments when the enemy opened upon
it from rifle pits and forts, with musketry, grape, shell and schrapnel. Con-
fusion at once began. Men fell dead and wounded at every step. Many
being wounded were afterward killed, and the slaughter was terrible. The
8th started in the charge with 446 men, losing in killed and wounded, 114.
The 33d Illinois with a less number of men, lost the same, the 99th Illinois
lost 170. And other regiments, so far as I can hear, suffered in the same
proportion, — Company B started into the charge with 43 men, officers in-
cluded. Its loss was 13 wounded and 3 killed.

"On the 20th, while advancing our brigade from a. hollow to one nearer
the enemy, Alfred Wilson was killed by a grape shot striking him on the
head. He did not die immediately, and when assistance w r as sent to remove

282 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

him to the hospital he would not he removed from the field until he laid
hold of his gun, which he persisted in carrying- with him. On the follow-
ing morning while the company was sharp shooting, Richard Lamb was
killed by a minnie ball striking him in the bowels, and George N. Black was
slightly wounded in the shoulder. He did not leave the field, though in too
much pain to load and shoot, but carried water from the spring to the boys
while they fought. On the day of the charge we lost as follows:

"First Sergeant, Frank Mays, killed.

"Private, John Scotten, killed.

"Alfred Lowder, died from wounds.

''Wounded.

"Corporal, F. M. Miller, slightly in chin.

"Corporal, Wm. W. Welling, severely in side and arm.

"Corporal, Clark McDonald, slightly in hip.

"Private, Thomas M. Martin, arm amputated.

"Private, W. W. Alexander, severely in arm.

"Private, Wm. N. Siplinger, slightly in foot.

"Private, Charles Clapper, slightly in arm.

"Private, Andrew J. Fuller, painfully in ankle.

"Private, James N. Underwood, arm amputated.

"Private, Wm. H. Morgan, collar bone broken.

"Lieut. W. G. Hill, painfully in right hand.

"The wounded are doing as well as the circumstances will permit. They
are generally cheerful and confident of recovery. I understand they will be
sent north as soon as possible. We are reducing Vicksburg by seige, since to
attempt to take it by storm is folly and madness. Our regiment is lying on the
protected side of a hill, in four hundred yards of the rebel works. Musket balls
whiz harmlessly above us while our artillery keeps the air filled with the
smoke of powder and the earth trembling. The enemy does nothing with its
artillery. Today, for the first time, two or three fired a shot at one of our
batteries. Scarcely had the report been heard when Capt. Klauss of the 1st
Indiana let a shell fly and blew up the secesh's caisson, killing a good many of
them doubtless, besides leaving a tremendous moral effect. At nighr war
ceases, except an occasional shot between pickets who stand within one hun-
dred yards of each other. A few days ago the enemy sent in a flag of truce,
giving us an opportunity to bury our dead that were left on the field after

MILITARY. 283

the fatal charge. The rebels came out of their holes by thousands, while the
surrounding hills were covered with blue uniforms, gazing on the novel scene.
Many of each side met, shook hands and conversed freely. Soldiers, both
rebel and Union, were unanimously of the opinion that they in an hour like
that could settle the war, if submitted to them. One rebel said he wished the
truce would last forever. I heard of several instances where friend found
friend, and in two or three cases, brother met brother. Desertions frequently
occurred. The number no doubt would be double, did they not keep so rigid
a guard. Two nights ago I was working in our ditches when two strapping
Dutch boys who had escaped, jumped almost on top of me. After they were
assured that it was all right, and got into the right place, they were the hap-
piest fellows I ever saw. They give a dreadful account of the rebel rations
and of the terror which our artillery and sharpshooters keep them in. If we
succeed in keeping at bay the apprehended attack in the rear a little longer,
Vickshurg will surely surrender. The mortar fleet I liked to have forgotten.
It opens after dark and keeps up a terrible shelling during the night. The
city has been on fire several times, but they have succeeded by some means
in extinguishing the flames. The mortars surely scare them awfully, and I.
don't see how they help killing many. It is generally thought that hard fight-
ing here is over, but nobody knows. The rebels before surrendering may
come out and make a last desperate effort to escape. The nights are lovely
and only when disturbed by the occasional crashing and bursting of shell, are
so serene and still that we can hear the town clock in the city.

"Let our ladies at home know that everything they do, no matter how
little, for the comfort of our sick and wounded, is fully appreciated, and does
much more good than they could imagine. Too great a quantity of the
delicacies, and of clothes, etc., cannot be sent here. The probability is that
we will remain here sometime. Many will be wounded, and many and many
more will be sick in consequence of the climate and the way we have to live.
Our men have but one suit of clothes, and that is deficient, worn and dirty.
We have no time Outside of the ditches to wash, and when a man falls sick or
is wounded he can only look to the efforts of friends at home and the sani-
tary commission for clean clothes. Ladies, do all you can for us. We need
your assistance.

"None of the Greenfield boys have been hurt, and without one exception
have been in the fight and have done their duty manfully. Our company is
sadly in need of recruits and must be filled up. There is no difficulty in
getting into any company the recruit may designate. Will not some of our

284 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

voting men make the break and come to our assistance? I will write again
after, and perhaps before the fall of Vicksburg.

"Respectfully,

"S. H. Dunbar,
"8th Ind. Infantry."

Following is another letter from Mr. Dunbar, dated October 18, 1863,
at Yermillionville, Louisiana :

"Dear Mitchell:

"Suddenly our Brigade has received orders to march. It goes alone,
and starts tomorrow morning. Our mission is not for letters or newspapers,
as we expect with all the secrecy that can be exercised, to have some warm
work. I write merely that you may present to their friends the names of
Company B, left in the hospital in New Orleans. They are, John W. Under-
wood. Amos W. Everson, Elijah H. Tyner (nurse), Henry McCorkhill (sent
from Berwick), George M. Davidson, Francis N. C. Hodson, Albert W. Lake.

"I did not feel apprehensive of the death of any of them, even when
they left, ague and diarrhea being the principal diseases. They had been sick
but a few days, and with the excellent attention which I learn is bestowed
upon the sick in hospitals in that city, I have no doubt they will soon recover.

"John Scott, a good citizen of Brandywine township, who had deservedly
many friends throughout his neighborhood, died in hospital at New Orleans,
September nth. All must sympathize with his afflicted family and honor
his memory for his good qualities.

"Searg. Cyrus Hanes and Elijah Tuttle of Company B, in company with
four others, after receiving instructions from the General, left, — on a critical
mission. They pressed an oyster boat, sallied out into the Gulf, and from
thence through innumerable bayous, lakes, and bogs, far into the interior
of Louisiana, passing themselves among the enemy for smugglers. They
accomplished, to the full satisfaction of the power that sent them, all they
were sent to perforin, returning in ten days from the date of their departure.
They frequently saw and conversed with detachments of the enemy. Too
much honor can not be awarded the men who will brave every danger, take
life into their hands, peril everything for their country, and in obedience to
orders. Let the names of all such gallant actors stand out in bold relief, high
on the scroll of honor.

"Yours respectfully,

"Sam. H. Dunbar."

MILITARY. 285

FROM THE NINETY-NINTH INDIANA.

"SCOTTSBOROUGH, ALA.

"Sunday. January 10, 1861.
"Editor Hancock Democrat :

"On Monday, November 23d, our division rested quietly behind a range
of hills, near the Tennessee River, waiting" for the engineers and pontooniers
to complete the preparations for throwing a pontoon across the river. The
work was done, the attention of the rebels was drawn to the extreme right,
where General Hooker was making some heavy demonstrations,' and a favor-
able opportunity for our crossing presented itself; accordingly we were
ordered to be ready to march at 4 o'clock next morning. Morning came,
November 24, and we set off. The day was foggy and misting rain. We
reached the river bank, which was lined with heavy cannon, ready to belch
forth destruction to any one who might oppose our crossing.

"Our workmen had been busy at work all night, and the pontoon was
about half completed. The boats were used as ferry boats until ready to be
placed in their positions in the bridge. We embarked immediately, crossed,
stacked arms and waited for our artillery, ammunition w r agons, horses and
ambulances, which could not be brought over until the bridge was completed.

"All was over by 9 o'clock A. M., and we were ready to advance. A
very short distance now lay between us and the enemy on Missionary Ridge.
Our artillery kept up a languid fire on them from across the Tennessee, be-
sides which very little seemed to be doing in the way of battle. We prepared
to advance. Our guns were loaded and capped. Skirmishers were thrown
out to the front and flanks, four or five from a company. Serg't. George
W. Watts, Wesley S. Catt, Charles Meyers, and Christian Ortle were de-
tailed from Company B. All things being ready, we moved on slowly, at
a left face, the thick under brush rendering it next to impossible to preserve
a line of battle.

"Our skirmishers soon waked up the rebs. A brisk firing was com-
menced in front. We halted a short while, to give time to the skirmishers.
We could now plainly see the summit of the first hill, but no enemy appeared
thereon. We advanced slowly and halted near the top, when the rebs opened
fire on us with their artillery. Fortunately our Chief of Artillery was with us,
and got the precise location of the rebel battery. He immediately ordered up
Richardson's battery, and opened on the enemy with one twenty-four pounder
and several guns of smaller caliber. The rebs, who had been overshooting,
lowered their pieces and replied vigorously for a while, the balls shaving

286 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

'very close.' Our boys who were carrying balls from the caissons ran almost
on 'all fours,' while the balls hissed over their heads, and showered the limbs
of trees around them. One projectile knocked off the whole top of a tree
and hurled it into a regiment of the second brigade ; but owing to some expert
dodging, no one was injured. The rebs having one gun dismounted, and
fearing for the safety of the remainder, removed their battery from view,
and were silent the remainder of the day.

"Our skirmishers were advancing clown the opposite side of the hill,
and driving the rebel skirmishers up the next ridge on which they were
fortified. The night found us. We rested on our arms, expecting a vigorous
renewal in the morning.

"The ist brigade of our division lay on our right, and the second on our
left, leaving us to occupy the center. Gen. Ewing, our division commander,
ordered our brigade to fortify their position, and to remain as a reserve. We
went at the work with energy, and, by midnight, had a row of rifle pits
stretching for half a mile, and facing the rebel works.

"Gen. Ewing, Gen! Blair, our corps commander, and Gen. Sherman all
established their headquarters with us, and also the signals were displayed
near our regiment. This was very interesting to us, as we could witness the
maneuvers, and hear the dispatches that were constantly coming and going.
They kept the aids busy.

"The morning of the 25th dawned. The fog had cleared away, and the
sun rose in his radiant splendor; all was yet quiet. Both armies had been
maneuvering during the previous night, and now lay in plain view of each
other. Gen. Hooker had advanced his lines far up the mountain, while strong
batteries and earthworks lined the valley at the foot of Missionary Ridge.
The operations of the day were opened by a broadside from Richardson's
battery, aimed directly at the rebel works on the next ridge, plainly visible ;
and not more than half a mile distant. The rebel guns replied. Our guns
opened from across the Tennessee, the rebs returned the compliment. The
boom of cannon then came up from the battle below, and w T ere only answered
by the cannonical language of .Missionary Ridge. The cannonading was now
terrific along the entire line, from the summit of Lookout to the banks of the
Chickamauga. The surrounding hills and mountains smoked like so many
volcanoes, and the thunders of artillery rolled along the valleys of the Ten-
nessee. Oh, how sublime! The reverberations among the hills reminded me
much of the poets' beautiful description of 'A Thunderstorm on the Alps.'
The noise of battle increased ; the sound of musketry and of the charge was
continuallv heard.

MILITARY. 287

"Until this time, we were admiring the scene, and estimating the dis-
tance of certain guns by the difference between seeing the flash and hearing the
report. Some of the boys were mounted on trees to obtain a better prospect,
but our admiration ceased when wt saw our wounded come limping in, sup-
ported on either side by their more fortunate comrades, or borne on litters;
some with heads bleeding, others with their shattered limbs dangling power-
less by their sides. At first the sight was revolting, but when we could
begin to count our wounded by scores and hear their stories of narrow escape,
and hear their groans, we got mad and wanted to fight. If the 3d brigade
had been turned loose, they would have stormed the very gates of purgatory ;
but 'No' said Gen. Ewing, 'you must hold this ridge'.

"Just then Brig. Gen. Corse of the second brigade was carried in with
a severe wound in his thigh. He swore a 'blue streak' as he passed. Says
he, 'If they had wounded me in the head, or some place in the body so that
I could keep the field I would not care; but they have shot me in the thigh
and I must retire.' .Gen. Ewing started to go to him, but he shook his head,
and Ewing returned.

'"The first brigade now formed in the valley, and were ordered to carry
that part of the ridge in their front.- This brigade consisted of the 12th and
10th Indiana, and the second and 90th 111. They made a brilliant effort, and
carried the rebel works. Col. Loomis, their brigade commander, rode up to
Gen. Ewing and informed him that he had gained the heights as ordered,
but with severe loss, especially in point of officers. The Col. of the 90th
Illinois fell mortally wounded; the Lieut. Col. of the 100th Indiana, was
wounded; Capt. Brouse of the same regiment was killed, and many others.
Hardly had Col. Loomis returned to his command, when the rebs charged
and recaptured their old works, driving the first brigade entirely from the
ridge. (I think, however, that this was a preconcerted arrangement, to daw
the rebs into a trap.) They retreated back across a piece of timberland, while
the rebs poured in volleys of shot and shell at their glittering bayonets. The
air was fairly vocal with the sound of exploding shells and hissing fragments.

"About this time. Christian Ortel of our own company was carried in,
severely wounded in the thigh. He was a noble young man, and had the love
and esteem of all who knew him. His wounds proved fatal. He died Decem-
ber 1 7th, and now rests in the cemetery at Chattanooga.

"Stern is the decree of fate which hath bound him,
And laid him to rest by stranger's hand;
No loved ones near to weep around him,
As he sleeps alone in a stranger's land.

288 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

'It is sweet to die for one's country.'

"The stars and stripes were now unfurled from Point Lookout and
the sound of battle died away as the shadows of evening covered the hills and
valleys; all hushed to quiet; we retired to rest and ere morning's light Gen.
Bragg with all his army was hurrying toward Atlanta.

"Yours truly,

"M. A., Co. B."

The above letter was evidently written by Marshall Alley, whose name
appears on the muster roll as John M. Alley.

HOME GUARDS.

In addition to the three-months men and the veterans of the Civil War,
the Legion of Indiana was organized for home protection. Companies of
the Legion were known as "Home Guards." During the Civil War several
of these companies were organized in Hancock county, known as :

Fortville Guards, organized June 4, 1861. James H. Perry, P. Bond,
captains ; John K. Faucett, first lieutenant ; Charles Doty, second lieutenant.

Hancock Guards, organized June io, 1861. Alexander K. Branham,
Henry A. Swope, captains; Henry A. Swope and William E. Hart, first
lieutenants; William E. Duncan, William Lindsey, George H. Walker, Joshua
Edward, second lieutenants.

Brandyzvine Guards, organized August 26, 186 1. Robert Andis, cap-
tain; Ezra Fountain, first lieutenant; John M. Dixon, second lieutenant.

Anderson Guards (New Palestine), organized September 13, 1861.
Thomas C. Tuttle, captain; Conrad Shellhouse, first lieutenant; George W.
Stineback, second lieutenant.

Vernon TownsJiip Guards, organized. 1863. Sylvester Gaskins, cap-
tain; Thomas J. Hanna, first lieutenant; Perry J. Brinegar, second lieutenant.

Union Hancock (Cavalry), organized, 1863. Taylor W. Thomas, cap-
tain; Solomon F. Kauble, first lieutenant; William E. Henry, second lieuten-
ant.

Jackson Guards, organized, 1863. John A. Craft, Joseph H. McKown,
captains; Joseph H. McKown, John M. Davis,' first lieutenants; Asa H.
Allison, second lieutenant.

The last three companies were organized during the excitement of the
Morgan raid in 1863. At this time these companies were organized and
known as the Hancock Battalion. Its officers were : Alexander K. Branham,

MILITARY. 289

Lee O. Harris, majors; Solomon F. Kauble, adjutant; Orlando M. Edwards,
assistant surgeon.

A company was also organized in Buck Creek township. Another com-
pany of about forty German boys was organized and drilled at New Palestine
by Dr. Buchel, a German physician. Greenfield boys, too young for service,
were organized as the Greenfield Union Cadets, with the following officers :
Hamilton Dunbar, captain; James W. Knight, first lieutenant; James Gapen,
second lieutenant ; Oscar Thomas, third lieutenant.

The Home Guards, however, were continually changing because the
boys were constantly enlisting in the volunteer companies. Dr. Buchel's com-
pany at New Palestine finally disbanded because practically all of its mem-
bers had enlisted in the active service. Some of the other companies main-
tained their organizations throughout the war by continually filling their
ranks with recruits.

Each company had its own drill ground. In the smaller towns the
school grounds or commons were appropriated or the boys drilled on the
streets. Adjoining the town of Greenfield on the northeast lay a large blue-
grass pasture. It included a tract lying east of State and north of North
streets, and was owned by Benjamin Osborne, a resident of Kentucky. Here
the Hancock Guards gathered once a week, usually on Saturday afternoons.
The drilling of the company on the 'slope and hill north and east of the branch
in the region of Grant and East streets, was a very familiar sight in those
days.

Two of these companies, the Hancock Guards, under Capt. A. K. Brari-
ham, and the Anderson Guards, under Capt. Thomas C. Tuttle, were in the
active service about a week during Morgan's raid. Captain Branham's com-
pany was mustered in on July 11, 1863, as Company E of the One Hundred
and Fifth regiment of Indiana Volunteers. The company at that time was
composed of Alexander K. Branham, captain ; William E. Hart, first lieuten-
ant: George W. Walker, second lieutenant; John Hatfield, first sergeant;
Joshua Edwards, Freeman H. Crawford, William Mitchell, Samuel W. Bar-
nett, sergeants ; Samuel E. Duncan, Jacob Wills, Nathaniel Snow, James L.
Dennis, corporals. Privates — Fred Alliman, Asa A. Allison, Daniel Acker,
A. J. Banks, Calvin Bennett, N. F. Burford, J. M. Baker, Thomas M. Bed-
good, N. B. Ballenger, Samuel Boyer, David Bixler, George Bennett, J. L.
Burdett, Leroy Bush, Milton Catt, X. N. Church, D. B. Chittenden, Charles
Cliff. S. T. Dickerson, Ephraim Duncan, Odell Despo, William Evans, John
Egger. David S. Gooding, Lemuel W. Gooding, G. W. Glass, Charles Hook.
O. D. Hughes, James Hood. Ferdinand Hafner, Vincent Hinchman, Samuel

(19)

2QO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Jones, Hiram Kern, A. B. Lineback, John P. Laird, John McCordhill, Stephen
K. Meek, Matthias Martin, John Porter, Benjamin Porter, William Porter,
B. H. Pierce, B. T. Rains, T. C. Rardin, M. A. Sleeth, Alfred Skinner, H. A.
Swope, Hugh Short, Samuel Thomas, Ezekiel Thomas, A. D. Wills, David
YV. West, J. M. Williams, William H. White, John Walker, Sr., Isaac Waller,
Thomas Wellington, John Dailey, Charles G. Offutt.

After reaching Indianapolis the One Hundred and Fifth regiment, of
which this company formed a part, was ordered to the southern part of the
state. The adjutant-general's report gives the following facts concerning
the trip : "After Morgan had left Indiana it was reported that he was return-
ing to capture Lawrenceburg. The regiment moved out to check him, and
while getting into position an indiscriminate firing took place among the men,
resulting in killing eight and wounding twenty." Among those killed in the
action were Ferdinand Hafner and John Porter. William E. Hart died later
?f his wounds. Among the wounded who recovered were Captain Branham,
David S. Gooding and Benjamin T. Rains. The company was mustered out
on July 18, 1863.

On July 10, 1863, the Anderson Guards, under Capt. Thomas C. Tuttle,
were mustered in as Company D of the One Hundred and Sixth regiment
of Indiana Volunteers. The members of this company were : Thomas C. Tut-
tle, captain; Conrad H. Shellhouse, first lieutenant; G. W. Stineback, second
lieutenant; James G. Boyce, first sergeant; James T. Rice, F. M. Tattman,
William M. Moore, John M. Toon, sergeants; Henry Gates, Eb. L. Toon,
David N. True, G. H. Kirkhoff, corporals. Privates — Samuel Burk, T. J.
Belor, M. P. Davis, Bluford Eaton, Charles W. Eaton, John W. Eaton, John
England, A. C. Bowler, George W. Gray, John Gundrum, Thomas J. Hobbs,
T. W. Higginbotham, William Kitchen, G. F. McNamee, Stewart Nichols,
E. H. Richardson, Oliver P. Swift, Pressley H. Stirk, Ashley Sutherland,
Jefferson Ulrey, George Wright, George Baily, Moses Conner, John Dorman,
Leland M. Eaton, Lewis Eaton, Joseph Everson, John Elliott, Francis Furry,
David Gray, G. W. Harris, Adam Hawk, John Johnson, John Manche, An-
drew McHaughy, Perry E. Rice,, John Russell, C. W. Shellhouse, Andrew
Stutsman, Oliver H. Tuttle, Roland Vest, L. B. Belor, G. W. Carr, W. T.
Faton, Thomas S. Eaton, Charles Eaton, J. M. Ely, Benjamin Fowler, John
H. Gray, W. T. Gibson, William Harris, Edward Hudson, John Kingery,
H. M. McRoberts, Lewis R. Murphy, H. W. Richardson, John Stewart, H. A.
Schreiber, H. G. Stutsman, Andrew Thompson, H. B. Ward.

This company went as far as Cincinnati, then returned and was mus-
lered out on July 17, 1863, without having been in any engagements.

MILITARY. 291

Excitement ran high during Morgan's raid and everywhere the soldiers
received ovations. Companies were marched into Indianapolis, and several
passed through this county over the National road. It was a common occur-
rence for people who lived along the road to call for three cheers for Abra-
ham Lincoln when a company marched past. Of course they were always
given lustily. But even under the most serious conditions a little amusement
and nonsense were mixed with their patriotism. The cheers were frequently
followed by a call for three groans for John Morgan. The response of dis-
consolate discords would sometimes have done credit to a company of oriental
mourners.

PATRIOTIC SENTIMENT OF THE COUNTY.

At the outbreak of the Civil War the patriotic sentiment of the county ex-
pressed itself in the attitude of those who had to stay at home, as well as in
the enlistment of the men. OratQry flourished in the county. The eloquence
of the speakers was surpassed only by the irresistible sentiment of patriotic
songs sung by groups of girls in every community. The forms of David S.
Gooding, R. A. Riley, W. R. Hough and others as they spoke from goods
boxes on the street or at picnics and other patriotic meetings in the townships,
are still familiar to those who lived through that period. But no less clear
to memory's eye and ear are the choirs and groups of young- ladies and the
songs they sang in patriotic support of those who felt the weight of the
nation's burdens. They were kept busy learning songs. They learned them
during the day to sing them in the evening. Though at first there was more
or less enthusiastic excitement about the war, after the great armies began
to face each other and the newspapers reported the heavy tolls in human life,
then anxiety for those at the front filled the hearts of those who were left at
home. Then the papers were not scanned with idle curiosity; these were the
hours "that tried men's souls." And who now, even among those who under-
stand the power of music over the minds and hearts of men, can measure
the moral effect of the loyal attitude of those girls, and who will attempt to
say to what degree their songs, and the eloquence of speakers, strengthened
the hearts of fathers and mothers and brothers during that great struggle?

WORK OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.

The women and girls of the county gave more than moral support to
the Union cause. In practically every community a society was organized that
sewed, scraped lint, solicited, etc., and prepared such articles as could be used
by the men in the field. These societies usually worked under the directions

2Q2 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

of the Indiana branch of the United States Christian Commission or the State
Sanitary Commission.

During the early part of the war some of the societies made "comfort
bags." A "comfort bag'' consisted of a piece of cloth with a number of
pockets sewed on one side, into which stamps, combs and other small articles
could be placed. The "bag" was made to be rolled together and tied so that
the articles could not be lost. Often the girls slipped their names and
addresses into one of the pockets, and many of them later received letters
from the recipients, thanking them.

Underwear, shirts and socks were made in quantities and sent to the
front. In some communities the older ladies cut out garments and the girls
sewed them. The sewing societies generally had a regular day for meeting.

At Greenfield a numl>er of ladies met at the Christian chapel on October
15. 1 86 1, and organized the Greenfield Military Aid Society. Mrs. Lot
Edwards was elected president and Mrs. ' P. A. Thayer, secretary. The
society appointed a soliciting committee of three, also a committee of two
for cutting clothes. Other societies were also organized, of one of which Mrs.
Morris Pierson was president and Mrs. R. E. Barnett, secretary. Among the
girls who took an active interest in the work of these societies were Alice S.
Barnett, Frances S. Pierson, Inez L. Gwinn. Estella Bailey, Mary A. Oakes,
Julia Mathers, Malinda Ogle, Amanda Barnett and Cerena Martin. Possibly a
better idea of the work that was accomplished by these societies may be had
from a notice given by the Ladies' Military Aid Society, calling a meeting at
the court house at Greenfield on September 17, 1862, at two o'clock p. m. The
following is a portion of the call that was printed in the local paper :

"It is desired, hoped and expected by those active in the good work that
all the ladies of the town and county will be promptly present at the time and
place appointed. Every lady attending is expected to bring all the old cotton
and linen she can conveniently spare for the purpose of making bandages and
lint. Those who have none of these desirable goods are expected to bring
with them a little 'change,' as it will not go amiss in securing necessary articles
for the sick and wounded. This is the crisis of the war, and preparations
should be made for the wounded of the impending battles."

In response to a call of the governor of Indiana for clothing and blankets
for the soldiers, a citizens' mass meeting was held at New Palestine on Tues-
day evening, October 15, 1861. A large number of people were present.
Thomas Tuttle addressed the meeting for a time, whereupon a committee of
sixteen (two in each school district) was appointed to receive what the
people had to contribute for this purpose. The committee solicited articles

MILITARY. 293

from the people and deposited them with R. P. Brown, at New Palestine.
These articles were then boxed by Mr. Brown and forwarded to Indianapolis.
In the issue of the Hancock Democrat of October 23, 1861, also appears the
statement that the ladies of Hancock county responded, nobly to the above
call of the governor.

The old Masonic Hall at Greenfield came to be a regular meeting place
for the workers. One day each week was "open day'' at the hall, when young
ladies, and young gentlemen, too, gathered there to scrape lint. For this
purpose old linen was collected, cleaned perfectly, and then cut into strips
about one and one-half inches wide. The strips were then laid on clean
boards and scraped with clean knives. The lint had to be prepared very care-
fully so that no thread at all remained in it. Many boxes of it were sent from
this county to the above named commissions, from whom it was sent to the
field hospitals to be used in stanching the flow of blood.

. In addition to this work funds were raised by giving suppers, entertain-
ments, tableaus, etc. On Christmas night, 1862, the young ladies of Green-
field gave a tableau partv at the Masonic Hall. The price of admission was
ten cents and the proceeds were given to the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society.
The local papers made a very favorable report of the party, making special
mention of the singing of Flora Howard and Alice Pierson and others, and
of the music rendered by Professor Eastman's band.

On July 16, 1863, a supper was given at the Masonic Hall by the ladies
of Greenfield. Cakes, pies, chickens, bread, etc., were solicited and a sump-
tuous repast was served. An admission fee of twenty-five cents was charged,
and the proceeds were used for the benefit of the societies.

This is merely illustrative The following letters also indicate what was
done by the women and girls, not only in Greenfield, but in all parts of the
county : •

''Office of State Sanitary Commission,

"Indianapolis, Indiana, Jan. 3, 1863.
"Mrs. Cath. Edwards :

"Madam: — Yours of the 31st Ult. is at hand. The Package of socks
came to hand this morning. No contribution could have been more acceptable
than socks. We have great difficulty in keeping a supply.

"Please tender the ladies of your society our thanks for the very liberal
donation to the suffering of our army.

"Yours truly,

"Wm. Hannaman."

294 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

The package referred to above contained fifty-six pairs of socks which
had been purchased with money from concerts given by the young ladies. The
following letter is also self-explanatory :

"Indiana Branch United States Christian Commission.
"G. W. Clippenger, Pres.
"James M. Ray, Treas.
"J. H. Croll, Sec'y.
"Charles N. Todd, Cor. Sec'y. and Gen. Agt.

"AIiss Fannie Pierson : —

"Your letter and two boxes of nice things came duly to hand. The arti-
cles are very acceptable, and in behalf of the Commission I wish to thank you
and all your associates for their generous contribution to the cause of the
country and the good of the soldiers. We hope you will continue on the good
work as long as it may be necessary. In the midst of rejoicing at the pros-
pect of returning peace, our hearts are filled with gloom and mourning at
the sad new r s that our good President is dead! What a terrible calamity!
One of the purest and noblest of men lias gone.

"Yours truly,

"Charles N. TodD."

General subscriptions were also made to support the work of the com-
missions, and in the issue of May 14, 1863, of the Hancock Democrat, we
find the following: "Subscribers to the sanitary fund who have not paid are
requested to call on W. R. Hough, who is authorized to receive the same."

LOYALTY.

The patriotic sentiment of the county asserted itself further in expres-
sions of loyalty and in the measures taken to support the government. Just
after the election of Lincoln, wfien the dark clouds of war were gathering,
the following editorial appeared in the Hancock Democrat, from the pen of
its editor, David S. Gooding:

"watchman! what of the night?

"In the dark hour when clouds lower around us, and gloom hovers over
the land ; when fearful forebodings of terrible disaster and final overthrow
'>l our government are weighing down and saddening the hearts of patriotic
and intelligent men, North and South, East and West, our duty as watch-
man upon the walls of our political Zion impels us to cry aloud and spare net.

MILITARY. 295

and tell our people of their political sins. This we will endeavor to do. Our
people must not expect us to cry Peace, when there is no peace. Within the
next four months, one or more states of this Union will have gone from
among us to return no more forever. God only knows what results will
follow. Perhaps Civil War, with all its horrors, and the separation of the free
and slave states, with the final disruption of the best government on which
the sun ever shone. The handwriting is upon the wall — Mene, Mene, Tekel,
Upharsin! In the madness of the hour, the people seem to have forgotten
the God of their Fathers, and to have spurned Heaven's favors to them.

"The cloud, which in the days of John C. Calhoun was but the size of a
man's hand, has spread until it now overspreads the heavens above us. We
will not deceive you, fellow citizens; Northern Abolitionists and Southern
Disunionists have fanned the flames of civil discord and sectional hatred until
the fiery volcano is about to burst forth, and with it destroy the hopes of
the world. There is but a faint hope, a mere possibility, that the union of
these states can be perpetuated and maintained inviolate. For this, while
there is hope, how T ever faint, let us, if possible, awake the people to the danger,
and labor for the desired end. Let us not forget to look to the God of- our
Fathers, to calm the agitated sea of public mind, and drive away the black,
lowering, tempestuous clouds of disunion and treason."

The following editorial taken from the issue of January 9, 1861, of the
Hancock Democrat, also reflects the feeling and state of mind of the people
at that time :

"We hope the citizens of the town and vicinity will turn out on Satur-
day next to see and hear what the Hancock Guards will have to do and say.
'Grim visaged war,' with its attendant horrors, is brewing in the distance, and
the strong arms and stout hearts of our citizen soldiers will be in requisition
to sustain the honor and glory of our Nation's flag, and the authority and
supremacy of her Constitution and laws.

"Judge Gooding will certainly entertain the Guards, and those who may
be present, with an address.

"The Greenfield Sax-Horn Band has consented to be present and enliven
the occasion with our national airs and other music."

The report of this meeting made in the issue of January 16, i86i_, is also
interesting for the spirit it reflects :

"THE HANCOCK GUARDS.

"At a meeting of the company on Saturday last, held pursuant to notice,
being participated in by a respectable number of citizens irrespective of party,

296 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

of which Col. George Tagne was chosen president, the following resolution
was unanimously adopted :

' "Resolved, By the Hancock Guards and the citizens here assembled, that
in view of the present imminent danger to the perpetuity of our country the
constitution and laws are our only safety : that we pledge ourselves to stand
by those in power who faithfully maintain the one and execute the other ; and
that in the language of General Jackson, 'this Uunion must and shall be pre-
served.'

"Before the adoption of the resolution, the meeting was addressed by
Judge Gooding and Major Riley, in appropriate and eloquent language."

Notices like the following appeared almost weekly in the local papers :

"attention, guards !

"You are hereby commanded to appear at your armory in full dress on
Saturday, January 12, at two o'clock, P. M. The Hon. David S. Gooding
will address the company, and such others as may be present, immediately
alter parade, in the court room.

"By Order of the Captain,
"War. Mitchell, O. S."

The following editorial, taken from the issue of January 16, 1861, of the
Hancock Democrat, shows that the feeling of the people in relation to seces-
sion was becoming more clearly defined. It also reflects the arguments then
current among those who were opposed to a vigorous prosecution of the war.
This is another editorial from the pen of Judge Gooding:

"COERCION WAR ON THE SOUTH.

"Much is being said and written by the sympathizers with South Car-
olina in her treason to the government of our fathers, against 'coercion' and
'war on the South.' YYe know of no sane man who proposes to make war
on the States or people of the South, to compel them to remain in the Union,
but we do know patriotic citizens who are in favor of all public officers doing
their sworn duty, not excepting the President of the United States, whose
duty it is to 'take care that the laws be faithfully executed,' and who regard
it as the duty of all good citizens to aid and assist in the execution of the laws
if necessary. In the faithful execution of the laws, no war is made on any
state or section. There can be no war growing out of the faithful execution
of the laws, unless resistance is made to the lawful authority of the govern-
ment. It such resistance is made, the responsibility and consequences will be

MILITARY. 297

on those who resist and defy the government. Our government always has
'coerced' lawless men to obey the laws or submit to the punishment. When-
ever it ceases to 'coerce' it will cease to be a government. All governments
'coerce' obedience to the laws. A government without this power would be
impotent for good, and a miserable delusion. Only such persons as commit
treason or resist the execution of the laws must be subdued. Men in the South
who are patriots, must be protected in person and in property as fully and
completely as any others are protected. In short, treason and resistance to
law must be put down whenever they occur, and by whomsoever committed
in any and every part of the country. When law-defying men seize the prop-
erty of the government, some men cry out, 'Don't coerce them to yield it up,
let southern ultraists get "mad" and make civil war/ We are disgusted with
such miserable stuff. If we are men let us talk and act like men. If we are
patriots, let us show it by taking the side of our government in a war with
traitors."

On February 20, 1861, a county Union mass meeting was held at Green-
field for the purpose of appointing delegates to the 22d of February mass
meeting at Indianapolis. The people assembled elected Jacob Slifer, presi-
dent; Landen Eastes and James Collins, vice-presidents, and M. C. Foley and
William Mitchell, secretaries. At this meeting every citizen of the county
favorable to the Union and the Constitution was appointed a delegate to the
state mass meeting. Dr. Hervey, Judge Gooding, W. R. Hough and James
L, Mason addressed the meeting, after which Judge Gooding offered the
following resolution, which was adopted unanimously :

"Resolved, that as citizens of Hancock county, we are in favor of any
reasonable and honorable compromise that will restore peace, harmony and
prosperity to the country, and that to make such compromise effective, we
are in favor of maintaining the Union, the Constitution, and the Laws."'

The quality of the loyalty of the citizens assembled at this meeting is
further evidenced by their refusal to adopt the following resolution. It was
rabled with hardly a dissenting vote :

"Resolved, that we are opposed to what is termed 'coercion,' but are in
favor of an honorable and peaceable adjustment of the present difficulties."

On Monday, April 12, 1861, there was a patriotic demonstration of the
people at Greenfield, at which the principal feature was the raising of the
flag on the cupola of the court house, "to wave until peace is restored." The
Sax-Horn band was in attendance, and the people were addressed by James
P. Foley, Judge Gooding" and W. R. Hough.

On April 16, 1861, a meeting was held at the court house for the pur-

298 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

pose of making arrangements for a county mass meeting to express the feel-
ings and sentiments of our people in regard to national troubles. A. K.
Branham was called to the chair. R. A. Riley made an eloquent and soul-
stirring speech, instilling into the minds and hearts of the audience venera-
tion for the constitution, obedience to the laws, and love for the flag. A
committee was appointed to make arrangements for a county mass meeting
to be held on Saturday, April 20, 1861. On this committee were placed the
names of David S. Gooding, E. I. Judkins, M. W. Hamilton, George Barnett,
William Mitchell, R. A. Riley, Dr. J. A. Hall, A. T. Hart, A. R. Wallace
and Morris Pierson.

On April 20, 1861, a citizens' meeting was held as had been planned.
James Tyner was elected president of the meeting; Robert A. Barr and
James P. Foley, vice-presidents, and Thomas Bedgood and William Frost.
secretaries. The people were first addressed by Judge Gooding and Capt.
R. A. Riley, after which the following resolutions were adopted :

"Whereas, war exists by the rebellious act of the so-called Southern
Confederacy in attacking and capturing Fort Sumter, a government fortifi-
cation, occupied by government troops, under the command of the gallant
Major Anderson ; and whereas, the city of Washington is in immediate and
imminent danger of being attacked by forces from said rebellious confederacy,
therefore,

"Resolved, that as patriots and loyal citizens of the state of Indiana and of
the United States, we will sustain and defend the proper authorities of said
government in. all constitutional and legal efforts to maintain the Union and
defend the rights and honor of the country.

"Resolved, that the public good and national honor requires a vigorous
prosecution of the war, to a speedy and honorable peace.

"Resolved, that our senator and representatives in the State Legislature
be requested to co-operate in the appropriation of men and means, with the
friends of the vigorous prosecution of the zvar now existing by the act of the
so-called Confederacy."

After the adoption of the above resolutions the people listened to W. R.
Hough, Rev. S. Hood, Elder A. I. Hobbs and Rev. J. C. Taylor.

On Saturday, May 4, 1861, a Union meeting was held at New Padestine
for the purpose of organizing a company of Honie Guards. B. F. Stewart
was elected chairman of the meeting, and John C. Shockley, secretary.
Speeches were made by Samuel Shockley and Rev. Roberts. The sentiment
of the gathering was "strong for the Union and the Stars and Stripes at all
hazards." David M. Dove, Benjamin Freeman and Rev. Roberts were

MILITARY. 299

appointed as a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws. The company
became known as the Anderson Guards, and was under the command of Capt.
Thomas C. Tuttle during the Morgan raid.

On August 5, 1861, the citizens of the county gave a reception to Captain
Riley's "three-months men" who had just returned from western Virginia.
The address of welcome was made by Judge Gooding. Captain Riley
responded on behalf of his company giving an interesting account of how
they had passed the time after leaving Camp McClellan. He also gave a-
description of the battle of Rich Mountain. The reception was given in
Pierson's grove, which adjoined Greenfield on the southwest and which was
located west of Pennsylvania street and south of the railroad. At the noon
hour dinner was spread on the green in various places to suit the convenience
of the immese crowd. All feasted sumptuously and in the afternoon patri-
otic addresses were made by Rev. Hill and Judge Gooding.

About the same time Captain Carland from Connersville was marching
over the Brookville road with a company of volunteers. On August 8 1861,
they reached New Palestine. The New Palestine band and an escort of
horsemen marched out to meet them. About three miles east of town the
colors of Captain Craland's company became visible. From this point the
procession was headed by Henry Mickle, carrying the stars and stripes.,
guarded by two men from Captain Riley's company. At seven o'clock- p. m.,
Union. Hall (the second story of the old school house) at New Palestine was
filled to overflowing. B. F. Stewart was chairman of the meeting, and
addresses were made by Captain Carland, Rev. B. F. Jones, Rev. Ward and
Capt. Thomas C. Tuttle to encourage enlistments.

The citizens of Buck Creek township, without reference to party, gave
expression to their feelings at a grand Union picnic near Mt. Comfort on
Saturday, August 10, 186 1. A basket dinner was enjoyed at the noon hour.
The military company of the township was present, and in the afternoon
patriotic addresses were made by Dr. Hervey, Judge Gooding and Captain
Riley-

The sentiment of the people of the county was again appropriately voiced
in the following editorial in the Hancock Democrat, on the occasion of the
boys of Company B of the Eighth regiment taking their departure from
Greenfield, about the middle of August, 1861 :

"On Monday last Captain Walls left for Indianapolis with a company
of Hancock boys to enter the service of the United States for a term of
three years or during the war. It will be a part of the Eighth regiment as
reorganized, and will retain its former position in regiment. The scene

3<DO HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.

at the depot as the buys passed through, the large number of men,
women and children who had gathered in from all points of the county to
witness the departure, was sad and sorrowful in the extreme. God bless the
noble-hearted boys, and preserve and protect them in the patriotic and hazard-
ous duties they have voluntarily taken upon themselves! May they all safely
return at the expiration of a term of service to receive the warm embrace of
mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and kind friends left behind."

On December 21, 1861, another great Union meeting was held at Green-
field, and resolutions were adopted similar to many others that are given
herein. The first year of the war closed with our county stanch and loyal in
the support of the Union cause. Whenever an occasion presented itself,
expression was given by the people to this feeling of loyalty, and to no one in
the county was more credit due for his fearless and outspoken loyalty than to
Judge Gooding, whom our younger generation remembers simply as an old
man. But the expressions which were so generously made at the opening of
the conflict did not become fewer as the war progressed, and as the strain
and the burdens became heavier.

During the summer of 1862 the citizens of Brandywine township gave a
Union picnic near Rigdon's in that township. A very large gathering of
people, estimated at three thousand, was present and listened to the stirring
and patriotic appeal of Judge Gooding in the afternoon.

