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GEN
3
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 00097 8541
Gc 977.201 R89G v. 1 GARY, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 1868- CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF RUSH COUNTY, INDIANA
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/centennialhistor01gary
--
RUSH COUNTY COURT HOUSE
Centennial History of Rush County, Indiana
Edited by A. L. Gary and E. B. Thomas Rushville, Ind.
In Two Volumes Illustrated 1C 9.7.
GI, rae. i
VOLUME I
1921 HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS
"Remember the days of old,
Consider the years of many generations."
DEDICATION This Work is Respectfully Dedicated to THE PIONEERS Long Since Departed
MAY THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO LAID DOWN THEIR BURDENS BY THE WAYSIDE EVER BE FRAGRANT AS THE BREATH OF SUMMER FLOW- ERS, FOR THEIR TOILS AND SACRIFICES HAVE MADE RUSH COUNTY A GARDEN OF SUNSHINE AND DELIGHT
2
1435529
PUBLISHER'S PREFACE
History is a systematic record of past events; especially the record of events in which man has taken part. "The perfect historian," says Macaulay, "is he in whose work the character and spirit of the age is exhib- ited in miniature." A glance at the Table of Contents of this "Centennial History of Rush County" will dis- close a design on the part of the publishers of this work to set out here a systematic record of the events which have led up to the present state of development of this favored region, beginning with the time when white men first set foot on this territory, and in carrying out this design the historians have sincerely sought to preserve something of "the character and spirit of the age." so that there shall here be preserved a faithful chronicle of the aspirations and the achievements of the pioneers, at the same time tracing and recording the social, religious, educational, political and industrial progress of the com- munity from its inception. The context will reveal the sincerity of purpose upon which the motive for the pres- ent publication is based; a purpose to preserve facts and personal memoirs that are deserving of perpetuation for the information of coming generations and which shall serve as links uniting the present to the past. To those who have so faithfully labored to this end, the publishers desire to extend their thanks. An expression of obliga- tion also is due to the people of Rush county for the uni- form kindness with which they have regarded this under- taking, and for their many services rendered in behalf of the historiographers. It is believed that it will be found that this unselfish collaboration has secured to Rush
3
PREFACE
county a history that will stand as a standard in this field for the next generation and as an authentic guide to future generations.
In passing, it is thought that it will not be regarded as out of place for the publishers conscientiously to claim that in placing this work before the people of Rush county they faithfully have carried out the plan as outlined in the prospectus upon which the work is based. Every biographieal sketch in the work has been submitted to the party interested, for correction, and therefore any error of fact, if there be any, is due solely to the person for whom the sketch was prepared. Confident that our ef- fort to please will meet the approbation of the public, we are, Respectfully,
THE PUBLISHERS.
4
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I-GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY 17 In This Opening Chapter There Is Set Out Something Regarding the Location and Boun- daries of Rush County - Geological Ages Through Which This Region Has Passed- Work of Countless Centuries-Economic Im- portance of the Drift Period-Gravel and Lime- stone Deposits-Fertile Surface Soil-Altitude and Types of Soil-Varieties of Clay Loam- Mechanical Analyses of Various Soils-Effect of Cultivation-Garden Spot of Rush County- Value of Fertilization.
CHAPTER II-INDIAN TRIBES AND INDIAN OCCUPANCY
29
Review of the Days When This Region Was Occupied by the Delaware Indians, or Lenni- Lenappes-Village of Chief Mahoning, or "Ben Davis," at Point Now Known as "Arnold's Home"-Treaty of St. Marys in 1819-Rich Lands Made Available to Settlement by Whites Invaluable Glimpse of Indian Life-Description of Aboriginal Village-Crafty and Boastful Indian Warrior-Fitting Death of Old Chief Mahoning-Local Traces of the Mound Builders.
CHAPTER III-EARLY SETTLEMENT
36
A Chapter Designed "to Make the Past Intelli- gible to the Present, for the Guidance of the Future"-Beauty In Cold Facts-Narrative of the Doings of Those Courageous Men and Women Who Wrought Here That Wonder of Human Progress Which We Call Civilization- Reclamation of Primeval Forest to the Uses of Man-Lure of the Farther Horizon-Erection
5
CONTENTS
of Rush County-Communal Debt to Doctor Arnold-Concise View of Early Days-Creation of a New Home-Noble Memorial to Doctor Rush-Native Denizens of the Wild-Days of the Wild Turkey-Colorful Snake Story-First Sale of Public Land-Roster of the "Fathers" of Rush County.