The citizens of Fortville and vicinity held a Union mass meeting at Fort-
ville on April 24, 1863. Robert Faucett was elected president of the meet-
ing and E. W. Thomas, secretary. The Hon. Thomas C. Stillwell, of Ander-
son, made an address, after which the people assembled adopted the follow-
ing resolutions :

"Resolved, that it is an (indisputable fact that all political parties, of
whatsoever name, have heretofore avowed their unalterable attachment to
the Federal Union ;

"That we hold every man who is now in favor of its dismemberment, as
false to all former professions of attachments to it, and a present enemy ;

"That as we cannot individually have the conduct of the war, each his
own way, we feel it our duty, as good and loyal citizens, to leave its direc-
tion to those who have been legally chosen to direct;

"That resistance to law is revolutionary in its tendency, and that any
attempt to embarrass the government in the execution of the revenue, con-
scription, or any other law of the United States, will be promptly met and
suppressed by the loyal people of Indiana;

MILITARY.

30I

"That we are in favor of all measures adopted by Congress for the sup-
pression of the present unrighteous and causeless rebellion ;

"That we are in favor of all the measures adopted by the President with
the view of sustaining the government and carrying on the war;

"That we tender Governor Morton our sincerest thanks for his arduous
and untiring effort in behalf of the soldiers, the state and the nation, and we
feel that he richly merits the enviable title of the soldier's friend ;

"That the miscreants in our midst, who attempt to create dissatisfaction
in the ranks of the gallant soldiers, and induce them to desert the colors made
glorious by their valor on repeated battle-fields, are meaner traitors than
the armed rebels of the South; that they are entitled to, and will receive,
the scorn of all honorable men ;

"That we cordially endorse General Burnsides' order, transporting
northern rebels beyond the Federal lines, where they legitimately belong ;

"That we deeply sympathize with our soldiers now in the field, and pledge
them our cordial support and earnest prayers, until this ungodly rebellion
is crushed, and our flag shall triumphantly wave over our once glorious
Union."

On June 6, 1863, a large Union mass meeting was again held at the
court house in Greenfield. A feature of the day was a long procession under
the command of Captains Walls and Tuttle. Capt. Thomas C. Tuttle, of
Sugar Creek township, was elected president of the meeting; James P. Foley
and Thomas Collins, vice-presidents ; David C. Priddy and Henry B. Wilson,
secretaries. The speakers of the day were Capt. R. A. Riley, General Dumont,
Judge Gooding and Captain Tuttle. Strong appeals were made for the sup-
port of the government. Before adjournment Judge Gooding offered the fol-
lowing resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :

"Resolved, that this large meeting of Union men and women is devotedly
attached to the Union and the Constitution, and for the purpose of perpetuat-
ing the former and maintaining the latter, we are in favor of the vigorous
prosecution of the war. to suppress the rebellion and reassert the authority of
the government over every foot of its territory, and that in our opinion the
rebellion and the war ought to cease at the same time.

"That all former party divisions ought to be ignored for the common
purpose of saving our imperiled country.

"That we are proud of the gallant Union army in the field against the
rebellion, and that we most heartily sympathize with the families and friends
of such as have been slain in battle, or otherwise, lost their lives in the service.

"That our honor is pledged that the families of the soldiers from this

302 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

county shall not want in the absence of their husbands and fathers, and that
we herein- demand of our county commissioners and gents that our pledge
be honorably, faithfully and fully kept ; and that the honor and patriotism
of Hancock county be not tarnished by a single act of bad faith."

July 4, 1863, was celebrated in many parts of the county with picnics,
where people listened to patriotic addresses. Greenfield celebrated at Pier-
son's grove. Music was furnished by a choir, and W. R. Hough made and
eloquent and patriotic speech in the afternoon. After speaking, the young
people engaged in cotillion dancing until late in the day.

Immediately following this celebration came the news of the fall of
Vicksburg, which was the occasion for another celebration. The following
report from the local papers reflects the feeling that was aroused in the hearts
of the people of the county by the success of the Union army :

"The fall of Vicksburg, though long expected, when officially announced
to the country, causing every loyal heart to leap with joy and brought renewed
hope to the wavering and doubtful mind of a speedy determination of the
present causeless and unnatural fratricidal war, and a closer, more perfect,
and fraternal union of all the states at no distant day. Our own people par-
took of this joyous feeling and gave vent last evening to their outpouring
patriotism by illuminations, bonfires, speeches and all manner of rejoicings.
People from the country for miles around quit their harvest fields and came
to town to participate in the grand reunion of loyal hearts. All life was
animation, and everyone, young and old, seemed pleased with himself and
'the rest of mankind.' It was a grand day, or rather night, for Greenfield,
and will long be held in memory by all who love their country and venerate
its glorious institutions. All honor to the noble and gallant army, that by
its patience, endurance, skill and bravery, under the scorching rays of a
southern sun, overcame almost insurmountable obstacles, and gained the
most decisive victory of the war.

"During the evening speeches were made by D. S. Gooding, W. R. Houglv
William Martin, Drs. Hall and Ballenger, S. T. Kauble and H. J. Dunbar."

Another mass meeting of peculiar significance was held by the citizens of
the county on February 13, 1864, after the draft orders for three hundred
thousand volunteers and two hundred thousand volunteers respectively, had
been made by the national government. Possibly the firm loyalty of the
people never found a nobler expression than in the adoption of the following
lesolutions by the people assembled at Greenfield on that day. It must be
borne in mind that in many counties of the state there was opposition to the

MILITARY. 3O3

draft, and in some of them open resistance. This resolution was offered by
Judge Gooding and unanimously adopted by the people :

"Whereas, this country is still involved in civil war; and

"Whereas, traitors in arms, and their sympathizers not in arms, persist in
their purpose of overthrowing the government of the United States; and

"Whereas, it will require all the power of a united, loyal people to sup-
press the formidable, wicked and causeless rebellion, and thereby restore a
permanent peace, so desirable to all Union men; therefore,

"Resolved, that we will still continue to give to the government of the
United States, through its legitimately constituted authority, our unhesitating
and hearty support in its efforts to suppress the rebellion, and conquer a
peace."

The fall of Richmond and the surrender of Lee were announced in large
headlines in the local papers, and the news was received with great rejoicing
by the people. The issue of the Hancock Democrat of that date gives the
following description of the general celebration of the event in the county :

"The reception of the news of the surrender of General Lee and his
rebel hordes, in our town early on Monday morning last, was the occasion
of great and lasting joy. Bells were rung, bonfires were built, powder was
freely used, and all business was suspended for the day. Men, women and
children thronged the streets and greeted each other as they had not greeted
each other before. The dark hours were past; the day began to dawn and
all was safe. The country, in spite of rebel sympathizers at home and
abroad, and difficulties that can not be told, was redeemed, regenerated and
disenthralled, and stood up among the nations of the earth, more powerful
than when the great struggle began. And our patriotic people rejoiced as
became the sons and daughters of freemen — as became the fathers and
mothers and sisters and brothers, the wives and children of the brave and gal-
lant men who went out from the midst in the dark hours of our peril, to do or
die in the effort to save the country from its then impending ruin. Appro-
priate, eloquent speeches were made by several of our public speakers.

"At night a large number of houses along the principal streets, business
as well as private, were beautifully illuminated. Martial music paraded the
streets followed by a mass of patriotism of either gender. A stand was extem-
porized at Walker's corner, and a crowd gathered around to hear the speeches.
Messrs. Hough, Judge Gooding, Ballenger, Riley, Hall, Colonel Gooding,
Mason, White, and others spoke to the crowd."

But hardly had the morning of peace dawned with such glorious splen-
dor filling the hearts of the people with gladness, when the day was overcast

304 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

with the dark clouds of horror and sorrow at the news of the President's
assassination. The great headlines with the picture of a booming cannon
which joyfully announced the surrender of Lee in the local papers, gave way
to heavy lines of mourning in the following issue.

The remains of President Lincoln passed through the county at 5 147 a. m.
on Sunday, April 30, 1865. A pilot engine, with one car attached, led the
way about one mile in advance. The train carrying the state officers and
some of Governor Morton's invited guests brought up the rear, being about,
one hour behind. Many citizens from all parts of the county were at the
depot at Greenfield, hoping to get to see the coffin in which the martyred
President lay, but the train did not stop. The cars were decorated and heavily
d raped in black and looked solemn and sombre.

During the summer of 1865 the soldiers who had enlisted were welcomed
home' in squads and companies. No one knows quite so well as those who
lived through it all how good it seemed to meet with friends and loved ones
and to resume the quiet, prosperous life that our good county offers.

ATTITUDE OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

As soon as Ft. Sumter had fallen, and the first call for volunteers had
been made, our board of county commissioners took action. At the June
session of the board, 1861, the west room of the west wing of the court
house, which had been built in 1845, was set apart as an armory for the
storing of arms and military equipage of the companies of the Legion of
Indiana. The sheriff was ordered to remove everything from the west room
to the east room of said wing, and the auditor was ordered to notify all persons
who owned property in the west room to remove the same within thirty days.
On the same day that this room was set apart as an armory the board also
made the following order for the proper

CARE OF THOSE LEFT AT HOME.

"Ordered, that the township trustee in each township in the county he,
and he is hereby appointed, authorized, and empowered to ascertain the
names, ages and conditions of the wives and families of all soldiers resident
in his township, in the service of the state of Indiana and of the United States,
and to procure the necessaries and reasonable comforts of ordinary life for
such of them as are now or may hereafter be in actual need during the said
service of said husband or father as the case may be, and to distribute the same
as circumstances and the necessity of the case require, economically, impar-
tially and honestly, and each of said trustees is requested to procure a record

MILITARY. 305

and keep a strict account of all his doings, together with the names, ages and
conditions of the beneficiaries herein, and to supply only such families as
have no other source of supply; and in all purchases, whether upon written
orders or otherwise, the seller must accept county orders in payment, to be
issued at the next succeeding term of this court upon the certificate of the
proper trustee as to the justice of the claim. And it is further ordered that
before proceeding to the performance of the duties hereinbefore enjoined aiyl
ordered, each of said trustees respectively shall take and subscribe an oath,
honestly and impartially to discharge the duties hereinbefore required of him;
and it is further required of each of them to report to this court at its next
regular term a full and perfect account of all his doings under oath."

Other men were also appointed from time to time as "agents" to aid in
giving proper care to the soldiers' wives and children. Their duties were
the same as those designated in the order above. In the main these men
were conscientious and made bona fide efforts to give proper care and comfort
to those who were then without other support. Sometimes, however, dissatis-
faction arose. Several "agents" were removed by the board. In one instance
a petition was filed by the wives of twelve soldiers, asking for the removal
of the certain "agent" on whom they were dependent for the necessaries of
life. The causes for which they asked his removal were set out in the follow-
ing petition :
"To the Board of County Commissioners:

"We, the undersigned, soldiers' wives, respectfully ask the board of com-
missioners of Hancock county to remove the present agent pretending to
furnish assistance to soldiers' wives and families ; we ask it for several reasons :
his wife has abused and insulted some of us at different times and he himself
has been niggardly and mean in his allowance to us, and has invariably
required us to buy our goods at one certain house when we believe we could
have done better at other places; this is only a part, but we think sufficient
to ask his removal and the appointment of some good man in his stead," etc.

(Signed by twelve soldiers' wives.)

The evidence in the above matter seems to have sustained the allegations
of the petition. The agent was promptly dismissed by the board and another
appointment made.

At the January session, in 1863, of the board of commissioners, the
following order relative to furnishing houses for the families of enlisted men
was made :

"Ordered by the board that the agents heretofore appointed to aid in

(20)

306 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

furnishing necessaries for soldiers' families are hereby instructed that in
case when the furnishing of a house becomes necessary and proper, that the
agent make a reasonable allowance in such cases, but avoid in every instance
the making of a contract or proposition to rent any property whatever as
such agent.'*

The large number of claims allowed during the war in the execution of
the above orders made by the county commissioners shows that the county
government made a bona fide effort to relieve those at home of as much
suffering and hardship as possible. Each month from one to twenty claims
were allowed, aggregating sometimes several hundred dollars per month.
The manner in which the relief orders were drawn shows that the com-
missioners were generous, yet careful to guard against imposition on the
county. Theirs was not a work nor an attitude of charity; it was patriotism
operating from a business viewpoint.

TO ENCOURAGE ENLISTMENTS.

By September I, 1862, the county had furnished thirty-three and one-
fifth per cent, of its fighting strength. The following table shows the num-
ber of men enrolled in the service, also the number subject to draft :

O tO
0>

to g<

3 g

-d

S«

ft*^
Be

3 h

•■3

0> 0>

7; *

As:

£cc

. c,

°«J

°'S

0""

p* 1

£°

Il8

167

121

' 17

134

259

216

327

131

108

257

224

113

186

z
Blue River 185

Brown 184

Brandy wine 139

Buck Creek 151

Center 371

Green 152

Jackson 279

Sugar Creek .... 245

Vernon 213

Tota] I »9 I 9 9*8 207 47 828 1,665

MILITARY. 307

The county offered bounties to volunteers that the quota might be filled
without having to submit to the draft. At the July session, 1862, the board
of county commissioners ordered, "that the sum of twenty-five dollars be
appropriated out of the county treasury to each and every citizen of Hancock
county who may volunteer in the United States service for three year? or
during the war under the call of the President of the United States."

In the fall of 1863, when President Lincoln made a call for three hun-
dred thousand volunteers, it became evident that larger bounties would have
to be offered if the county was to escape the draft. The county commis-
sioners did not want to take upon themselves the entire responsibility of so
great a matter, which involved so heavy an indebtedness upon the county,
without knowing pretty definitely how the people of the county felt about it.

A citizens' mass meeting was held at Greenfield on Saturday, November
8, 1863, to give an expression upon the propriety of giving a bounty through
Ihe county commissioners to volunteers under the late call of President Lincoln
for three hundred thousand troops. Captain Riley was chosen president, and
Robert P. Brown, secretary. Dr. B. F. Duncan offered the following
resolution :

"Whereas, the President of the United States has recently issued his
proclamation for three hundred thousand volunteers to infuse new life and
vigor into the prosecution of the war for its suppression ; and

"Whereas, it is desirable that the quota allotted to Hancock county should
be raised by volunteers prior to the 5th day of January, 1864, therefore,

"Resolved, that as an inducement to our fellow citizens to volunteer in
the common defense of our country, and in addition to the bounty offered by
the general government, the board of county commissioners of Hancock
county are hereby authorized and instructed by this meeting of citizens and
laxpayers of the county to cause an order upon the county treasurer for the
sum of one hundred dollars to be issued to each and every person who shall
or may volunteer under the present call for three hundred thousand volun-
teers, and be accepted as a recruit in the United States service, and be
accredited upon the quota allotted to Hancock county. This bounty to be
continued until the quota shall have been filled.

"Resolved, that the secretary present the action of this meeting to the
board of commissioners at the meeting of said board on Monday, November
9, 1863."

After a general debate the resolutions were adopted by a unanimous vote.

A resolution to appoint a central committee of five to aid and assist

308 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

in the volunteering, with authority to appoint additional committees for each
township, was then adopted. The president appointed William Mitchell,
Morgan Chandler, George H. Walker, John W. Ryon and John C. Rardin as
such committee.

After an excellent and appropriate speech by Captain Riley the meeting
adjourned.

The above resolutions were duly presented to the commissioners on
Monday, November 9, 1863, and the board received them with due courtesy,
but having been called for a specific purpose could transact no business other
than that for which they had been called. A special meeting of the board of
commissioners was called for Saturday, November 21, 1863, to determine
the matter.

In order to satisfy and assure the county commissioners of the feeling
of the taxpayers upon the matter of the bounties, petitions were circulated in
each of the townships for the signatures of taxpayers asking for the allowance
of such bounty.

The following form of petition was used and signed by persons irrespec-
tive of party affiliations :

"We, the undersigned, citizens and taxpayers of Hancock county. Indi-
ana, hereby request the board of county commissioners to give a bounty of
one hundred dollars to every person who volunteers, and shall be accepted as
a soldier in the United States service from this county under the last call
of the President for three hundred thousand volunteers to prosecute the
present war, provided that no bounty be given after the quota of the county
is filled."

The following gentlemen were appointed as township committees to
circulate the petitions and report to the central committee : Blue River, James
P. New, N. D. Coffin; Brown, Dr. William Trees, W. L. Garriott; Buck-
Creek, Thomas J. Hanna, James Collins ; Brandywine, Alfred Potts, John
Roberts ; Center, William F. Pratt, William Mitchell ; Green, Edward Volun-
tine, Robison Jarrett ; Jackson, John Barrett, George W. Sample ; Sugar
Creek, Robert P. Brown, Dr. William Dye ; Vernon, Nimrod Lightfoot, Rev.
William Anderson.

Satisfied with the showing thus made the board of county commissioners
at a special meeting on November 21, 1863, made another order allowing a
bounty of one hundred dollars on county orders "to each volunteer who may
be accepted from this county under the call of the President of the United
States for three hundred thousand volunteers.

"Under said call in making this allowance the county commissioners
would appeal to the citizens of the county to take up these orders when issued

MILITARY. 3O9

at par upon the following terms and conditions to-wit :. If the quota of the
county was proportionately divided among the townships the following would
be the result: Blue River, 12; Brown, 13; Brandywine, 11; Buck Creek, 12;
Center, 33; Green, 13; Jackson, 21 ; Sugar Creek, 17; Vernon, 18.

"It is recommended that the citizens of each township take up these
orders to an amount equal to the number of volunteers each would have to
furnish, where the volunteer does not take the orders himself. And further,
that when the citizens of a township fail to take up the orders within fifteen
days after the issuing of the same any citizens of the county may have the
privilege of taking the same."

Though a very earnest effort was made during the latter part of the
war when the heavy calls for volunteers were made to replace the men whose
terms were expiring, to fill the county's quota by volunteers without having
a man drafted, the endeavor did not wholly succeed. Loyal men gave of
their time and energy, and the young men came forward and enlisted, so
that when the drafts were made the numbers still required were small.

The amount of money expended by the people of Hancock county to aid
the government in suppressing the rebellion and in giving relief to the families
at home was enormous, as shown by the reports of the county auditor and
the adjutant-general of the state of Indiana. The amount under the head of
"Bounty" includes what was paid for substitutes. No report on relief was
made by. Brown, Brandywine and Buck Creek townships. The following is
a statement of the amounts expended :

Townships. Bounty. For Relief.

Blue River $ 27,030.00 $ 100.00

Brown ...... 12,404.00

Brandywine 26,604.00

Buck Creek 30,000.00

Center 20,000.00 5,000.00

Green 26,896.00 1,270.00

Jackson : 35,814.32 3,247.00

Sugar Creek 30,100.00 250.00

Vernon 27,950.00 210.00

Total Townships $236,798.61 $10,077.80

County proper $ 15,000.00 $57,804.22

$251,798.61 $67,882.02

Total $319,680.63

3IO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

SOUTHERN SYMPATHY.

It is impossible to arrive at a proper appreciation of the fine loyalty of
the people, or form a correct estimate of the strength of southern sympathy
without viewing this phase of the county's history in its relation to the state
as a whole. "

It became a notorious fact soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, that
not only Indiana, but that Illinois, Missouri and other Northern states were
honeycombed with a secret organization known as the "Knights of the Golden
Circle," and later as the "Sons of Liberty." The purpose of this organization
was to give aid to the South. At the trial at Indianapolis, in 1864, of Harri-
son H. Dodd, grand commander of the "Sons of Liberty," on a charge of
treason, the evidence showed that forty-five counties in the state had been
fully organized by this secret order; that local lodges or "temples" had been
organized in other counties, and that its membership consisted of more than
eighteen thousand men. The evidence adduced in that trial further showed
that members were sworn to secrecy and to the performance of acts designed
to aid the South and embarrass the North. Among the obligations taken
were those of supporting Jefferson Davis, North and South; of aiding in
the release of Confederate prisoners in the North, and of aiding the Con-
federates when they should invade the northern states. To weaken the Union
arms it was the plan of the order to encourage desertions and to resist recruit-
ing. To this end township organizations were effected for the protection of
deserters from the Union army, and open resistance was made to the enforce-
ment of the draft in some counties. The evidence further showed that well
defined efforts were made in various ways, to cripple the work of the state
authorities in sending reinforcements to the field. These efforts were directed
toward securing the passage of legislative acts and resolutions unfavorable
to the Union cause; toward securing expressions of popular disapproval of
the war, and toward disseminating a disloyal feeling among the people. The
Cnion men in the Legislature had to be on their guard constantly to prevent
harmful legislation. The following excerpts taken from resolutions adopted
by the citizens assembled in mass meetings in six different counties in the
state, also illustrate the degree to which these efforts found a response. Many
more could be added to the list :

"We declare the proposed draft for five hundred thousand men to be the
most damnable of all outrages perpetrated by the administration upon the
people.

"Our interest and inclination will demand of us a withdrawal from the
political association in a common government with the New England states.

MILITARY. 311

"We regard the lives of white men as of more value than the freedom of
the negro, and we have given the last man and the last money we are willing
to give for the present abolition war.

"We are opposed to the war under any and all circumstances, and we are
opposed to the further continuance of this unholy and unnatural strife,

"The further prosecution of this war will result in the overthrow of the
constitution, of civil liberty, of the federal government, in the elevation of the
black man and the degradation of the white man in the social and political
status of the country.

"That we are unqualifiedly opposed to the further prosecution of this
abolition war; and believing that in its continued prosecution there await us
only the murderous sacrifice of legions of brave men, ignominious and dis-
graceful defeat, shame and dishonor at home and abroad, public ruin and the
serious endangerment of our liberties, we unhesitatingly declare that we are
for peace, the cessation of hostilities, an armistice, and the peaceful settlement
of existing difficulties by compromise or negotiation, through a national
convention.

"We are unqualifiedly opposed to the further prosecution of this aboli-
tion war, and, believing that in its further prosecution there awaits us only
the murderous sacrifice of our national honor * * * * we solemnly declare
that we will not furnish another man or another dollar to carry on this aboli-
tion war."

As set over against the above resolutions, the following were
adopted by the citizens of Hancock county, assembled at Greenfield in mass
meeting, January 16, 1861 :

"Resolved, by the Hancock Guard and the citizens here assembled, that
in view of the present imminent danger to the perpetuity of our country, the
Constitution and laws are our only safety; that we pledge ourstelves to stand
by those in power who faithfully maintain the one and execute the other;
and that in the language of General Jackson this Union must and shall be
preserved."

February 3, 1864: "Resolved, that we will still continue to give to the
government of the United States, through its legitimately constituted authority,
our unhesitating and hearty support in its efforts to suppress the rebellion and
conquer a peace."

Though we have these splendid expressions of loyalty the county also had
its Southern sympathizers. Thev made known their attitude toward the solu-
tion of the problems then before the government by wearing the "butternut''
colors. Men and boys wore "butternut" suits, and women and girls wore

312 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

butternut garments and decorations. Among the decorations worn, the "but-
ternut pin." made of a cross section of a butternut, — and which, by the way,
when polished makes a very pretty pin, — was one of the most popular methods
of giving expression to Southern sympathy. Because of the use of the "butter-
nut" colors and pins for such purposes the sympathizers with the South were
known as "butternuts." By the abolitionists or radicals who felt that circum-
stances demanded the application of a stronger term, they were called "copper-
heads." The men and women who lived in the county during that period
have very clear recollections of the extent to which the butternut colors were
displayed.

It was never proven in any court that the Knights of the Golden Circle
or Sons of Liberty ever organized a "temple" in Hancock county. There was
a very deep-seated conviction, however, in the minds of a vast majority of
the people, whether right or wrong, that such an organization did exist, and
that among its sworn members were included some of the most prominent
families of the county.

Open and combined resistance by overt acts was never offered in the
county to the work of the national government. Meetings, however, were
held in the county, attended by men who were lukewarm in the Union cause,
if not in open sympathy with the Confederacy. Many of them supplied them-
selves with firearms. Union men also had their meetings, sometimes behind
locked doors and in rooms where arms were stored. These conditions gave
great concern to the people of the county. Acts of open violence occurred in
nearby parts of the state, which intensified this feeling of uneasiness. The
"Battle of Pogue's Run," the discovery of arms packed in boxes marked
"Sunday School Books." and the efforts, or at least the rumors of efforts, to
release the Confederate prisoners at Indianapolis, are still fresh in the mem-
ories of the people then residents in this community.

Though open resistance was never offered to the national government,
feeling, as stated above, was very intense in the county and frequently found
expression in fistic encounters and street brawls. Stones and other missiles
sometimes came flying out of the darkness, and people, especially those most
active, felt the insecurity of life and property during those years. An instance
is still recounted of a stanch Union man who stood in the light of a bonfire
listening to a Union speech, and who was unceremoniously awakened from
his reverie by being hit on the head with a brick. Another incident is also
told of a radical Union man who came down the street and threatened to
drive his wagon over the body of a "copperhead" who had been knocked
down in a brawl, unless his friends should drag his body out of the way.

MILITARY. 313

Frequently attempts were made to snatch the butternut pins or other emblems
from the persons of men and also of women and girls. These little encounters
sometimes led to good-natured scraps and sometimes to bitter fights. Such
instances, and they could be multiplied, illustrate the mental and nervous
strain to which the county was subjected during those years. To appreciate
the terribleness of this strain more fully than it can be portrayed here, one
needs but to converse with the men and women who lived through it.

Though there were "butternuts'' in the county, and though there was a
strong conviction current that many of them were also sworn members of
the Knights of the Golden Circle, these matters do not seem to have affected
the social relations of the people. Families attended the same church, ladies
were members of the same clubs and societies, men engaged in business
together, and all people maintained their neighborly relations, to all out-
ward appearances at least, about the same as before the war. Yet, to the
minds of the stanch, loyal, Union people the wearing of the "butternut" dur-
ing that hour of the nation's peril savored of treason. This same attitude
toward the Southern sympathizers also found expression in the mass meetings
of the citizens of the county. The following resolutions adopted by the
people assembled at Fortville on April 23, 1863, must be viewed in this light
or their significance is lost :

"Resolved, that the miscreants in our midst, who attempt to create
dissatisfaction in the ranks of our gallant soldiers; and induce them to desert
the colors made glorious by their valor on repeated battlefields are meaner
traitors than the armed rebels of the South ; that they are entitled to and will
receive the scorn of all honorable men.

"That we cordially endorse General Burnside's order, transporting
Northern rebels beyond the Federal lines, where they legitimately belong."

The following preamble to the resolutions adopted by the citizens assem-
bled in mass meeting at Greenfield, February 13, 1864, contains the same
thought :

"Whereas, traitors in arms and their sympathizers not in arms persist in
their purpose of overthrowing the government of the United States," etc.

The feeling, excitement and experiences of the people of the county may
be viewed from several angles from expressions in letters written at the time.
Following are a few illustrations :

"All is excitement here, but thanks to Him who rules the hour, we are
not alarmed and exasperated by the arising as yet of one dark monument of
infamy, disgrace and shame — a traitor.

314 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"Although the report of political feeling and difficulty a short time ago
would have plainly implied the reverse, old Hancock stands almost as a unit
for the stars and stripes, the Union with the constitution and the admin-
istration. Democratic and Republican parties are for the time erased from
the face of sentiment and now we have but one party and that standing bravely
for the stars and stripes of the United States of America, for the protection
of our great national fabric of liberty, for the enforcement of our laws and
for the maintenance of our national dignity. Truly old Hancock is alive and
for the first time in her life united in a common cause." (April 23, 1861.)

"The greatest excitement prevails here. Union meetings are being held
almost every evening. Patriotic speeches are being made and troops raised to
defend our country. The second company in this place was filled out yester-
day. The first one to Indianapolis last Saturday evening. The others are

ready to go at any time they are called. Your brother belongs to

the second company.

"I parted with some very near friends on Saturday, two dear teachers
and several class mates. It w r as hard indeed to part with them, but I could
bid them Godspeed for I knew they were engaged in a glorious cause — the
cause of liberty, and what more could they fight for? It was really a dis-
tressing sight to see parents parting with sons — perhaps the only one — sis-
ters with brothers, and friends with friends, but it was most affecting to see
husbands and wives parting. Mr. R. A. Riley is captain of the company. A
company of the ladies intend going out to the camp today." (April 28, 1861.)

"Your letter and another was brought me ; the moment my eyes fell

upon them I recognized them as from , and my brother-in-law, whom

I heard had fallen at . I held them for some time before I could

determine which to open first, but as sister was anxious to hear the news T
tore brother's open and read far enough to find that he had not yet repented
of his treachery. I then threw it down and took up yours, which I knew
to be from a true-hearted loyalist." (July 12, 1861.)

"Each night as I lie down to rest the question naturally comes up, "Where

is tonight?" Then I can but contrast your condition with mine; I,

here at home surrounded by kind friends and all the blessings of life, while
you are in a strange land, exposed to every imaginable hardship and danger,
surrounded by enemies who are seeking your life, and not knowing when you
lie down "at night that you will be permitted to behold the dawn of another day.
Although such thoughts are continually revolving in my mind I would not
have you for a moment think that I wish you to abandon the cause. Xo,
, duty calls loudly upon every loyal citizen to aid in suppressing this

MILITARY. 315

rebellion and I hope and pray that God will give you health and strength to
continue your efforts.

"Much as I would like to see you I would not have you neglect your duty
a single day to gratify my desire." (From a young lady to her soldier friend,
September 22, 186 1.)

"Tell that I will be at home bye and bye and she and I will

organize the Home Guards, then those vile copperheads must square them-
selves to the American eagle or leave the country. Saw the boys in Taylor
Thomas' company — all looking hearty." (From a soldier, March 31, 1863.)

CURRENT PHRASES.

The all-absorbing topic of conversation at the outbreak of the Civil War
and during the war was the Union. Would the Union prevail or would dis-
union triumph ? Everywhere, on the street corners, in the country stores, at
the meeting places, and in the homes, people were discussing the state of the
Union. "Union" and "Dis-union" could be heard on all occasions. They
became catch words. Though conditions were serious, people did not lose
their sense of humor. The following advertisements taken from the local
papers of the county show how the advertisers took advantage of the use
of these words to attract popular attention :

THE UNION

PRESERVED

Second Grand Annual Sale

Fall and Winter Dry Goods, etc.

W. S. Morton & Co.

HOLLIDAY SECEDES!!

Xew York Store removed!

E. B. Hollidav having removed his New York Store

to the Masonic Temple, etc.

DIS-UNION!

TAKE NOTICE!

Greenfield, Hancock County. Nov. 17, i860. Auditor's Office.

Those indebted to the School Funds of the County who have failed to
pay their installment of interest due, etc.

L. Sparks, A. H. C.

316 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

MARRIAGES.

"At the Burk Allen house, on the evening of the 24th, by Rev. J. Hill,
Mr. D. McCarter, M. D., to Miss Cornelia Thorpe, of Anderson. Thus has
another single state seceded, not from but into the union. May the union he
perpetual and blissful and may no 'irrepressible conflicts' arise to disturb it."

DECORATION DAY.

The decoration of soldiers' graves was not generally observed in this
county for several years after the close of the war. The first definite steps,
it seems, were taken in 1869. A petition was circulated on which about fifty
names were secured, calling a meeting of the citizens at the court house at
Greenfield on Tuesday evening, May 25, 1869, at the ringing of the bell. The
purpose of the meeting was to make arrangements for decorating the soldiers'
graves. This petition was published over the following names in the Hancock
Democrat: Lot Edwards, George W. Dove, C. C. Mays, James H. Carr,
Benjamin F. Rains, Andrew J. Banks, Robert E. Barnett, Henry B. Wilson,
Thomas Kane, William Wilkins, Nelson Bradley, C. F. Lockwood, M. Marsh,
William R. Hough, Hammet J. Williams, John C. Dunbar, Phil H. Boyd, A.
Hough, R. A. Riley. M. L. Paullus, Amos C. Green, John C. Rardin, Lionel
E. Rumrill, D. S. Gooding, Henry A. Swope, A. K. Branham, Hamilton J.
Dunbar, William Mitchell. Andrew T. Hart, William S. Wood, Thomas Carr.
Stephen D. Lyon, Noble P. Howard, R. P. Brown, John Tague, E. B. Grose,
John A. Riley, Pressley Guymon, J. A. J. Martin, Henry C. Chapman, Samuel
W. Barnett, F. H. Crawford, Frank Hafner, O. D. Hughes, John A. Hughes,
M. M. Adams, Charles G. Offutt, Jacob T. Barnett, J. Wlard Walker.

The meeting at the court house was well attended. On motion of Judge
Walker, Monday, May 31, was selected as the day for decorating the graves.
Capt. M. L. Paullus was appointed marshal for the day, and Capt. Adams L.
Ogg and Maj. Lee O. Harris, assistant marshals. The following committees
were appointed :

On Battle Flags— A. P. Williams, William Mitchell, H. A. Swope.

To Place Flags on Graves — William M. Johnson, Thomas Carr, Shelton
Osborn.

On Flowers and Evergreens — First ward, Mrs. E. P. Thayer, F. H.
Crawford, E. B. Grose: second ward, Mrs. M. L. Paullus, A. P. Williams,
Nelson Bradley; third ward, Mrs. J- Ward Walker, George Y. Atkison. O. D.
Hughes, L. W. Gooding ; fourth ward, Mrs. H. J. Williams, S. W. Barnett,
J. L. Mason; fifth ward, Mrs. H. B. Thayer. Lot Edwards, A. J. Banks. M.
M. Adams.

MILITARY. 317

To Carry Flowers and Strew Flowers on Graves — Maggie Galbreath,
Hattie Stitz, Alice Chittenden, Emma Lineback, Lizzie McGregor, Sallie
Dove, Sallie Walker, Lou Offutt, Mollie Carmikle, Minerva Dennis, Anna
Tague, Ella Crawford, Fannie Foley, Jennie Sloan, Emma Boyd, Pet Guy-
mon, Clara Preston, Ella Barnett, Lizzie Dunbar, Dollie Skinner, Vira Good-
ing, Linda Ogle, Mollie Price, Annie Hammel, Annie Thomas, Sue Wilson,
Alice Barnett, Fannie Pierson, Mellie Ryon, Rose Bedgood, Maggie Barnett,
Linda Osborn, Mollie Oakes, Cinda Gebhart, Fannie Branham, Ella Barnett,
Cassie Rardin, Bell Gorman, Laura Brown, Vessie Montfort, Pauline King,
Alice Winn, Fannie Carr, Bell Reed, Fannie Kiefer, Eliza Chandler, Minnie
Sebastian, Mittie Carr.

The following order of formation of the procession was adopted :

Band

Battle Flags

Wounded Soldiers

Clergyman

Families of Deceased Soldiers

Young Ladies Carrying Baskets and Evergreens

Soldiers of War of 1812 and Mexican War

Soldiers of War of 1861-5

Ladies

Citizens

This service was largely attended. Decoration day, however, did not
become established at once as it is now, and judging from the newspaper
reports not much interest was taken in it for several years. In 1877 a num-
ber of soldiers again called a meeting of our citizens at the court house to
arrange for a decoration service. This call was as follows :

"We, the undersigned soldiers of the late war, desire that the 30th of
May be observed in memory of our fallen heroes, and request the citizens of
Greenfield and Hancock county, irrespective of party, to meet at the court
house next Saturday evening, the 19th inst. to make necessary preparations.
(Signed) W. T. Snider, Edmond P. Thayer, J. Andrews, Harrison D.
Spangler, Henry C. Rum rill, E. C. Duncan, J. C. Meek, T. W. Thomas,
Alonzo Ford, David Bixler, James Mahan,"

We have no report of the number of citizens attending this meeting, but
various committees were appointed and arrangements were made for the
observance of the day. In giving a report of the exercises, however, the
writer in the Hancock Democrat said :

318 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"Yesterday was Decoration day and we are sorry to say it was not gen-
erally observed by our citizens. The ceremonies at the graveyards were
solemn and interesting. The speech of our young friend, Mr. James A. New,
at the new cemetery, is well spoken of by all who heard the address. At
the old graveyard, Captain Riley entertained the people with a. few of his
eloquent remarks. Mr. Martin, who was appointed to deliver the oration,
was absent from the city. If these ceremonies are to be kept up in the future,
it would be well for all citizens to meet and pay a proper tribute to the nation's
honored dead."

The day was observed by the soldiers of the county from year to year
after 1869, but it was not until fifteen or twenty years after the war that the
general public took such an interest in the ceremonies as the day deserved.
Usually a patriotic address was made, and either a choir or a band furnished
music for the occasion. The following is the program that was followed at
Greenfield in 1879:

Old Cemetery :

Music by the Band

Singing by Choir

Oration by George W. Duncan

Singing by Choir

Poem by Lee O. Harris

Music by Band

Firing Salute

Decoration of Soldiers' Graves.

New Cemetery :

Music by Band

Singing by Choir

Oration by Capt. A. L. Ogg

Singing by Choir

Poem by J. W. Riley

Music by Band

Firing Salue

Decoration of Graves

In 1884 the following was the program on Decoration day: Marshals of
the day, E. P. Thayer, Joseph Baldwin; members of the Grand Army
of the Republic met at their post room at one o'clock p. m. sharp, and
;it half past one o'clock formed in front of the court house in line of march
in the following order:

MILITARY. 319

The Greenfield Cornet Band
Speakers
Officers and members of the G. A. R. Lodges
of the City and County

The Citizens' Band

Mayor and City Council

County and ex-County Officers

The Philadelphia Brass Band

Sunday Schools

Ex-Soldiers and Citizens on Foot

The Dobbins Band

Citizens in Carriages

March to the New Cemetery

PROGRAM.

Vocal Music, Greenfield Musical Club

Prayer, Rev. D. R. Love

Address

Vocal Music, Greenfield Musical Club

Poem read by Mrs. Ephraim Marsh

Decorating Graves by Comrades of the G. A. R.

Music by the Band

Salute the Dead

Reformed in same Order, Marched to the Old Cemetery

Vocal Music, Greenfield Musical Club

Prayer, Rev. William Anderson

Address

Vocal Music, Greenfield Musical Club

Essay, Mrs. I. P. Poulson

Decorating Graves by Comrades of the G. A. R.

Music by Band

Salute the Dead

The above are typical of the programs that were given for a number
of years.

During the first ten or fifteen years of the observance of this day it was
the custom at Greenfield to have addresses made at both cemeteries. In fact
it seems to have been the custom in most parts of the county to have the
address given at the cemetery, or in a grove near the cemetery, if the weather

320 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

permitted. This was continued for a number of years until the soldiers
became advanced in years and were unable to endure the strain of standing
while listening to an address.

On May 31, 19 15, fifty years after their return from the front, the dec-
oration of the graves of their heroes was observed at Greenfield in the usual
manner. Committees had been appointed as follows: Flowers and evergreen.
John A. Barr, E. A. Henby; Outside cemeteries, Philadelphia, William Hut-
ton; Sugar Creek, Squire McKinzie; Mt. Lebanon, Alexander Osborn ; Curry's
Chapel, Joseph Martin, Edward Martin; Caldwell, George Crider; Hinchman,
Daniel Wirtz; Marking graves, John A. Barr, Jerry Ferrin, George W.
Johnson; Finance, W. W. McCole, Harry G. Strickland, Hays Smith, Frank
Lynam; Publication, Marshall Winslow, Elmer T. Swope; Program, Henry
Winslow, • Dr. J. M. Larimore; Conveyances, Stephen D. Jackson, John H.
Duncan; Music, John Barr, Taylor Morford; Marshal of the day, James
Shelton.

The line was formed at the court house, led by the marshal of the day;
the Greenfield band, followed by the soldiers ; Sunday school children marched
single file on either side of the double column, carrying small American flags.
The procession was followed by the Relief Corps, civic orders, citizens and
vehicles.

The veterans and citizens met at the court house at one o'clock and
proceeded to the Christian church at 1 45. There a patriotic address was
delivered by William A. Hough. Following the services at the church the
procession formed on East street, marched to Main, thence west to State,
thence south to cemetery, and thence east to the mound in Park cemetery.
At the mound the usual services were observed, including the reading of the
general order for the observance of Decoration day, parts of the ritual of the
Grand Army of the Republic, and the firing of the salute. Following the
services at the mound the graves of the soldiers were decorated with flowers
that had been gathered by the veterans or that had been contributed by patri-
otic citizens. After these services the line reformed and marched north on
Meek street to South street, thence east to the old cemetery, when the salute
was again fired and the graves decorated. At the close of the services at
the old cemetery the procession moved north to Main street, and thence west
ro the court house.

The above is typical of the manner in which the day has been observed
at Greenfield for the past fifteen or twenty years. It is also typical of the
manner in which the day has been observed for many years in different parts
of the county.

MILITARY. 321

Just a half century has passed since the men returned from the front.
Their numher has grown small, and the survivors no longer tread with the
firm step with which they once advanced. Many of them are no longer able
to "fall in" and march with their comrades on this hallowed day. Patriotic
and loving friends are glad to attend them. Children march with them and
carry flowers for them or wave their little flags in patriotic salute. When
another half century shall have passed away the memory of these things will
have become sacred to them. That they saw the veterans of the great Civil
War and participated in their ceremonies will be one of the sweet stories to tell
their children's children.

THE SHAM BATTLES.

During the eighties the soldiers were inspired on several occasions to
live over again the experiences of the Civil War in so far as that could be done
without harm to anyone. On October 1, 1884, a sham battle was planned
for Boyd's grove, just north of the city of Greenfield, which has since become
known as the fair grounds. This event was "written up" in the issue of the
Hancock Democrat of October 2, 1884, as follows :

"Although the soldiers' reunion was throughout a very enjoyable affair,
the sham battle on Friday was perhaps the most interesting part to most of
our citizens, especially to the young people, giving them a very good idea
of actual war. The fight took place in the field north of the grove and was
in plain view of the crowd. At two o'clock the rebel forces, under command
of Comrade Jefferson C. Patterson, repaired to the west side of the field,
posted a piece of artillery and awaited the attack. The Union forces, led by
Capt. E. P. Thayer, also accompanied by a piece of artillery, marched from
the camp east through the woods and entered the field from the east. A- rebel
picket, under charge of Comrade G. W. Watts, was posted at the southeast
corner of the field and opened fire as soon as the Union forces w r ere descried.
Commander Patterson at once ordered a skirmish line under command of
Capt. Lee O. Harris, which deployed in front of the advancing forces and the
fight began between these and a picket line on the Union side under command
of Comrade A. J. Bridges. The Union line continued steadily to advance,
and as soon as they reached the brow of the hill opened with their artillery.
This was the signal for the skirmishers to fall back, and the rebel line advanced
to the attack under command of Capt. J. H. Carr, assisted by Col. R. A.
Black, while Comrade G. W. Duncan led on the Union line. The two com-
manders, Thayer and Patterson, were ubiquitous, galloping here and there
over the field where their presence was most heeded. Marshall Gooding

(21)

322 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

served Commander Patterson as a volunteer and did valiant service. The
first advantage was gained by the Union forces, who came near turning the
left flank of the rebels, but reinforcements were promptly sent and they were
driven back. Then the same maneuver was tried by the rebels on the Union
left flank, but without proper support, and Captain Thayer promptly threw
forward a force and captured it. A countercharge was made, however, and,
after a sharp fight the rebels recaptured their guns. After the fight had
progressed, with varying success, for some time, the Union gun became
exposed without sufficient support and was captured, but was promptly
retaken. Finally, as per program, the rebel gun was captured and held. Their
force was outflanked and surrendered and were marched as prisoners into
camp amid the general shouts of everybody, including the prisoners them-
selves. And so ended one of the most enjoyable affairs ever witnessed in
Greenfield. Persons who had seen numerous sham contests of this kind
declared this the best they ever saw."

Other sham battles were fought in the county, and of course they always
aroused a great interest among the people.

GRANT MEMORIAL SERVICES.

When General Grant died in 1885, services were held in different parts
of the county in his memory, and tributes were paid to his patriotism and his
great leadership. At Greenfield a meeting was held August 8, at the Masonic
Hall. Alexander K. Branham called the meeting to order, after which the
funeral service of the Grand Army was read. Capt. R. A. Riley made a few
appropriate remarks and Hon. William R. Hough, chairman of the memorial
committee, offered a series of resolutions which was adopted. A large num-
ber of people attended this meeting.

At New Palestine services were also held, a report of which appeared in
the Hancock Democrat as follows :

"A week before this memorial took place a number of our citizens met
at the Methodist Episcopal church for the purpose of making arrangements in
appointing committees for the different purposes. Some of these committees
were composed of fire and brimstone and the composition was thought a
mistake, but they all harmonized and tried to do the best they know how
to make the affair creditable in honor to the deceased General Grant. The
arrangements were completed and the day came. At five o'clock in the morn-
ing the roar of the cannon announced that the day set apart for the burial
service of the nation's loved one was at hand. This was followed by the
tolling of the different church' and school house bells in town. Many of our

MILITARY. 323

citizens went to work and draped their residences and business places in
mourning, and some were profusely and exceedingly fine and attracted much
attention. Arrangements had been made, if the weather was favorable, to
hold the services in the grove, which looked discouraging for a while, but
the day turned out the best that could be expected. At one o'clock the church
bells commenced ringing, which was the signal for forming a procession to
march to thegrove ; and the same was composed of all classes and nationalties,
and men who fought under Grant and under Lee marched by the side of one
another. A citizen of this township served in Lee's army from the beginning
to the surrender, and he marched with the boys in blue in this procession.
The procession was marshaled by James Greer, an old soldier, with the New
Palestine Military Band at the head, which played several melodies and
funeral dirges as they passed through the streets; next, the veterans of the
war, who were represented in large numbers ; next, the Sunday schools, citi-
zens on foot, and next the vehicles. They marched west on Mill street, south
on Walnut to Main, east on Main to Bittner street, thence south to Joseph
Fritts' grove. The procession eclipsed everything ever witnessed heretofore.
Arriving at the grove appropriate arrangements had been made in the way
of seats, and the speaker's stand draped in mourning, which gave a mournful
appearance. Some one thousand and five hundred people had congregated
to pay the last tribute of respect to the nation's illustrious dead. David M.
Dove acted as president on the occasion, and the ceremonies were carried
out according to program, which consisted of vocal music by the choir, prayer
and reading Scripture by Rev. Lowden. Hon. Charles G. Offutt was orator of
the day. He delivered an eloquent oration,' eulogistic of the life and achieve-
ments of General Grant. He lauded Grant as a military leader, and said he
was one of those who thought General Grant made a mistake when he left
the army. He showed that General Grant was a man of a noble char-
acter, which he exhibited at Lee's surrender. Offutt's address was well
received and one and all whom we have heard speak of it were much pleased
with the same and spoke of it in the highest terms of praise. Rev. Lowden,
A. Black and James Greer followed in short addresses, which were all appro-
priate and eulogistic in honor of the great captain of the age. The presiding
officer, in the name of the citizens assembled, thanked the orators of the
occasion and the New Palestine Military Band for their kind attendance. A
universal solemnity, well fitted for the occasion, prevailed, and thus ended
the service in New Palestine in honor of America's dead heroes, such as the
people of our town had never seen before. Business was entirely suspended.

:>_>4 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

Patriotic enthusiasm soon became very intense in the county when war
was declared against Spain in 1898. Solomon D. Kempton Post, Grand Army
of the Republic, at Fortville, offered their services to the government, and
adopted resolutions endorsing the course of President McKinley. A com-
pany of young men was also organized at Fortville, but never succeeded in
being mustered in because of the great number offering their services from
all parts of the state. Hundreds of young men from all parts of the county
were eager to enlist but only a few were taken. Edwin P. Thayer, Jr., of
Greenfield, lieutenant-colonel of the Second regiment, Indiana National
Guards, was commissioned as lieutenant-colonel of the One Hundred and
Fifty-eighth regiment, Indiana Volunteers. This regiment was mustered into
service May 10, 1898. It moved to Chickamauga May 16, but on account of
the unsanitary condition of the camp location was moved to Camp Poland,
near Knoxville, Tenn., on August 25. It was ordered back to Indianapolis
on September 12 and given a furlough of thirty days. On October 17 it
reassembled and was discharged on November 4. The following men from
Hancock county were in the regiment :

Edwin P. Thayer, lieutenant-colonel ; Horace Swope, commissary-
sergeant.

COMPANY B

Samuel M. Seward.

COMPANY D.

John Fisher, Geordie Slifer, Elmer Thomson, Bernard Rider, Clar-
ence C. Wiley, Winfield Roland, Edward Shelby, Paul Morford, Charles W.
Baker, Robert W. Gough, John M. Walton, Juett Messick, Frank T. Atkison,
William Patterson, Arthur G. Lunsford, Charles New, Albert Baker, Thomas
T. Owens, Edward Lewis.

COMPANY E.

Albert C. Barnes, George Kiger, Clinton M. Reeves, Edward Williams,
Jesse S. Grigsby, Osro H. Coffin, David O. Scott, Jesse Barrett, Oral O.
King, William E. Smith.

COMPANY F.

Henry Hubig, Mack Warrum.

COMPANY G.

George Mealey, Charles A. Gordon, Water O. Stuart.

MILITARY. 325

Edward Waltz, from Sugar Creek township, enlisted in the regular army
and was at the front at Santiago.

William Cloud, also of Sugar Creek township, who happened to be in
Texas at the time, enlisted with the famous "Rough Riders," organized by
Col. Theodore Roosevelt. He was stricken with typhoid fever, however,
while in camp at Tampa, Fla., and was unable to proceed with his regiment.

MILITIA.

Several companies of militia have been organized in the county since the
Civil War that have not been called into active service. The first of these
companies was organized on January 23, 1874, with forty-eight members and
was known as the

BRANHAM RIFLES.

The company was named in honor of Maj. A. K. Branham, though Mr.
Branham never had any personal connection with the company. Within
about a year the company enrolled about one hundred men from Greenfield
and vicinity. Its first officers were James N. Wilson, captain; R. A. Black,
first lieutenant; Newton L. Wray, first sergeant; George W. Johnson, first
corporal.

This company took part in several state encampments and made a very
favorable impression.

COMPANY F, SECOND REGIMENT, INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD.

In October, 1889, another company was organized by Capt. E. P. Thayer,
Jr. At home this company was known as the "Greenfield Light Infantry."
Officially it was at first designated as the Third Separate Cbmp&ny in the
"Legion of Indiana." On February 3, 1891, it was assigned to the Second
Regiment, Indiana National Guard, as Company F. The officers of the
company were: Captains, Edwin P. Thayer, Walter O. Bragg; first lieuten-
ants, Harry G. Strickland, Walter O. Bragg, Homer A. Bragg; second lieu-
tenants, Walter O. Bragg, Noble Warrum, Clare Clark, W. C. Creviston,
Stephen G. White was first orderly sergeant of the company. The company
was mustered out in 1892.

COMPANY M, SECOND REGIMENT, INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD.

Another company was organized by Capt. Walter O. Bragg on July 25,
1900. Its first officers were : Walter O. Bragg, captain; Clifford Gery, first
lieutenant; John C. Jenkins, second lieutenant. It was maintained until about

326 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

1907. Clifford Gery, Albert L. Barnes and Frien B. Atherton each in turn
served as captain of the company. The boys took part in several state encamp-
ments and participated each year in the Decoration day services at Greenfield.
After the organization of Company F, mentioned above, Captain Thayer
was promoted to the rank of major in the Second regiment, Indiana National
Guard. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he was commissioned
as lieutenant-colonel of the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth regiment, Indiana
Volunteers, and accompanied the regiment to Camp Poland, near Knoxville,
Tenn. Much to the disappointment of Colonel Thayer and his comrades the
regiment was not permitted to proceed to the front. After the discharge of
the regiment Mr. Thayer was appointed colonel of the Second regiment, Indi-
ana National Guard, which rank he held for a year or two until he withdrew
from the militia.

WEST POINT GRADUATES.

Hancock county has had two graduates from the United States Military
Academy, at West Point. The first was Gen. Oliver P. Gooding. He
received his appointment in July, 1853, an d graduated in July, 1856. He
entered the regular army as a second lieutenant and was advanced until he
was breveted brigadier general of volunteers, on March 13, 1865. He
received this recognition for gallant conduct in the assaults on the enemy's
works at Port Hudson, Louisiana, in 1863, and for distinguishing conduct
throughout the Red River campaign in 1864.

Gooding also distinguished himself at the battle of Perryville, Kv., Octo-
ber 8, 1862. In Lossing's " Encyclopedia of United States History" we read .
"Meanwhile, Colonel Gooding's brigade had been sent to the aid of McCook
and fought with great persistence for two hours against odds, losing fully one-
third of its number, its commander being made prisoner." At this battle he
was also severely shocked and injured by the bursting of a shell near him,
from which he probably never entirely recovered. He resigned from the
army March 20, 1865.

Samuel Vinton Ham, son of ex-County Treasurer George W. Ham, of
Brown township, was born December 25, 1867. He was appointed to the
military academy June 12, 1888, and graduated June 11, 1892. On the day of
his graduation he was appointed second lieutenant in the United States
regular army. He served five years in Arizona, and in 1897 was appointed
professor of military science and tactics at DePauw University. In July,
1898, he was promoted to the rank of captain and assistant quartermaster of
United States volunteers and joined the Miles Relief Expedition in Cuba in

MILITARY. 32/

the Spanish-American war. He also took part in the Porto Rico campaign
until the signing of the peace protocol. He was then transferred to Cuba
where he served as depot and purchasing quartermaster for the war depart-
ment until 1902. From 1902 until 1906 he served as construction quarter-
master in the defenses of Baltimore Harbor and at Salt Lake City.

He then joined the United States troops in the Philippine Islands, serv-
ing hi the campaign in the islands of Leyte and Samar in 1906 and 1907. He
was the commanding officer of the United States forces that fought the
important engagement near Lapaz, Leyte, Philippine Islands, December 6,
1906, for which action high commendation was paid him by all the command-
ing generals' on duty in the Philippines. In 1908 he was transferred to Cali-
fornia, but in 1 910 was returned to the Philippines. In 191 2 he was sent
to Kansas and from 1913 to 1915 he served in Oregon, California and Ari-
zona. At present he is stationed along the Mexican border.

In 1909 he was promoted to first lieutenant in the United States service,
captain in 1901 and major in 1915.

FRIEN B. ATHERTON.

Frien B. Atherton was for a time captain of Company M, Second regi-
ment, Indiana National Guard. His knowledge .of military tactics had been
received during three years of service in the regular army of the United
States. He enlisted in the regular army on January 9, 1900. and became a
member of Battery A, Third regiment, United States Coast Artillery. With
other recruits he was at once sent to the Philippine Islands, where he remained
until August, 1 900. At that time the Boxer uprising occurred and his regi-
ment was sent to Tientsin, China. He remained there from August 20 until
November 4, 1900. His regiment stood side by side with the German,
French and British troops to protect their citizens against the Chinese mobs.
In November, 1900, he was ag-ain removed to the Philippine Islands, where
he served through the insurrection from November 22, 1900, until July 4.
1902, In the autumn of that year he returned to Angel Island, California,
and was honorably discharged on January 5, 1903.

As a young man his life was clean. Soon after entering the service of the
United States he was appointed secretary of the Young Men's Christian
Association, and this membership was maintained during his college life,
after his discharge from the army.

Throughout his service in the army he saved his money with the idea of
finishing a college course. Like so many other young men, however, who
were unaccustomed to the intense heat of the tropical sun, he was unable to

328 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

withstand the hot climatic conditions of the Islands. Before his discharge
symptoms of "falling sickness" developed, and when he reached Angel Island
he was physically unable to work. In September, 1903, he had recuperated
sufficiently to enter Butler College, and then began one of the most heroic as
well as one of the most pathetic struggles ever made in fact or written into
fiction. During the next six years he was a student at college, two vears in the
preparatory department at Butler, and four years at the Ohio Northern Uni-
versity, at Ada, Ohio. During these years he battled bravely against the
weakness contracted in the Islands. His genial, social qualities made him
popular with his fellows, and his knowledge of military tactics won him the
command of the battalion at Ohio Northern University. Here he also met
the young lady who consented to share his life with him. In 1909 he grad-
uated from the university, having majored in mechanical engineering. He
passed examinations successfully for admission to the apprentice course
offered to college graduates only who have taken as their major mechanical
engineering. During the latter years of his college life his affliction became
more acute, attacks more frequent and more violent, and at the end of the first
year with the Westinghouse concern he suffered a complete physical and men-
tal breakdown. His weakened body had been overtaxed by his long-sustained
effort and had reached the limit of its endurance. The company's physician
had to tell him that it was unsafe for him longer to work with surrounding
machinery; that he must seek the open country and be burdened with no
responsibilities whatever. He tried, but God's great out-of-doors could not
restore to his mind and body what had been lost.

To this time he had scorned the idea of asking for aid. He was superbly
independent. It was this, the finest and manliest of his qualities, that the
agents of his government failed to understand or they would have dealt more
generously with him. The time had come when he could not maintain himself.
The strong will that had carried him forward, the keen intellect that had
opened for him the mysteries and niceties of science, the clean, wholesome
personality that had made him a world of friends — all were hopelessly
wrecked. There was no future. The past was dark, the present hazy, with
just enough light to discern the impossibilities — the home, the wife, and the
standing with his fellows. In a moment, as a darker shadow passed over him,
he drew down the veil of eternity, but he had given to the world a splendid,
exalted effort.

CHAPTER VIII.

POLITICS.

The election of the first county officers for Hancock county was held in
August, 1828. We have no report of the number of votes cast in that elec-
tion. At the presidential election in November following one hundred and
one votes were cast. In the absence of records it is an impossibility at this
time to determine the relative strength of parties. Joshua Meek, recorder;
Morris Pierson, treasurer, and later surveyor ; Basil Meek and John Foster,
sheriffs, all of whom were elected in that year or during the two or three
years following, were National Republicans, or after 1834, Whigs. These
men, together with Jeremiah Meek, judge of the Hancock probate court ; John
Hager, clerk; -Jonathan Dunbar, sheriff, all of whom were elected as National
Republicans or Whigs, held the principal offices of the county for many years,
as may be seen by reference to the county officers at the close of the chapter on
county government. David S. Gooding was the Whig candidate for represen-
tative against Dr. J. W. Hervey, Democrat, in 1847, and w r as elected by a ma-
jority of forty-one votes. Joseph Chapman was elected clerk of the Hancock
circuit court in 1832. He was a Democrat, but his election may have been due
to his personal canvass. In 1842 Joseph Anderson, Democrat, defeated Jona-
than Dunbar, W T hig, in the race for sheriff. Judge Gooding, writing editorially
in the Hancock Democrat in 1861 in criticism of Jonathan Dunbar, charged
Dunbar with having been a Whig in 1839, "when the Whigs were in the
ascendancy in Hancock." From these scattering bits of evidence it is safe to
conclude that in the early history of the county the National Republicans, or
Whigs, had a majority at the polls, but that a nomination by any party did
not necessarily mean an election. In all probability the personal standing of
a candidate received more consideration then than it does now, with our close
party alignments.

The two most prominent political leaders of that very early day were
Thomas D. Walpole, Whig, and Joseph Chapman, Democrat. Walpole came
to Greenfield in 1834 and entered upon the practice of law. In 1836 he was
elected to the lower branch of the Legislature, and in 1840 to the Senate. He
served several terms in the Senate, and on the resignation of Lieutenant-
Governor Hall was elected president of that body. In 1848 he was a presi-
dential elector and canvassed a large part of the state for Taylor and Fillmore.
In 1850 he was elected to the constitutional convention. During the cam-

3 2 9

330 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

paign of 1852 he allied himself with the Democrats and canvassed the state
for Pierce. Later he served several more terms in the lower branch of the
Legislature as a Democrat. It is said that Walpole was never defeated in his
own county in a political canvass, either as a Democrat or a Whig. Whether
this be true or not, he was tactful and resourceful and these qualities, with Ins
magnetic personality, made him a political winner.

Joseph Chapman came to Hancock county in 1829, just one year after
the organization of the county. Three years later he was elected clerk of the
Hancock circuit court, and held the office for about five years, when he
entered the lower branch of the state Legislature. He was five times elected
to serve his county in this capacity. He was a fluent, eloquent speaker and
seems to have lived and moved and had his being in politics.

In the campaign of 1840 Chapman was the Democratic candidate for
representative. Walpole was the Whig candidate for senator from Hancock
and Madison counties. The two men canvassed not only their own countv
in support of their personal campaigns, but took part in the general canvass of
the state for their respective parties. They were neighbors and friends at
home, and in "stumping" the state adopted the plan of speaking from the
same platforms to the same audiences. -Walpole was aristocratic and devoted
much care to his personal appearance in matters of dress. This propensity
subjected him to the criticism of Chapman, who was a "commoner.'' and whose
humility was the special object of his pride. Now, it so happened one evening,
as the late Judge Gooding was fond of relating, that Chapman gave his shirt
to the wife of the tavern keeper to be laundered. During the night the shirt
was stolen and the next morning Chapman was in a dilemma. Walpole at
once offered his friend one of his ruffled shirts. But that ruffled shirt had
been the object of Chapman's ridicule from many a platform. Should he
wear it a portion of his speech would have to be struck out. and he would
be deprived of one of his "hits" at Walpole — to say nothing of the general
moral effect such an appearance might have. Still, he had to have a shirt, so
he finally accepted the apparent generosity of his opponent. When the time
came for the speech making Chapman's collar was neatly turned under and
his coat buttoned over the ruffled shirt. Walpole spoke first, analyzing the
issues of the day and denouncing the principles of Democracy with his usual
spirit and ardor. .Chapman answered in his vigorous and effective style,
ridiculing the aristocratic tendencies of his opponent. Walpole closed the
argument. He reviewed the criticisms of Chapman, warned his hearers
against putting an impostor into office, and threw open the front of Chap-
man's coat exposing the ruffled shirt.

POLITICS. 331

For Chapman is also claimed the honor of having given to the Dem-
ocratic party its national emblem, the rooster. It was in the campaign of 1840.
after the financial panic in Van Bureirs administration, when things looked
• gloomy for the Democracy of the country, that George Pattison, editor of
The Constitution, a Democratic newspaper of Indianapolis, heard of a serious
defection from the Democratic ranks of Hancock county. He wrote William
Sebastian, postmaster at Greenfield, and one of the Democratic leaders of
the county, the following letter :

"Indianapolis, June "12, 1840.
"Mr. Sebastian :

"Dear Sir : I have been informed by a Democrat that in one part of your
county thirty Van Buren men have turned for Harrison. Please let me know
if such be the fact. Hand this letter to General Milroy. I think such a
deplorable state of facts cannot exist. If so, I will visit Hancock and address
the people relative to the policy of the Democratic party. I have no time to
spare, but I will refuse to eat or sleep or rest so long as anything can be
done. Do, for heaven's sake, stir. up the Democracy. See Chapman, tell
him not to do as he did heretofore. He used to create unnecessary alarms ;
he must crow ; we have much to crow over. I will insure this county to give
a Democratic majority of two hundred votes. Spare no pains. Write
instanter. George Pattison."

This letter accidentally fell into the hands of the Whigs, who, for the pur-
pose of ridiculing the Democrats, published it on June 16, 1840, in the
Indianapolis Semi-Weekly Journal, the leading Whig newspaper in the state.
Its publication failed utterly in its purpose. "Crow, Chapman, Crow!" became
the slogan of the local Democracy in that campaign. It soon spread over
the state and when the Indiana State Sentinel, a Democratic newspaper,
was launched on July 21, 1841, it contained at the top of the front page the
picture of a proud rooster and under the picture the words, "Crow, Chapman.
Crow!" The phrase caught the popular ear, and the rooster was soon adopted
as the emblem of the Democratic party. Its fuller history, together with
letters, photographs and newspaper clippings of the time, has been written
and published in very artistic form by John Mitchell. Jr., of the William
Mitchell Printing Company, of Greenfield.

The year 1840 also marks the advent of Noble Warrum into public life.
At that time, as the story was frequenty told by the late Jared C. Meek.
Joshua Meek owned a brick yard on the hill just north of the present corner
of State and Fifth streets, in Greenfield. Joshua Meek was also county

332 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

recorder and spent much of his time in and about the court house. One
morning he went into commissioners' court when the commissioners had
under consideration the appointment of a collector of revenue for the county.
People did not all come to the treasurer's office to pay their taxes, and it was
the collector's duty to go over the county to collect taxes where he could.

"Do you know of any good young men for revenue collector?" asked one
of the commissioners. "Yes," replied Meek, "There's a young fellow working
upon my brick yard that is all right, if he'll do it. His name is Warrum. —
Noble Warrum." "Well, send him down," said the commissioners, "and
we'll talk it over." Young Warrum came in. He said he would like to have
the place, but did not know whether he could give bond. "Yes, I'll go on your
bond," said Meek, "and Cornwell will go on your bond, and we can get some-
body else and we can fix that up all right."

In Commissioners' Record, No. 2, page 79, appears the following entry :

"Ordered that Noble Warrum be and he is hereby appointed collector of
the state and county revenue of the county of Hancock for the year 1840,
and comes now the said Noble Warrum and files his bond with C. Meek, Otho
Gapen and Joshua Meek as his securities, all of which is approved."

Mr. Warrum's work as collector of revenue gave him a wide acquain-
tance and a great circle of friends. For almost a half century thereafter he
made his influence felt in every political campaign in the county. In an old
copy of the Greenfield Reveille, published in April, 1845, we have" possibly
the oldest report of a political mass convention in the county. It was a Dem-
ocratic convention, but the Reveille was a Whig newspaper, and of course, the
proceedings of the convention are made to appear as ridiculous as possible.
It is worthy of notice, however, that even at that early date there was opposi-
tion within Democratic ranks to local delegate conventions. Following is the
report :

"In accordance with a previous notice a Mass Convention was held on the
26th inst., the proceedings of which would no doubt be interesting to our
friends generally and edifying to our readers.

"About ten o'clock a. m. the untiring Democracy were seen emerging
from the beech woods which surround our peaceful village. True, the woods
were not entirely darkened by their numbers, yet every avenue leading to the
neighborhood of Esquire Franklin's Restaurant was not unbroken.

"On the arrival of a number from the country we heard an eternal war-
fare sworn against the proposal for a convention to nominate county officers.
Dissentions that at first view seemed incurable presented themselves from
different points. Independence of opinion and action was asserted, and how

POLITICS.

333

well maintained will appear in the sequel. Against two o'clock, the refractory
portion being whipped into the traces, the democracy retired to the Court
House. General Milroy being called to the chair, he endeavored to explain
the object of the meeting, which he, however, failed to do to the satisfaction
of some of his friends.

"On motion a committee of three were appointed, but their duties not
explained. After some misunderstandings had been explained, the said com-
mittee was increased to five; again after another consultation it was thought
best to have a committee from each township in the county. When the town-
ships were called four were unrepresented. (Afterwards one or two were
represented.) The committee were then ordered to retire, consult and report
to the meeting. But when about retiring, one of the committee, more thought-
ful than the rest, called on the chair to know what they should report, as he
had yet to learn what duties were assigned to the committee. The chair
endeavored to explain, by informing the committee that 'the enemy was
abroad in the land,' that 'those levellers, the Whigs, were on the alert, and
must be kicked sky high!' (He did not call them public defaulters as we
awfully feared he would do in the warmth of his feelings.) He said he was
a Democrat, commencing with the days of Jefferson, and was still a Dem-
ocrat, and the committee could retire.

"The committee, although their duties did not seem explained by the
chairman, retired to guess at them, we suppose.

"Whereupn Dr. Hervey moved, 'Dr. Cook make a remark.' Dr. Cook
was excused for the time, and Dr. Hervey proceeded in effusing the most

. He is a whole menagerie and kicks, pushes, strikes, and everything

else manfully. He brings to our mind that beautiful line of the poet :
'Bulls aim their horns and- asses lift their heels.'

"He said that 'before the presidential election the Whigs were opposed
to annexation,' but asks with an air of triumph, 'where is now one found to
oppose the admission of the State of Texas ; if such an one could be found he
could be laughed at till he put comic almanacs out of fashion.' We leave
others to judge of his political discoveries. But he proceeded, 'No, Democracy
like the rolling stream' (casting up its filthy sediments) 'has an onward
(progressive) course, and in fifty years there will be fifty United States.'

"The doctor is evidently a man of deep research, he spoke of Caesar
crossing the 'Rubico' and of the 'navigable Ocean,' asked where is the man in
Indianner that would say he was a 'reprudreater ?' (We thought of his friend,
Chapman, an avowed repudiator, but no difference, all discordant elements
harmonize in the general name of Democracy!)

334 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"\Y. H. Anderson, a. gentleman particularly distinguished for advocat-
ing the sentiment 'that God is a Democrat' and therefore wants his friends
'to be on the Lord's side,' was called on to address the meeting, but declined
doing so.

"R. A. Riley was then called and responded in a short address, endeavor-
ing to justify the acts of violence done to the people's will and a total dis-
regard of their rights, by the State Senate in staving off the U. S. Senatorial
Election.

"A series of resolutions were introduced by Esquire Riley, proposing to
hold a convention on the first Saturday in June to nominate County Officers,
which were adopted.

"We, however, discovered some of the old and anti-progressive Dem-
ocrats whose arms and voices were raised in opposition to this proceeding.
One of them explained the 'Almighty made everything else, but never made
a Convention to dictate.' They were opposed to it because it was anti-Dem-
ocratic, because it was dictating to, and whipping Democrats into the traces
contrary to their better judgment. They were opposed to it because two
individuals assumed to control the whole matter, made every motion of
importance, and that with an eye to their own particular interests — because
the county was not represented — whole townships being without a voice in
the matter, and at no time were there more than sixty persons present, includ-
ing Whigs, Abolitionists, and little boys, — because two individuals acting in
concert for their mutual interest, should not dictate to, control, and rule at
pleasure, seven hundred freemen !

"But our opinion is, that the Democracy will hold a secret caucus, and
back out from this one-sided convention. It matters not, however, as the
\\ higs will make a clean, sweep this year in Hancock. Chapman will crow
no longer, although in his concluding remarks he offered the olive branch to
the Whigs! We know how to meet that old arch intriguer. We have not
lime for a further account this week, — more anon."

In that copy of the Greenfield Reveille the following political announce-
ments also appear : Congress, Thomas D. Walpole ; assessor, Isaac King ;
auditor, Harry Pierson, Josephus H. Williams; sheriff, William P. Rush.
Jonathan Dunbar, William H. Anderson; county commissioner, David \Y.
Odell; representative. William A. Franklin, Esq.

The political announcements of that day were not quite as formal as
those appearing in our local papers now-. In several announcements the can-
didates present arguments in their behalf, some of which would hardly be
offered at this time. For instance, the following:

politics. . 335

"to the voters of hancock county.

"Fellow Citizen : I offer myself as a candidate for the office of Assessor;
and my reason for doing so is, that Noble Warrum (the present incumbent) 1
pledged himself two years ago, that if I would then use my influence for him,
(which I did) he would support me at the coming election.

"Isaac King."

A few years later David S. Gooding entered into the local campaigns,
first as a Whig, later as a Democrat. In 1847 ne made his first race and was
elected as a Whig to the lower house of the Legislature. Later he was hon-
ored with numerous elections to various offices. In time his political influence
reached far beyond the bounds of his county, and no name probably is written
larger on the pages of its history.

It seems that in 1852 a number of leading men in the county came into
the ranks of the Democratic party. For a decade after that time Thomas D.
Walpole, Jonathan Dunbar, David S. Gooding and Noble Warrum were all
in the Democratic alignment and the party developed the strength that it has
always maintained in this county except during the period of the Civil War.
Though this is true, things were far from harmonious at all times within the
party itself. It is impossible now to state the cause of some of the dissensions
among its leaders, yet it is certain that there was sufficient internal strife to
cause the defeat of some of the candidates. In 1855 Dunbar sought the
Democratic nomination for treasurer. A break occurred between him and
Walpole, and Dunbar was defeated. In 1857 Noble Warrum was a candidate
for sheriff against Taylor W. Thomas. Walpole. and Elijah Cooper, who
was the Democratic candidate for county treasurer, threw their influence
against W^arrum and defeated him. During this campaign, 1857, it seems
that a reconciliation was affected between Walpole and Dunbar.

The Democratic ticket during the latter part of the decade just prior to
the Civil War was generally opposed by "Fusion tickets," for which support
was sought from the ranks of the Know-Nothings, Whigs and Republicans!
Though the "Fusionists" were not successful in electing their entire tickets,
they did succeed in electing a man now and then who had a strong personal
following.

THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD.

In the campaign of i860 the unity of the Democratic party was broken
by the factions that followed the conventions at Charleston and Baltimore.
Although the Douglas wing of the party polled by far the greater number of
votes, the Breckenridge wing of the party also had a county organization.

336 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

The followers of Brecken ridge were known as the "National Democrats."
James H. Leary seems to have been the county chairman of the National
Democratic county central committee in that campaign. Dr. J. A. Hall was
the chairman of the Democratic county central cocmmittee, and James P.
Foley of the Republican county central committee.

The National Democrats held a county mass convention at Greenfield
on July 28, i860, for the purpose, as stated by James H. Leary, chairman,
"to endorse Breckenridge and Lane as the candidates for President and Vice-
President of the United States and to take steps to effect a county organiza-
tion." The following were the officers of this meeting : James H. Leary,
chairman; Thomas Glascock, Henry Duncan, vice-presidents; James H. Carr,
secretary.

• The chairman of the convention appointed David Vanlaningham, Andrew
Childers and Richard Stokes as a committee on resolutions. Before the
adjournment of the meeting this committee offered the following, which were
unanimously adopted :

"Whereas, the late national conventions, both at Charleston and Balti-
more, failed to nominate a candidate for President and Vice-President in
accordance with the time-known usage of the National Democratic party,
thereby causing a separation of the convention with two distinct bodies; the
one resolving to support Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, and Hushel V. John-
son, of Georgia, the other John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, and Joseph
Lane, of Oregon; therefore

"Resolved, that it is the imperative duty of National Democrats to yield
a willing and cordial support to the candidate for the President and Vice-
President of the United States whose principles are in harmony with the court,
the equality of the states, and equal rights of all the citizens of the several
states in the territory belonging to the United States, and who are in favor
of non-intervention by Congress and territorial legislatures with slavery in
the territories.

"Resolved, that we recognize in John C. Breckenridge and John Lane,
able, tried and true exponents of these principles so dear to every National
Democrat, and we hereby pledge a hearty and zealous support to the nom-
inations of these distinguished statesmen.

"Resolved, that we cordially approve of the platform of principles adopted
by the National Democracy at Baltimore, and especially their unequivocal
affirmation of the rights of every citizen of the United States to take his
property of any kind into the common territories belonging equally to all the

politics. 337

states of the Confederacy, and peacefully and rightfully enjoy it during- the
existence of a territorial government.

''Resolved, that "squatter sovereignty" in the territories, as defined by
Stephen A. Douglas, the Benedict Arnold of the Democratic party, and
endorsed by his deluded followers, meets our unqualified disapproval ; and that
in its practical application to the territories, internecine war, bloodshed and
anarchy have been its legitimate fruits."

The following county central committee was appointed by this conven-
tion : Center, David Vanlaningham and James Carr ; Buck Creek, James Mc-
Mane; Vernon, Richard Stokes; Green, Elijah Cooper; Brown, John Hays;
Jackson, Robert Chambers; Blue River, Samuel Cottrell; Brandywine, Philan-
der Curry; Sugar Creek, Aquilla Shockley.

The Hon. Delana R. Eckels, of Putnam, addressed the convention. The
report of the address given to the "Old Line Guard" by James H. Carr,
secretary, and reprinted in the Hancock Democrat on August 2, 1861, indi-
cates that the speaker convinced his audience of the statesmanship of John
C. Breckenridge, and that he "paid his respects" to the Douglas Democrats
as well as to the Republicans.

In the annual October election of i860, at which certain county officers
were elected, the following tickets were in the field, each candidate receiving
the number of voted indicated :

Representative — John S. Hatfield, Republican, 1,190; Noble Warrum,
Democrat, 1,332.

Recorder — Henry A. Swope, Republican, 1,174; William R. West,
Democrat, 1,298.

Commissioner, Middle District — Robinson Jarrett, Republican, 1,169;
Hiram Tyner, Democrat, 1,364.

Commissioner, Western District — Benjamin Freeman, Republican, 1,172;
Elias McCord, Democrat, 1,364.

Coroner — Jacob Wills, Republican, 1,163; Barnabus B. Gray, Democrat,

Surveyor — Samuel B. Hill, Republican, 1,118; James K. King,
Democrat, 1,328.

The Democrats, although divided on national issues, voted together on
this occasion and their candidates were elected by a majority of approximately
175 votes. The total number of votes cast in the October election of i860
was 2,563.

In the presidential election held a few weeks later, on November 6 i860.

(22)

338 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Stephen A. Douglas received 1,289 votes; Abraham Lincoln, 1,201 votes;
Breckenridge, 97 votes, and Bell, 26 votes. Following is the vote of the
county in i860, as reported by the townships :

Lincoln. Douglas. Breckenridge. Bell

Blue River 132 76 4 1

Brandywine 71 115 10 o

Brown 63 149 12 2

Buck Creek 117 jl 1 o

Center 252 233 46 1

Green 79 152 4 o

Jackson 201 137 1 1 6

Sugar Creek 136 197 3 1

Vernon 150 159 6 15

Total 1,201 1,289 97 2 6

The presidential campaign in Hancock county was very similar to the
campaign in other parts of the state. When the result became known there
was a great jollification by the Republicans because of their first national
victory. Dr. Howard, an ardent Republican, presented to his friend, but
political opponent, Judge Gooding, the editor at that time of the Hancock
Democrat, a "Pass up Salt River" :

SALT RIVER PACKET
Pass David S. Gooding

over Salt River
On the "Fusion Packet"
until November 6, 1864.

Not transferable.
S. A. Douglas, President.

The judge accepted the "ticket" in good humor, and if we bear in mind
past political conditions we cannot fail to appreciate the keen wit in his
acknowledgment thereof, made through the columns of the Democrat :

"It was handed us by our friend, Dr. Howard, who has just returned
from quite a lengthy voyage in the Salt River country. He assures us that
he has spent the greater and better portion of his life in that country; that
it is very healthful, productive, and in all respects desirable; so much so that
he expects to return on the next trip of 'Fusion Packet.' We gladly accept
and return our profoundest acknowledgment for the free pass. Mr. Douglas

politics. . 339

wisely selected an old and well-tried packet; one that has carried the opposi-
tion up Salt River safely for the past twenty years. This being our first
voyage up Salt River, we will keep our friends advised from time to time
of the incidents of the voyage," etc.

If the people of Hancock county thought during the campaign of i860
that they were passing through a campaign like all other campaigns, and
that after the election all excitement would be allayed, they were thoroughly
dis-illusioned before many months had passed. Their eyes were also opened
to the fact that existing conditions were imposing severer tests than political
parties had ever before borne.

On April 13, 1861, a Democratic mass meeting was held at the court
house at Greenfield. The officers of the meeting were : Jacob Slifer, presi-
dent; Joseph Clayton and Presley Guymon, vice-presidents; William J. Fos-
ter and David S. Scott, secretaries.

A great number of Democrats w y ere in attendance. The Sax-horn band
stirred up enthusiasm with patriotic strains of music, and James L. Mason,
Dr. J. A. Hall and George Barnett delivered addresses. At the close of the
speaking Judge Gooding offered the following resolutions which were unani-
mously adopted :

"Whereas, we have never failed to oppose the political and also the
general policy of the Republican party; and whereas, during the last Presi-
dential campaign and at the election, we zealously and consistently opposed
and voted against Abraham Lincoln ; and whereas, a majority of the people
in a constitutional manner saw proper so to vote as to elect Mr. Lincoln
President ;

"Whereas, for some cause not clearly defined, seven states, since said
election have seen proper at their own option and consultation, and in defiance
of the general government, to assert their independence and secede from the
Union ; and whereas, said states have organized a government and by authority
of that government Ft. Sumter has been attacked and war commenced upon
the United States by the southern Confederacy; now therefore,

"Resolved, that it is the duty of all patriotic citizens, irrespective of party
names and distinctions, ignoring for the present all past dissuasions and party
bitterness, to unite as one people in support of her common government.

"Resolved, that the success in a presential campaign of any political party
row in existence is not a good or sufficient cause for secession or revolution.

"Resolved, that as Democrats and patriots we will vie with our political
opponents of other parties in our devotion to the Union, and in our support

3-|0 • HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

of the lawfully constituted authority of the government in the faithful
execution of their duties."

On April 17, 186 1, the following appeal was made to the party through
the columns of the Hancock Democrat :

"Fellow Democrats! Our country is engaged in a war involving its
honor and its very existence. It is not time for party dissensions or party
strifes. The past cannot now he recalled, but the present and the future
must be looked to and we must decide without delay whether we will support
and defend our own government as true patriots or whether we will prove
false to the Union cemented by the blood of our fathers. We cannot doubt
you in this emergency of your country. We know that you will not dishonor
that good old party which has contributed so largely to maintain the rights
and honor of our glorious old flag in the face of the British Lion.

"Democrats of Hancock county! Let us be a united party, and heartily
cooperate with all patriots of whatever party, who faithfully live and support
the government of the United States."

Later in the summer, when the time came for nominating the candi-
dates for the annual October election, 1861, new problems presented them-
selves, especially to the Democracy of the county. On August 3, 1861, the
Democratic county central committee had a meeting at Greenfield. Dr.
Hall acted as chairman of the meeting and on motion of Montgomery Marsh,
Benjamin F. Caldwell was appointed secretary, with William Mitchell,
assistant. The central committee at that time was composed of the following
men : Blue River, William New ; Brown, Montgomery Marsh ; Brandywine,
Alfred Potts; Buck Creek, James Collins; Center, Dr. J. A. Hall; Green,
Edward Barrett; Jackson, Benjamin F. Caldwell; Sugar Creek, not rep-
resented; Vernon, Wiet Denney.

The committee decided to hold a "popular vote convention throughout
the county on the last Saturday of August. 1861, to nominate a Democratic
county ticket, and that such candidates as shall receive the highest votes at
the polls shall be declared the successful candidates, to be so proclaimed by
a delegate convention to assemble at Greenfield on the first Saturday of
September, 1861." But since votes had been cast in the county for Douglas,
Breckenridge and Bell, at the Presidential election in i860, a question now
arose as to who should be allowed to vote in the popular vote convention that
the committee had just ordered. On this point the following resolution was
adopted :

"Resolved, that all men who voted for Stephen A. Douglas, John Bell.

POLITICS. 34 L

or John C. Breckenridge, be entitled to vote at the polls in the nominating-
convention."

On motion, however, the name of John Bell was stricken from the above
resolution as the test of Democracy in the nominating convention.

On August 17, 1861, the Center township Democratic convention was
called to order at the court house at two p. m. This convention is interesting
because of the fight between the two factions of the Democratic party for
the control of the convention. William Frost, township chairman, called
the meeting to order. Judge Gooding nominated George Y. Atkison for
president; James L. Mason placed the name of William Fries in nomination.
The vote for president resulted in the election of Atkison by a large majority.