CHAPTER IV-AGRICULTURE
66
Herein Is Set Out a Review of the Development of the Basic Source of Rush County's Great Prosperity-Far Cry from the First Settler's Clearing to the Modern Farm-First County Agricultural Society-Something About the Old County Fair Days -Story of That Equine Phenomenon, "Blue Bull"-Deleterious Effect on County Fair-Patrons of Husbandry, or Grangers-Market Prices of Another Day- Increase In Land Values-In the Days of "Marks and Brands"-Milroy Farmers' Festi- val - Rush County Farmers' Association- Farmers' Clubs and Institutes - Work of County Agricultural Agent-Record of Farm Production-Register of Farm Names.
CHAPTER V-TRANSPORTATION
92
Development of Transportation Facilities from the Days of the "Blazed Trail" to the Present- Difficulties Attending the Marketing of the Early Crops-Growing Demand for Better Roads-Beginning of Hack Lines-Extension of Good Roads-The Whitewater Canal-Coming of the Railroads-Compliments to "Smooth- Tongued Scoundrels"-Coming of the Traction Lines - Automobiles and Airplanes - Good Word for Rush County's Fine System of High- ways.
CHAPTER VI-BENCH AND BAR OF RUSH COUNTY 110
First Court in Rush County Held at Cabin Home of Stephen Sims Across River from Present Site
6
CONTENTS
of Rushville-Review of Personnel of This Pioneer Court-First Cause a Divorce Case- Expenses of Court - First Naturalization Papers-County's First Murder Case-Court Document of Other Days-Composition of the Court-Life of the Traveling Attorney-Rem- iniscences of Oliver H. Smith-Some Cases in Point-The Megee Will Case-Officers of the Court Since the Beginning-Notable Figures at the Bar-Roster of Rush Circuit Bar.
CHAPTER VII-MILITARY ANNALS
141
Pen Picture of Pioneer Militia Company- Local Participation in Mexican War-Soldiers of the Revolution and of 1812-The Civil War -Description of Scene Following the Firing on Ft. Sumter-Record of Rush County in Civil War on Soldiers' Monument in East Hill Ceme- tery-Foul Hand of Treason Disclosed During War-Roster of Rush County Men Who Served in Union Army-Spanish American War- World War and a Review of Rush County's Activities During the Period of America's Par- ticipation Therein, Together With a Roster of Service Men From This County.
CHAPTER VIII - COUNTY ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT 198
Enabling Act of 1821 Providing for the Erection of Rush County Named Commissioners to Make the Act Effective and Provided for the First Meeting of These Commissioners in the House of Stephen Sims-Bounds of County As Specified in Act Surveyed and Laid Out by William B. Laughlin, at Whose Suggestion the County Was Given Its Name-Six Original Townships and Later Steps for Creation of Additional Town- ships-County's First Election-History of the Court House and a Roster of County Officers.
7
CONTENTS
CHAPTER IX-TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES 219 In Alphabetical Order Herein Is Set Out a Brief History of the Several Townships of the County and of the Villages Situated Therein, Beginning With Anderson Township and Then Continuing With Like Reference to Center, Jackson, Noble, Orange, Posey, Richland, Ripley, Rushville, Union, Walker and Washington Townships and the Towns of Carthage, Milroy, Manilla, Arling- ton, Glenwood, New Salem, Richland, Homer, Moscow, Raleigh, Falmouth and Other Trade Centers in the County.
CHAPTER X-RUSHVILLE; THE COUNTY SEAT
257
Herein Is Presented a Review of the Steps Which Have Led Up From the Days of the Clearing in the Woods at the Site of Laughlin's Mill to the Present Fair City, Capital of Rush County, Now Entering Upon the Second Cen- tury of Its Existence-Miscellaneous Informa- tion Regarding City-In the Days of the Begin- ning-Nucleus of the Town in the Woods- Gradual Development - City Government - Postoffice - East Hill Cemetery - Business Directory for 1921.
CHAPTER XI-BANKS AND BANKING. 291
Review of Conditions Which Faced the Pioneers With Respect to a Current Medium of Exchange -Hopeless Confusion of the Monetary System -Coonskins and Beeswax Preferable to "Wild- cat" Money as a Medium of Exchange-Organ- ization of the Bank of the State of Indiana and of the Rushville Branch of the Same in 1857, Predecessor of the Present Rushville National Bank-Other Banks in the County and Some Interesting Notes on Banking Conditions in Other Days.
8
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XII- THE PRESS OF RUSH 313
COUNTY
No More Interesting Phase of the Development of a Community Than That Relating to the Development and Progress of Its Newspapers- Quaint Story of the Beginnings of The Dog Fennel Gazette, First Paper Started in Rush County-Brief Resume of the Newspaper His- tory of the County, With Interesting References to Conditions Which Faced the Editors of an Earlier Day-Valuable Relic of Pioneer Days- Preservation of Newspaper Files-Newspapers of Rush County Today.