The election of Atkison gave the Douglas Democrats the committee on
resolutions. The chair appointed Judge Gooding, Presley Guymon, William
Frost, Charles A. Wiggins and Levi Leary. After the appointment of this
committee James L. Mason introduced a series of resolutions directly into
the convention. The chair, however, refused to place the resolutions before
the convention, but referred them to the committee on resolutions. When
this committee reported, Judge Gooding, the chairman of the committee, said
that he had been directed to report back Mr. Mason's resolutions with the
recommendation that they be laid on the table. He then offered the following
resolutions :

"Whereas, our country is involved in civil war involving the very
existence of the government itself; therefore, we deem it proper to declare
our views of government plainly and explicitly at this critical juncture of
public affairs ; therefore

"Resolved, that we are devotedly attached to the Union of the States,
and the Constitution of the United States, and the faithful and impartial
execution of the laws made in pursuance thereof, in every part of the
government.

"Resolved, that for the purpose of perpetuating the Union, and main-
taining the Constitution and executing the laws, we will sustain the govern-
ment of the United States in all proper efforts for the suppression of the
rebellion, and for such purposes we are in favor of a vigorous prosecution of
the present deplorable civil zmr, in order to bring about a speedy and honor-
nble peace.

"Resolved, that whenever, from any cause, the rebellion is put down, or
ceases to exist, then the war shall cease ; and all the constitutional and legal
rights of states and citizens shall be respected and maintained, and that we

342 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

oppose the prosecution of the war for any other purpose than to suppress
the rebellion.

"Resolved, that as Democrats we reaffirm our faith in the great prin-
ciples of popular sovereignty as declared by the lamented Stephen A. Douglas

"Resolved, that all men who now heartily approve and endorse the
platform of principles on which Stephen A. Douglas ran for the Presidency in
i860, are Democrats, and as such have a right to participate in the conven-
tions of the party, and none others have such a right.

"Resolved, that we approve and endorse the act of the extra session of
Congress in appropriating money and • providing soldiers to suppress the
rebellion and that we are gratified at the entire unanimity of all patriotic
parties in its support.

"Resolved, that we have no political sympathies with northern abolition
issues nor southern secession, but repudiate both as dangerous to our
government."

Dr. B. W. Cooper entered a protest against the adoption of the fourth
resolution, it tjeing a conflict with the principles enunciated by the Brecken-
ridge party. James L. Mason also entered his protest to the fifth article.
He made a long statement and concluded by offering the following as an
amendment :

"Resolved, that all Democrats who voted for Thomas A. Hendricks for
governor in i860 shall be allowed to vote at the ensuing nominating polls of
Center township."

This amendment was tabled and the original resolutions were adopted
in the form in which they had been offered by the committee.

It will be recalled that in the resolutions adopted on July 28, i860, by
the Breckenridge Democrats, that popular sovereignty, or "squatter sov-
ereignty," was condemned and that Stephen A. Douglas was denounced as
the Benedict Arnold of the Democratic party. Articles four and five, there-
fore could not possibly meet with the approval of the Breckenridge Democrats.
In fact the adoption of the above resolutions barred them from voting at
the convention. The breach between the factions of the party was becoming
wider and wider. Though the Douglas Democrats controlled the Center
township convention, the end in Center township was not yet. The above
resolutions, adopted by the Center township convention on August 17, 1861,
expressed the sentiments of the Douglas wing of the party and were pub-
lished in every issue of the Hancock Comity Democrat during the following
several years.

politics. 343

On August 22, 1861, which was about three weeks after the meeting
of the Democratic county central committee, and less than a week after the
Center township Democratic convention, the Republican county central com-
mittee adopted resolutions, proposing to the Democrats a joint Union county
ticket. The resolutions were in the following words :

"Resolved, that we propose through their committee, to the Democratic
party of Hancock county, a joint Union ticket, for the offices to be filled at
the approaching election.

"Resolved, that should said Democratic committee accept the propositon
of a Union ticket, they are cordially invited to meet this committee at its
meeting to be held at the court house, in Greenfield, on Tuesday, September
3, next, at one p. m., where the said committees may agree jointly upon a
division of the ticket for the different offices, and name the time for the
nomination of candidates.

"Resolved, that the foregoing resolutions be published in the Hancock
Democrat. "E. I. Judkins, Secretary,

"J AMES P. Foley, Chairman.

"Greenfield, August 22, 1861."

These resolutions were presented to the Democratic county central com-
mittee a few days later. The Democratic candidates, however, had practically
made their canvass for the popular vote convention, and the Democratic
central committee deemed it inadvisable to take such steps just at that time.

Pursuant to the decision of the Democratic county central committee,
made on August 3, 186 1, a Democratic poll was opened in each township on
the first Saturday of September, 1861. The Douglas wing of the party polled
one hundred and fifty-three votes in Center township, which were cast for
candidates and also for delegates to the county convention. The delegates
who received the majority of votes in Center township were David S. Good-
ing, George Atkison and Presley Guymon. On the same day the National
Democrats, or the Breckenridge wing of the party, opened another and sep-
arate poll in Center township, where thirty-seven votes were cast for can-
didates and delegates. The delegates receiving the largest number of votes at
this poll were James L. Mason, John H. White and Louis Ccoper. The
delegates named in each poll in Center township presented their credentials
as delegates to the Democratic county convention on September 7. A con-
test at once arose and much confusion followed in the convention. The
Douglas Democrats from Center township were finally seated, but from
some of the other townships, delegates from the National Democratic wing

344 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

were seated. The convention nominated the following ticket : Clerk, Morgan
Chandler; county treasurer, John Addison; sheriff, Samuel Archer; commis-
sioner eastern district, William New.

Following the rejection of their proposal by the Democratic central com-
mittee, the Republican county central committee on September 3, i86t,
adopted the following resolutions :

"Whereas, the government of the United States is sorely beset by a
combination of traitors, so powerful as to endanger the preservation of the
Union ; and as party conventions and party nominations are calculated to
engender discussions among the people; and as we earnestly desire unity of
action and feeling in relation to our government; therefore

"Resolved, that we recommend to the Republican party of Hancock
county to forego all party conventions and party nominations for the pres-
ent, and support for the offices to be filled at the coming election in this
county such men as are unconditionally for the Union in heart and soul as
well as speech, regardless of former political opinions.

"Ordered that the foregoing be published in the Hancock Democrat.

"James P. Foley, Chairman.
"E. I. Judkins, Secretary.

"September 3, 1861."

A few days later, on September II, 1861, the following notice calling for
n convention appeared in the columns of the Hancock Democrat :

"union mass meeting.

"There will be a Union mass meeting at Greenfield on Saturday, Sep-
.tember 14, 1861, at one p. m., to nominate candidates, irrespective of party,
for the several offices to be filled at the ensuing October election. Let all
the Union men — all who are willing to sacrifice party organizations and
platforms on the altar of their county — be promptly in attendance at the
appointed time. The meeting will be held at the court house.

"Union Men."

A convention, as announced in the above notice, was held. The weather
on September 14, however, was very inclement and only a few people from
the outlying townships were present. Dr. Ballenger was chosen president
and Joseph B. Atkison and M. V. Chapman, secretaries. The convention
then adjourned to meet again at one p. m. on Thursday of the following
week, September 18.

politics. 345

At the appointed time the convention assembled at the court house and
the following proceedings were had : Thomas C. Tuttle, Democrat, of Sugar
Creek, was chosen chairman ; M. V. Chapman, Democrat, and Joseph B.
Atkison, Republican, secretaries; John Dye, Democrat, and Judge Walker,
Republican, vice-presidents.

Nelson Hogle, Republican, nominated George Barnett, Democrat, as
Union candidate for clerk. Adopted. Joseph B. Atkison, Republican, nom-
inated Taylor W. Thomas, Republican, for sheriff. Adopted. Thomas Bed-
good, Republican, nominated Elam I. Judkins for treasurer. Richard Hackle-
man was nominated for commissioner in the eastern district. R. A. Riley
nominated Dr. Isaac H. Ballenger, Democrat, for coroner. Adopted.

The following committee on resolutions was then appointed by the
chairman: Elias Marsh, Democrat; John Dye, Democrat; Dr. Balknger,
Democrat; R. A. Riley, Republican; J. C. R. Layton, Republican.

This committee reported the following resolutions, which were unani-
mously adopted :

"Believing as we do, that when the all-absorbing magnitude of the con-
test in which the government is now engaged, shall be fully and universally
understood and appreciated, there can be no such thing as a traitor to that
government, or a sympathizer with the treason now seeking its overthrow,
except the mere desperado.

"The contest is above the organization or perpetuation of the Democratic
party, the Republican party, or any other party. Should the rebellion succeed,
all the political machinery will be buried in the common ruins of the
government.

"The contest involves not only the maintenance of the Constitution and
the Union of the States, but also the hopes of the world in the constitutional,
political and religious freedom, and man's capability for self-government.
Every intelligent Christian philanthropist and every patriot ought, and will be
found earnest and willing, against all opposition, to sustain and perpetuate
our Constitution and Union.

"The destruction of the Constitution and Union by those engaged in
rebellion involves the commission of the following, among other crimes :

"First. Moral perjury, in seeking to overthrow the Constitution they
had sworn to support.

"Second. Treason, in levying war against the government and giving
aid and comfort to her enemies.

"Third. Murder, in taking the lives of loyal citizens.

"Fourth. Theft, in stealing the public property.

346 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"Fifth. Robbery, in taking - by force the property of the government
and that of private citizens. Who but a desperado could complicate himself
with all those crimes, or give sympathy, directly or indirectly encourage, aid
or abet those desperate villains in the destruction of liberties ? And, knowing
that in Union there is strength, while party strife and division is but weakness,
and believing as we do, that in the language of the patriotic Holtcomb of
Kentucky, 'So long as the rebels have arms in their hands there is nothing
left to compromise but the honor of the government.' And that 'no man
with a soul above a coward is prepared for such submission' and that 'the
word compromise cannot now be' uttered except by disloyal lips, or by those
speaking directly in the interests of rebellion' ;

"And that in the language of the lamented Douglas, 'Whoever is not
prepared to sacrifice party organizations and platforms on the altar of this
country does not deserve the support and countenance of honest people,' and
fully realizing that all we are, and all we can hope for ourselves and our
children, is wrapped up in the success and perpetuity of our Constitution ;
therefore

"Resolved, that we will lay aside party platforms and party organiza-
tions upon the altar of our common country, that our influence and strength
may not be wasted in domestic party feuds and bickerings; but that we may
in solid phalanx present but a single voice, influence and action of patriotic
and efficient devotion to the maintenance and perpetuity of our glorious
Constitution and Union, and a united opposition to disunion, treason and
rebellion.

"Resolved, that we fraternally invite all, without distinction of party, to
unite with us, supporting no one for official place whose patriotism does not
and cannot be made to rise above mere party."

The Union ticket placed in the field by the convention was supported by
the Republicans and by a number of Democrats. Following are both tickets
with the votes received by each candidate in the October election, 1861 :

Clerk — George Barnett, Union, 960; Morgan Chandler, Democrat,
1,127.

Treasurer — Flam I. Judkins, Union, 924; John Addison, Democrat,

i,X7 6 -

Sheriff — Taylor W. Thomas, Union, 1.003; Samuel Archer, Democrat,
1 ,096.

Commissioner, Fastern District — Richard Hackleman, Union. Sjy:
William New, Democrat, 1,166.

politics. 347

Although there had been a division in the Democratic party in the nom-
inating convention, but one ticket was put into the field and both wings of
the party supported it.

Following the election of i860, when the rift in the Democratic organ-
ization in the county became apparent, each faction posed as the Democratic
party. There was much strife between the factions and each said many ugly
things about the other, when the other assumed to represent the real Dem-
ocratic party of old. To say that feeling between the factions, and especially
later between the Democrats and the "Union Democrats," was bitter, is stat-
ing it very mildly indeed. After the Union party was organized the mem-
bers of the factions of the old Democratic party that remained in the county
were openly called "Butternuts," "Traitors," "Rebels," "Secessionists" — in
fact, anything that expressed or smacked of disloyalty. But these charges
the party answered in resolutions adopted in convention, and those resolu-
tions will hereinafter be set out to speak for themselves. Unfortunately,
however, for the National Democrats of the county, John C. Breckenridge,
whom they had recognized as the "Able, tried and true opponent of the prin-
ciples so dear to every National Democrat," was expelled from the United
States Senate within about a year after Lincoln's election, because of his
sympathy for the South. He was at once made a major-general in the Con-
federate army. Later he became secretary of war of the Southern Confed-
eracy. It is needless to comment on the effect of his action upon the people
in Hancock county. His followers who had so heartily endorsed him, and
in fact all who remained in the Democratic party during that period had to
bear the criticism occasioned by his disloyalty.

The rock upon which the local Democratic ship foundered, however, was
the manner of dealing with the rebellion. The Douglas Democrats favored
a vigorous prosecution of the w&r. This was also the policy of the Repub-
lican party, and of the Union party that came into existence in 1861. The
National Democrats, or Breckenridge followers, opposed the vigorous pros-
ecution of the war, and advocated compromise for the solution of the nation's
difficulties. Throughout the war, after the National Democrats had again
merged with those Douglas Democrats that had not joined with the Union
party, the Democrats of the county always put great emphasis on the word
compromise in their political speeches, resolutions, etc. The Union party, on
the other hand held, as they stated in their first series of resolutions
adopted in their county convention on September 18, 1861, that "there is
nothing left to compromise but the honor of the country," and that "the word
compromise cannot now be uttered except by disloyal lips or by those speak-

348 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

ing directly in the interest of rebellion.'' This construction put upon the
basic principles of the Democracy of the county during the first years of the
war, made them traitors. The student of local history will have to determine
for himself the correctness of the conclusions enunciated in the various resolu-
tions herein set out. It will be accepted without challenge, however, that the
divergence between the parties became so great, and that their acts and
expressions were held in such a light that it engendered a degree of bitter-
ness in the county that the present generation can hardly understand.

Other resolutions adopted at various township and county conventions
will throw additional light upon all of these matters. The following resolu-
tions, for instance, were adopted by the Democracy of Brandywine township
on August 31, 1 86 1 :

"Whereas, our county is now involved in civil war and in difficulties
unprecedented ; and whereas, these difficulties have been fomented by the
Abolitionists of the North, and the Secessionists of the South, both of whom
have been disunionists for years, and by the sectional policy of the Repub-
lican party, these difficulties have been increased, endangering the safety of
the Union and the liberties of the people ; and whereas, the present war could
and ought to have been avoided by compromise, and would have been had not
the Republican party by a strong effort to ingraft into our government their
irrepressible doctrines, and thereby defeated every measure offered by the
Democracy to secure a peaceable solution of the sectional troubles ; therefore

''Resolved, that we deplore the present civil war as a national calamity,
and that its future prosecution by either party will be ruinous to both sections ;
and are therefore solicitous that this war between brethren shall cease the
very instant that terms of adjustment can be agreed on alike honorable to all
the states and people; and to that end it is the duty of every patriot to exert
all his energies for the adoption of such measures as will prove most effectual
in terminating hostilities, and thereby restoring to our beloved country all
the blessings of peace.

"Resolved, that the Democracy of Brandywine township yield to none
in our devotion to the Union, our attachment to the Constitution, and loyalty
to our glorious flag: to vindicate the court, and uphold the Stars and Stripes,
and for all other legal and loyal purposes we will contribute our last dollar —
if need be our blood. Our motto is, 'Millions for defense but not one cent
for coercion or subjugation of sovereign states.'

"Resolved, that the charge of Republicans against Democrats with being
secessionists and disunionists is a foul and infamous falsehood. There is not
now — there never has been — a Democrat in the North, in favor of secession

politics. 349

or disunion — they are all for the Union — while every disunionist is against
compromise and for the war, that must inevitably sever the Union and
render reconstruction impossible.

"Resolved, that the frequent violations of the Constitution of the United
States by the present executive and those under his authority deserve and
should receive the strong condemnation of every friend of constitutional
government.

"Resolved, that the Democratic party, by its wise and patriotic action
m the past, presents itself to the nation as the only party capable of guiding
our country through these perilous times, and in our opinion the only hope
for the Union and our free institutions is to restore the administration of the
government to the wisdom and guidance of Democratic statesmen, and we
are, therefore, utterly opposed to fusing with the Republicans in making our
nominations, as is proposed by a few unsafe and weak-kneed Democrats.

"Resolved, that we receive with profound sorrow the news of the battle
of Manassas, and the defeat of our army; and while we mourn tlie fate of
those who bravely fell, we are constrained to believe the humiliating blow
was in consequence of the negligence and mismanagement of the President
and his cabinet in their utter disregard of the military knowledge of General
Scott, and the country will hold them responsible for all the disasters of that
ill-turned and ill-directed battle; that no such overwhelming defeat could
have come upon us, with troops as brave and patriotic as our noble volunteers,
had they been efficiently officered and properly cared for.

"John P. Banks,
"Chairman of Resolution Committee."

On the same day, August 31, 1861, the Jackson township Democratic
convention was also held. On motion of Noble W'arrum, A. V. B. Sample
was elected chairman ; E. C. Reeves, vice-president, and Edward P. Scott,
secretary. The chairman appointed the following committee on resolutions :
Burd Lacy, T. G. Walker, Thomas Glascock, Noble Warrum, George W.
Sample.

This committee offered the following resolutions, which were unani-
mously adopted :

"Resolved, that we are opposed to proscription either in religion or
politics ; that we are in favor of a strict construction of the Constitution and
no assumption of doubtful powers, either by the national or state governments.

"Resolved, that retaining that veneration for the Constitution, the Union
and the laws, which has ever characterized our party, we deprecate and

35° HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

denounce all men, both North and South, who may lend their aid and coun-
tenance to destroy our government, or any of its constitutional guarantees.

"Resolved, that the Democratic party has ever advocated union and
harmony between the conflicting portions of our country, and a peaceable
solution of all our troubles, yielding to every section its constitutional rights ;
and we therefore declare that we are in no wise responsible for the troubles
that now afflict our beloved country.

"Resolved, that we congratulate the brave men of Indiana who have vol-
unteered at the call of their country, upon the success that has thus far
attended their arms ; and that we endorse the action of those Democrats in
the Congress of the United States who voted men and money at the call of
the government; but we hold it to be the duty of the civil authorities to see
that our soldiers are battling in a necessary as well as a just cause, and
therefore, the olive branch of peace should go with the sword, and that,
therefore, Congress should have adopted the resolutions offered by Mr. Cox.
or some other proposition of the same nature and effect.

"Resolved, that we regard as vital, the constitutional right of free
speech, the freedom of the press, and the writ of habeas corpus, and that they
should be held sacred by the American people, as the priceless heritage given
to us by our fathers.

"Resolved, that the Democrats of Jackson township are, as ever, loyal to
the Constitution and the laws — that we are in favor of their rigid enforce-
ment, everywhere throughout the United States upon all occasions : that we
will sustain the administration in all its constitutional efforts to maintain
the government, and we declare our disapprobation of all violations of the
fundamental laws of the country, as well in the President and his cabinet as
in the humblest citizen.

"Resolved, that, forgetting all past differences in our party, we will unite
for the sake of the Union of the States, and the maintenance of the Con-
stitution ; that we denounce all attempts to divide our ranks by appeals to
former divisions, and rejoice in the return of peace and harmony in our party,
as the harbinger of the peace and harmony of our country.

"Resolved, that we have no sympathy, aid or comfort for Northern
Abolitionists or Southern Secessionists, for we view both as the cause of our
present great difficulties — each alike guilty.

Resolved, that we have no confidence in the good faith and efficiency
of many of the present self-constituted Union savers, who have heretofore
acted in such a fanatical manner as to destroy confidence in the different
sections of our beloved country."

POLITICS. 35I

The Union party, which had a county organization perfected in the fall
of 1 86 1, and which was composed of Republicans and many Douglas Dem-
ocrats, adopted a part of the last speech of Stephen A. Douglas as its plat-
form on the solution of the problems that were before the country.

The Hancock Democrat, with David S. Gooding as editor-in-chief, in
February became its organ and the following excerpt from the last speech
of Douglas was published at the head of its editorial column in practically
every issue after 186 1 :

"Whoever is not prepared to sacrifice party organizations and platforms
on the altar of his country does not deserve the support and countenance of
honest men. How are we to overcome partisan antipathies in the minds of
men of all parties so as to present a united front in support of our country?
IV e must cease discussing party issues, make no allusion to old party tests,
have no criminations and recriminations, indulge in no taunts one against the
other as to who has been the cause of these troubles.

"When we shall have rescued the government and country from its perils,
and seen its flag floating in triumph over every inch of American soil, it will
then be time enough to inquire as to who and what have brought these troubles
upon us. When we shall have a country and a government for our children
to live irr peace and happiness, it shall be time for each of us to return to our
party banners according to our convictions of right and duty. Let him be
marked as no true patriot who will not abandon all such issues in times like
these."

During the remainder of the war the two principal parties in Hancock
county were the Democratic party and the Union party. In the spring of
1862 the second call for a Union convention appeared in the columns of the
Hancock Democrat. This call contained a fuller statement of the policy of
the Union party and was signed "Many Democrats and Many Republicans."
The following is the call as published :

"UNION CONVENTION CENTER TOWNSHIP.

"Will be held Saturday, 29th day of March, 1862, at 1 o'clock P. M., at
the Court House in Greenfield, for the purpose of nominating the proper can-
didates to be voted for at the April election, by all patriotic men, irrespective
of party. All patriotic Democrats and Republicans, who earnestly and heartily
support the government m the vigorous prosecution of the zvar for the sup-
pression of this wanton and wicked rebellion, are invited to participate in the

352 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

selection of candidates, whose merits and patriotism are unquestioned. A
full attendance of the masses is important and very desirable.

"Many Democrats,
"Many Republicans."
"March 19, A. D. 1862.

At the April township elections in 1862, the Union party elected some of
its candidates in several of the townships, including- Blue River, Center and
Buck Creek.

On July 19, 1862, the Democratic county convention was held at Green-
field. James L. Mason called the meeting to order, and the following officers
were elected: John Foster, president; George Tague, William Handy, William
Potts and John Sample, vice-presidents; Alfred Shaw and George West,
secretaries.

This convention appointed the following delegates to the congressional
convention, to he held later: Wellington Collyer, William New, Andrew
Childers, Joseph Wright, Dr. B. W. Cooper, Neri Jarrett, Edward P. Scott,
Dr. Paul Esby, William Shore.

The following county ticket was nominated: Representative, Noble
Warrum; joint representative, James L. Mason; surveyor, George .W. Sam-
ple ; commissioner western district, E. S. Bottsford.

The following men composed the committee on resolutions : William
Handy, John P. Banks, Montgomery Marsh, John Collins, William Fries,
Edward Valentine, George W. Sample, Ernest H. Faut, William Jackson.

This committee offered the following, which were unanimously adopted :

"Whereas, this government has been administered by conservatives and
conservative principles almost exclusively from its organization up to the
time of the triumph of the sectional Republican party, by the election of Mr.
Lincoln to the Presidency in i860; and governed, too, with equal and exact
justice to every portion of the country, East, West, North and South ; gov-
erned in such manner and upon such principles as to insure respectful obedi-
ence to the Constitution and laws of our country, thereby insuring industry,
happiness and brotherly kindness between sections, and making us one of the
great nations of the earth commercially, politically, socially and religiously;
therefore, be it

"Resolved, that we stand by that good old conservative party and con-
servative principles that have controlled and sustained our government from
the days of Washington, Jefferson and other patriots to the present time,
firmly believing that if the Constitution is to be maintained and the Union

politics. 353

restored and cemented to its former greatness and power, it must be done
on conservative Democratic principles.

"Resolved, that as Democrats and conservatives, we will render all the
aid in our power, in a constitutional and legal manner, for the suppression of
the present wicked and formidable rebellion, at the same time solemnly pro-
testing against the reckless and fanatical emancipation and abolition schemes
that have recently been enacted in our national legislature, and demanding
from the authorities at our national capital and elsewhere, that there shall be
no more fraud, corruption and public plundering of our own hard-earned and
needy national and state treasuries.

"Resolved, that as Democrats and conservatives, we earnestly and deeply
sympathize and pray fervently for the success of our brave volunteers from
every section of our country, but more particularly for those brave and hardy
sons of Hancock that have imperiled their lives, their fortunes and their all,
in defense and for the maintenance of the Constitution as it is, and the restor-
ation of the Union as it was.

''Resolved, that we treat with utter contempt the charge that Democrats
are disunionists and sympathizers with the rebels in their efforts to subvert
the laws and overthrow the government and we hereby hurl back the slander-
ous charge, and brand our slanderers with being the only secessionists and
aiders of rebellion in their efforts to overthrow the government, and look
upon the Abolitionists North and Secessionists South as equally opposed to
the government and laboring for the same ends."

The convention also left no doubt in the mind of anyone as to where
they placed the Hancock Democrat. On this point the following resolution
was adopted :

"Resolved, that as there is no Democratic paper published in Hancock
county, we request the Indiana State Sentinel and the Shelbyville Volunteer
to publish the proceedings of this convention."

Thomas A. Hendricks addressed the people assembled in this convention.

At the same time that the Democratic county convention was being held
at Greenfield on July 19, 1862, a Union meeting was being held at Charlottes-
ville. Judge Gooding addressed a large congregation of people for almost
three hours. John Wood, Democrat, presided at the meeting. Benjamin
Reeves, Democrat, was chosen vice-president, and John Smith, Republican,
for secretary.

Just a week later there was also a Union meeting and pole raising at
Allen's Corner, in Blue River township.

(23)

^54 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Immediately following the Democratic county convention the following
notice appeared in the issue of July 23, 1862, of the Hancock Democrat:

MASS

UNION CONVENTION

in
HANCOCK COUNTY

SATURDAY, 2ND DAY OF AUGUST, 1862,

At 10 o'clock A. M.

At Greenfield.
GOV'NOR JOSEPH A. WRIGHT!
and others will address the people.
All Democrats, Republicans, and others who are Union men, and in favor of uniting
all patriots, without regard to party differences, in a common effort to save the country,
and restore the Union as it was and maintain the Constitution as it is, by a vigorous prosecu-
tion of the war to suppress this wicked and causeless rebellion, are hereby urged to partici-
pate in the convention.

Nominations will be made for Representative, County Commissioner and Surveyor.
COME OUT, PATRIOTS, with your families and let us have a GRAND DAY— A
GENERAL REUNION OF PATRIOTIC HEARTS.

Many Democrats,
Many Republicans.

It was said that this call brought out the largest mass nominating con-
vention held in the county up to that time. It was held at Piersoirs grove.
T. J. Hanna called the convention to order. David S. Gooding was elected
chairman. The following vice-presidents were elected : Blue River, Richard
Hackleman, Elijah Tyner; Brown, Alfred Thomas, Thomas Collins; Brandy-
wine, Peter Pope, S. and William Workman; Buck Creek, S. H. Arnett,
William Steele; Center, R. A. Riley, John Martin; Green, Meredith Gosney,
W. R. Ferrell ; Jackson, Andrew Pauley, John Barrett ; Sugar Creek, Adam
Hawk, George Leachman ; Vernon, Henry N. Thompson, Elias McCord.

William Mitchell, William P. Barrett and William R. Hough acted as
secretaries of the convention. The chairman appointed the following com-
mittee on resolutions : Blue River, John I. Hatfield, Ezekial Tyner ; Brandy-
wine, I. N. Pope, John Roberts; Brown, Dr. William Trees, John Sparks;
Buck Creek, Thomas J. Hanna, William Steele ; Center, William R. Hough,
; Green, Jefferson Ferrell, H. Moore; Jackson, Sam-
uel Smith, John Woods; Sugar Creek, Thomas C. Tuttle, James E. Smith;
Vernon, Solomon Jackson, William F. McCord.

William R. Hough was elected chairman of the committee on resolu-
tions. He offered the following, which were adopted :

"Whereas, the national government is engaged in a war against it by its
enemies for the purpose of its destruction, and the subversion of our form
of government; therefore

POLITICS.

355

"Resolved, that the present civil war was forced upon the country by the
disunionists in the Southern states, who are now in rebellion against the con-
stituted government that in the present emergency, we, the people of Han-
cock, in convention assembled, forgetting all former political differences, and
recollecting only our duty to the whole country, do pledge ourselves to aid
with men and money the vigorous prosecution of the present war, which is
not being waged upon the part of our government for the purpose of coercing,
subjugation or the overthrowing or interfering with the right or established
institutions of any of the states, but to suppress and put down a wicked and
causeless rebellion, defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution,
and to preserve the Union with all the dignity, equality, and rights of the
several states unimpaired, and when these objects are fully accomplished,
and not before, we believe the war ought to cease; and that we invite all who
coincide in these sentiments to unite with us in the support of the ticket this
day nominated.

"Resolved, that as long as patriotism, courage and the love of consti-
tutional liberty shall be honored and revered among the people of the United
States, the heroic conduct of the soldiers of the Union, who have offered
their lives for the salvation of their country, will be remembered with the
most profound feelings of veneration and gratitude, and that we now tender
to them the warmest thanks and lasting gratitude of every member of this
convention.

"Resolved, that we tender to the sixty thousand volunteers from Indiana
our heart-felt congratulation, and hail with pride the fact that upon every
battlefield where Indianians have been found, they have displayed the bravery
of patriots in the defense of a glorious cause, and we pledge them that while
they are subduing armed traitors in the field, we will condemn at the ballot
box all those in our midst who arc not unconditionally for the Union.

"Resolved, that Noble Warrum, one of the representatives of this county
in the last legislature, by his vote for the minority report of the committee
of thirteen on federal relations denying the constitutional power of the gen-
eral government to prevent a state from seceding from the Union; also
assurring the rebels of the aid and assistance of more than a million freemen
of Indiana to resist the government, misrepresented Hancock county, and
we hereby repudiate and disown his act."

Heretofore the Union conventions had been called by "Union Men" or
by "Many Democrats," "Many Republicans," etc. In this convention, how-
ever, a Union county central committee was selected, composed of the follow-
ing men : Blue River, Nathan D. Coffin, Richard Hackleman ; Brown, Joseph

356 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Stanley. Phineas R. Thomas; Buck Creek, Thomas J. Hanna, William Steele;
Brandvw ine. John Roberts, Isaac N. Pope ; Green, Jefferson Ferrell, H.
Moore; Jackson, Thomas M. Bedgood, Percy McQuerry; Sugar Creek, Adam

Hawk, Henry Merlan ; Vernon, Levi Thomas, Lightfoot ; Center,

William Frost. William Frost was elected chairman of this committee.

The following tickets were before the people of the county in the annual
October election, in 1862, each candidate receiving the number of votes
indicated :

Joint Representative — George W. Hatfield, Union, 1,349; James Mason,
Democrat, 1,199.

County Representative — George Y. Atkison, Union, 1,315; Noble War-
rum, Democrat, 1,220.

Commissioner, Western District — Elias McCord, Union, 1,340; E. S.
Bottsford, Democrat, 1,218.

Surveyor — James K. King, Union, 1,217; George W. Sample, Democrat,

i,345-

The Union party carried the county by an approximate majority of one

hundred votes.

In the spring elections of township officers, in 1863, the Union candi-
dates were elected in some of the townships, while in others the Democrats
were successful. In Blue River township the Union vote for township trustee
was divided between B. F. Luse, John Hunt and James P. New. The Dem-
ocratic candidate was elected. In Vernon township the Union candidate,
Levi Thomas, received 129 votes and George W. Stanley, Democrat, 140
votes. The Union vote in the townships, however, was not as large as it
had been in the previous fall elections, while the Democratic vote held its
own.

On May 16, 1863, the Union central committee held a meeting, at which
the proposition of uniting with the Democrats on the selection of a county
ticket was considered. The committee finally adopted the following resolu-
tions, which were presented to the Democratic central committee :

"Greenfield, Ind., May t6, 1863.
"Messrs. B. F. Caldwell and Others, Committee:

"Sirs : The following preamble and propositions, on behalf of the
Union county central committee, are herewith presented to your consideration,
to-wit :

"Whereas, our country is involved in an unfortunate, unnecessary and

politics. 357

causeless internecine war, commenced wantonly and wickedly, and still waged
in the same spirit by rebels and traitors, against the government of the United
States; and whereas, the rebellion is of such magnitude as imminently jeop-
ardizes the safety of the people and the perpetuity of the government; and
whereas, in our opinion, the government, in its efforts to suppress the rebel-
lion, greatly needs the united support of all Union men; and whereas, the
perpetuity of old party organizations tends to engender and continue crim-
inations, strife and division among loyal men, when nothing of the kind
should exist; therefore, to mitigate, and, if possible, avoid the evils grow-
ing out of party contest at a time like this, and to preserve and cement good
feeling among all loyal men, we, the Union central committee of Hancock
county, on behalf of our friends, submit to the central committee claiming to
represent the Democracy, the following propositions, viz. :

"That no nominating convention be held in the county during the present
year (1863).

"If this proposition is not acceptable, then we propose that two central
committees unite in calling a county nominating convention, to be composed
of or represent all men who are for the Union, the Constitution and the
vigorous prosecution of the war to suppress the rebellion.

"Hoping that the preamble and propositions will be favorably considered,

"Respectfully, etc.,

"William Frost, Chairman,
"William Mitchell, Secretary."

Even the most casual perusal of the above proposals will reveal the fact
that its adoption by the Democrats would have involved the complete sur-
render of all of the principles which had been enunciated in their own resolu-
tions adopted from time to time. Each party again nominated its county
ticket for the October election, in 1863. The tickets, with the number of
votes received by each candidate, were as follow :

Treasurer — Nelson Bradley, Union, 1,382; John Addison, Democrat,
1,198.

Auditor — Lysander Sparks, Union, 1,385; Montgomery Marsh, Dem-
ocrat. 1,195.

Sheriff — William G. Caldwell, Union, 1,394; Jonathan Dunbar, Dem-
ocrat. 1,162.

Commissioner — John Hinchman, Union, 1,388; Hiram Tyner, Dem-
ocrat, 1,191.

358 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Coroner — Isaac Ballenger, Union, 1,382; Warner G. Smoot, Democrat,
1. 187.

The approximate majority in each of the various townships at this time
was as follows :

Townships. Union. Democrat.

Blue River 45

Brandywine 80

Brown 45

Buck Creek 34

Center 276

Green 65

Jackson 74

Sugar Creek 75

Vernon 15

Total -..444 239

The Union ticket thus had a majority of approximately two hundred
votes in the county.

After the votes had been counted, Jonathan Dunbar, the Democratic
candidate for sheriff, brought an action to contest the election. The action
was brought before the board of county commissioners of Hancock county.
All the candidates on the ticket with the exception of the candidate for
prosecutor were made defendants. The petitioner gave the following
grounds, in substance, as the basis for his right to contest the election :

"That the ballot box in Center township was stuffed by persons unknown
to the contestor.

"That force and violence were used at the polls in Center township, and
thereby voters were excluded from the polls who desired to vote for the con-
testor and his associate candidates.

"That votes were allowed to be cast for the Union candidates by persons
who were not citizens of the county.

"That minors were allowed to vote the Union ticket."

The board of county commissioners dismissed the petition for the reason
that the statute governing the case provided that "when the office of county
auditor is contested such statement shall be filed with the clerk." In this
action the county auditor had been made a party defendant. From the

politics. 359

decision of the board the petitioner appealed to the Hancock circuit court,
Montgomery Marsh and John Addison going on his bond. On February 26,
1864, the cause was dismissed on motion of the plaintiff.

One year later, at the October election, in 1864, the Democratic ticket was
successful. The tickets before the people in this election, with the number
of votes received by each candidate, were as follow :

Representative — Thomas C. Tuttle, Union, 1,361; John H. White, Dem-
ocrat, 1,395.

Recorder — Benjamin T. Raines, Union, 1,363; Levi Leary, Democrat,
1.392.

Surveyor — George W. Hatfield, Union, 1,362; William Trees, Dem-
ocrat, 1,395.

Commissioner— Benjamin Reeves, Union, 1,358; William New, Dem-
ocrat, 1,398.

At the Presidential election in November, 1864, Lincoln and McClellan
received the following number of votes :

Townships. Lincoln. McClellan.

Blue River 134 79

Brandywine 48 142

Brown 95 7.29

Buck Creek 134 91

Center 349 237

Green 86 146

Jackson 223 138

Sugar Creek 126 207

Vernon 177 168

Total 1,372 1.337

PERIOD OF RECONSTRUCTION.

A Union mass convention was held August 26, 1865, at Greenfield.
Elias McCord was elected president of the convention ; Henry W. Thompson
and Henry C. Moore, vice-presidents ; William Mitchell and Dr. E. W. Pier-
son, secretaries. The resolutions committee was composed of William Frost,
Dr. M. McManee, H. L. Moore, John Thomas and A. H. Allison. The
following resolutions were adopted by this convention :

"Resolved, that the Union party of this county, composed of all such
as have ignored all past parties and party issues in a common patriotic pur-

360 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

pose of saving the government of the United States from overthrow, is, if
possible, now more than ever devoted to the Constitution and Union of our
common country.

"That coercion has saved the government and country from overthrow
and ruin, and the policy of the Union party in the prosecution of the war has
proven a complete success.

"That we rejoice that the causeless and wicked rebellion has been sup-
pressed, our country saved, and peace restored, without a dishonorable com-
promise with traitors in arms, by the labors, toils, privations and sacrifices
of our Union people.

"That we cherish in grateful hearts the memory of our lamented
President Lincoln.

"That President Johnson, by his honesty, integrity, ability and patriotism
is worthy to be the successor in the Presidential office of our good and great
Lincoln, and that we have abiding confidence in the success of his
administration.

"That we cordially endorse and approve the policy first adopted by
President Lincoln, and followed and firmly adhered to by President Johnson,
for the reorganization and restoration of the states, whose people have been
in rebellion, to their practical relation to the general government.

"That all men must be free within this government, and that all should
be protected in person and property, and that while we desire the improve-
ment, progress and comfort of all, we are opposed to the extension of suffrage
to the negroes, and as far as practical favor their colonization on some suit-
able territory without the jurisdiction of the states.

"That the gratitude of the country is due to the army and navy, soldiers
and sailors for their bravery and patriotism in defense of the 'old flag,' and
their families, the widows and orphans have a right to our sympathies and
the care of the government.

"That we approve of the execution of the assassins of President Lincoln,
and demand that Jeff Davis, the Confederate head of all treason, be speedily
tried, and if found guilty executed."

Candidates were nominated by the convention, the convention giving to
each township a ratio of one vote for every fifty or fraction of fifty votes cast
for Abraham Lincoln, at the Presidential election in 1864. Under this rule
the votes were distributed as follows : Blue River, 3 ; Brandywine, 1 ; Brown,
2 ; Buck Creek, 3 : Center, 7; Green, 2 ; Jackson, 5 ; Sugar Creek, 6; Vernon, 4.

On September 9, 1865, the Democrats held a primary nominating con-
vention. The county convention met on September 16, 1865, to ratify and

POLITICS. 361

confirm the votes of the townships and to declare the result of that vote.
There seems to have been more or less of a fight between George Y. Atkison
on the one hand and Noble Warrum, Morgan Chandler and Dr. B. W.
Cooper on the other for the control of the party. It seems that Atkison was
rather successful in the fight. The two tickets put into the field by these
conventions, with the number of votes received by each candidate at the
October election, in 1865, were as follow:

Clerk — H. A. Swope, Union, 1,375; William Marsh, Democrat, 1,206.
Treasurer — Nelson Bradley, Union, 1,358; Robert P. Brown, Democrat,
1,240.

Sheriff — William G. Caldwell, Union, 1,388; S. T. Djckerson, Democrat,

T,202.

Commissioner — Ephraim Thomas, Union, 1,369; Smith McCord, Dem-
ocrat, 1,234.

Recorder — Amos E. Beeson, Union, 1,373; Wellington Collyer, Dem-
ocrat, 1,231.

The Union ticket was thus successful again in 1865 with majorities
ranging from one hundred to one hundred and fifty votes.

On March 10, 1866, a Democratic county mass convention was held at
Greenfield to select delegates to attend the Democratic state convention. John
\Y. Ryon was chosen president of the convention, and C. T. Cochran, secre-
retary. The chairman appointed the following committee on resolutions:
Center, B. W. Cooper, John H. White, J. L. Mason; Blue Riyer, Samuel S.
Chandler; Brandywine, Alfred Potts; Brown, William Garrett; Buck Creek,
Tsom Wright; Sugar Creek, Robert P. Brown; Green, Edward Valentine;
Jackson, Benjamin F. Caldwell; Vernon, Solomon Jackson.

The following resolutions, endorsing the efforts and policies of Presi-
dent Johnson, were adopted :

"Resolved, that the principles of the Democratic party have ever been
national, and that it is the duty of every patriot in this hour of our country's
trial to aid the President in the restoration of the country to its former unity.

"Resolved, that the firm stand taken by President Johnson in his efforts
to maintain the Constitution, restore the Union, and bring about harmony
and good feeling between the people of the different sections of our country,
meets with our unqualified approval.

"Resolved, that the vindictive and radical course adopted by the major-
ity of the present Congress, in our opinion, is calculated to prolong the

362 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

restoration of the states, and a return to quiet, prosperity and the industry of
its citizens, and therefore meets our unqualified disapproval.

"Resolved, that we cordially endorse the President in his veto of the
Freedman's Bureau bill.

"Resolved, that we are in favor of maintaining the public credit ana
that we believe it is a just principle that property of all kinds should equally
bear the burdens of taxation, and that federal securities should be taxed for
state, county and municipal purposes the same as other property.

"Resolved, that we congratulate our brave soldiers upon the restoration
of peace and return to their homes; that while we mourn the loss of our com-
rades in arms we pledge to them our support in all efforts to secure from
Congress provisions for the sick and wounded, and the families of those who
have fallen.

"Resolved, that we are in favor of Congress equalizing the bounties paid
to soldiers to suppress the late rebellion, either in public lands or in money.

"Resolved, that we stand unalterably opposed to conferring the right
of suffrage upon the negro race and unqualifiedly condemn the action of
Congress in its attempt to force the same upon the people of the District of
Columbia.

"Resolved, that we invite the conservative men of all parties, who with
us approve the veto and the restoration policy of President Johnson, to unite
with us in sustaining those principles at the ballot box.

"Resolved, that we are opposed to any amendments being made to the
Constitution of the United States until every state recently in rebellion is
represented in the Congress of the United States."

At this convention the following Democratic central committee was
appointed: Blue River, August Dennis; Brandy wine, Alfred Potts; Brown,
William Marsh ; Buck Creek, John S. Wright ; Center, John W. Ryon, James
P. Galbreath; Green, A. W. Huntington; Jackson, A. V. B. Sample; Sugar
Creek, Ernest H. Faut; Vernon, Solomon Jackson.

John W. Ryon was elected chairman of this committee. The committee
decided to hold a primary nominating convention on June 23, 1866.

The war had now closed and new problems of the reconstruction period
began to force themselves upon the attention of the people. It is worthy of
notice that the Union and Democratic parties of the county were agreed
upon several points, as they had expressed themselves in their resolutions
adopted on August 26, 1865, and on March 10, 1866, respectively. In their
resolutions both endorsed the policy and statesmanship of President Johnson
and both were opposed to giving the ballot to the negro. Two vears later.

POLITICS. 363

however, the Union party was no longer willing to subscribe to its resolutions
of August 26, 1865. •

The county central committee of the Union party met at the county
recorders office on July 28, 1866, and there decided to hold a Union mass
convention for the nomination of candidates on August 25, 1866. It seems
that just at this time the Union central committee was in need of a little
more financial support and hence the following finance committee was
appointed: Blue River, J. I. Hatfield, B. P. Butler; Brandy wine, John Rob-
erts, William Workman; Brown, Dr. Trees, Isaac. Smith; Buck Creek, E.
Thomas, S. H. Arnett; Center, Nelson Bradley, Thomas Bedgood and S.
Sparks; Green, R. Jarrett, H. B. Wilson; Jackson, John Barrett, John A.
Craft; Sugar Creek, Adam Hawk, Benjamin Freeman; Vernon, Levi
Thomas, Capt. T. R. Noell.

It was decided to collect fifteen dollars from each township for defray-
ing accumulated indebtedness.

On August 25, 1866, the Union voters of Hancock county assembled in
mass convention at the court house, pursuant to a notice previously given
by the chairman of the Union central committee. The convention was called
to order by Dr. N. P. Howard. On motion Presley Guymon was chosen
president of the convention ; H. H. Hall, William G. Caldwell, Ashbury Pope,
vice-presidents ; Thomas N. Bedgood and John G. Hatfield, secretaries.

On motion the president appointed three men from Center and one from
each of the other townships as a committee on resolutions. It was also
ordered, on motion, that all resolutions submitted to the convention for
adoption, be referred to the committee on resolutions without debate. The
committee on resolutions made two reports, a majority report and a minority
report. The majority report was as follows :

"Whereas, the Congress of the United States by a two-thirds vote has
proposed to the several states thereof for amendments to the Constitution of
the United States, fully recognizing the right of each state for itself to reg-
ulate and prescribe the qualifications of voters within the limits of such states,
and to proportion the representation of such state in the Congress and elec-
toral college according; therfore

"Resolved, that we believe such proposed amendments to be wise and
just and expedient, and are in favor of their adoption.

"Resolved, that we recognize the right of each state to prescribe for its
qualifications of its own voters, and that we are now, as heretofore, opposed
to negro suffrage.

364 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"Resolved, that we endorse the state ticket nominated by the Union state
convention on the 22nd of February last, also the nomination of John Col urn
by the Sixth Congressional district convention of July 19, 1866.

"Resolved, that we will show by our acts our high appreciation of the
heroic citizen soldiers and sailors, who, by their valor saved and established
man's God-given right to govern himself."

William Frost, a member of the committee on resolutions, submitted to
the convention, as a minority report, the resolutions adopted by the Union
Hancock county convention on August 26, 1865, and in February, 1866,
respectively. These resolutions, after being read, were, upon motion, laid
on the table. The resolutions offered by the majority report were adopted
by an overwhelming vote of the convention. The following men were then
appointed as the Union central committee for Hancock county for the ensuing
year: Blue River, N. D. Coffin, B. P. Butler; Brandy wine, William Work-
man, Ashbury Pope; Brown, Joseph Stanley, William Trees; Buck Creek,
H. H. Hall, Shade Arnett; Center, N. P. Howard, A. F. Hart, William H.
Curry; Green, Henry Moore, Robert Jarrett; Jackson, P. Bedgood, G. O.
Chandler ; Sugar Creek, Nelson Hogle, E. W. Pierson ; Vernon, Thomas
Hanna, Levi Thomas.

The resolutions adopted by this convention again contained the clause,
"we are now, as heretofore, opposed to negro suffrage." They failed, how-
ever, to endorse the reconstructive policy of President Johnson ; instead, they
endorsed the action of Congress.

The rejection of the resolutions that had previously been twice adopted
by the Union party and which had been offered again by William Frost in
his minority report, was not received kindly by a great number of voters.
Coburn, too, was entirely too radical and it was well known that his sym-
pathies were with Congress rather than with the President. The same causes
that were producing the breach between the President and Congress were also
dividing the Union party in Hancock county.

As an indication of the dissatisfaction that arose on account of the action
of the Union convention of August 25, 1866, the following notice appeared
on August 30, 1866, in the Hancock Democrat :

"national union convention.

"We, the undersigned voters of Hancock county, who supported Lincoln
and Johnson in 1864, or who have since supported the Union ticket and who
now must support the restoration policy of President Johnson, call upon the
supporters of said policies, irrespective of past political divisions, to meet in

POLITICS. 365

mass convention in Greenfield on Saturday, September 15, 1866, to consult
together as to the proper course to be pursued to sustain and carry out such
policies :

"Thomas West,

"William Martin,

"John Frost,

"William Frost,

"Robert Blakely,
. "Thomas Collins,

"John C. Rardin, Late Capt. 9th Cav.,

"William Mitchell,

"A. K. Branham,

"James K. King,

"George Barnett/'

Pursuant to the above notice, the convention met at the designated time
and place. A. K. Branham was chosen president and William Mitchell,
secretary. George Barnett, Noble Warrum, Thomas West, William Frost
and H. A. Swope were appointed as a committee on resolutions. They were
also directed to report to the convention the names of suitable persons for a
central committee. The committee on resolutions reported an endorsement of
the National Union platform adopted at Philadelphia on August 14, i860.
This report was unanimously adopted. The party was liberal in its atti'ude
toward the South and had great faith in the reconstructive policies of Presi-
dent Johnson. The following central committee was appo'nted : Center,
George Barnett, Thomas West; Brown, Thomas Collins; Blue River, William
Moore; Buck Creek, D. Offenbacker; Brandywine, William Service; Green,
H. B. Wilson; Jackson, Noble Warrum; Sugar Creek, Capt. Thomas Tuttle;
Vernon, Capt. George Tague.

There were three tickets in the field for the October election, 1866 — the
Union, Democratic and National Union. The following was the result of
the election :

Joint Representative — William Rigdon, Republican, 1,317; John L.
Montgomery, Democrat, 1,469.

County Representative — E. W. Pierson. Republican, 1,305; John H.
White. Democrat, 1,461; Isaiah Curry, National Union, 35.

Commissioner, Middle District — Robert Andis, Republican, 1.321 ; James
Tyner, Democrat, 1,453; C. G. Osborn, National Union, 22.

366 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Surveyor — Abijah Bales, Republican, 1,321; William Fries, Democrat,
1,450; James K. King, National Union, 28.

The National Union organization of the county attempted to unite all
Johnson's supporters on its ticket. In this it failed. Isaiah Curry, the can-
didate for county representative, received only thirty-five votes. Of these,
thirty-three were in Center township, one in Jackson and one in Brown.
Though the effort of this party to unite the Johnson supporters on a new
ticket was a failure, that did not signify, as will be seen later, that the people
had lost faith in Andrew Johnson. The President had been given an unquali-
fied endorsement in the resolutions of the Democratic party, adopted March
10, 1866, and the Democrats simply voted their own ticket in support of the
President, instead of voting the National Union ticket.

The beginning of the disintegration of the Union party became evident
in the nominating convention on August 25, 1866. The cause that had pro-
duced the party had been removed. New questions of reconstruction were
confronting the people. The fight was on between the President and Con-
gress, and, as has been seen from the resolutions adopted by both the Un'on
and the Democratic conventions, there was a strong sentiment in Hancock
county favoring the policies of the President. The county was especially
opposed to negro suffrage, and when the great questions involved in the
adoption of the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the Unitid
States Constitution were before the people, and when other congressional
legislation involving the rights and state of the negro were under considera-
tion the great majority of the people in Hancock county supported the Presi-
dent. Throughout the Civil War Governor Morton had been very popular
with the Union party of Hancock county. At the close of the war Morton
allied himself with the more radical element of his party and with Congress
in support of negro suffrage. His action was a severe blow to the Un'on
party in this county. The Hancock Democrat, which had been the organ of
the Union party from the time of its formation, was again fighting the battles
of a united Democracy in the campaign of 1867. It will be observed from
the tabulated result of the election of 1866 that the Democrats were success-
ful. With an exceptional loss of an office now and then, the party has
remained in power in this county from that time to the present.

In the year 1866, David S. Gooding, who had been very active during
the Civil War for the Union cause, was appointed United States marshal for
the District of Columbia. This position he held until 1869. At that time he
had a strong following in the county and it is a matter of speculation how

POLITICS. 367

far his appointment may have had an influence on the attitude of the county
toward President Johnson.

During those years the Judge's name appeared frequently in the Eastern
papers and articles referring to him were, of course, often copied in the
Hancock Democrat. As an illustration of the standing of Judge Gooding at
that time as a citizen and politician of Hancock county, we offer the follow-
ing from the Cincinnati Commercial by the Washington correspondent, copied
in the Democrat in the latter part of 1866:

"Mr. Gooding is a Western man, whose numerous friends in Indiana are
readers of the Commercial. As I said before, custom has made it obligatory
upon the district marshal to stand as interpreter of the people's names to the
President during a levee. It is no ordinary task to present in that elegant
and recherche manner many thousands of the bon ton of not only the capital,
but all the capitals of the civilized world, to the chief executive officer of
this greatest republic on earth. Yet Mr. Gooding succeeds admirably. He
is tall, graceful and natural. That's it. He is not hampered by formality,
but goes at it as a Buckeye or Hoosier would salute (in an unmentionably
delicious way) a newly arrived feminine cousin. If it is Mr. Smith who
comes to see Andy, then it is simply and emphatically 'Mr. Smith, Mr. Presi-
dent.' Hands are joined for a moment, an additional word may pass, and
the crisis is transpired. It would do your Ploosier readers' hearts good to
see this fellow citizen doing the honors at the White House."

On March 16, 1867, the Democratic central committee met to determine
the time and manner of holding a nominating convention. The first Monday
in April, 1867, was decided upon and the following resolution in relation
thereto was adopted :

"Resolved, that all Democrats and Conservatives, who support and sus-
tain President Johnson in his reconstructive policy, are invited to participate
in said nomination, and that the Johnson men select their candidate for
sheriff, and the Democracy are requested to support him."

The Union central committee, appointed in February, 1866, served
through this campaign. The committee ordered a primary nominating con-
vention to be held on July 27, 1867, and about three hundred votes were
cast at this convention.

The following tickets were then before the people in the October election,
in 1867:

Auditor — B. W. Cooper, Democrat, 1,336; Jonathan Tague, Union,
1,363-

368 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Treasurer — R. P. Brown, Democrat, 1,481 ; Burroughs Westlake, Union,
1,236.

Sheriff — William Wilkins, Democrat, 1,471; Joseph Shultz, Union,

1.239-

The number of votes received by each candidate is indicated above. It
will be observed that the entire Democratic ticket with the. exception of the
candidate for county auditor was elected.

As soon as the election was over it became noised about that Wilkins.
the sheriff-elect, intended to appoint James Galbreath as his deputy, and to
give him sole charge of the office and that Wilkins himself intended to
remain upon his farm. This rumor was soon verified by Wilkins, who
assured the people of the county that Galbreath would make a very efficient
deputy, and that he could attend to the duties of the office just as well, or
better than Wilkins himself. This occasioned a great deal, of criticism from
Democrats as well as Republicans. The voters of the county seemed to feel
that since Wilkins had been intrusted with the office that he should give his
personal attention to it. Wilkins, however, remained upon his farm during
practically the entire term. Galbreath was a very efficient deputy, yet the
arrangement was not wholly satisfactory to the voters.

In the election of 1867 not a county ticket was scratched in Buck Creek
township. The count showed that one hundred and one straight Republican
and one hundred and sixteen Democratic tickets had been voted. Another
feature of this election in Buck Creek township .was that Charles G. Offutt,
who was not a candidate, received every Democrats vote in the township for
prosecuting attorney. These were days in which names could be written on
a ticket, pasters used, etc.

Before the campaign of 1868 opened the Union party had entirely dis-
integrated and the Democratic and Republican parties were again marching
under their own banners. M. L. Paullus was the chairman of the Democratic
central committee. Lemuel W. Gooding, who had been the secretary of the
Union central committee and who had been elected chairman of that com-
mittee, now issued his party notices as "Chairman of the Republican County
Central Committee."

The campaign was characterized by the organization of young men's
clubs — the Grant clubs by the Republicans, and the Seymour and Blair Clubs
by the Democrats. In the election of 1868 Grant received 1,414 votes in the
county and Seymour, 1,682.

In 1870 a new county Republican central committee was selected, com-
posed of the following men: Center, P. Guymon, H. J. Williams; Blue River,

POLITICS. 369

B. P. Butler, John F. Coffin; Brown, Dr. William Trees, Lewis Copeland;
Buck Creek, E. Thomas, S. H. Arnett; Brandywine, W. H. Curry, E. Bent-
ley; Green, H. L. Moore, H. B. Wilson; Jackson, George W. Landis, Joseph
Dunbar; Sugar Creek, B. Westlake, N. Hogle; Vernon, T. Hanna, W. H.
Pilkenton. Dr. N. P. Howard was elected chairman of the committee.

Although it was not a presidential year, young men's clubs were again
organized in the county.

Jared C Meek, who has received so much notice in the local papers
during the last few years as "the first white child torn in Greenfield," was
the candidate for sheriff on the Republican ticket in this campaign.

The campaign of 1870 is memorable in Hancock county because of the
race of Judge Gooding for Congress and the contest for the congressional
seat which followed the election. The Judge had a strong following at home,
and at a Democratic mass meeting held at Greenfield on Saturday, February
26, 1870, of which Wellington Collyer was president and William Mitchell
and William Marsh, secretaries, S. C. Chamberlain offered the following
resolutions :

"W'hereas, the Democracy of the county, at the last county convention,
expressed their preference for the Hon. David S. Gooding for the Con-
gressional nominee of this the Fourth Congressional district.

"And whereas, four of the Democratic newspapers of this distr'ct have
endorsed him as their choice;

"And whereas, we believe he is the choice of the Democracy of this
county and of the district.

"And whereas, it will be inconvenient and unnecessary to call the people
of this county together again for the sole purpose of choosing delegates to a
Congressional convention ; therefore, be it

"Resolved, that a committee of one from each township be appointed to
report the names of the Congressional delegates."

After the adoption of this resolution the president of the mass meeting
appointed the following committee to select delegates to attend the congres-
ional convention : Blue River, James P. New ; Brown, W r illiam Marsh ; Buck
Creek, Henry Wright; Brandywine, Alfred Potts; Center, C. T. Dickerson;
Green, Neri Jarrett; Jackson, Frank Chandler; Sugar Creek, David Ulery;
Vernon, Solomon Jackson.

This committee in turn reported the following men as delegates to the
congressional convention : Blue River, Augustus Dennis, William New. C. G.
Sample, William Handy ; 'Brandvwine, William H. Walts, Wellington Coll-

C24)

37° HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

yer, A. P. Brown. Alfred Potts; Buck Creek, M. C. B. Collins, Henry Wright,
J. W. Shelby, George H. Black; Brown, William I. Garriott, J. P. Harlan,
B. W. Beck, John B. Heck; Center, George Barnett, J. C. Atkison, William
Mitchell, Isaiah Curry, William M. Johnson, S. C. Chamberlain, William
Frost, S. T. Dickerson ; Green, Jonathan Smith, Edward Barrett, John Green,
Benton Marin; Jackson, John Addison, G. W. Sample, Berd Lacy, E. C.
Reeves; Sugar Creek, Henry Fink, E. H. Faut, William Barnard, David
Ulrey; Vernon, D. Z. Lewis, Andy Hagan, W. P. Brokaw, Solomon Jackson.

These delegates were instructed by the convention to vote for Judge
Gooding and to vote as a unit.

Judge Gooding was nominated and made the race against Judge Wilson,
of Connersville. The two men agreed to meet at all of the important points
in the congressional district for joint discussions. Beginning in -the
latter part of August, 1870, joint debates were held at Richmond, Cambridge,
Brookville, Greenfield, New Palestine, Connersville, and at other points.
When the votes were counted the following seemed to be the result :

Counties. Wilson. Gooding.

Wayne 3,638 2,352

Fayette ^S 00 - !>oi5

Shelby 1,868 2,509

Rush 2 ,°77 1,870

Franklin 1,287 2,496

Union 849 629

Hancock 1,203 1,686

Totals 12,561 12,557

This gave Wilson an apparent majority of four votes in the district.
A recount of the south poll at Richmond, in which the candidates had
lied, gave Gooding a majority of eleven, which seemed to give him a clear
majority of seven. Judge Gooding contested the election in the National
House of Representatives. The contest was not finally decided until a short
time before the next election, when the committee on resolutions offered two
reports, a majority report, in favor of Wilson, and a minority report, in favor
of Gooding. The question was decided by the House on sirictlv party lines,
Wilson receiving one hundred and five votes, Gooding, sixty-four.

In 1872 political matters were rather unsettled in the county, both upon
national issues and upon local questions. On June 29 a number of

POLITICS. 371

citizens inserted in the Hancock Democrat the following notice or call for a
citizens' mass convention at the court house in Greenfield :

"All who are in favor of an honest and economical administration of
public business, and are opposed to the corrupt way at present of controll'ng
our county affairs are invited to come up and participate by voice and vote in
the selection of a ticket of honest, upright and capable men, without any
distinction of party, to be supported by the citizens of the county at the
ensuing election. "J. A. Hall,

"G. T. Randall,
"H. J. Williams,
"Executive Committee."

Nothing, however, was accomplished by this meeting in so far as political
organization was concerned.

The marked inclination of the county toward the reconstructive policies
of Andrew Johnson, as before observed, again came into prominence in the
campaign of 1872. Even among the Republicans there was a dissatisfaction
with the radical tendencies of Congress. During the summer rumors spread
that many Republicans in the county intended to vote for Horace Greeley.
The Republicans, of course, attempted to minimize these reports by creating
the impression that but very few Republicans would vote against General
Grant. This occasioned the publication of the following statement signed by
a number of Republicans in which they gave expression to their intent'ons :

"to the public.

"We, the undersigned -Republicans of Hancock county, Indiana, having
heard that it is being industriously circulated that there are but three Repub-
lican voters in this county who are in favor of the election of Horace Greeley
as next President, take pleasure in disproving and correcting said report, by
declaring respectively our intention to vote for Greeley and Brown for Presi-
dent and Vice-President :

"Anthony Smith, A. K. Branham, B. A. Roney, S. S. Roney, Thomas J.
Hanna, N. C. Roney, O. P. Gooding, S. Stewart, N. M. Cooney. Andrew
Stutsman, Jonathan Lineback, Lewis Carpenter, L. W. Gooding, Alexander
Dickerson, Andrew J. Herron, N. P. Howard, W. F. McCord, Jacob McCord.
Jr., Ebenezer Steele, John E. Cooney, C. S. Cooney, D. T. Davis, M. C. Foley,
Isaac Stutsman, William Taylor, J. T. McCray, Samuel Wallace, W. S. Catt.
Albert Minson. Capt. Adams L. Ogg, Capt. Jared C. Meek, S. H. Arnett,
Aquilla Grist, Moses McCray, M. S. Ragsdale. John Roberts, Nicholas Stuts-
man, John H. Myers, Stephen McCray, W. W. Gregg."

372 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

On August 17, 1872, a meeting of "Liberal Republicans'' was called at
the court house for the purpose of effecting a county organization. The call,
made through the Hancock Democrat, was signed by Adams L. Ogg, J. C.
Meek, N. Stutsman, N. C. Foley, A. Smith and L. W. Gooding. The meet-
ing was held. John Roberts was elected president and M. S. Ragsdale,
secretary. The convention appointed the following county central committee :
Blue River, Jonathan Lineback; Brown, James McCray; Brandywine, John
Roberts, M. S. Ragsdale ; Buck Creek, S. H. Arnett ; Center, Capt. A. L. Ogg,
Capt. Jared Meek ; Green, Martin Alley ; Jackson, Anthony Smith ; Sugar
Creek, M. C. Foley; Vernon, Thomas J. Hanna, William F. McCord.

On August 24, 1872, the Liberal Republicans also organized a Greeley
and Brown Club at Greenfield. Captain Ogg addressed the meeting on that
occasion.

On Saturday, September 14, 1872, the county central committees of the
Liberal Republican party and the Democratic party had a joint meeting at
the court house. Both parties were supporting Greeley, and arrangements
were made at this meeting for a campaign in the county. Dates were fixed
for speakings at various points and thereafter Charles G. Offutt, Capt. Adams
L. Ogg, Eph. Marsh, J. H. White, M. S. Ragsdale, James L. Mason, Oliver
P. Gooding and James A. New spoke from the same platforms to the same
audiences in support of Horace Greeley.

Another feature of the campaign of 1872 was the second race of Judge
Gooding for Congress against his former opponent, Judge Wilson. The two
candidates again "stumped" the Congressional district in a series of joint
debates. The following schedule was agreed upon and published in the dis-
trict : Warrington, Friday, August 9, Gooding opens ; Fortville, Saturday,
August 10, Wilson opens; Greenfield, Monday, August 12, Gooding opens;
Moscow, Thursday, August 15, Wilson opens; Rushville, Saturday, August
17, Gooding opens; Liberty, Monday, August 19, Wilson opens; Fairfield,
Wednesday, August 21, Gooding opens; Brookville, Friday, August 23, Wil-
son opens; Connersville, Saturday, August 24, Gooding opens.

It was agreed by the two candidates that all meetings open at one o'clock
P. M. ; that the speaker opening the debate have one and one-fourth hours,
that the second speaker have one and one-half hours, and that the first speaker
again have fifteen minutes to close. In this campaign Gooding was defeated
by a majority of three hundred and eighty votes.

Among the notable political speakers at Greenfield in the campaign of
1872 was Daniel W. Voorhees, who spoke on Wednesday, August 28.

politics. 373

LATER MOVEMENTS.

In the campaign of 1874, the Patrons of Husbandry, or "Grangers,"
made their influence felt. At that time they enrolled about fifteen hundred
voters in the county. A fuller history of this movement will be given else-
where. In 1874 the order decided to put a county ticket into the field. A
county central committee was appointed, composed of the following men :
Blue River, John Sloan, Lemuel Hackleman; Brown, Elijah Reeves, Joseph
Stanley ; Buck Creek, J. B. Cauldwell, F. Pentland ; Brandywine, B. F. Goble,
John Roberts; Center, Rufus Scott, Eli R. Gant, Enos Geary; Green, E. S.
Bragg, George W. Hopkins; Jackson, John M. Leamon, John S. Lewis; Sugar
Creek, John Vansickle, H. P. Anderson; Vernon, William G. Scott, J. D.
Merrill.

On August 29, 1874, they held what they termed a ''Reform or Inde-
pendent Convention" at Greenfield. John McGraw was elected president of
this convention, and Enos Geary, secretary. The' following candidates were
nominated : Representative, Jacob Slifer, Center ; clerk, John McGraw, Jack-
son ; auditor, George W. Hatfield, Blue River ; treasurer, Elbert S. Bragg,
Green ; sheriff, William Edgill, Brandywine ; recorder, David Hawk, Sugar
Creek; law appraiser, Joseph Garrett, Brown; surveyor, J. H. Land^s, Jack-
son; commissioner, western district, Elias McCord, Vernon; coroner, Enos
Geary, Center.

It seems, however, that political affiliations were stronger than the ties
of the order. The Democratic ticket was elected. But from reports of per-
sons now living who went through that campaign, it seems that the Dem-
ocratic candidates were given much concern by this political organization.
The Democrats had been in control of the county, and the success of any
other political organization, of course, meant Democratic loss.

CELEBRATION OF JOHNSON^ VICTORY.

The popularity of Andrew Johnson with the great majority of the voters
of Hancock county never appeared more clearly than when Johnson was
elected to the United States Senate from the state of Tennessee, in January,
1875. To celebrate his victory a meeting of the citizens was held at the
court house on Thursday evening, January 28, 1875. Smith McCord was
elected president of the meeting; Jonas Marsh and Benjamin Galbreath, vice-
presidents ; George Barnett and William Mitchell, secretaries. Speeches were
made by Smith McCord, Ephraim Marsh, Montgomery Marsh, Judge Good-
ing, J. V. Cook, James A. New. R. A. Riley and George Barnett. After the

374 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

speech making J. V. Cook offered the following resolution which was unani-
mously adopted :

"Resolved, that the recent election of Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, to
the Senate of the United States, is but a highly proper vindication of an honest
man, a true patriot and an able statesman, from the unjust and untrue charges
made against him by the corrupt heads of the Republican party, and that more
especially in view of the reckless violations of the Constitution of the United
States by President Grant and the party in power, are the services of the
great defenders of the Constitution needed at this time, in the United States
Senate."

William Frost then proposed three cheers for Andrew Johnson, the
Union, the Constitution and the Laws.

GREENBACK MOVEMENT.

In February, 1876, a call was issued through the columns of the Hancock
Democrat for a mass meeting of the old citizens and voters of Hancock
county, irrespective of party, who were in favor of the legal "greenback"
money and opposed to the National Bank law. The time of the meeting was
set at one P. M. on Saturday, February 19, 1876, "for the purpose of taking
such action as may seem expedient in regard to the money questions." This
call was signed by S. F. Dickerson, William F. Wilson, James F. Wilson,
Smith Hutchison, William Fries, Joseph Jackson, Henry L. Fry, Sr., John
G. Gambrel, J. H. White, John Walsh, Rufus J. Scott, William F. McBane.

James P. Galhreath, Isaiah A. Curry, Fields, J. A. Shell, William

Porter. John W. Dye, Alfred Potts, John P. Banks, Cyrus Leamon, William
Frost, R. P. Andis, W. Y. Pendleton; John Shepherd, Elijah C. Reeves, John
Mayes, John A. Alyea, R. D. Cross, William Potts, William Fields, John
Shelby, Jacob Slifer, J. H. Mayes, William Alyea, James H. Wirm, Willard
H. Low, Philander Craig, Thomas Bodkins, B. F. Fry, Wellington Collyer,
John Richie, James R. Foster, Lysander Sparks, J. S. Thomas, W. H. Walts,
John A. Barr.

Judge Gooding was invited to address the meeting. The convention
was attended by a large number of citizens from all parts of the county.
Resolutions were adopted, condemning the circulation of national bank notes
and favoring the issuance of "greenbacks" instead.

On March 23, 1878, a county convention of the Greenback followers was
called at the Grange Hall at Greenfield. J. C. Vansickle, of Xew Palestine,
was elected chairman and George Furry, secretary. The purpose of this
meeting was to effect a county organization. The following central com-

politics. 375

mittee was appointed : Blue River, B. F. Luse ; Brandywine, L. Milbourn :
Brown, S. Milbourn; Buck Creek, Francis Pentland; Center, William Sears,
II. Little; Green, C. G. Osborn; Jackson, John McGraw; Sugar Creek, John
Vansickle; Vernon, P. J. Hannah.

This central committee adopted the following resolutions:

"Resolved, that the National party of Hancock county will hold a mass
convention for Hancock county, at the court house in Greenfield, on the first
Saturday in May, 1879, at one o'clock P. M., to complete a thorough organ-
ization of the National party in said county, and to nominate a full county
ticket of able, truthful and faithful men, for which the central committee will
issue a call, inviting all persons sympathizing with the National movement,
and believing that there should be no partial or class legislation, that the laws
should be so enacted and administered as to insure to every man the just
reward of his own labor, to meet with them and participate in said mass
convention.

"Resolved, that the Nationals of each township are earnestly recom-
mended, at an early day, and upon their own notice, to meet at their usual
place of holding elections, and to thoroughly organize their respective town-
ships for efficient political action; ever remembering that "Eternal vigilance
is the price of liberty," and giving notice to quit to dishonest trading
politicians who have established themselves in the gateways of commerce and
speculation, and are enriching themselves by seizing the reward of other
people's labor.

"Resolved, that this meeting adopt the platform of principles laid down
by the convention of the National party, held at Toledo, Ohio, on the 22nd
of February, 1878."

After the county organization had been effected the following ticket was
put into the field : Representative, George Furry, Brandywine ; clerk, Joseph
Hanna, Buck Creek: treasurer, John S. Barrett, Jackson; auditor, John
McCray, Brown; sheriff, Moses Fink, Center; recorder, Monteville Eastes,
Buck Creek; commissioner, eastern district, Benjamin F. Luse, Blue River;
commissioner, middle district, B. J. Goble, Brandywine.

Following this a Greenback party organization was maintained in the
county for five or six years. William Sears was the chairman of the central
committee practically all of the time.

ELECTION OF 1 876.

When the difficulties of determining the result of the election of 1876
presented itself the Democrats of the county held a mass meeting for the

376 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

purpose of giving expression to their feelings. The meeting was held on
December 23, 1876. John H. White was elected chairman; James L. Mason,
D. S. Gooding, James H. Carr and William Mitchell, secretaries. The,
following committee on resolutions was appointed: Blue River, Augustus
Dennis; Brown, Robert D. Hayes; Brandywine, James Tyner; Buck Creek,
Henry Wright; Center, Capt. R. A. Riley, Stephen Dickerson; Green, James
M. Trueblood ; Jackson, George Kinder; Sugar Creek, Tilghman Collyer;
Vernon, Smith McCord.

Later it was decided to add to this committee the names of John D. Barr,
William Sears, George Barnett, L. W. Gooding, Joseph Baldwin and Tared
C. Meek. Judge Gooding was called upon for a speech and he gave an
account of the situation in Oregon, Louisiana and South Carolina. Before
the close of the meeting Captain Riley, of the resolutions committee, offered
the following report, which was accepted :

"Whereas, in the late presidential election of November 7, 1876, the
election for Samuel J. Tilden and Thomas A. Hendricks received an undoubted
popular majority of 241,022 votes, and 185 undoubted electoral votes, and
were the popular majority of the votes in South Carolina, Florida and Lou-
isiana, regarded as they should be, the electors of each of said states would
cast their aggregate electoral votes also for Tilden and Hendricks, giving
nineteen majority to them; and

"Whereas, there is a persistent effort being made by fraud and violence
to declare elected and inaugurate Rutherford Hayes and William A. Wheeler,
the minority candidates, as President and Vice-President; thus defeating the
constitutionally and lawfully expressed will of the people. Therefore, be it

"Resolved, that we are now, as ever, devotedly attached to the Constitu-
tion of the United States, and to the Union of the states under the general
government and that the general and state governments are each limited in
their power, and that one should not entrench on the power of the other.

"Resolved, that in the election of a President and Vice-President of the
United States the will of the people, as expressed at the ballot box, according
to the Constitution and the laws, should be faithfully and honestly carried out
and maintained by all the people, irrespective of party.

"Resolved, that in our candid judgment, Tilden and Hendricks have been
constitutionally and lawfully elected President and Vice-President of the
United States by a popular majority of 241,022 and will be so declared by a
majority of the electors of the United States, who were honestly elected, if
permitted to cast their ballots, and that the honest and intelligent masses of
the people will meet on their inauguration, and we denounce all attempts,

politics. 377

whether made by illegal returning boards, the Senate or the President of the
United States, to usurp power by overriding the will of the people, by fraud
or force, and we demand of the Senate and House of Representatives that
they see to it that no mere technicality, fraud or force shall annul the verdict
of the people.

"Resolved, that whoever is elected President and Vice-President, accord-
ing to the Constitution and the laws, ought to be inaugurated and recognized
as such by the people, irrespective of party.

"Resolved, that we denounce the use of the army to control elections,
or to intimidate voters, or to interfere with the legislatures of anv of the
states, in their organization or otherwise ; and that President Grant, by
making such illegal and unconstitutional use of the army of the United States,
deserved impeachment and deposition from office.

"Resolved, that Grant and his office-holders are riot the government of
the United States, but simply office holders under the government, liable to
displacement, according to the Constitution and laws.

"Resolved, that while we demand of our representatives in the Congress
of the United States that they stand by the rights of the people, as expressed
by the Constitution and laws, as against fraud, usurpation, intimidation and
violence, we pledge ourselves that we will stand by them in all their con-
stitutional and legal acts.

"Resolved, that we demand of Congress that they adhere to the uniform
practice of the government in counting the electoral votes for President and
Vice-President, and that we denounce the arrogant and unconstitutional
assumption that the president of the Senate has the sole power to count the
electoral votes."

after 1876.

In the campaign of 1878 the Republicans were again active in the organ-
ization of young men's clubs. The club at Greenfield elected the following
officers: President, War Barnett; secretary, Newton L. Wray; treasurer,
Adams L. Ogg. Thirty-five young men enrolled in the club on the evening
of its organization and a number of names were added to it later.

In the campaign of 1880 the Democrats in the county were especially
active. Ephraim Marsh was the chairman and William Ward Cook, secre-
tary, of the Democratic county central committee.

On September 23, 1880, the Democratic ladies of Greenfield presented
to the Democracy of the city and Center township a beautiful silk flag. The
ladies who headed this presentation were Mrs. Charles Downing, Mrs. Capt.

378 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

M. L. Paullus and Mrs. John F. Mitchell. At seven o'clock on that evening
there was a torchlight procession. The Greenfield band marched to the resi-
dence of Capt. M. L. Paullus and escorted the speakers, ladies and Glee Club to
the court house square, where it was estimated that five thousand people had
assembled. The flag was presented with the following program :

Meeting called to order, Ephraim Marsh

Invocation, Rev. Williams

Song, "Hancock is the Man,"

Herkimer Glee Club of New York

Presentation of Flag by Charles G. Offutt in behalf of

the Democratic Ladies of the City of Greenfield

Response on behalf of the Hancock and Landers Guards,

James A. New

Song by Glee Club, "The Star Spangled Banner"

Address, Luther Benson

Song. Glee Club

On September 15, 1880, Gen. Franz Sigel spoke at New Palestine,
much to the delight of the German population. Ernest H. Faut was instru-
mental in having him brought into the county. Gabriel Schmuck also
addressed the Germans in their native tongue on that occasion. About one
Ihousand and five hundred people were present to hear these addresses.

The campaign was also characterized by one of the greatest Democratic
rallies at Greenfield in the historv of the county. The following was the
order of the march, as taken from the columns of the Hancock Democrat :

Greenfield Cornet Band

Hancock and Landers Guards of Greenfield

Martial Music

Hancock and Landers Guards of Center Township

Brandywine Township Horseback Company

New Palestine Band

Horsemen from New Palestine

Wagons with ladies from Sugar Creek Township

Wagon with 24 ladies from Brandywine Township

Wagon with 36 ladies from Independence School House

Martial Band

Wagon with 50 young ladies. Blue River Township

Wagon of voters, Blue River Township

politics. 379

Wagon with 60 young ladies, Morristown

Wagons. Baggies and Carriages

Speakers' Carriages

Fortville Cornet Band

Wagon with 43 young ladies, Vernon Township

McCordsville Guards in 2 wagons

3 large wagons with voters, McCordsville

Wagons and carriages

McCordsville Band

Buggies, Carriages and Wagons

Martial Band

Hancock and Landers Guards, of Buck Creek

Wagon with 36 young ladies. Buck Creek Township

Wagon with voters, Morristown

Carriages and wagons

Band

Carriages, buggies and wagons

"In comes Garfield" — A mule on a large wagon

Work cart, containing General Irwin Hunt

carrying the American flag

Gravel Wagons, 25 in number, under Marshal F. M. Faurot

Carriages and wagons

Martial Band, Jackson Township

Wagon with 27 young ladies, Jackson Township

Horseback Company, Jackson Township

Wagon containing organ

Wagons, carriages and buggies

In 1884 Andrew Hagans was the chairman of the Democratic county
central committee. Henry Snow was the chairman of the Republican county
central committee. In the report of the Republican county convention held
February 16, 1884, the following names are prominent: Henry Snow, R. A.
Black, John W. Jones, Capt. Thomas B. Noel, Senator Yancey, Cyrus T.
Nixon, Oscar F. Meek, Samuel B. Hill, Henry Marsh, Thomas E. Bentley,
John T. Duncan, John C. Eastes, William O. Bradley, A. N. Rhue, James
L. Mitchell, J. H. McKown, Charles H. Rock, David Dove. S. Burk, Albert
G. Jackson, M. M* Vail, George V. Sowerwine.

An incident of the campaign of 1884 was the dissatisfaction of Capt.
Adams L. Ogg, who had been a very energetic worker in the local organiza-

380 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

tion of the Republican party, with the Republican candidate, James G. Blaine.
In a published interview. Captain Ogg gave his reasons for not supporting
Blaine. A short time after the publication of this interview the Cleveland and
Hendricks clubs of the county held a meeting at the city of Greenfield.
Among the other matters that were transacted by the clubs, a resolution was
adopted, inviting the Captain to address the people of the county on the
political issues of the hour. The chairman then appointed a committee to
wait upon the Captain and present these matters to him. This the committee
did in the following written statement :
"To Capt. Adams L. Ogg :

"At a stated meeting of the Cleveland and Hendricks Clubs of this
county held in the city of Greenfield, the following resolutions were unani-
mously passed :

" 'Resolved, that it is the wish of these clubs that Capt. Adams L. Ogg
be invited to address the people of this county, in the city of Greenfield, at
as early a date as is to him convenient, on the political issues of the hour;
and that a committee of three be delegated by the chair to wait upon him,
bearing him this resolution and learning his pleasure in that behalf.'

"The chair thereupon appointed the following named persons to that
committee : James A. Xew, Hon. J. L. Mason and Ephraim Marsh.

"And now the above named committeemen submit you the aforesaid
resolution and most cordially invite you to address our people from a political
standpoint at your earliest date, and trust you will accept the invitation.

"James A. New,
"James L. Mason,
"Ephraim Marsh,

"Committee."

The Captain replied in the following letter :

"Messrs. James A. Xew, J. L. Mason and Ephraim Marsh :

"My dear Sirs : — Your communication at hand in which you convey to
me the formal invitation of the Cleveland and Hendricks Clubs of the county,
that I shall at earliest convenience, address the people at Greenfield on the
pending political issues, etc. Permit me, through you, to thank the gentle-
men for this flattering request. I accept your invitation, but regret that
business engagements in a neighboring state compel my absence for an indefi-
nite period (I hope not to exceed five or eight days) 1 , renders it unsafe to
fix an earlier time than Saturday evening, October 11, at which time, or at
a later day, if more agreeable to you, I will be pleased to speak. My whole

POLITICS. 381

heart is enlisted on behalf of an intelligent, free and fearless expression of all
the voters at the coming election.

"I am very truly yours,

"A. L. Ogg/'

Dates were fixed for speakings at different points in the county, and
Captain Ogg appeared upon the various platforms with other Democratic
speakers in support of Grover Cleveland. He remained an ardent Democrat
during the remainder of his life.

Following the Democratic victory in 1884, the administration appointed
Albert L. New as register in the United States land office at Evanston,
Wyoming, and, later, as United States collector of. internal revenue for the
District of Colorado and Wyoming, with his office at Denver, Colorado.

While in Wyoming Mr. New served as chairman of the Democratic
state central committee, and had his name presented to the Legislature as a
candidate for United States senator. The Legislature balloted twenty-nine
days and Mr. New lacked but one vote of an election. The Legislature finally
adjourned its session without electing anyone.

ELECTION OF 1 886.

During the summer of 1886 the following tickets were nominated by the
respective party conventions, each candidate receiving the number of votes
indicated :

Clerk — Charles Downing, Democrat, 1,906; R. A. Black, Republican,
1,991.

Sheriff — U. S. Jackson, Democrat, 2,108; Thomas E. Niles, Republican,

1,843-

Auditor — James Mannix, Democrat, 1,960; James L. Mitchell, Repub-
lican, 1,966.

Treasurer — Charles H. Fort, Democrat, 2,134; Robert B. Binford,
Republican, 1,826.

Recorder — Ira Collins, Democrat, 1,783; Henry Snow, Republican,
2,001.

Surveyor — W. S. Fries, Democrat, 1,753; J onn H. Landis, Republican,
2,130.

MITCHELL- MANNIX AFFAIR.

James Mannix was dissatisfied with this count of the votes and took
steps to contest the election. The Hancock circuit court appointed J. Ward

382 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Walker, John E. Dye and John A. Craft, commissioners to recount the votes
The recount gave Mannix 1,966 votes and Mitchell 1,957, whereupon Mitchell
appealed from the recount to the board of commissioners of Hancock county.
After a hearing the board found for Mannix, and Mitchell appealed to the
Hancock circuit court. The chief question connected with the contest arose
from the count of the votes in one of the precincts of Green township, in
which Henry B. Wilson was inspector. The question involved in the contest
was whether the ballots had been tampered with or whether the clerks of
the board in Green township had failed to keep a correct tally. The case was
venued to Newcastle, where, in June, 1887, an agreement or a compromise
was made between Mannix and Mitchell, in which Mitchell agreed to pay
Mannix one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. In consideration
thereof, Mitchell was to take the office after November 1, 1887. When this
agreement became known to the people of the county, it was very unsatis-
factory to both Republicans and Democrats. There was a general feeling that
the case should have been tried and decided on its merits; that whichever of
the candidates had received the majority of the votes should have had the
office, and that it should have been settled in no other manner.

On November 1, 1887, Mannix, however, refused to give up the office,
whereupon Mitchell brought a suit for possession in the Hancock circuit
court. This case was venued to Henry county, and Judge Comstock, of
Richmond, was appointed special judge. Mannix in his answer to Mitchell's
complaint alleged "that on or about the 18th day of June, 1887, and while
the appeal involving the contest for the office was pending in the Hancock
circuit court, the relator's attorneys entered into a negotiation with him, the
said Mannix, and his attorneys concerning such contest; that it was finally
agreed between the parties that the relator (Mitchell) should pay to him, said
Mannix, the sum of one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, in con-
sideration of which the latter's right to the office in contest, including the
right to hold the same, to discharge its duties and to receive the emoluments
thereof, should be transferred to, and recognized as existing in the relator;
that the relator thereupon paid to him, the said Mannix, the sum of one
thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, after which the judgment declaring
the relator to have been duly elected as above stated, being the same judgment
described in the alternative writ of mandate, was entered as by agreement of
the parties; that such judgment was, therefore, procured to be entered by
the relator (Mitchell) in pursuance of such fraudulent agreement and by the
payment of the sum of money named, and for no other reason ; that said
agreement for the sale and transfer of said office of county auditor was net

POLITICS. 383

only against public policy, but was also corrupt, fraudulent and void, as
between the parties thereto, as well as to all other persons, and that hence,
he, the said Mannix, was not bound or concluded by the judgment rendered
thereon, nor was the relator, therefore, lawfully adjudicated to be entitled to
hold said office."

The supreme court decided the matter in favor of Mitchell, holding that
"the rule that the courts will not aid in the enforcement of a corrupt or
unlawful contract, but will leave the parties where they have placed them-
selves, has no application to a judgment which by inadvertence or collusion
may have been rendered upon such a contract, but such contract stands upon
the same footing as any other judgment, and is binding while it remains in
force.'' (Mannix vs. the State ex rel, Mitchell, 115 Ind. 245.)

It will be observed that in this election the Democrats lost the offices of
clerk, auditor, recorder and surveyor. There may have been several reasons
for this. A sentiment was growing in the county that no person should hold a
four-year county office for more than one term. On the Democratic ticket.
Ira Collins, recorder; Charles Downing, clerk, and James Mannix, auditor,
had each served a term of four years and were candidates for reelection.
W. S. Fries had served a term of two years as surveyor and was a candidate
for reelection. On the other hand, R. A. Black, the Republican candidate for
clerk, was an able attorney and well known throughout the county. Henry
Snow was generally acquainted over the county and was very popular with
the people. All of these conditions, and likely others, operated to produce
the partial defeat of the Democratic party in that election.

PROHIBITION PARTY.

The Prohibition party also effected a county organization in 1886. I. N.
Hunt was elected chairman of the county central committee, and R. M. Julian,
secretary. A county ticket was nominated, which polled approximately fifty-
six votes in that election. The party polled from sixty-five to seventy-five
votes for several years. In more recent years its candidates have been receiv-
ing from ninety to one hundred and twenty votes and a few have received
as high as one hundred and seventy votes.

In 1888 R. M. Julian, secretary of the Prohibition county central com-
mittee, inserted the following sentence in his official notice, published in the
local papers : "We hereby give notice that the Prohibition party in Hancock
county has come to stay." To this time the party has stayed and in the
greater number of conventions has had a county ticket or at least a partial
ticket in the field.

384 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

During the summer of 1888 Ephraim Marsh was selected as a member
of the state Democratic central committee, upon which he served for several
years.

people's party.

The summer of 1892 witnessed the organization of the Populist, or
People's party, in Hancock county. Coleman Pope was chosen chairman of
the county central committee and their county ticket received approximately
three hundred votes in the election of 1892. In the election of 1894 the ticket
received approximately two hundred votes ; in 1896, one hundred and ten
votes ; and in 1898, which was its last county ticket, thirty votes.

FARMERS' MUTUAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATIONS.

In 1890 Farmers' Mutual 'Benef it Associations had become pretty strongly
organized in the county. Though not a political organization, it was an
organization, in a measure, like the "Grangers," of which candidates were care-
ful to take notice. In that year a report was circulated in the southern part
of the county that Lawrence Boring, who was then a candidate for county
auditor, was not in sympathy with the order. Mr. Boring felt it worth while
to issue a very explicit statement through the columns of the local press,
denying these charges. On May 7, 1892, the county assembly of the order
adopted the following resolution in relation to the association's attitude toward
politics :

"Resolved, that we, the county assembly of the Hancock Farmers' Mutual
Benefit Association, do hereby agree that we as a body are a non-political
organization, and declare ourselves not pledged to support any political party
or faction as a body and that said resolution be published in the Hancock
Democrat. "J. H. White, President,

"Morgan J. Tyner, Secretary."

BRYAN AND FREE SILVER.

Following the nomination of William Jennings Bryan at Chicago in
1896, the Democracy of the county rallied enthusiastically to his support.
Stokes Jackson was a delegate to the national Democratic convention and was
also a member of the notification committee that brought to Mr. Bryan the
news that he had been nominated for the Presidency by the Democratic party.
No party in the county has ever given any candidate a more enthusiastic and
more loyal support than the Democracy of the county has given to Mr. Bryan
in each of his campaigns.

POLITICS. 385

The Democrats of the county were thoroughly imbued with the idea of
free silver and on June 6, 1896, just a few days prior to the Center town-
ship Democratic convention, copies of the following notice were sent to prac-
tically all of the Democratic voters of the township :

"Greenfield, Ind., May 30, 1896.
"Dear Sir : The township Democratic convention for the selection of
delegates to the state, congressional, senatorial and joint representative con-
ventions will be held at the court room in the city of Greenfield, on Saturday,
June 6, 1896, at two o'clock P. M. You are earnestly requested to see your
friends and neighbors and urge them to be present, as it is important on
account of the action which is desired to be taken, instructing all delegates
to vote for platform and candidates who are in favor of the restoration of
silver to the position it occupied before its demonetization in 1873 Dv the
Republican party. Free and unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of sixteen
to one is the battle cry of the Democracy for 1896. There is likely to be an
effort made to carry the convention for a gold standard, but if all of the
friends of silver attend this convention and do their duty, silver will win the
day. "Friends of Silver/'

All the Democratic township conventions adopted resolutions during the
summer of 1896 in favor of the free and unlimited coinage of silver, and the
defeat of Mr. Bryan at the polls did not shake the faith of the county. "Six-
teen to one" was affectionately remembered for many years and the "peer-
less leader" remained the idol of the party. Through the influence of Mr.
Jackson, Mr. Bryan was brought to Greenfield on July 2J, 1899. Great
preparations were made for his reception. The city was decorated, a large
cannon was procured and it seemed that the entire county turned out en masse
to hear him. He spoke at the fair ground and it was estimated that twenty
thousand people were present to hear the address. On June 22, 1903, Mr.
Bryan again made two addresses at Greenfield, one on the east side of the
court house and another at the opera house. On October 3, 1906, he spoke
at Fortville and then, with a party, came to Greenfield by automobile. The
city was again decorated and an immense throng filled the streets on the
east side of the court house to hear him. Tt is most likely true that Mr.
Bryan has not had a more loyal county in the United States than Hancock.

A few Democrats in the county, including Ephraim Marsh, Judge Offutt
and E. H. Faut were opposed to Mr. Bryan's theory of "free silver" and
supported the national Gold Democratic ticket. This ticket, however, polled

(25)

386 HANCOCK COUNTY. INDIANA.

only fifteen votes in the county, of which one was in Brandywine, eight in
Center, four in Sugar Creek and two in Vernon.

HANCOCK POLITICIANS.

Since 1896 several of the leading men in both political parties of the
county have received recognition for their political services. In 1898 Stokes
Jackson was chosen Democratic chairman of the Sixth Congressional dis-
trict. In 1910 he was selected as chairman of the Democratic state central
committee, and in 191 1 was appointed sergeant-at-arms in the Lower House
of Congress.

In 1902 Col. E. P. Thayer was selected as Republican chairman of the
Sixth Congressional district, and at the Republican national conventions held
in 1908 and 19 12 he was honored with the appointment as first assistant
sergeant-at-arms in the conventions. Colonel Thayer has been active in the
Republican party, both in this county and in the state, for a number of years.
With the exception of his candidacy for the office of county auditor in 1898.
in which he reduced the Democratic majority of his opponent to one hundred
and sixty-nine votes, he has never asked for political preferment either at the
hands of the voters of the county or by appointment from the national admin-
istration. No doubt the popularity of Colonel Thayer with his partv has
been in a large measure due to this unselfish service.

In 1910 Edward W. Felt, who had been honored with several elections
in his own county, was elected to the appellate bench of the state.

SCHLOSSER VS. STRICKLAND AND RASH VS. SAMPLE.

In 1910 two contests arose over the result of the Democratic primary
nominating convention. This convention was held on February 5. Harry G.
Strickland and Chalmer Schlosser were opposing candidates for representative,
and James E. Sample and John T. Rash for county recorder. The count of
the votes showed that Strickland had received 1,020 and Schlosser, 1,009;
that Sample had received 1,207, Rash, 1,123. The count gave Strickland a
majority of 1 1 for representative, and Sample a majority of 84 for county
recorder. This result was declared on February 7, 19 10. Schlosser and Rash
were dissatisfied with the 'count in so far as it related to their respective
candidacies and within about a week after the nomination each filed his peti-
tion in the Hancock circuit court, asking for a recount of the votes, alleging
that he believed that there had been a mistake in the count. All the can-
didates, the Democratic central committee, and the election commissioners
were made defendants in the action. The convention had been held on the

POLITICS. 387

Australian plan, but not strictly in accordance with any statute. For this
reason the court held that it lacked jurisdiction. The cases were not appealed
to any higher tribunal, but were dismissed following this decision.

RELATIVE STRENGTH OF PARTIES.

The relative strength of the political parties in the county for twenty
years prior to 1912 is shown by the following table, which gives the approxi-
mate number of votes polled by each ticket at the elections indicated :

Year Democratic Republican Prohibition People's

1890 2,260 1,660 no ....

1892 2,230 1,860 J2 295

1894 2,296 2,094- 64 189

1896 2,760 2,240 ... 120

1898 2,450 2,160 58 30

1900. ..... .2,916 2,300 60

1902 2,560 2,060 174 . . . "

i9°4 2,800 2.550 155 ...

1906 2,600 2,350 160

1908 2,932 2,440 115

1910 2,542 2,170 92

SINCE 1912.

The schism that occurred in the national Republican convention at Chi-
cago in 19 1 2 was carried to the ranks of the party in Hancock county.
Thomas I. Morgan, treasurer of the Republican central committee, and
Tohn Rosser, secretary, both resigned and took their places in the alignment
of the new Progressive party. Other members of the Republican county cen-
tral committee resigned and threw their political fortunes with the new party.
But these things were mere indications of the discontent that prevailed within
the ranks of the Republican party itself. There was a general withdrawal
from the party, and at the following election only a minority of the party
was left to vote the Republican ticket. Progressive township organizations
were effected on August 9, 1912, a Progressive county convention was held
and a county organization effected, with Carl Rock, of Greenfield, as chair-
man of the central committee. In the report of this county convention the
following names were prominent: Carl Rock, Alvin Johnson, Gus Stuart.
James Furgason, James F. Reed, Sherman Rothermal, Irwin Barnard, James
L. Vail, Capt. Henry Snow. Charles McKensie. Robert Oldham. Joseph P.
Reeves, John Henry Gates, Abram C. Pilkenton, H. E. Leech.

388 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

In the election that followed five tickets were in the field. The relative
strength of the three strongest is indicated below :

Judge — Earl Sample, Democratic, 2,375; Eldon Robb, Republican, 617;
James F. Reed, Progressive, 1,508.

Representative — Robert F. Reeves, Democratic, 2,533 ; George W. Gates,
Republican, 698; Elwood Barnard, Progressive, 1,265.

Treasurer — Allen F. Cooper, Democratic, 2,568; John Hittle, Republi-
can, 676; John H. Gates, Progressive, 1,176.

Sheriff — Mack Warrum, Democratic, 2,393 I James W. Hiday, Republi-
can. 819; James L. Vail, Progressive, 1,290.

Coroner — Earl Gibbs. Democratic, 2,564; \V. R. Johnson, Republican,
693; Ernest R. Sisson, Progressive, 1,265.

Surveyor — G. C. Winslow, Democratic, 2,651; Albert C. Atherton,
Republican, 710.

Commissioner, Eastern District — J. H. Bussell, Democratic, 2,543;
Franklin L. Bridges, Republican, 701 ; John W. Reeves, Progressive, 1,232.

Commissioner, Western District — George Allen, 2,549; John Souders,
Republican, 709; Charles McKensie, Progressive, 1,228.

John F. Wiggins, the Socialist candidate for judge, received 184 votes.

In 1914, however, the ratio of votes had changed:

Democratic 2,350

Republican 1,200

Progressive 875

In the ranks of the Democracy of the county today are many men whose
faces have been familiar in the party's councils, and whose judgments have
directed the local policies of the party through many years and through many
battles. We cannot mention all of them, but no picture of a general Dem-
ocratic meeting of this day at the county seat would be complete without the
faces of Elbert Tyner, John Hayes Duncan, Michael Quigley, George W.
Ham, John E. Dye, William Flsbury, Isom Wright, August Dennis. Horace
Wickard, John Manche, George Crider, Charles Barr, William H. Thomp-
son. Matthew L. Frank, William A. Woods and others.

With these men who have labored through the years and who have borne
the burden and the heat of the day, stand also the men of the middle age and
the younger men, who are giving of their time and energy that its banner
may not trail in the dust. Among the faces that are very familiar we see
our Judge Earl Sample, John F. Eagan, John B. Hinchman, William A.

POLITICS. 389

Service, Samuel J. Offutt, Edward W. Pratt, Jonas Walker, Charles L. Tin-
dall, Robert L. Mason, Edwin T. Glascock, Charles Cook, Arthur Van Duyn,
John A. Anderson, Sherman Smith, Lemuel Moore, George Matlock. Thomas
Hope, Charles Scott, Louis H. Merlau, William G. Lantz, John F. Shelby,
F. M. Sanford, Clint Caldwell, John Mooney, Qumcy A. Wright, and many
others.

But no picture of any general or business meeting of the Democracy at
the county, seat within the last quarter of a century would be complete if it
omitted from the foreground the likeness of the genial secretary — who is
practically always called to the table — Elmer T. Swope.

Among those who have remained loyal to the Republican standard
through the storm and stress of many campaigns are such men as William
R. Hough, John C. Eastes and others of their age. Among the younger
men are Edwin P. Thayer, who has been mentioned above; William A.
Hough, who has been favorably mentioned as a candidate for Congress ;
Newton R. Spencer, editor of the Greenfield Republican; Ora Myers, Dr. C.
K. Bruner, Dr. L. B. Griffin, George W. Duncan, J. P. Black, W. R. McKown,
W. R. King, James McDaniels, Henry Nichols, R. F. Cook, George W. Gates,
Eldon A. Robb, James W. Hiday, John Little, W. C. Atherton, William P.
Bidgood, William F. Thomas, John S. Souder, James Garrett, William G.
White, W. R. Johnston, Morgan Andrick, Charles Gately, I. A. May, John
Corocoran, H. Ward Walker, Frank Cook, Morton Allender, Charles Vetters,
A. H. Thomas, William T. Orr, Frank McCray, C. M, Eastes, W. E. Scotten,
John E. Barrett, C. M. Jackson, Charles H. Kirkhoff, Ed C. Huntington,
James H. Kimberlin, A. R. Ayres and others who have been active in different
parts of the county.

Among those who revolted from the tyranny of party machinery that
was thought to be crushing the individual under its weight; who preferred
new standards and new 7 ideals, and who led in the organization of the county
under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt, should be mentioned, James F.
Reed, J. P. Reeves, Claude Woods, Walter Woods, H. H. Spangler, Edward
Williams, Pearl Alexander, Elwood Barnard, Irvin Barnard, Sherman Roth-
ermel, John Mugg, James Webb, G. E. Stuart, M. S. Walker, Thomas Dill-
man, Walter Eastes, Frank Hanes, Dr. Lucian Ely, Grant Krammes, Ralph
Logan, O. J. Coffin, James Lindamood, William Hawkins, Barclay Binford,
Frank E. Rock, Thomas E. Niles, R. O. N. Oldham, A. C. Pilkenton, Carl
S. Rock, Marvin Fletcher, Homer Smith, W. W. McCole, Thomas I. Morgan,
Alvin Johnson and H. T. Roberts.

390 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

ONE TERM.

For a number of years past a sentiment has been developing in the county
that men elected to a four-year term of office should not be reelected. Since
the partial defeat of the Democratic ticket in i<886, but two men, Lawrence
Boring and James Thomas, have held more than one term of an elective four-
year office. No other candidates have even succeeded in getting a second
nomination, although several efforts have been made.

THE TOWNSHIPS.

Viewing the county by townships, Blue River has always been strongly
Republican. Since the enactment of the law creating the township trustee's
office in 1859, Blue River has elected but two Democratic township trustees.
James P. New, in 1863, and Harry L. Fletcher, in 1914. Jackson township
has also been Republican, yet on several occasions Democratic township trus-
tees have been elected. All of the other townships have been counted in the
Democratic column, although all of them, with the exception of Brandywine,
have at different times elected Republican township trustees. Brandywine
alone has had an unbroken line of Democratic township trustees since the
law was enacted in 1859.

COUNTY CHAIRMEN.

Tt is impossible at this time to procure the names of the officers of the
various political organizations prior to i860. The following, however, is a
list of the chairmen of the different political parties in the county since i860,
as far as it has been possible to make the same complete :

Democratic.

i860— J. A. Hall. 1878— Morgan Chandler.

1 86 1 — Benjamin F. Caldwell. 188c — Ephraim Marsh.

1866 — John W. Ryon. 1882 — Ephraim Marsh.

1867— Alfred Potts. 1884— Andrew Hagan.

1868— M. L. Paullus. 1886— Andrew Hagan.

i868--Jacob Slifer. 1888— U. S. Jackson.

187c — William Frost. 189c— U. S. Jackson.

1870 — Jacob Slifer. 1892 — I. A. Curry.

1872 — George Barnett. 1894 — E. W. Felt.

1874. — George Barnett. 1896 — George W. Ham.

1876— George Barnett. 1898— E. AY. Felt.

POLITICS.

391

190c — Charles J. Richman.
1902 — George Crider.
1904 — H. D. Barrett.
1906 — Lawrence Wood.
1908 — Lawrence Wood.

i860 — James P. Foley.
1861 — James P. Foley.
1867 — L. W. Gooding.
1868 — Nelson Bradley.
1870 — N. P. Howard.
1874— W. C. Burdett.
1876— W. C. Burdett.
1878 — Henry Snow.
1880 — Henry Snow.
1882 — Henry Snow.
1884 — Henry Snow.
1886— Samuel A. Wray.
1888— R. A. Black.

1890- Dr. W. R. King.

1862 — William Frost.
1864— N. P. Howard.

1866 — George Barnett.

1872 — John Roberts.

1878 — William Sears.
1 88c — William Sears.

191c — Richard Hagans.
191 1 — Clint Parker.
1912 — William Service.
19 14 — Thomas Seaman.
19 1 6 — Rosecrans L. Ogg.

Republican.

1892— Dr. W. R. King.
1894— W. P. Bidgood.
1896 — Newton R. Spencer.
1898 — Elmer J. Binford.
1 90c — Newton R. Spencer.
igc2- — Edwin P. Thayer.
1902 — Arthur H. Thomas.
1904 — Walter Bridges.
. 1906— W. H. H. Rock.
1908— W. H. H. Rock.
19 ic — James F. Reed.
19 16 — Eldon Robb.
1912 — Ora Myers.
19 14 — William F. Thomas.

Union.

1866 — Penuel Bidgood.

National Union.

Liberal Republican.

National or Greenback.

1882 — William Sears.

Prohibition.

1886— I. N. Hunt.
1888— R. M. Julian.
189c — R. M. Julian.
1892 — Benton L. Barrett.
1894— R. M. Julian.

1896— R. M. Julian.

1898— A. H. Hunt.

1900 — A. H. Hunt.

1902 — Benjamin J. Binford.

1904 — Benjamin J. Binford.

39-2

HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

1906 — Benton L. Barrett.
1906 — Benton L. Barrett.
1908 — J. W. Harvey.
19 10 — J. W. Harvey.

1892 — Coleman Pope.
1894 — Thomas H. Bentley.

1912 — Carl Rock.

1 91 4 — Howard Roberts.

1912 — John F. Wiggins.

191 2 — J. M. Pogue.

19 1 2 — Rev. J. S. Clawson.

191 4 — Rev. J. S. Clawson.

People's Party.

1896 — Samuel R. Walker.
1898 — George Walker.

Progressive.

19 1 6 — Howard Roberts.

Socialist.

CHAPTER IX.

TEMPERANCE.

The liquor traffic has always been a source of revenue to the county. In
fact this has been the chief argument for maintaining the traffic from the
fifth day of May, 1828, to the present.

The first meeting of the board of county commissioners of Hancock
county was held on April 7, 1828, and the first liquor license was granted on
May 5, 1828. In that early day the applicant for a license to sell liquor had
to present to the board of commissioners a recommendation signed by twelve
freeholders of the county. When this had been done, and the fee paid, the
license was issued in a very simple form :

"On the application of James Parker for a license to retail spirituous
liquor and foreign groceries at hisjiouse in the county of Hancock, Indiana —
by a recommendation of twelve of his fellow citizens of the same township
(freeholders) ; therefore it is ordered by the Board that the said James Par-
ker be licensed for and during the term of one year from this date, and that
he now produces the receipt from under the hand of the Treasurer of said
County of his having paid Five Dollars as a tax on said license."

Another entry was made in about the same form relative to the applica-
tion of Joseph Chapman :

"On the application of Joseph Chapman for a license to retail spirituous
and strong liquors, foreign and domestic groceries at his grocery in the town
of Greenfield and in the County of Hancock, Indiana. Therefore it is ordered
by the Board that the said Joseph Chapman be licensed as such for and dur-
ing the term of one year from the date of said license — And the said Joseph
Chapman here now produces a certificate from under the hands of twelve free
holders of said township of Brandywine — and that he paid the sum of five
dollars as a tax to the County Treasurer."

Liquor at that time was commonly sold in the groceries. It is interest-
ing now to observe the distribution of groceries that were licensed previous
to 1840, that also retailed liquor "by the small." Following is the list:

James Parker — 1828, Greenfield.
Joseph Chapman — 1829, Greenfield.
Amos Dickerson — 1831, Sugar Creek.

393

394 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Morris Pierson — 1831, Greenfield.
Barzilla Rozell — 1837, Brown township.
Taylor Willett — 1838, Charlottesville.
Asa Gooding — 1838, Greenfield.'
Jacob Schramm^ — 1838, Sugar Creek.
Peter F. N-ewland — 1838, Charlottesville.
Lewis & Slifer — 1838, Hancock county.
Joshua Stone — 1838, Greenfield.
William Johnson — 1838, Greenfield.
John Delaney — 1838, Sugar Creek.
John Dye — 1839, Sugar Creek.
Solomon Hull — 1839, Hancock county.
Asa Cooper — 1839, Hancock county.
Gavis Richardson — 1839, Hancock county.
William Garrison — 1839, Hancock county.
William Bentley — 1839, Hancock county.
William Griffin — 1839, Greenfield.
John Martin — 1839, Hancock county.
Laymon & Graft — 1840, Hancock county.
John Wilkinson — 1840, Greenfield.
Hart & Burk — 1840, Greenfield.

Among the old papers in the clerk's office may still be found itemized
claims filed against decedent's estates. Now and then a grocer's claim may
be found showing the liquor items on the same bill with "foreign and
domestic groceries." These claims are illuminating with reference to the
customs of the times.

While the grocers were retailing liquors as indicated above, the taverns
were also engaged in the same business. Of the twenty taverns licensed
in this county before 1841, all but six retailed liquor "by the small." When
the distribution of the taverns over the county is observed in connection with
the distribution of the groceries that retailed liquor, and when it is remem-
bered that whisky could be bought for ten cents per quart, one begins to
appreciate the ease with which it could be procured in those days.

Conditions as described above prevailed pretty generally in the county
until within a decade of the Civil War. There is no record of the combined
opposition of the people to the sale of intoxicating liquors during the early
years. Persons could be punished, of course, for selling liquor illegally, and
the grand juries did frequently return indictments for such violations of the

TEMPERANCE. 395

law. In the report of the grand jury, made on February 17, 1849, for
instance, ten indictments were returned against persons for "selling and
giving liquor to a drunken man." Eight indictments were also returned
against persons for "selling liquor without a license." Other indictments
were returned at other times. It is interesting to observe, too, in a copy
of the Greenfield Reveille, published in April, 1845, that a large part of one
column was given to an argument against the liquor traffic. The article
was prepared by G. N. Voss, an attorney of the local bar, and much of his
argument was addressed to the "moderate drinker."

SONS OF TEMPERANCE.

In the early fifties the county was pretty thoroughly organized by a
secret order known as the Sons of Temperance. The purpose of the order
is explained in its name. Lodges were instituted in all parts of the county,
and young men were solicited to sign the pledge. No records of the organ-
ization remain in existence, but the older people tell us that a great deal of
temperance enthusiasm was aroused by the order.

On March 5, 1859, however, an "Act relating to the sale of Spirituous,
Vinous, and Malt Liquors" was approved, which required special notice of
the intention to apply for a license to sell, etc. Provision was also made for
remonstrating, and it may fairly be said that right here was the

BEGINNING OF THE TEMPERANCE FIGHTS.

At the June session of the board, in 1859, John Hudson made applica-
tion for a license to retail liquor in the town of Walpole (Fortville), but
the board refused to grant the application because of the insufficiency of
his notice. Several other applicants had the same difficulty during the next
year or two. At the September term, 1859, the applicant was successful.
Licenses were also granted under the new law to Andrew Hagan at Wal-
pole, and John Carmichael and Frederick Hammel at Greenfield.

Joseph Gustin, by his attorney, Thomas D. Walpole, also applied for a
license at the September term, 1859, to retail liquor, whereupon Joseph B.
Atkinson presented a remonstrance against granting said license, signed by
himself and ninety-seven others. He also presented objections in writing, all
of which were considered by the board, who thereupon refused to grant
the license. Gustin then by his attorney, David Vanlaningham, moved the
board for a new hearing, but this motion the board overruled.

The remonstrance of Joseph B. Atkison and others, mentioned above,
was the first of a long series of remonstrances that have been filed before

396 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

the board of commissioners under the different laws that have been enacted
since that time. On September 3. i860, Robert D. Cooper, by his attorney,
David Vanlaningham, applied for a license to retail intoxicating liquors.
On September 4, i860, Reuben A. Riley presented a remonstrance signed
by himself and ninety-nine others against the granting of a license to the
applicant. The applicant moved the rejection of the remonstrance, which
motion the board overruled. The application was withdrawn on
September 5.

On September 6, i860, W. W. Pierson applied for a retail liquor license,
which the board refused, on the ground of the insufficiency of the descrip-
tion of the premises in which the liquor was to be sold.

At the March session of the board, in 1861, John Carmichael again
made application for a license to retail spirituous liquor. Joseph B. Atkison
first moved the board to dismiss the application because of the insufficiency
of the notice, but this motion was overruled by the board. He therefore
filed a remonstrance signed by himself and one hundred and twenty-six
others against the granting of such license to said applicant. The cause
was set down for hearing, after which,

"The board being sufficiently advised in the premises, finds that said
applicant is not of good character and is not fit to be intrusted with a license
to retail spirituous liquor.

"It is therefore considered by the board that said application be denied,
and that a license to retail spirituous liquor by said John Carmichael be
refused.

"And thereupon said John Carmichael tendered fifty dollars and a bond,
and demanded a license, all of which was rejected by the board.

"Nevtll Reeves,
"Eli as McCord,
"Hiram Tyner,
"Commissioners."

At the June term, in 1861, Jonathan Dunbar applied or a license. He
introduced oral testimony in proof of the publication of his notice, and also
:is to the fitness to be intrusted with a license. Joseph B. Atkison again
came forward with a remonstrance signed by himself and one hundred and
fifty-five others against granting a license to the applicant, whereupon Dun-
bar withdrew his application.

When the remonstrance against Dunbar was filed, the Hancock Dem-
ocrat published the list of names that appeared upon it. Some of the names

TEMPERANCE. 397

were omitted from the list, at which the signers were aggrieved. In explain-
ing the matter a week later, the Democrat stated':

"It so happened that the remonstrance had been signed in parts and that
not all parts had been collected and filed, and therefore were not published
in the paper. This caused a complaint from citizens whose names did not
appear, because they were eager to have their due portion of credit for hav-
ing opposed the application. The people were represented before the board
of commissioners by Joseph B. Atkison and William R. Hough."

It is not the intention to give a detailed statement of the contest that
has arisen on every application that has been field before the board of com-
missioners for a license to sell spirituous and intoxicating liquors. The fore-
going instances have been detailed merely to show the temper of the people
and the earnestness with which they undertook a campaign for cleaner living
and purer homes. It is interesting to observe in this connection the follow-
ing editorial from the issue of the Hancock Democrat of March 27, 1861 :

"GREENFIELD A TEMPERANCE TOWN.

"It is perhaps not generally known that this place is without a licensed
grocery and has been for the last six months. Several efforts have been made
in vain to obtain a license. The citizens seem to be determined to wipe away
the stigma of reproach brought on our town by the whisky leaders who cared
more for the base use and advantages acquired through its instrumentality
than for the fame and good order of society. The public sentiment of the
town is so well known that no man who respects the will of its citizens or
regards his own character will be apt to offend the public by petitioning for
a license to sell spirituous liquors in Greenfield. Should such an attempt
hereafter be made the character and fitness of the applicant will be well
ventilated if we can correctly judge public sentiment.

"Whilst we are on this subject, we can further say, that there is but
one licensed grocery in Hancock county. Who can hereafter say that Han-
cock is a whisky county?"

The "one licensed grocery" referred to above was opeated by Andrew
Hagan at Fortville. At least the record of the board of commissioners shows
no other license at this time. Hagan, as stated above, was licensed at the
September term. 1859, and annually thereafter until September, 1864, when
a remonstrance was filed, and his application withdrawn.

That the zeal of the people did not abate at the close of these two years
is indicated bv the following tabulated statement, showing the names of the

39$ HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

applicants, the dates of the application, and the disposition made of the
applications by the board of county commissioners:

Andrew Hagan — September, 1862. Granted.

John Carmichael — September, 1862. Remonstrance and appeal.

Andrew Hagan — September, 1863. Granted.

Loring W. Gapen — March, 1864. Denied.

Andrew Hagan — September, 1864. Remonstrance; application with-
drawn.

Loring W. Gapen — December, 1865. Remonstrance; application with-
drawn.

William G. Ritchie — December, 1865. Remonstrance; granted.

Nicholas Klock — December, 1865. Remonstrance; application with-
drawn.

Robert H. Offutt — March, 1866. Remonstrance; application dismissed.

John Walsh — June, 1866. Remonstrance; application dismissed.

Jacob Stoehr — September, 1866. Granted; remonstrators appeal.

Stephen A. Jones — -September, 1866. Granted; remonstrators appeal.

Nicholas Klock — December, 1866. Remonstrance; appeal defeated.

William G. Ritchie — June, 1866. Granted; remonstrators appeal.

John C. Rardin — December, 1866. Granted; remonstrators appeal.

When the application of Andrew Hagan was withdrawn in 1864, the
county was without a licensed saloon until in December, 1865. At that time
a license was granted to William G. Richie at Greenfield. It is interesting
to observe, too, that a few months after the county had been at least legally
''dry," the following editorial was published with evident pride in the Hancock
Democrat :

^TEMPERANCE FOR HANCOCK.

"Let all the world know that in this county there is not a licensed liquor
shop, nor has there been such for months past. The whisky power in this
county fought long and hard for political ascendancy under an able and
unscrupulous leadership, but all in vain. The good people, irrespective of
party, can now congratulate each other that the name of Hancock county is
no longer to be identified in the public mind with drunkenness and
intemperance."

After the withdrawal of his application, in 1865, Loring W. Gapen did
not apply for a liquor license until September, 1870. During these inter-
vening years he must have been engaged in selling "soft drinks," and in view

TEMPERANCE. 399

of the comfort and satisfaction that so many people have derived from drink-
ing sodas, the following item taken from the issue of the Hancock Democrat
of July 4, 1867, is probably worthy of a place in the temperance chapter of
the county's history :

"Soda Water. — L. W. Gapen, not satisfied with feasting the inner man
with his cream, has procured a soda fount, after the fatest cut, and is daily
dispensing this delightful, and healthy beverage to delighted crowds. Our
'devil' says it is the most elevating effervescent he has yet become acquainted
with in his peregrinations."

Joseph B. Atkison or Reuben A. Riley usually represented the remon-
strators in the legal battles before the board of commissioners in the cam-
paigns that were waged during the years indicated above. William R.
Hough frequently appeared for them, also.

Beginning with March, 1868, there was a cessation in the remonstrance
activity which continued for almost two years. The Good Templars made
their appearance and a number of lodges were organized in the county. Men
and women joined the order and signed the pledge to abstain from the use
of intoxicating liquor. Remonstrances, were filed against the applications
of Nicholas Klock, of New Palestine, in June and September, respectively,
1868. From March, 1868, until September, 1869, twelve applications were
granted without opposition. In September and December, 1869, remon-
strances were filed against three applications, but with these exceptions, no
objection was offered until March, 1872. In the meantime the liquor traffic
flourished. During 1871 and up to and including March, 1872, ten licenses
were granted. Six more were granted during the remaining months of 1872.
But a wave of opposition was sweeping over the county, and beginning with
the March term, 1872, remonstrances were filed and eight applications were
denied.

The crusade against the liquor traffic was now becoming more general.
Organizations began to arise in different parts of the county and an effort
was made in all quarters to oppose the evil On Tuesday afternoon, March
3, 1874, a meeting was held at the Methodist Episcopal church, on the corner
just southwest of the court house, for the purpose of organizing a "Temper-
ance Alliance" among the ladies. A number of men were also present and
addresses were made by Captain Paullus, Major Branham, Rev. Logan and
Rev. Hagans. The proposed constitution of the Alliance was read, which
amounted to a pledge that all persons signing the same would abstain from
the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage. It was then given to the

4 00 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

audience for signatures and about fifty people signed it. The following
persons were elected as officers of the Alliance: President, Mrs. Captain
Paullus; vice-president, Mrs. A. P. Williams; treasurer, Mrs. H. B. Thayer;
secretary, Mrs. Joseph Bartlow.

A mass meeting was also determined upon to be held at the Methodist
Episcopal church, on Sunday evening, March 8, 1874. There was a large
attendance at this meeting. The Rev. Mr. Logan made an eloquent address,
and was followed by a number of the business men of Greenfield, among
whom were: W. S. Wood, Captain Ogg, Charles G. Offutt, A. W. Hough,
Dr. Hall, Dr. Barnett, Ephraim Marsh.

The constitution of the Alliance was again presented and a number of
people affixed their signatures thereto. Another pledge had also been pre-
pared for attorneys alone, in which they were to agree not to take employ-
ment in defense of a man charged with a violation of the liquor law. James
A. New and A. W. Hough, it seems, signed this pledge, but the other attor-
neys were unwilling to do so. Ephraim Marsh said in the meeting that he
would not sign it under any circumstances. Charles G. Offutt also refused
to sign the pledge and spoke at length upon the unfairness of presenting
such a pledge to attorneys. A few remarks from the address of Mr. Offutt,
in which he seemed to voice the sentiments of the attorneys, will indicate
their attitude on the matter. He took the position that because a man was
charged with a violation of law, it did not necessarily follow that he was
guilty, and then proceeded :

"Again, can it be said that because an attorney engages in the defense
of a man charged with a violation of the liquor law, that the attorney is in
favor of intemperance ? I think not. As well might you say that because an
attorney defends a man charged with larceny of a horse, that he is, therefore,
in favor of horse stealing. Just as well say, sir, that if a man engages in the
defense of a murderer that he is in favor of taking human lives. It is not
the duty of an attorney to make a defense for a man charged with a crime
by suborning witnesses, misleading a court or jury as to the facts or the law
of the case; but it is his duty to protect the interests of his client by all fair
and honorable means and to the best of his ability." Mr. Offutt spoke at
length upon this phase of the question and was heartily applauded when he
closed.

On Saturday evening, March 7, 1874, a mass meeting was held at the
Christian church, at which George Barnett presided. A number of the busi-
ness men spoke, including William R. Hough, James A. New, Drs. Thomas,
Howard and Barnett, William Mitchell, John H. Binford, Captain Riley and

TEMPERANCE. 4OI

others. On Monday, March 9, 1874, the ladies of Greenfield held another
meeting at the Methodist Episcopal church for the purpose of appointing
committees to visit the liquor dealers to see what they proposed to do. These
committees were appointed and on Tuesday afternoon, following, Mrs. Ha-
vens, Mrs. Bradley, Mrs. A. P. Williams, Mrs. Q. D. Hughes, Mrs. F. H.
Crawford, Mrs. Kight, Mrs. Gant, and others visited the saloon of Mr.
McCarty. He informed them, as reported in the issue of March 12, 1874, of
the Hancock Democrat, "that it was his intention to quit the business and
that as soon as his government license expired, he would engage in other
pursuits."

The same committee also visited William G. Richie at the "Elephant
Saloon." On making their business known, Mr. Richie informed the com-
mittee, as reported in the same issue of the Democrat, "that he was not
ready to sign any papers ; that he would take the matter under advisement,
and that when he came to the conclusion to sign their paper and quit his busi-
ness he would inform them. In the meantime he proposed to prosecute his
business as heretofore, strictly in conformity to the laws of the land, and that
he had deliberately made up his mind that those who had signed their pledge
must go elsewhere for their liquor, unless it was strictly for medicinal or
mechanical purposes. He desired a list of the names that he might aid the
cause of temperance at least to this extent. He said that if the ladies would
visit the poor of the town and see what the children needed in the way of
clothing;, etc., to enable them to attend the common schools, the Sabbath
school and the church, he was ready and willing to do his full share in this
good work." He informed the reporter that he would treat all ladies with
the utmost kindness and consideration, and that he would expect similar
treatment in return.

On March 11 a committee composed of Mrs. Foley, Mrs. Paullus and
Mrs. Brown visited the saloon of John Walsh. As reported in the same
issue of the Democrat, he informed them "that he was ready and willing
to quit so soon as he could rent his room, and until he did so it was his
intention to sell intoxicating liquor in accordance with the existing laws of
the state, at least until his present stock was exhausted. If he' could not
rent his room he might renew his stock, but in no case would he sell liquor
in violation of the law. Mr. Walsh informed the ladies that he was strictly
a temperance man, and did not have much faith in liquor for medical pur-
poses. He had made up his mind to live as long as he could without the use
of liquor for any purpose, and that he was ready to die when he could not
live without it. So far as he was concerned he intended to live and die

(26)

402 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

without the use of liquor in any form. John paid profound attention to the
ladies and treated them with his accustomed kindness. He says that he will
continue to do so; that when he tires of their presence he will go away, and
that he will in no case offer them any insult."

The ladies continued to visit the different saloons from day to day, and
in the issue of the Hancock Democrat of March 19, 1874, further results
were reported as follows :

''They visited the saloons several times, which resulted in an agreement
with Messrs. McCarty and Walsh. Mr. McCarty is to quit the business of
liquor selling on or before the first day of March, and to close the house at
nine P. M. until then. Mr. Walsh has rented his room and will give pos-
session in three weeks. Mr. Richie has made no definite promise, beyond
saying that he would take the matter under advisement until the expiration
of his present government license."

It is only natural that so much agitation should cause a great deal of
gossip, much of which found its way into public print. In this connection the
following letter of W. G. Richie was published in the Democrat on March
19, 1874:

"To the Editor of the Hancock Democrat:

"A communication in the Indianapolis Sentinel of this date, from Green-
field, calls for a few words from me. It says that the 'prayer test' has not
l>een tried on me, and that the writer thereof is uncertain what effect it would
have. The writer further says that if this fails, he thinks 'a small applica-
tion of the Baxter law would have the desired effect.' In reply, I desire to
ray that I have treated the ladies with kindness, and expect to do so as long
as they obey the law. I am engaged in selling liquor under the laws of the
United States and of the state of Indiana, and as long as I obey the law I
shall expect all who visit my house to do the same. As to the Baxter law, I
have no fears of any of its provisions, and when I fail to obey this or any
other laws of the state, I hope A. K. B. or any others will wax it to me.

"W. G. Richie."

Mass meetings were continued, in which Mrs. M. L. Paullus, Mrs. J. P.
Foley, Mrs. Inez Lyons and others took an active part. William R. Hough,
John H. Binford, R. A. Riley, and other business men mentioned above, were
frequently at these meetings and assisted the ladies in their campaign.

The ladies also continued to visit the saloons. In fact, they took their
knitting and stayed all day. The following paragraphs taken from the issue
of the Democrat of April 16, 1874, will indicate the method pursued:

TEMPERANCE.

403

"Our crusaders are still on the war path, but they have somewhat changed
their tactics. On Tuesday morning they commenced the business of 'sitting'
with Mr. Richie, at his Temple of Bacchus. They commence at seven A. M.
and retire at nine P. M., each couple being relieved every two hours. Billv
and the ladies appear to get along very well, and there is no visible aspect in
the change of affairs. They paid a visit to Dr. Hall the other day, at his drug
store, but seemed to decide that it was only necessary to make a 'short sitting.'

"All things considered, we cannot see that the situation is much improved
from the beginning, except that a few have been weaned from their cups."

The intensity of the campaign that was waged in the spring of 1874 could
not be maintained for a very long time. Activity in the temperance cause,
however, did not cease. During the next year or two the columns of the
local newspapers published notices of meetings held at churches and school
houses in all parts of the county. The Woman's Christian Temperance
Union was also more or less active in the county. The year 1877 is notable
in the history of the temperance movement of the county for ushering in the

ERA OF RIBBON SOCIETIES.

The first of these was known as the Red Ribbon Society. It did not
gather as much strength in the county as did the Blue Ribbon societies two
years later. Its center of greatest strength was in and about McCordsville
and Fortville. A Red Ribbon Society was organized at McCordsville on
June 7, 1877, with a membership of sixty or more. Professor Motsinger,
principal of the McCordsville schools, was at the head of the society. The
organization was very active among the young people and in a few months
secured a large number of members. On June 10, 1877, three wagon-
loads of members of the society went to Fortville to assist in the organization
of a Red Ribbon Society there. Over a hundred members signed the pledge
at Fortville on that evening. These societies were known as the Red Ribbon
societies because of the small red ribbons that were worn by persons who
had signed the pledges. Anti-profanity and anti-tobacco pledges were also
signed by many members of the society.

In 1879 one D. B. Ross, a temperance lecturer, came into the county
and led a series of meetings at different points. Great interest was man-
ifested by the people in temperance reform, and now Blue Ribbon societies
were organized in every quarter. Below are a few clippings from the
Hancock Democrat from different points :

404 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"Brandy wine, March 15, 1879..

"We are glad to hear the wave has struck these parts. Last Saturday
evening they held their first meeting without any regular speakers and
twenty-six signed the pledge. On Sunday evening George W. Duncan and
John Binford addressed a large audience and about thirty-four called for
the blue ribbon. As some of them have been lingering too long at the cup,
it is to be hoped that they will keep their promises and will lead a sober and
useful life."

On March 25, 1879, tne Fortville correspondent included the following
item :

"Fisher, our saloon man, started a counter movement by tying ribbons
on all dogs he could catch — but it only makes friends to the temperance
cause. It was a dirty piece of business, intended as a slur on the Blue Rib-
bon, but was only a fair sample of the character of the men who deal in the
vile stuff," etc., etc., etc,

Ross began a series of meetings at the Christian church at Fortville in
March, 1879, and met with great success. On April 2, 1879, five hundred
and fifty-six names were on the roll of the Blue Ribbon societies in that
locality. Everywhere in the county societies were organized, pledges were
signed, and blue ribbons were worn. A "Blue Ribbon Column" was also
edited by the societies in the Hancock Democrat during the spring of 1879.
. In March, 1879, the temperances forces at Greenfield organized the
Greenfield Temperance Association, an incorporation under the laws of the
state of Indiana. Its articles of incorporation may be found in Miscellaneous
Record, No. 2, page 496, in the office of the county recorder of Hancock
county. The objects, as stated in the articles of incorporation, were :

"First, the promotion of the cause of. temperance wherever such work
can be done.

"Second, the reformation of inebriates and of all persons addicted to the
use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and for the union and association
of all persons interested in the cause of temperance for mutual labor and
counsel.

"Third, to render aid and assistance to reform inebriates under such
rules and regulations and in such manner as the board of directors may
determine and from time to time establish.

"Fourth, to establish headquarters and reading rooms and to provide.
in the discretion of the board of directors, for lunch rooms for its members
and such proper persons as may see fit to resort to them."

TEMPERANCE. 405

Provision was made for the issuance of twenty thousand shares of stock
;it one dollar per share. Following are a few "articles" that show the nature
and the spirit of the work of the organization :

"Article 17. — The work of the association shall be based on the leading
idea of the 'Universal Fatherhood of God and the Universal Brotherhood
of Man' and shall be carried on humanely with malice toward none and
charity for all, persuasion being the leading feature of the work to be done.

"Article 18. — The seal of the corporation shall have engraved upon it
the name of the corporation and the motto, 'Malice toward none and charity
for all.'

"Article 21. — Ladies may take stock in said corporation and shall be
eligible to all offices, providing that not more than one-hali of the board
of directors shall consist of ladies."

The original incorporators were : Nelson Bradley, G. T. Randall, H. B.
Thayer, R. M. LaRue, F. E. Glidden, Samuel E. Duncan, Mrs. F. E. Glidden,
John F. Mitchell, Samuel S. Boots, F. M. Walker, Walter C. Roberts, Isaac
C. Davis, John W. Jones, Mrs. Wl D. Hughes, Mrs. A. C. Heaton, Mrs.
W. H. Sims, Mrs. F. M. Walker, Mrs. L. L. Lorinor, Mrs. H. F. Williams.

Pursuant to the purpose of that organization, as stated above, a room
was rented in the Guymon House for a reading room, and was supplied with
papers, magazines, books, etc. Everything was done to make it attractive
for young men and boys. This room was maintained for several months
during the summer and fall of 1879.

A further movement was undertaken in April, 1879, for the organiza-
tion of the Greenfield Christian Temperance Union. Its work was not to be
limited to the city of Greenfield, but was to extend over the entire county,
and an effort w r as made to interest the people of the county in the move-
ment. For this purpose the following call was issued through the columns
of the Hancock Democrat :

"blue ribbon county convention.

"We, the undersigned friends of the Cause of Temperance, residing in
Hancock county, in the spirit of the following pledge: 'With malice toward
none and charity for all, I, the undersigned, do pledge my word and honor,
God Helping Me, to abstain from all intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and
that I will by all honorable means, encourage others to abstain,' do hereby
issue this call for a Christian Temperance Union County Convention to meet
in this city on Monday the 5th day of May, 1879, at 2 P. M., in the Court

4C>6 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

House. The object of this Convention shall be to organize a County Christian
Temperance Union for the purpose of carrying on the good work already
begun in our county. All persons favorable to this movement, and who will
subscribe to the above pledge, will be received as delegates. (Signed) :
G. T. Randall, F. E. Glidden, H. J. Williams, Sam E. Duncan, Rev. L. L.
Lorinor, H. L. Moore, Mrs. L. C. Heaton, Charles G. Offutt, O. M. Edwards,
Walter C. Roberts, Mrs. O. W. Shick, Mrs. S. C. Gilchrist, Mary E. Swope,
H. B, Thayer, Sidney LaRue, L. A. Vawter, Mrs. Kate Applegate, Mrs. G.
T. Randall, Mrs. Dr. Boots, G. W. Duncan, Charles E. Barrett, John W.
Jones, H. B. Wilson, Mrs. J. H. Bragg, Lizzie Gilchrist, O. P. Martin, Nelson
Bradley, C. W. Gant, J. W. Walker, John H. Binford, Mrs. E. Bradley, Mrs.
H. J. Williams, S. C. Shumway, John P. Wright, Mrs. Lorinor, Mrs. H. C.
Burdett, Mrs. F. H. Crawford, Mrs. M. W. Hamilton, Mrs. Q. D. Hughes."

A convention was held at the court house, pursuant to the above call, and
was attended by a large number of people from all parts of the county. G.
T. Randall was elected president of the meeting and Charles E. Barrett,
secretary. A committee appointed to nominate suitable officers for the
county organization made the following report : President, George W. Dun-
can ; vice-presidents, Blue River, B. H. Binford ; Brown, Alex McDaniel ;
Brandywine, Ephraim Bentley ; Center, J. H. Binford ; Buck Creek, G. W.
Hendricks ; Green, Milo Walker ; Jackson, Jackson Gause ; Sugar Creek, Adam
P. Hogle ; Vernon, J. W. Ferrell ; corresponding secretary, James J.. Walsh ;
recording secretary, J. W. Jones; treasurer, Nelson Bradley; managers, G. T.
Randall, Mrs. Ann Fulgum, O. P. Martin, Thomas West, Elihu Coffin.

The general sentiment of the convention was expressed in the following
resolutions :

"Whereas, the evils of intemperance are of such a character as to give
rise to the necessity of immediate and thorough organization throughout our
county for the purpose of counteracting and checking as far as possible the
aforesaid evils ; therefore,

"Resolved, that we, the members of this convention, in view of the
terrible evils of intemperance with the best interest of society and Christianity,
'With malice toward none and charity for all.' do hereby pledge ourselves to
use our best endeavors to counteract the aforesaid well-known evils."

With the numerous organizations now established in the county it was
desirable to have a closer relationship existing among them and a better
acquaintance among their members. For this purpose a grand temperance
picnic was planned to be held at Pierson's grove at Greenfield, on July 4.
1879. Invitations were extended through the local papers to all persons

TEMPERANCE. 407

interested in the promotion of the temperance cause, and all were invited to
wear blue ribbons on this occasion. From twelve to fifteen hundred people
were reported present at the picnic. Choirs sang, and Col. John M. Wray
and D. B. Rosser, of Indianapolis, and Charles G. Offutt, of Greenfield,
made eloquent temperance addresses. W. S. Sparks, Jr., read the Declara-
tion of Independence. George W. Duncan was master of ceremonies during
the day. A Fortville wagon containing forty girls dressed in red, white and
blue was an interesting feature of the occasion. The receipts of the day
amounted to forty dollars and thirty-six cents, of which the surplus was
applied toward the maintenance of the reading room that had been estab-
lished in the Guymon House.

The intensity of the campaign that had been waged for several years
naturally developed a great deal of feeling between the temperance people
and those representing the liquor interests. In the midst of this bitterness the
saloon at New Palestine was dynamited on the night of October 16, 1881.
The building belonged to Indianapolis parties, the stock to Walker & Haf-
ner. On the night of May 12, 1882, a billiard room at New Palestine,
operated by John Walker, was likewise blown up. Both of these buildings
were completely wrecked and there were left on the spot piles of wreckage.
Windows w.ere broken in the surrounding houses and the entire town was
shaken by the explosions. It was never judicially determined who committed
these acts. There was unity in the condemnation of the acts, however, from
all sources. It was expressed not only on the street corners, but in the local
papers and by correspondents from all parts of the county.

During the years that followed, temperance agitation was kept up,
but very largely by ladies' societies and through the agency of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union.

On September 20, 1893, the ladies of Greenfield appeared before the
city council and asked for an ordinance compelling saloon keepers to remove
screens from before their windows and doors. Such an ordinance was
presented, but was lost. On October 4, 1893, the ordinance was again pre-
sented for action. The council at that time was composed of John A. Barr.
John Eagan, John B. Huston, Taylor Morford, Jasper Moulden and William
Vaughn. Of these, Morford, Barr and Moulden .voted in favor of the
ordinance. Eagan, Huston and Vaughn voted against it, and the ordinance
was lost.

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union remained more or less active
in the county during the years that followed, and on April 1 and 2, 1890,
held a normal institute at the Christian church in Greenfield. Representatives

408 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

and speakers were present from different parts of the state. Three sessions
of the institute were held daily. One was a "mothers' meeting." Consecra-
tion meetings were also held. Reviews of literature on temperance were
given, and such subjects as the following were discussed: "Indiana Methods,"
"Enfranchisement of Women," "How to Use the Press," "How to do Chris-
tian Work Successfully," "How to Advertise and Conduct Public Meetings
Successfully," "To What Extent Are Women Responsible for the Saloons?"
"To What Extent Are Men Responsible for the Saloons?" and "Scientific
Temperance Instruction in the Public Schools." These meetings were largely
attended by the people of the county interested in temperance work, and much
inspiration was drawn from them.

During the year that followed liquor licenses were granted in greater
numbers, however, by the board of county commissioners. From January,
1 901, to June, 1902, licenses w r ere granted at the rate of almost two per
month. Then began a period of greater temperance activity again in the
use of remonstrances.

In the spring of 1903 a Citizens' Reform League was organized at
Greenfield. The league used a "power of attorney," in form like the follow-
ing, upon w y hich the signatures of all the citizens possible, resident within
the city of Greenfield, were secured :

"I, , the undersigned resident and voter of the first

ward in the City of Greenfield, Hancock County, State of Indiana, do hereby

respectfully authorize, empower and request and ,

or either of them, to sign my name to any and all remonstrances against
persons who may give notice of intention to apply for license to sell intox-
icating liquors in said ward, and also to properly file and present such remon-
strances to the Board of Commissioners of said County.

"Signed

"Address

"Witness

"Where signed ' "

Practically all of the persons who executed the above "powers of attor-
ney" constituted Robert Williamson and W. C. Welborn as their attorneys
in fact to sign such remonstrances for them.

At the March session of the board of commissioners, in 1903, the appli-
cations of Robert Fair and Richard Todd were pending.

Great numbers of the above cards had been signed, but the liquor inter-
ests had also procured a large number of withdrawals. When the applica-

TEMPERANCE. 4O9

lions came up for hearing the commissioners' court room was crowded to
overflowing and both applications were withdrawn.

During the spring of 1903, however, the same methods were used and
remonstrances were successfully filed against William G. Manifold, of Fort-
ville, William Chappel, of Maxwell, Charles Fair, of Greenfield, and Lewis
I. Gordon, of Wilkinson.

For more than a decade the farmers of the county had been organized
in their farmers' institutes. When these temperance fights came to the front,
the rural people left no question unanswered as to where they stood on the
liquor traffic, as shown by resolutions adopted from time to time in their
meetings. At the institute held in January, 1903, they placed themselves on
record as follows :

"Resolved, that we commend the General Assembly of the state of
Indiana for its action in supporting the preliminary steps in the great move-
ment of temperance by passing the Nicholson law, the Moore law and the
Search and Seizure laws, and as farmers of this section of Indiana, w r e stand
ever ready to advance morality, common decency and the protection of our
homes and families from the arch enemy, Alcohol. Be it

In 1909. when it became evident that there was danger of the repeal of
the county local option law, our agricultural people again went on record :

"Resolved, that for the preservation of the sacredness of the home in
Indiana, for the sake of sterling manhood of the fathers, and in defense of
the never-dying love of the devoted mother, and for the preservation of our
sons and daughters, that w ? e are opposed to any institution or business that
degrades the home or human race, therefore we demand that the county
local option law be permitted to remain on the statute books until it is given
a trial."

In 1910 they again expressed their convictions:

"That, as husbands and fathers, who love our families and our homes
as we love our lives, we are steadfastly and forever opposed to any custom,
law. institution or business, whose tendency and effect is to debase and
degrade the children of men, and as the abolition of the saloons in Hancock
county has removed from our midst one of the greatest evil influences that
lead men astray, we are unalterably opposed to the repeal of the county local
option law 7 and demand its rigid and impartial enforcement."

4IO HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

On March 7, 1908, the Willow Horse Thief Detective Company adopted
the following resolutions :

"Whereas, the temperance people of Hancock county are now engaged
in a determined effort to subdue the liquor traffic by preventing the granting
of any more saloon licenses; be it

"Resolved, that we, the members of the Willow Horse Thief Detective
Company, No. 196, in regular meeting assembled, March 7, 1908, send greet-
ings and good cheer and pledge our support, both morally and financially, if
need be, to this glorious work."

In 1908, Civic Leagues and Good Citizens' Leagues were organized in
the county to keep up a crusade against the liquor traffic. The citizens,
churches and ministers all took an active part in the work of the leagues.
Among the hardest fights waged in the county were those by the leagues
against Arch Duncan, Richard Hall and others. A great deal of bitterness
was developed and many ugly things were said of each party by the other.
Evidence was introduced before the board of commissioners to show that
inducements had been offered especially to some of the poorer people to get
them to sign the remonstrance or to execute "powers of attorney" as hereto-
fore indicated. Charges and counter-charges were made, and when the
attorney for the applicants was charged with having misplaced the remon-
strances, it looked for a time as though there might be acts of violence in
the court room.

In September, 1908, the county local option law was passed. Immediately
after the holidays petitions were circulated in the county for a county local
option election. This petition was filed with the county auditor on January
30, 1909, with over two thousand signatures thereon. The election was
ordered for March 5, 1909. There was a thorough canvass of the county
by both the "wets" and "drys." Four thousand, four hundred and thirteen
votes were cast in the election, with the following results :

"Drys" 2,8^4

"Wets" 1,559

"Drys" majority I> 2 95

All of the precincts in the county cast a majority of "dry" votes, with
the exception of the third precinct in Brown, which had a "wet" majority
of three, and the seventh precinct in Center, which had a "wet*' majority of
seven. As a result of this election, the county was "dry" for a period of two
years.

TEMPERANCE. 41 1

In the meantime the county local option law had been repealed and
townships and cities were made the units. Under the later law elections were
held in Brown, Center, Sugar Creek and Vernon townships, and in the city
of Greenfield, on March 28, 191 1. The result of these elections was as
follows :

Townships "Dry" "Wet"

Brown 300 217

Center 187 143

Sugar Creek 212 183

Vernon 333 291

Greenfield 520 600

This again left the entire county, with the exception of the city of Green-
field, "dry."

In the spring of 1913 it became necessary for the "wets" in Brown and
Vernon townships to circulate petitions in order to have other local option
elections held. This was done and a sufficient number of names was secured
in each township. Elections were held on the second day of April, 191 3, in
each township, with the following results :

Townships "Dry" "Wet"

Brown 227 123

Vernon 353 ■ 250

The "wets" having won the election in Greenfield in 191 1, it became
necessary for the "drys" to circulate a petition in order to procure another
election. This was done with the following result at the polls on May 2, 1914 :
"Drys," 585 ; "wets," 637.

During the summer of 19 14 the "wets" secured a sufficient number of
signatures on a petition in Sugar Creek township and an election was ordered
to be held on September 23, 1914. The result of the election was: "Drys,"
278; "wets," 127.

Under the local option laws the entire county, with the exception of the
city of Greenfield, has been "dry" since 1909.

After the entire county had been "dry" for two years the city of Green-
field on March 28, 191 1, voted "wet." The council, composed of Henry R.
Fry, Frank C. Gibbs, James N. Goble, John V. Rosser and Isaac W. Wilson,
at once took under consideration an ordinance for closer government of the
liquor traffic within the city, and on April 5, 191 1, the following ordinance
was approved by Ora Myers, mayor:

412 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

LIQUOR REGULATIVE ORDINANCE ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF GREENFIELD ON APRIL 5, I9II.

"Ail ordinance to license, regulate and restrain all shops, inns, taverns
and other places where intoxicating liquors are kept for sale within the city
of Greenfield, and there to define the resident and business districts of said
city and provide for penalties for the violation thereof and repeal ordinance
and parts of ordinances in conflict therewith.

Section i .

"Be it ordered by the common council of the city of Greefield, Indiana,
that it shall be unlawful for any person to retail, barter or give away or keep
for any of such purposes any intoxicating liquors within the city of Green-
field without first procuring from said city a license so to do and then only
in compliance with the provisions of this ordinance.

Section 2.

"Before any license shall be issued under the provisions of this ordinance,
the applicant shall have previously procured a license from the board of com-
missioners of Hancock county, Indiana, and shall exhibit the same to the
clerk of said city, and shall pay in advance to said city the sum of Five Hun-
dred Dollars as a license fee. Upon complying with the foregoing provisions.
a license shall be issued to such applicant, signed by the mayor and attested
by the city clerk, which license shall entitle the applicant to sell and retail,
barter and give away such liquors for the term of one year from the date of
the issuance thereof, and then only in compliance with the provisions of the
ordinance.

Section 3.

"The room where intoxicating liquors may be sold at retail, bartered or
given away in pursuance to this ordinance, shall be a front room on the
ground floor of a building facing upon a public street ; said room shall have
a glass door or door and glass window or windows in the front thereof, next
to said street, which shall be kept clean and transparent at all times, so as to
give an unobstructed view of the entire interior of said room, to one looking
into said room from said street; said room shall be provided with sufficient
light to afford one looking therein to have a clear view of the entire interior
of said room at all times ; there shall be no side or rear entrance into said
room except such as admit directly into said room from the public street, alley
or the interior of the building or from the exterior of a regularly operated

TEMPERANCE. 4I3

hotel, and then only when such hotel immediately adjoins said room; there
shall be no side, rear or other room used at any time in connection with said
room where said liquors are hereby permitted to be sold, bartered or given
away or kept for such purposes; except a regularly operated hotel adjoining-
said room ; all doors and entrances from any such side, rear or other room,
except a regularly operated hotel adjoining said room shall be at all times
securely locked and fastened and no person allowed to enter or depart by
way thereof; there shall be no stairway leading from said room to any other
room or place above; that the licensed shall have the right to use a base-
ment beneath his saloon for storage purposes and for no other purposes.

"There shall be in said room no screen, partition device or construction
of any kind which obstructs a clear and full view of the entire interior of
said room from the street in front thereof at any time of the day or night;
there shall not be permitted in said room at any time any chairs, seat, table,
music, musical instrument, slot machine, dice box, dice, playing cards, gam-
ing device, game or amusement of any kind, or any elevator, dumb waiter
or speaking tube provided; that stools may be kept behind the bar for the
sole use of the barkeeper and owner; no person shall be employed as bar-
tender or be permitted to act as such in said room who is in the habit of
becoming intoxicated or while in a state of intoxication; said room shall be
securely closed and locked and all persons except the proprietor thereof, or a
member of his family, shall be excluded therefrom during all days and hours
the sale of such liquors are prohibited by the laws of the state of Indiana.
All liquors sold, bartered or given away in said room shall he delivered at
the bar, which shall be located in said room at a distance not exceeding ten
feet from the front door of said room. It shall be unlawful for the pro-
prietor of such license to deliver any of such liquors at any place in said room
except at the bar thereof. (As amended, February 4, 19 14.)

Section 4.
"No intoxicating liquors shall be sold at retail, bartered or given away or
kept for any of such purpose and no building, room or place shall be kept or
maintained for the purpose of selling any such liquors at retail, or for barter-
ing or giving away the same, except within the boundaries of the business
portion of the city of Greenfield, Indiana, and then only in compliance with
the provisions of this ordinance.

Section 5.
"The business portion of the city of Greenfield, Indiana, for the purpose
of this act is hereby defined to be included within the following boundaries
and not elsewhere :

414 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

'The south boundary thereof shall be the north line of South street in
said city, the east boundary line thereof shall be the first alley east of East
street in said city, the north boundary line thereof shall be the south line of
North street in said city, the west boundary line thereof shall be the east
line of Pennsylvania street in said city.

"The entire remainder of said city is hereby defined to be the resident
and suburban portions of said city and no licenses shall be issued for the sale
of any such liquors therein.

Section 6.

"No intoxicating liquors shall be sold at retail, bartered or given away,
and no building, room or place shall be kept or maintained for any of such
purposes within two miles of the corporate limits of said city of Greenfield,
Indiana.

Section 7.

"None of the foregoing provisions of this ordinance shall apply to whole-
sale liquor dealers who sell such liquors exclusively to licensed retail liquor
dealers, nor shall the same apply to duly licensed druggists or pharmacists.

Section 8.

"It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep for sale
at wholesale any intoxicating liquors or to keep any building, room or place
for such purposes or for the storage of such liquors intended to be sold at
wholesale, within the corporate limits of the city of Greenfield, Indiana, and
within two miles of such corporation limits, without first procuring a license
from said city so to do.

Section 9.

"Upon payment to said city the sum of two hundred dollars by any
person, firm or corporation desiring such wholesale license, said city shall
issue to such person, firm or corporation a license in like manner as retail
dealers only, any such intoxicating liquors for and during a period of one
year from the date of said license and no part of such license fee so paid
shall be refunded by said city under any circumstances.

Section 10.

"It shall be unlawful for the proprietor or any such wholesale liquor
license to permit any intoxicating liquors to be drunk upon or about the
premises where liquors are kept for sale at wholesale.

TEMPERANCE. 415

Section n.

"Any person, firm or corporation keeping for sale, bartering or to be
given away any intoxicating liquors which are kept in the building, room
or place for any of such purposes, in violation of any of the provisions of
this ordinance, shall upon conviction or plea of guilty be fined in any sum
not exceeding one hundred dollars or each offense, and upon failure to pay
or replevy such fine and the costs of such suit, such person shall be impris-
oned in the county jail one day for each dollar of such fine and costs.

"All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance
are hereby repealed.

"This ordinance shall be in full force from and after its passage and
due publication in the Greenfield Daily Reporter."

PUBLICITY.

In the last elections in Sugar Creek and Vernon townships, the petitions
had to be filed by the "wets." The names of the petitioners were published
as news items in the local papers. It was illuminating to learn how many
men "had not expected the names to be published." Many humorous stories
were soon afloat of what happened when the wife and children learned that
father had signed that petition. Whether all such stories were true or not,
it was evident that many men who signed the petitions were ashamed and
unwilling to have their families and neighbors know about it. Publicity was
found to be a powerful agent in purifying the life of a community.

PRINCIPLES FUNDAMENTAL.

The long crusade in the temperance cause has at different times created
strong feeling among the people of the county. Bitter words have been
spoken and hard things have been said of each faction by the other. Prin-
ciples have been forgotten and personalities have at times occupied the arena.
These things have, no doubt, been unavoidable with a humanity that is not
vet perfect. During the last local option campaigns, however, there has been
a tendency on the part of all to wage the battle on cleaner and less vindictive
lines. Possibly the lesson has been learned that it pays, and that it makes
for strength. In many of the earlier campaigns the columns of the news-
papers were filled with personal invectives that had no effect except to preju-
dice and stir up bitterness. As set over against this method of campaigning
the principal articles used in- the last campaigns are inserted herein. They
are arguments designed to appeal to reason, and are absolutely free from all
personal matters.

4l6 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

The first statement was issued by the "wets" just before the election in
Greenfield on May 2, 19 14, and was scattered over the city. It is, no doubt,
the strongest argument ever issued in the county in behalf of the liquor traffic.
It is strong as a positive argument, but it is infinitely stronger for the manner
in which it diverts attention' from the vital matter at issue in the liquor traf-
fic. It is based on principle, however, and is illustrative of what has just
been said :

"LOCAL OPTION ELECTION.

"Tax Payer, Voter, Citizen, you are interested in the following thoughts,
facts, and figures. — May help you some in exercising the Great American
Privilege intelligently. — Prejudice and Sentiment aside, you want to do what's
best for your own and your city's interests.

"financial.

"Greenfield has a little over $2,250,000 taxable property. According to
law a city may go in debt and issue its bonds therefor, to the amount of 2
per cent, of its property, or in our case, $45,230.

"We have issued, outstanding and unpaid bonds $35,000

"Electric light plant 15,000

"Total indebtedness $50,000

"Or $5,000 more than permitted by law. Of this debt Greenfield pays
in interest $3,000 annually.

"Understand, we are making no complaint and have no objections to this.
Greenfield has about everything in the way of public utilities that any city
has. and good at that, but they all cost money.

"Where does it come from? Who pays the bills?

"Listen! The tax levy for our city last time was 58 cents on the
hundred. When added to Township, County and State, we have a total tax
levy of $2.99 on each hundred dollars, one of the highest for cities of our size
and class in the state.

"This year's levy, 12 cents for Corporation, produces $2,713, one-half of
which is available next July, other half next January.

"On hand last report $4,687

"Half from levy July 1,356

"Total $6,043"

TEMPERANCE. 417

"The fixed salaries of officers and employees alone amount annually to
$5,000, saying nothing of all other employees and expenses, which amounts
to several thousand dollars.

"Smallpox Epidemic, or whatever it may have been, has been costing
the City $100 per day for the past thirty days. Again we ask :

"Who pays the bills? Where must the money come from?

"Six saloons have been contributing- $500 each, or. $3,000

"For electric light and city water, $100 each, or 600

"From their six homes, approximately 400

"Or a total of $4,000"

"Now a comparatively small number of tax payers, without consent or
knowledge of the city or its officials, without even consulting them as to the
wisdom of such action would not only withhold this $4,000 from the city,
but have imposed the additional expense and burden of holding another
election.

"for what purpose?

"To close saloons. Very well. Then this shortage must come from some
other source.

"City officials are not to blame because the Corporation Fund would
run short. They figured on receiving this money and made the levy
accordingly.

"Only one thing to do. Increase the tax levy, and of course increase
taxes. This Sounds Good! If $2.99 isn't high enough make it $3.99. What's
the difference? Who cares for the expenses? The property owners have
to pay the bills.

"Anything else? They would vacate six good business rooms, now
bringing good incomes, depreciate their rental value one-half, and depreciate
the value of the whole block, building or property in proportion.

"Social Clubs Again! In these same rooms they would have a cheap
restaurant or two (soft drink joints), a few more pool rooms or bowling
alleys, and in one or two a nice, stylish 'Social Club.'

" 'Social Clubs,' you know, are very popular in dry territory. Have you
forgotten our 'Social Clubs?' Don't you remember how Mayor Myers, just
for recreation, used to go out occasionally, raid a 'Social Club' and return
with a dray load of barrels, boxes and tubs and things? How they were
stacked up in the Court House and guarded with jealous care until the con-

(27)

4 1 8 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

tents were emptied into the sewer and all the innocent little fish in Brandy-
wine made intoxicated?

"We don't expect our argument to appeal to those who have no prop-
erty interests here, and who contribute little or nothing to the support of our
city and her improvements and institutions in the form of taxes. But we
think you who own property and who have made Greenfield what 'she is,
should remember this.

"elementary business truth.

"For any city to have a very high tax rate is a poor advertisement. High
taxes keep out the investor. High taxes cause the owners of property to
throw it on the market, anxious to sell. And a city where everybody wants
to sell and nobody wants to buy presents indeed a deplorable condition.

"nothing accomplished.

"Now what would be accomplished by the closing of saloons here?
Indianapolis, only 20 miles distant, with a half dozen breweries and a thou-
sand wholesale liquor houses and saloons, interurban cars every hour in the
day and half the night, some of which would be known as 'Evening Suit Case
and Jug Specials,' 'Blind Tigers' and 'Social Clubs.' Do you honestly believe
Greenfield would be very 'dry?' Do you?

"philosophy.

"Abe Martin says : 'You kin alius tell a dry town by the sugar barrels
around the depot.'

"Under the present arrangement, and it's a good law for the protection
of citizens, if a saloon keeper causes a man to become intoxicated, and he or
his family thereby injured, they have an action in damages, not only against
the saloon keeper, but his bondsman as well.

"If he sells to a minor the law holds. But if that same man, or that
same minor sends a few dollars through the mail to wholesale liquor houses,
they can have delivered to them by express their bottles or jugs of liquor,
get intoxicated, get themselves and others into trouble, and you have abso-
lutely no remedy. Which condition would you prefer?

"Oh ! But our opponents say : 'The excessive use of intoxicating liquor
ruins and wrecks the lives of men and women and destroys happiness and
homes.'

"The excessive use of drugs does the same. The social evil is worse
than both, and must you go down in your pocket, must you give of your time

TEMPERANCE. 419

and substance, must you lay higher taxes on your property in a vain and use-
less effort to improve the habits of your neighbor who resents such efforts
as unwarranted interference in his personal affairs?

"a case in point.

"A good and well meaning man took a seat in a passenger coach one day,
glanced across the aisle at another passenger and noticed the fellow had no
nose. Curiosity got the better of judgment. He arose and sat down beside
him with the observation : 'My friend, I see you have lost your nose.' 'Yes,'
said the other, '1 have lost my nose.' 'Might I ask,' said the meddlesome one,
'how that happened ?' 'Oh, sure ! That came from sticking my nose in other
people's business.' Profound silence.

"One never engaged in a more thankless business than when he attempts
to act as guardian for another when uncalled for and unsolicited. Moreover
in a free country where every man's privileges are equal to every other's he
refuses to be forced, driven or coerced, and when such methods are attempted
it only results in driving him to resort to any trick or scheme to defeat the
object and purposes of the one who interferes with his personal and private
business.

"So, good friends, if you feel that your personal habits are, or should
be, the standard for your neighbor, if you feel that he should eat and drink
when and what you do, and feel that you are called on to see that he does so,
take our advice; don't force, drive or coerce him; if you can't reach him by
argument, kindness, reason, education and the 'personal touch,' abandon the
job, because you can't do it the other way.

"now in conclusion.

"Under the present high license and well regulated liquor laws we have
done away with pool and billiard tables, music, lunches and chairs. All
shades and screens have been removed. We open and close on legal hours.
Close on Sundays and all holidays. If we violate your laws your officers are
on duty, and your courts are open. If you desire us to refuse your friend
or relative, who unfortunately may not know how to use liquors, notify us and
your orders are respected. Yet we feel that we should not be held responsible
should he obtain his supply from another source.

"Under such conditions we feel that we are entitled to continue our
business. We are your friend and neighbor. We are tax payers, house-
holders and owners of real estate. Here we have lived for-years, here our
children were born and grew to manhood and womanhood. No complaints ;
no charges filed; no violations of law; no indictments; no crimes.

420 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"May we not then appeal to you for fair and just treatment? You, the
Voter, shall decide ; and so when the little white ballot drops softly and
silently as the snowflake from heaven falling upon the sod, yet executing a
free man's will as lightning executes the will of the Master, with confidence
in your intelligence and judgment we believe your vote will be for a square
deal for your fellowman. And we shall respect and obey your verdict what-
ever it may be. Many Taxpayers."

Following is also the statement issued by the "Drys" in Sugar Creek
township just prior to their last election on September 23, 1914. This article
was published in the Greenfield Daily Reporter on Saturday evening. Sep-
temper 20. 19 14, and a copy of the paper was sent to every voter in Sugar
Creek township. It is a "temperance argument," otherwise it is drawn on
lines similar to the previous article. All personalities are avoided and an
effort is made to present the issue on its merits :

"On Tuesday, September 23d, the people of Sugar Creek township will
determine, by the use of the ballot, whether the sale of intoxicating liquors as
a beverage shall be prohibited in that township.

"SACREDNESS OF THE BALLOT.

"The right of suffrage is one of the most sacred rights secured to the
citizens of this great and richly blessed land. It is not limited to any class or
classes of people, nor is it denied to any person because of his political or
religious faith. The ballot is the instrument placed in the people's hands
wherewith they may determine the policies that shall be pursued by them.
By the use of the ballot they give answer to the questions that are propounded
to them for solution. On September 23d, if any man in Sugar Creek town-
ship feels that he should cast his vote in favor of the reestablishment of the
saloon in that township, no one can deny him that right. If anyone feels
that the sale of intoxicating liquors should continue to be prohibited, as it has
been for the past four years, the right to cast his ballot that way is secured
to him.

"attitude of people.

"It is said of Lincoln that he sometimes deliberated and pondered long
before his mind was made up on a matter of mere policy, but that he never
at any time hesitated for a moment to take his stand on the right side of a
question, when he considered a moral issue to be involved.

"Whether mistaken or not in their conclusions, the citizens of Sugar
Creek township, who favor a continued prohibition of the sale of intoxicants,

TEMPERANCE. 421

do so because they believe that their community, upon Which a benevolent
Creator has showered His choicest blessings, will have a better moral tone,
and that it will be a better place for young people, as well as older people
to live, if it is without the saloon ; that even though there be some who will
go to distant points to squander their 'earnings, to purchase intoxicants, yet
that fewer will be reached by the saloons at a distance, than if the saloon be
in their immediate midst.

"new Palestine's appeal.

"The citizens of the little town of New Palestine especially remember
that at the present there are no saloons between Indianapolis and Conners-
ville ; that the elements of society that are attracted, and go long distances
solely for the purpose of reaching the saloon to satisfy their craving, are
not people who stand for purity and cleanliness in the home, or in the social
organization. The citizens of Neiv Palestine send greetings to the citizens of
the township at large, and respectfully ask that their beautiful little city be not
made the notorious dumping ground between Indianapolis and Connersville.

"A canvass of the business men of New Palestine will show over-
whelmingly that they are not in favor of the reestablishment of the saloon.

"The growth of the town of New Palestine has been steady during the
past four years. There is not a single vacant house in town. The teachers,
"men of family, teaching in the New Palestine schools this year, are unable to
reside in town with their families because of the lack of houses.

"The books of the New Palestine Bank show that money has not been
leaving the town, nor the community, since the saloon has gone. The amount
deposited in the bank at the time the saloons were closed was $93,339.77;
amount on deposit September 10, 1913, $154,217.67; gain, $60,817.90. .

"One concern, it must be admitted, has suffered a loss of business during
the time that Sugar Creek township has been without the saloon, and this is
the Justice of the Peace Court.

"During the last four years with saloons, this Court has collected fines,
$184.50; during the four years last past, without saloons this Court collected
in fines only $80.50; shortage, $104.00.

"But since these fines are almost always paid by men who are least able to
squander their earnings, this amount has probably gone to the grocer, butcher,
merchant, etc., etc., etc., and the wives and children are likely better off to
1*ust that amount, plus the additional amount that was spent in creating a
cause for the fines.

422 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

"Iii this connection, an interesting- investigation is suggested to those who
frequented the saloons during the past three or four years of their existence in
Xcw Palestine, and who have personal knowledge of the people and families
who were represented in the saloons during that time. The township trus-
tee's 'Poor Record' is a public record, and may be examined by any one.
Examine this record as it was made up during the last three or four years
of the saloon's existence. Make a list of the persons and families whom tin
township had to 'help 7 during those years. Check those whom you know fre-
quented the saloon, and spent their earnings there during those years. Now
examine the same record as made up during the three or four years last past,
without saloons, and see how many families on your list have been dropped
from this record, and are now self-supporting.

"But this is not all that has been done. Observe the following statistics
that have been taken from the town record of New Palestine :

"Indebtedness.

"January i, 1910 $3,002.48

"September 10. 1913 300.00

"Cash on Hands.

"January 1, 1910 $ 393.74

"September 10. 1913 1.113.36

"It might also be stated that the reason for the present indebtedness is
that bonds not yet matured cannot be paid until due.

"In connection with the reduction of debt and the increase of cash on
hands during the past four years, without saloons, attention should also be
directed to the tax levies for municipal purposes during the past five years :
1909, 85 cents; 1910. 85 cents; 191 1. 85 cents; 1912, 80 cents; 1913, 75 cents.

"Twenty-five cents of the tax levy of 1913 for municipal purposes is for
a road fund for the betterment of the streets and alleys.

"This is the first time for a number of years that the town of Xew
Palestine has been in a condition to create a fund for this purpose, and
lower taxes at the same time.

"every man's duty to vote.

"The matter of casting the ballot should be taken seriously by every
citizen. There is no greater menace to a free democratic government than
carelessness and negligence in the use of the ballot. Every man should feel

TEMPERANCE. 423

in duty bound to appear at the polls on election day, and to cast his ballot in
support of a policy as his judgment directs, and as his conscience dictates.

"the question.

"The question to be propounded to the voters of Sugar Creek township
for their determination on September 23d, will be :

"Shall the sale of intoxicating liquors be prohibited in Sugar Creek-
township?

"To Vote Dry— Vote 'Yes.' "

CHAPTER X.

LITERATURE AND ART.

Hancock county has been described as "within the genius belt of Indiana."
It has also been said that here, "oratory flourishes, and poetry is indigenous to
the soil." However these things may be, to mention the names, Lee O. Har-
ris, James Whitcomb Riley, the Vawters, Leroy Scott and the Rev. Charles
L. O'Donnell, is sufficient to indicate that the county has received recognition
in the fields of literature and art. Not all of our writers and artists have spent
their lives in the county. Yet they have enjoyed the comforts of home life in
Dur midst, and have memories of friends and experiences that have made life
sweeter and better. They have sung their songs, too, and have told their
stories and painted their pictures, and we have listened and enjoyed with a
sense of pride, because they have been of our number.

LEE 0. HARRIS.

Captain Harris was born, January 30, 1839, in the state of Pennsylvania.
At the age of thirteen he came to Indiana, and a few years later located in
Hancock county. An event of his youthful days was a trip with a party of
United States engineers over the plains and mountains to Puget sound. These
men were surveying a route to the Pacific coast. To young Harris, then
eighteen years of age, life on the great plains, sleeping under the starry canopy
of heaven, and traversing gorges and mountain heights, must have offered
a great richness of experience. After his return from this trip, his
entire life, w 7 ith the exception of a very few years, was spent in Hancock
county. One year, 1858, he taught in what is now Douglas county, Illinois.
During the Civil War he spent several years at the front, and for five years,
beginning with 1874, he was principal of the school at Lewisville, Indiana.
On March 14, 1861, he was married to Miss America Foster, of Hancock
county, daughter of John Foster, the first sheriff of the county.

Before he was fifteen years of age he began writing verses, some of which
were published in the local papers. Later his poems appeared over the nom de
plume of Larry O'Hannegan, His early poems, as well as his later ones, ex-
press a deep love and appreciation of nature. Though we commonly think
of him as a lover of nature, his poem "Would Ye Sever the Union?" written
on the eve of the Civil War, sounds a patriotic appeal as clear and true in its
tones as does his song of "The Bonnie Brown Quail" :

424

WILL H. GLASCOCK

LEE 0. HARRIS

LITERATURE AND ART. 425

"No, Heaven forbid ! Let the patriots rise
And gird on the armor of war,
For the dark clouds of treason now darken the skies
And the tempest is muttering- afar.
If the Union must rest on the sword of the brave
So be it! And God help the right;
We will rescue our shrine from oblivion's grave,
Or die -in the front of the fight."

He was more than a song writer. When his soul was stirred, his emo-
tions found expression in verse, but his intrepid will also expressed itself in
action. It was because of this quality that he was found at the front with the
three-months men on Lincoln's first call for volunteers, and that later he was
found there with the veterans. Throughout his life these elements were com-
bined in him, and we have on the one hand, his literature; on the other, a
record of achievements.

Professionally, he was a teacher, and for almost forty years he taught
the children and youth of the county. Child life was an open book to him.
Of this truth many will bear witness, but nowhere is it better illustrated than
in his relationship with his pupil, Riley. Nor can any one express it quite
so well as Mr. Riley himself:

"Lee O. Harris came to understand me with a thorough sympathy, took
compassion on my weaknesses and encouraged me to read the best literature.
He understood that I couldn't get numbers into my head. You couldn't tamp
them in. History, I also disliked as a dry thing without juice, and dates
melted out of my memory as speedily as tinfoil on a red hot stove. But I
always was ready to declaim and took natively to anything dramatic or
theatrical. Captain Harris encouraged me in recitation and reading and had
ever the sweet spirit of a companion rather than the manner of an instructor."

To Mr. Riley he was indeed more than just an instructor. After his
school days were over the younger poet frequently came to his former teacher
with his literary efforts, and together they discussed and criticised, and theor-
ized concerning the bent, tendencies and subjects of the former pupil. The
sympathetic and cordial relationship existing- between the two men is beauti-
fully expressed in Riley's tribute:

"LEE O. HARRIS.

"Schoolmaster and Songmaster! Memory
Enshrines thee with an equal love for thy
Duality of gifts — thy pure and high

426 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Endowments — Learning rare, and Poesy

These were as mutual handmaids serving thee.

Throughout all seasons of the years gone by.

With all enduring joys twixt earth and sky —

In turn shared nobly with thy friends and me.

Thus is it that thy clear song, ringing on.

Is endless inspiration, fresh and free

As the old Mays at verge of June sunshine ;

And musical as then, at dewy dawn,

The robin hailed us, and all twinklingly

Our one path wandered under wood and vine."

As a poet, his love and emotions were genuine and true. His vision was
clear. Nature spoke to him and he understood her language. The joys, the
sorrows, the affections of life — he experienced them, and their messages are
written in his verses. In a volume of "Interludes," published in 1893, we
have them under the following heads : "Songs of Nature," "Home and Affec-
tions," "Retrospective," "Sorrow and Bereavement," "Flights of Fancy,"
"Echoes of War Time," and "Miscellaneous." Who, in the county, has not
felt the touching pathos of "The Rose Tree?" Who does not know that he
has sung the song of the "Bonnie Brown Quail" without sounding a false note?

The literary efforts of Mr. Harris, however, were not confined to poetry
alone. In January, 1861, he launched The Constitution and Union, a news-
paper devoted to the cause of preserving the national Union. Its publication
was suspended, however, after about two months. In January, 1880, with
Aaron Pope, county superintendent of schools, he began the publication of
The Home and School Visitor, and contributed to its columns until the
time of his death. He also took editorial charge of The Greenfield Republican
for several months in 1881. He is the author of one prose volume, "The Man
Who Tramps," published in 1878.

In connection with his school work, and also with his literary efforts,
he was fond of recitals, theatricals and entertainments. As his good wife
now looks back over their younger days, it seems to her that she was kept
busy a goodly portion of the time preparing costumes and other paraphernalia.
Our older people remember particularly, "The Child of Waterloo," which was
one of the plays written by Mr. Harris himself, and which was presented at the
old .Masonic Hall. Mr. Riley was one of the actors in the play, and took the
part that Captain Harris had designed specially for his personality.

Mr. Harris departed this life, December 23. 1909. He left to the county

LITERATURE AND ART. 427

a legacy both as teacher and writer that will always be one of its priceless
possessions. Nor have our people been unappreciative. Harris Hall, in the
Carnegie library at Greenfield, has been named in his honor. On Saturday
afternoon, January 30, 191 5, the County Federation, embracing all the liter-
ary clubs of Hancock county, gave a memorial program in his honor at the
Presbyterian church at Greenfield. The County Federation also presented
to the Greenfield library a large portrait of Mr. Harris. All of these things,
however, are but the outward manifestations of the affection and deference
for him that dwells within the hearts of the people.

JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY.

James Whitcomb Riley, the most illustrious of Indiana poets, was born
at Greenfield on October 7, 1849. "His mother," as his biographer states,
"was a woman of rare strength of character, combined with deep sympathy
and a clear understanding." His father, Reuben A. Riley, was one of our
prominent attorneys a half century ago. He also took an interest in public
affairs and, during a long and useful life, wrote his name in large letters on
the pages of the country's history.

In the village of Greenfield — for it was not incorporated as a town un-
til 1850 — Mr. Riley spent his boyhood days pretty much as the other boys spent
theirs. At school he enjoyed reading and literature. He disliked history
and found arithmetic an impossibility. His teacher, Lee O. Harris, directed
him in his reading, for which the pupil has always been grateful.

At about sixteen years of age he quit school and undertook to follow
pursuits more nearly in line with his own inclinations. He showed some skill
with a brush, which his father directed along more practical lines probably
than the son had intended. Before his experience ended he became quite
proficient as a house, sign and ornamental painter. At least one of his signs,
painted for A. J. Banks, is still in existence at Greenfield. Another was long
treasured by his friend, E. H. Faut, at New Palestine. For about a year he
traveled with a medicine man. Riley's duties consisted in drawing illustra-
tions on a black board, of the wholesome effects of the medicines, and to
hold the crowds with his humorous sayings.

His musical propensities found expression on the banjo, guitar and violin.
He probably never rendered the classics on these instruments, but his enjoy-
ment of music with other proclivities that are so vividly reflected in his poetry,
always produced merriment for those about him. Like many other boys or
young men, he aspired to a place in the brass band, and was given the drum by
the Adelphians. He is said to have been a skillful snare drummer, but that
his personality counted for as much in the band as the drum.

428 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

As he 'reached manhood his father had a desire to see him take up his
own profession, the law. The son did read law for a while and assures us
that he made a good-faith effort to learn to lov.e Blackstone and the others.
But it was impossible. There was something incompatible between legal prop-
ositions and the poetic rhythm with which his soul was vibrating. Before he
reached manhood he began writing verses, some of which are preserved in the
"biographical edition" of his complete works.

He next began editing a local newspaper at Greenfield, but in his own
language, he "strangled the little thing into a change of ownership" in a few
months. After contributing poems to the local papers for a time, some of his
verses were accepted by the Indianapolis Mirror, the D anbury News, and
Hearth and Home. The D anbury News (Conn.) was at that time one of
the leading humorous papers in the country, and the acceptance of verses by
this sheet must have been very encouraging to the young poet.

Shortly after this he took a position as reporter for the Anderson Demo-
crat. He also contributed poems, and continued his efforts to merit the recog-
nition of the leading journals and magazines of the country. In these efforts
he met many discouragements. Sometimes editors advised him to try prose ;
then poetry. He felt that his lines merited greater recognition than they were
receiving. In fact, he came to the conclusion that critics were influenced by
the reputation of a writer — probably more than by the merit of his productions.
To prove the latter, he concocted a plan with a friend, the editor of the Kokomo
Dispatch, to publish a poem entitled "Leonainie" upon the representation that
it was a newly discovered manuscript of Edgar Allen Poe. It was written in
Poe's style and published in the Kokomo Dispatch on August 12, 1877. Air.
Riley tells the story of the hoax :

"I studied Poe's method. He seemed to have a theory, rather misty to
be sure, about the use of m's and n's and mellifluous vowels and sonorous
words. I remember that I was a long time in evolving the name of 'Leonaine,'
but at length the verses were finished and ready for trial.

"A friend, the editor of the Kokomo Dispatch, undertook the launching
of the hoax in his paper; he did this with great editorial gusto, while, at the
same time, I attacked the authenticity of the poem in the Democrat. That
diverted all possible suspicion from me. The hoax succeeded far too well, for
what had started as a boyish prank, became a literary discussion nation-wide,
and the necessary expose had to be made. I was appalled by the result. The
press assailed me furiously, and even my own paper dismissed me because I
had given the 'discovery' to a rival."

Not long after this episode, Mr. Riley was offered a place on the Indian-

LITERATURE AND ART. 429

apolis Journal by Judge E. B. Martindale. Then came the poems by "Benj.
F. Johnson of Boone," published in the Journal. Benjamin F. Johnson
was supposed to be an old farmer of Boone county, but his identity was soon
disclosed and Riley's star was in the ascendent. In 1883, the first edition of
the "Old Swimmin' Hole and 'Leven Other Poems" was published. From this
time a new volume followed every year or two until 1913, when his
complete works were published in A Biographical Edition of six volumes.

Though success and recognition came slowly, they were of the highest
order when they did come. In 1902, Yale conferred upon him the honorary
degree of Master of Arts. Wabash College at Crawfordsville conferred the
same degree in 1903. In 1904 the University of Pennsylvania honored him
with the degree of Doctor of Letters, and in 1907, Indiana University confer-
red upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. In addition to these honorary
degrees, the Academy of Arts and Letters elected him a member, and in 19 12
awarded him a gold medal for poetry. On October 7, 191 1, Riley Day was
observed by the schools of Indiana and New York City. But on September
8, 19 1 5, came the greatest honor of all, when the governor of Indiana issued
a proclamation designating and proclaiming October 7, 191 5, the anniversary
of the birth of Mr. Riley as Riley Day, and urged all the people of the state
"to arrange in their respective communities, appropriate exercises in their
schools and at other public meeting places; that they display the American
flag at their homes and places of business on that day in honor of James
Whitcomb Riley, Indiana's most beloved citizen."

For a number of years Riley was also one of the most noted readers on
the American platform. Even as a boy in school he was always "ready to
declaim, and took natively to anything dramatic or theatrical." At Green-
field he was always in demand in local entertainments, and in the early sev-
enties he frequently appeared in different parts of the county as a reader.
Items may be found in the local papers of "last days" at school that were en-
livened by his presence, and of his appearance at other entertainments. He
read his own poems. His reputation grew, his sphere widened, and announce-
ments were made of his appearance in the county seats and at other points
of the state. In 1887 he made his first appearance before a New York aud-
ience, and then for a number of years read from the best platforms from Maine
to California.

For almost forty years he has been living at Indianapolis. He always
remembers his boyhood friends at Greenfield, however, and always is warmly
received when he visits his native city. Greenfield has always been proud
of him as her most illustrious son — probably more so than he himself for

430 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

many years understood. The teachers and pupils of the Greenfield schools
invited him to visit Greenfield on October 7, 191 1, the anniversary of his
birthday. Children and citizens were cut en masse to greet him. The court
yard and street north of the court house were crowded, and from every window
and balcony along- the street people witnessed the reception. A number of his
former friends spoke words of appreciation to Mr. Riley, and to the vast throng
that had gathered. Mr. Riley himself spoke a few words and later sent the
following letter to the pupils at Greenfield :

"Indianapolis, Indiana, Oct. 9. 191 1.
"To the Pupils of the Greenfield Schools, Greenfield, Ind.
"Dear Friends of Mr. Riley:

"Being unable to write to you himself, my uncle has asked me to express
his gratitude for the appreciative birthday greetings you sent to him on behalf
of the teachers and pupils of the Greenfield schools. Your greetings were es-
pecially welcome, more dear than any of the many others, because they recall
the happy days of his youth in Greenfield, many memories of the old home,
and the loyalty of the people of Greenfield.

"He asks me to return to his friends, one and all. his gratitude, apprecia-
tion and love. Very truly yours,

"Edmund Eitel."

The Riley home, on West Main street, still stands and is a place of inter-
est both to the citizens and to visitors of Greenfield.

WILL H. GLASCOCK.

Will H. Glascock was born in Hancock county, February 10, 1857. He
began teaching in the fall of 1877, at Woodbine school house in Center town-
ship. His first college training was received at the Central Normal College at
Danville, Indiana. On August 29, 1880, he was married to Miss Alice Crevis-
ton, of Greenfield, Indiana. In 1885, he was elected county superintendent
of schools of Hancock county, and served four years. He then served two
years as superintendent of the Greenfield city schools, when he was appointed
deputy state superintendent of public instruction. After four years of service
in the state superintendent's office, he was appointed superintendent of the
Blind Institute at Indianapolis, 1895. In 1898, he resigned this position in
order to do more university work, and during the next two years he attended
Indiana and Chicago universities. In 1900 he was elected superintendent of
the schools at Bloomington, Indiana.

In addition to these duties he devoted some time to literary work. Be-
sides articles published in the educational journals of the state, he is the

LITERATURE AND ART. 43 I

author of two books, "The Stories of Columbia," published in 1894, and
"Young Folk's Indiana," published in 1898. These books were selected for
the Young People's Reading Circle library. They may be found now in all
the "schools of the state that have kept up their Reading Circle libraries.
His untimely death occurred on December 26, 1901.

REV. CHARLES L. o'DONNELL, C. S. C.

Rev. Charles L. O'Donnell was born on November 15, 1884, about two
miles northwest of Greenfield, near what is yet commonly known as Slabtown.
His father, Neil O'Donnell, was a farmer, and removed to Kokomo when the
son was two years old. There young O'Donnell began his education. Later
he entered the University of Notre Dame, from which he received his Bache-
lor's degree in 1906. From 1906 until 19 10 he was a student in Holy Cross
College, at Washington, D. C. In 19 10 he received his Doctor of Philosophy
degree from the Catholic University of America, and on June 25, 1910, he was
ordained a priest in the Roman Catholic church in the Congregation of Holy
Cross. Since 19 10 he has held the position of professor of English literature
in the University of Notre Dame. He is the assistant editor of Ave Maria,
and is the author of "A Study of the Prose Writings of Francis Thompson,
with Special Reference to his Creative Criticism." In addition to his prose
work he has contributed verses to some of the leading magazines.

He was invited by the commission of the Indiana Legislature to write an
ode for Indiana Day at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. He
responded to this invitation and, as reported by the San Francisco Examiner,
"he contributed no small part of the program for 'Indiana Day' at the Exposi-
tion." This was Father O'Donnell's third appearance as a "poet of occasion."
The first was when he read an ode at the Sacredotal Golden Jubilee of Arch-
bishop Spalding, and the second, when he welcomed the sword of Gen. Thomas
Francis Wright to the University of Notre Dame in the ode, "A Hosting of
the Gael." It is expected that a volume of the writer's poems will soon be
published.

ADELIA POPE BRANHAM.

Adelia Pope Branham was born on October 13, 1861, and has lived all her
life at Greenfield. She was educated in the local schools. As a young woman
she began writing verses and prose articles that were accepted by the local
papers. Later she had the satisfaction of seeing her work accepted by the
magazines, including The Century.

Her first book of poems was published in 1899, entitled "Grandma Tales
and Others." This book was illustrated by Will Vawter, a Greenfield artist.

432 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Many of her poems have been set to music by well-known composers, and have
been published. Among the poems receiving very favorable notice are
"Resurgo," "The Day We Threshed," and "Out in God's Fields."

Mrs. Branham did not devote any time to the short story until after the
publication of her first volume of poems in 1899. Upon the request of publish-
ers, she entered the field of short-story writers. At present, she is writing
almost exclusively for the religious press; her stories in the way of religious
fiction are used widely in Sunday schools and in Christian Endeavor societies,
but she also holds her place among magazine writers. Short stories that have
received special recognition are, "More Stately Mansions," "The House on
the Sand," "The Other Prodigal," and "In the Far Country."

She has published one prose volume entitled "April Showers."

ALMA MARTIN ESTABROOK.

Mrs. Estabrook is the daughter of Dr. Samuel M. Martin and Florence
Howard Martin, of Greenfield. She was educated in the local schools and at
Oxford Female College, Ohio. On June 30, 1896, she was married to Wil-
liam Chester Estabrook, of Indianapolis, but for the past ten years or more
she has lived in the state of Colorado.

She first began writing at the suggestion of her father, for the Western
Horseman. Later she wrote the "Rule of Three," a novel with its scenes laid
in the mountains of Colorado. During the past several years she has been
writing novelettes and short stories for magazines. Some of her stories have
been accepted by the best magazines of the country, including Harper's and
The Century. Her home at present is at Denver, Colorado,

LEROY SCOTT.

Leroy Scott was born at Fairmount, Indiana, on May II, 1875. His
father was a Friends minister and moved to Philadelphia, in Hancock county,
when Leroy was about ten years old. The son entered the public school at
Philadelphia and graduated with the class from Sugar Creek township in
1888. His father then moved to Greenfield, and he entered the high school,
graduating in the class of 1892. His college training was received at Indiana
University, where he took his degree in 1897.

Even as a boy in the public schools he was fond of story writing, and
used to amuse and entertain his mates by passing around stories he had writ-
ten on his slate or note book. This talent was cultivated throughout his uni-
versity course, and on graduating in 1897, he at once took up newspaper work.
After three years' experience as a reporter he was selected as assistant editor

. LITERATURE AND ART. 433

of the Woman's Home Companion. In 1902-3 he was the assistant head-
worker at the University Settlement, Xew York. Since 1904, he has do-
voted his entire time to writing. On June 27, 1904, he was married to Miriam
Finn, a Russian Jewess, who is also a writer of note.

Leroy Scott is a Socialist, and his novels are written with the purpose of
impressing upon the world the need of reform. He has spent some time in
Russia, and many of his stories deal with Russian life. He is the author of
"The Walking Delegate," 1905; "To Him That Hath," 1907; "The Shears
of Destiny," 1910; "The Counsel for the Defense," 1912. In addition to these
books, he is the author of a number of serials and short stories that have been
published in the very best magazines in America.

His present home is at Caritas Island, Stamford, Connecticut.

RICHARD BROWN BLACK.

Richard Brown Black, son of Richard A. and lone (Brown) Black,
was born at Greenfield in 1888. He received his elementary education in the
grades of the Greenfield schools. Two years were spent in the preparatory
department at Butler, after which he went abroad.

He began his art study in Avignon, France, in 1903. After two years in
this branch school of the National Beaux Arts, he spent a year in Spain and
a year in Rome, Italy, studying in the local schools and doing outdoor sketch-
ing. Returning to France, he entered the Paris school of the Beaux Arts,
where he was a pupil of Ferdinand Cormon until 19 12. In 1907, he first
exhibited in Paris Salon. Thereafter he was always represented either in the
Exhibit of Les Artistes Francaise or Ces Beaux Arts.

During several vacations spent in northern Africa, Mr. Black felt greatly
drawn by the color and life of the Arabs. More and more he came to identify
himself with the painters grouping themselves as Orientalists. He exhibited
with them in their Paris Salon. In 1914, the French government bought one
of his paintings from the Orientalists exhibits, and other canvasses were sold
to well-known French art buyers.

In honor of his 19 14 success he was elected a life member of the Jury of
the Orientalists, a remarkable recognition of work for one so young.

In 1913 the Paris Jury for the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts se-
lected and brought to this country a painting of Mr. Black's as representative
of the group of American artists living abroad.

Mr. Black also exhibited etchings and paintings in Indianapolis at the
Herron Art Institute. One of his paintings has been placed in the public
library at Greenfield. His death occurred in April, 19 15.
(28)

434 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

THE VAWTERS.

John W. Vawter, or "Will Vawter," as he is familiarly known around
Greenfield, was born in Boone county, Virginia, April 13, 1871. His par-
ents moved to Greenfield while he was yet a child, and he was educated in the
public schools of this city.

Mr. Vawter is an artist. His first work was done on the Indianapolis
Sentinel in 1892. In 1897 he wrote a series of comic verses and illustrated
them for the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette. Since that time he has made
illustrations for the Indianapolis News, Success, and the Presbyterian.

In 1899 he collaborated with his sister, Clara Vawter, in producing a
children's book, "Of Such is the Kingdom," now known as "The Rabbit's
Ransom." He has also illustrated Riley's "Child Rhymes," Bob Burdett's
"Smiles," E. O. Laughlin's "Johnnie," Nesbit's "Trail to Boyland," Riley\s
"A Defective Santa Claus," Riley's "Book of Joyous Children," and Bartlett's
"Tales of Kankakee Land." One needs but to see any of these books to
appreciate the fine art of Mr. Vawter. In fact, one must see them in order
to appreciate it.

On November 9, 1902, Mr. Vawter was married to Mary Howey Mur-
ray, of Chicago, and for the past six or seven years has been living amid the
hills and scenes of Brown county in this state.

Unfortunately, Miss Clara Vawter, the sister, was taken away before she
had reached the age at which people can give their best to the world. Yet in
this short life she wrote for the children of the land a most delightful story,
"The Rabbit's Ransom." It was selected by the state board as one of the
Young People's Reading Circle books, and in all the schools of the state the
children have been made glad by the story.

There are others who do not devote their time to literary work, yet whose
occasional writings have attracted attention and have been accepted by high-
grade periodicals and magazines.

Minnie Belle Mitchell, wife of John F. Mitchell, editor of the Hancock
Democrat, has for years been identified with the literary activities of the
county and state. In 191 1, while serving as a director of the Indiana Federa-
tion of Literary Clubs, she introduced a resolution before the convention at
Richmond, Indiana, that the public schools and literary clubs of the state
annually observe the anniversary of our beloved Hoosier poet, James Whit-
comb Riley. The resolution was adopted and cheerfully acted upon, not only
in Indiana, but in other states' as well. So enthusiastically have the people re-
sponded that the movement has become national.

LITERATURE AND ART. 435

Mrs. Mitchell is a modest writer of children's stories and has contributed
to a number of Eastern magazines.

John F. Mitchell, Jr., a graduate of Butler and Yale, has written several
college plays that have been successfully presented. Among the most popular
of them has been "The Gentleman from Indiana," a burlesque on Booth Tark-
ington's book with the same title. He also wrote a sketch of "Riley at Green-
field," which was accepted by the Ladies' Home Journal a few years ago. A
volume entitled "The Rooster," a history of the Democratic emblem, was
published in 1913. At present John is assistant editor of the Hancock Demo-
crat, and the associate editor of the Journal of American History of New York.

Mrs. "Mitchell and her son have also collaborated in their literary work.
They have written several plays, among which is a morality play, "The Way
There." It embodies a conception of the struggle between the forces of Good
and Evil. Its structure is carefully wrought and suggests the hands of artists.
The drama unfolds in a manner that is truly beautiful and impressive.

Clarence A. Hough, son of William R. Hough, has lived in Chicago since
about 1890. His time has practically all been given to newspaper and literary
work. For a number of years he was connected with the Chicago dailies, and
in 1905, when he gave up newspaper work, he was the financial editor of the
Chicago Post. In 1897, while traveling through France and Italy, his letters,
giving impressions of these countries, were purchased by a syndicate and pub-
lished in ten of the leading newspapers of the United States, including the
Boston Transcript, Pittsburgh Dispatch, Indianapolis News and Omaha Bee.
He is also the author of a volume entitled "Money," in which the money sys-
tem of the United States and the principles of banking are explained. Before
going to Chicago, Mr. Hough spent two or three years on the stage as a reader.
Many of his selections were his own. Practically all of his literary work dur-
ing the past ten years has been given to writing plays.

William A. Hough, who recites Riley's poems so admirably, is himself
not a stranger to the poetic muse. He has written a number of poems that
have been set to music by Barclay Walker, of Indianapolis. Although he has
not devoted any time to song writing for a number of years, people will re-
member "Katie O'Brien," "Didst Thou But Know," and "I Know a Little
Maiden." Mr. Hough was a member of the Western Writers' Association
from 1886 to 1890. He is familiar with Indiana literature and has lectured
on that subject before the teachers' institutes of several counties in the state.

Benjamin F. Phemister fs the author of a number of poems, some of which
have attracted a great deal of attention. About twenty-eight years ago he
wrote a little poem entitled, "What Mother Thinks." It was published in the

436 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Cincinnati Enquirer without giving the name of the author. Since that time
it has been published as an anonymous poem in practically every newspaper
in America. It has been called for in the Indianapolis News eight or ten times
since then and has been published as often, "author unknown." On December
5, 1914, the Indianapolis News published another of Mr. Phemister's poems
entitled "Around the Flaming Fireside of the Old Homestead." Afterward
the Atlanta Constitution asked permission of the author to publish the poem.
Another poem written during the revival at Greenfield in 1914, entitled "The
Evangelist/' possessed such merit that it was at first credited to Mr. Riley.
"When We Shock the Wheat by Moonlight in Grandpa's Harvest Field," with
a few other poems was submitted to Henry Augustine Beers, professor of Eng-
lish literature of Yale University. Professor Beers pronounced it "one of the
most beautiful folk lore poems in the language."

Mr. Phemister taught school for a number of years and at present lives
at Greenfield.

Allen S. Bottsford is a poet and illustrator who spent his boyhood days
in the county. His poem "The Lost Lane" is included in the volume, "Poets
and Poetry of Indiana." As an illustrator he has been engaged for a number
of years on the dailies of Indianapolis, San Francisco and other cities. His
sister, Clara Louise Bottsford, also wrote verses that were published in local
and state papers. Some of them also found their way into Eastern magazines.

Mrs. Martha J. Stubbs, of Brown township, has written stories and his-
torical sketches that have been accepted by the Indianapolis Sunday Star.
Articles and letters relating to the care and training of children and the eleva-
tion of the family have also appeared in Eastern magazines.

Charles A. Robinson, prominent in the Improved Order of Red Men, is
the author of a volume or two of Indian legends. He has also written a num-
ber of poems that have been published. His lines, "When the Trees Dress
in Scarlet and Gold," set to music by George Suess, also of Greenfield, are
probably best known. Mr. Robinson is a lecturer and has traveled far and
near as a speaker, especially for the Improved Order of Red Men.

John H. Binford in 1882 wrote a "History of Hancock County." Mr.
Binford was forceful and vigorous as a writer, and his work has stood for
more than thirty years as the only history of the county.

HOME AND SCHOOL VISITOR.

The Home and School Visitor was first published in 1881 by Aaron Pope
and Lee O. Harris. D. H. Goble soon bought the interest of Mr. Pope, and
for a time it was published by Goble & Harris. For many years now, its
ownership and management have been with the Gobies.

LITERATURE AND ART. • 437

The Home and School Visitor is a children's magazine. It has always
contained stories and poems for children of all grades, and for many years it
has maintained a department of current events. It is used in practically all
the schools of the state of Indiana, and, in fact, in a number of the states of
the Union, for supplementary reading.

• . CHAPTER XL

THE HANCOCK BAR.

This brief would not be complete without a few authorities to establish
the relation of our lawyers to the general progress and development of the
county. Some people may think that no such relationship exists, but they
simply fail to understand. It has been stated elsewhere that when the set-
tlers first came to Hancock county, they were confronted with three great
tasks — to clear away the forests, to drain the lands, and to build highways for
intercommunication. Our lawyers may not have had much to do with clear-
ing away the forest, but the public will probably never appreciate just how-
much they have had to do with drainage and road building. Many a swamp
would have continued to harbor the germs of disease; many a stream would
have remained stagnant, and acres of our garden land would have remained
waste, had not doubtful and discouraged farmers found our law offices real
sources of inspiration in the consideration of such matters. Our dirt roads
have practically all been covered with gravel. Two hundred eighty-one miles
have been converted into improved "free gravel roads," over which our citi-
zens travel with comfort and ease. Our lawyers have always encouraged
road building. Their presence has never failed the good people of the county
when the machinery of the courts needed to be set in motion to accomplish
such results. It is not the intention to give any undue credit to the bar. But
our lawyers have always been progressive, and their relation to all that has
been accomplished in the county can be properly appreciated only after pro-
longed meditation thereon. Since the organization of the Hancock circuit
court, their number has not been exactly "legion," yet they have been many.
Following are the names of the men, resident and non-resident, who have been
recommended for fitness and character, and who have held up their right
hands and taken the oath to "support the Constitution of the United States
and of the state of Indiana, and faithfully and honestly to discharge the duties
of an attorney at the bar of this court."

Calvin Fletcher, March 24, 1828; on motion of James Whitcomb.
Hervey Gregg, March 24, 1828; on motion of James Whitcomb.
Marinus Willett, March 24, 1828; on motion of James Whitcomb.
Charles H. Vreeder, March 24, 1828; on motion of James Whitcomb.
Hiram Brown, September 22, 1829.

438

THE HANCOCK COUNTY BAR. 439

James T. Brown, September 22, 1829.

John H. Alley, February 24, 1830.

William E. Ross, March 19, 1829; on motion of James T. Brown.

William I. Brown, September 1, 1830; on motion of Hervey Gregg.

Ovid Butler, September 1, 1830; on motion of Hervey Gregg.

Hugh T. Applegate, September I, 1830; on motion of Hervey Gregg.

James Foresee, August 3, 183 1.

James B. Ray, September 29, 1832.

John Occles, September 29, 1832.

John H. Scott, February 25, 1833 ; on motion of Hervey Gregg.

William Quarles, February 25, 1833 ; on motion of Hervey Gregg.

David Kilgour, February 25, 1833 ; on motion of Hervey Gregg.

William Brown, February 25, 1833 ; on motion of Hervey Gregg.

Richard H. Jones, August 26, 1833; on motion of William Quarles.

Thomas D. Walpole, February 27, 1834.

Jehu T. Morris, February 2.7, 1834.

David Macy, February 2j, 1834.

Christian C. Nave, February 2.7, 1834.

M. E. VanPelt, February 27, 1834.

John Rymon, February 25, 1835 ; on motion of William Herrod.

Addison F. Mays, February 25, 1835; on motion of William Herrod.

Abram A. Hammond, February 25, 1835 ; on motion of William Herrod.

Charles I. Henderson, February 25, 1835 ; on motion of William Herrod.

Alfred Kilgore, February 25, 1835 ; on motion of William Herrod.

Thomas D. Walpole, February 27, 1835 (Disbarred).

Thomas D. Walpole, April 4, 1836 (Admitted for the present term).

Jacob Robbins, April 6, 1836; on motion of Hiram Brown.

Thomas D. Walpole, April 8, 1836 (Motion overruled).

Mason Hulitt, October 3, 1836; on motion of William Quarles.

Thomas D. Walpole, October 6, 1836; on motion of Mason Hulitt.

Robert McCorkhill, August 21, 1837 ; on motion of C. C. Nave.

Franklin Corwin, August 21, 1837; on motion of Ovid Butler.

Thomas D. Walpole, March 19, 1838; on motion of Humphrey W^oodard.

Philip Swetson, September 17, 1838; on motion of A. A. Hammond.

Charles McClure, February 17, 1840; on motion of Thomas D: Walpole.

William H. Brumfield, February 17, 1840; motion of Thomas D. Walpole

Simon Yander, February 17, 1840; on motion of Thomas D. Walpole.

Moses Cox, February 20, 1840; on motion of Thomas D. Walpole.

James M. Wilson, February 23, 1840; on motion of Thomas D. Walpole.

4-J.O HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

R. X. Williams, August 17, 1840; on motion of Thomas D. Walpole.
George W. Julian, August 16, 1841 ; on motion of Thomas D. Walpole.
James B. Sleeth, August 16, 1841 ; on motion of Abram Hammond.
Theodore Barnett, September 27, 1843; on motion Of James Morrjson.
D. M. C. Lane.

W. Lindsey, February 20, 1844; on motion of A. A. Hammond.
Earl S. Stone, February 20, 1844; on motion of William Ouarles.
Josephus H. Williams, February 20, 1844; on motion of D. M. C. Lane.
N. R. Lucerny, February 20, 1844; on motion of Thomas D. Walpole.
W. R. C. Nish, February 20, 1844; on motion of William Quarles.
Reuben A. Riley, August 19, 1844; on motion of R. M. Cooper.
David Reynolds, August 20, 1844.
Reuben D. Logan, August 20, 1844.
Eder H. Davis, August 22, 1844.
Nathan Powell, August 22, 1844.

William F. Matlock, February 17, 1845; on motion of Hugh O'Neal.
John C. Lynam, February 25, 1845; on motion of A. A. Hammond.
Gustavus N. Moss, August 18, 1845; on motion of Reuben A. Riley.
Daniel A. Hart, August 21, 1845 \ on motion of A. A. Hammond.

David S. Gooding, 1845.

James Robinson, August 11, 1846; on motion of D. M. C. Lane.
James Rutherford, February 16, 1846.

Horatio C. Newcomb, August 9, 1847 ; on motion of William Ouarles.
Thomas Sullivan, August 9, 1847; on motion of William Quarles.
Martin M. Ray, August 9, 1847; on motion of William Quarles.
William P. Davis, August 10, 1847; on motion of R. A. Riley.
Nimrod Johnson, August 10, 1847; on motion of R. A. Riley.
John L. Ketcham, September 2, 1850; on motion of Hugh O'Neal.
James L. Mason.

Montgomery Marsh, 1854.

Lemuel W. Gooding, August 17, 1845 ; on motion of Thomas D. Walpole.
Charles A. Rang, February 16, 1854; on motion of A. A. Hammond.
William Evans, February 29, 1855; on motion of David S. Gooding.
William R. West.

David VanLaningham, August 15, 1856; motion of Thomas D. Walpole.
Michael Wilson, August 10, 1857; on motion of Reuben A. Riley.
William R. Hough, August 10, 1857; on motion of Reuben A. Riley.
Benjamin F. Claypool, February 9, 1858; on motion of David S. Gooding
Oliver I. Baird, February 9, 1858; on motion of Thomas D. Walpole.

THE HANCOCK COUNTY BAR. 44 I

David Moss, August 9, 1858; on motion of David S. Gooding.

Almon R. Meek, August 9, 1858; on motion of William R. West.

George Y. Atkison, August 10, 1858; on motion of David S. Gooding.

M. C. Foley.

Joseph R. Silver, May 26, 1859; on motion of R. A. Riley.

Joseph Ankrom, June 2, 1859; on motion of William W. Wick.

Clark, June 2, 1859; on motion of David S. Gooding.

Parris Indian, June 2, 1859; on motion of Thomas D. Walpole.
William H. Pilkinton, February 15, i860; on motion of R. A. Riley.
Bryan C. Walpole, February — , i860; on motion of R. A. Riley.
William R. Walls, February 25, i860; on motion of R. A. Riley.
Henry C. Gooding, August 15, i860; on motion of William H.

William Hendricks, August 15, i860; on motion of William R. West.
Joseph P. Marshall, February 20, 1861 ; on motion of William R. West.
Almond R. Meek, August 14, 1861 ; on motion of William R. West.
Charles D. Morgan, February 11, 1862; motion of Lemuel W. Gooding.
Thomas H. Branham, February 21, 1862; on motion of Henry Craven.
Jesse McHenry, August 15, 1862; on motion of James L. Mason.
Walter March, August 11, 1863; on motion of Lemuel W. Gooding.
Silas C. Cooper, February 14, 1865 ; on motion of David S. Gooding.
Lewis Dale, February 14, 1865 ; on motion of David S. Gooding.
Alfred D. Shaw. August 14, 1865 ; on motion of James L. Mason.
Oliver P. Gooding, August 15, 1865; on motion of R. A. Riley.
Augustus W. Hough, February 13, 1866; on motion of R. A. Riley.
W. W. Kersey, February 13, 1866; on motion of R. A. Riley.
W. W. Purdue, February 15, 1866.

Stephen D. Lyon, August 15, 1866; on motion of George Y. Atkison.
J. M. Lowe, August 15, 1866; on motion of James L. Mason.
John H. Popps, August 21, 1866; on motion of Reuben A. Riley.
George W. Johnson, August 21, 1866; on motion of W. W. Kersey.
Richard Kelly, August 28, 1866; on motion of James L. Mason.
Charles G. Offutt, February 12, 1867; on motion of James L. Mason.

Mitchell, February 13, 1867; on motion of James L. Mason.

Hamilton J. Dunbar, February 13, 1867.

Prestly Guymon, February 15, 1867; on motion of R. A. Riley.

Matthias M. Hook, February 15, 1867; on motion of R. A. Riley.

Hamilton J. Dunbar, August 13, 1867.

Thomas M. Brown, August 15, 1867; on motion of L. W. Gooding.

Thomas M. Bidgood, August 12, 1868; on motion of James L. Mason.

442 HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

George Barnett.

William Tobin.

E. E. Galbreath, February 14, 1871 ; on motion of William R. Hough.

James A. New, February 6, 1872; on motion of H. J. Dunbar.

Luther Benson, February 6, 1872 ; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.

Bond B. Wheeler, February 6, 1872; on motion of H. J. Dunbar.

Adams L. Ogg, February 14, 1872; on motion of William R. Hough.

Benjamin L. Smith, February 2.J, 1872; on motion of David S. Gooding.

Thomas H. Bowds, February 27, 1872 ; on motion of M. M. Ray.

Ephraim Marsh.

William F. Bernhauer, March 16, 1873 ; on motion of James L. Mason.

Samuel Griffin, March 26, 1874; on motion of James L. Mason.

W. W. Leathers, June 24, 1874; on motion of James L. Mason.

John O. Hully, October 31, 1874; on motion of James L. Mason.

Henry A. Swope, November 3, 1874; on motion of David S. Gooding.

Israel P. Poulson, January 9, 1875; on motion of Hamilton J. Dunbar.

Daniel Church, March 22, 1875 ; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.

Edward S. Coffin, June 10, 1875 ; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.

John S. Pettit, October 20, 1875; on motion of H. J. Dunbar.

John A. Hughes, March 23, 1876; on motion of H. J. Dunbar.

Marion Steele, June 8, 1876; on motion of William R. Hough.

Samuel A. Wray, June 7, 1876; on motion of James L. Mason.

Henry A. Schriber, June 23, 1876; on motion of James L. Mason.

George Duncan.

William F. McBane.

William H. Martin, February — , 1877; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.

Bart Burke, January 26, 1877; on motion of William R. Hough.

George J. Shugos, April 6, 1877; on motion of James L. Mason.

William Ward Cook, June 4, 1877; on motion of William R. Hough.

W. S. Denton, June 4, 1877; on motion of R. A. Riley.

John W. Jones, June 5, 1877 ; on motion of David S. Gooding.

Richard A. Black, October 15, 1877; on motion of R. A. Riley.

Samuel B. Waters, March 26, 1878; on motion of R. A. Riley.

John H. Binford.

Marshall B. Gooding, October 14, 1878; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.

Isaac G. Brown. November 1, 1878; on motion of James A. New.

T. S. Rollins, June 11, 1879; on motion of Montgomery Marsh.

William H. Fleece, January 16, 1879; on motion of James L. Mason.

Charles E. Barrett. December 31, 1879; on motion of James A. New.

THE HANCOCK COUNTY BAR. 443

Albert S. Caldwell, January 12, 1880; on motion of William Ward Cook.
Robert Denny, March 16, 1880; on motion of John W. Jones.
Albert Baker, March 16, 1880; on motion of William R. Hough.
Charles S. Rennecamp, April 8, 1880; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.
L. H. Reynolds, June 7, 1880; on motion of John W. Jones.
A. C. Ayers, October 18, 1880; on motion of James A. New.
Robert Collins, January 3, 1881 ; on motion of William R. Hough.
Charles W. Smith, March 22, 1881 ; on motion of James L. Mason.
Tilghman E. Ballard, March 28, 1881 ; on motion of David S. Gooding.
Henry W. Taylor, March 28, 1881 ; on motion of David S. Gooding.
William C. Barrett, June 13, 1881 ; on motion of R. A. Riley,
Harmon J. Everett, June 6, 1881 ; on motion of Samuel A. Wray.
Jesse J. Spann, June 17, 1881 ; on motion of William R. Hough.

Norton, June 22, 1881 ; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.

W. E. Thompson, June 13, 1881 ; on motion of John W. Jones.

William Booth, October 27, 1881 ; on motion of Montgomery Marsh.

Marcellus Chapman, October — , 1881 ; on motion of Charles C. Barrett.

Elmer E. Swope, February — , 1882; on motion of Ephraim Marsh.

Joseph E. McDonald, June 26, 1882; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.

Ralph Hill, June 26, 1882 ; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.

George C. Butler, June 26, 1882; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.

Joel Stafford, April 10, 1883 ; on motion of David S. Gooding.

John W. Stout, April 10, 1883; on motion of L. H. Reynolds.

W. K. Williams, April 11, 1883 ; on motion of David S. Gooding.

William C. Forrey, June 19, 1883; on motion of James A. New.

Robert Williamson, July 3, 1884; on motion of William R. Hough.

William J. Sparks.

Howard Barrett, June 11, 1885; on motion of James A. New.

Ferd Staff, June 25, 1885 ; on motion of Charles G. Offutt.

E. T. J. Jordon, October 27, 1885; on motion of David S. Gooding.

Edward W. Felt, October 24, 1887; on motion of W'illiam R. Hough.

Frank E. Hammer, October 15, 1888.

John L. McNew, June 13, 1888; on motion of William R. Hough.

Asa M. New, June 25, 1888; on motion of William R. Hough.

S. E. Jackson, October 15, 1888.

William A. Hough, , 1888; on motion of Ephraim Marsh.

Charles Downing, September 2, 1889; on motion of William Ward Cook.
John J. Roc