CHAPTER XIII-THE MEDICAL PROFES- SION
337
Herein Is Set Out Something Concerning the High Character and Lofty Standards of the Leaders of the Medical Profession Hereabout in Pioneer Days and of How That Character and Those Standards Have Been Maintained From the Very Beginning-Rush County Medical Society-A Review of the Days Gone By-Dr. William A. Pugh's Informative Reminiscences Relating to the Pioneer Physicians of the County -Some Sidelights on the Practice of Medicine.
:
CHAPTER XIV-THE SCHOOLS OF RUSH COUNTY 351
Though the First Formal School in the County Seems to Have Been That Opened by Doctor Laughlin in the Fall Following the Establish- ment of the County Seat, Evidence Points to the Fact of a Pioneer School Having Been Opened for the Children of the Squatters in What Is Now Noble Township Even Before Rush County Was Organized-Building of the Pioneer School House-Review of Conditions in Pioneer Days and the Gradual Evolution of the Modern School System-In the Days of the Academies-Will-
9
CONTENTS
iam S. Hall and the Centralized School-County Superintendents and Roster of Teachers of Rush County.
CHAPTER XV-THE CHURCHES OF RUSH COUNTY
396
Even Before the Formal Erection of Rush County as a Separate Civic Unit the Itinerant Preacher Was on the Ground and Churches Had Been Organized by the Pioneers Before They Set in Motion the Machinery of Their Local Gov- ernment-First of These Organizations Grew Out of a Meeting Held in the Trading Post of Conrad Sailor in the Spring of 1821, Though Other Evidence Points to Meetings for Worship a Year Earlier-Minute Book of First Church Organization Reviewed-Informative Remi- niscences of Other Days and a Review of Condi- tions Today.
CHAPTER XVI-LODGES AND CLUBS OF RUSH COUNTY 456
As Generally Has Been Found to Be the Case, the Freemasons Were the Pioneers in the Lodge Movement in Rush County, a Lodge of This Order Having Been Founded in Rushville Less Than Sixteen Years After the Founding of the Town-Comprehensive History of Local Free- masonry Compiled by Robert S. Cox Years Ago a Basis for Present History-Other Orders and Lodges in County, and an Interesting Review of Social Clubs and Societies That Have Con- tributed to the Cultural Advancement of the County.
CHAPTER XVII-SIDELIGHTS ON RUSH COUNTY HISTORY 494
One of the Most Engaging "Sidelights" on the Early Days in This County Is That Reflected from the Record of the Rush County Library Association, Organized in 1823, Not Long After
10
CONTENTS
the Formal Organization of the County-Devel- opment of the Rushville Public Library-Rush County Chautauqua-First Marriage License Issued in the County and Some Other Interest- ing "Firsts," Together With Comments on Va- rious Phases of Earlier Activities, Closing With a Word on the Subject of Biography.
.
11
HISTORICAL INDEX
-A-
Abandoned Churches
453
Academies of Rush County.
363-378
Additions to Rushville. 261
Agriculture
66-91
Agricultural Agent.
84
Agricultural Society
67
Airplane Express
505
Altitudes
21
American, The.
316, 329
American Legion, The
177, 223, 242
American Red Cross,
The
178
Analysis of Soils
23, 25, 27, 28
Anderson Township .... 203, 205, 220, 386
Animals of the Wild.
47
Area of Different Soils
21
Arlington Bank, The.
305
Arlington, Town of
235
Arnold, Dr. John.
29, 31, 38, 80, 118, 219, 231, 245, 247,
265, 272, 313, 337, 341, 345, 351, 408
"Arnold's Home"
29, 245
Ashland
255
Assassination of Patriot
146
-B-
"Banner" Hog County
.90, 527
Baptist Churches
451
Bank Note Safeguard.
297
Coroners of County
217
Banks and Banking
291-312
Bank of Carthage, The
303
Bench and Bar
110-140
"Ben Davis"
31, 33, 42, 245
Benson, Luther
493, 520
Bigger, Samuel.
134, 139, 266, 443
Biography, the Study of.
528
Birds of the Wild
49
Black Hawk War
142
Blades, John
229, 401, 502
Blount, Rev. J. B.
382, 395, 397, 403, 417, 418, 424, 425
"Blue Bull"
71
Boundaries of Rush County
17, 200
"Bound" Boys and Girls.
515
Bounties for War Service.
150
Boy Scouts
189
B. P. O. Elks
470
Bridges
99
Brookville Land Office
37, 42, 60, 62, 292
Brown, William J.
266, 317, 319
Building and Loan Associations
...... 311
Building Stone
18
Business Interests of Rushville
287
Butler College
367
-C-
Cabin of the Pioneers
43
Campbell, Alexander
404
Carmel
256
Carthage Citizen, The
330
Carthage, Town of
240
Cassady, Weir.
42, 64, 245
Catholic Church
452
Census Statistics
254, 270
Center Township.
202, 205, 224, 386
Centralized School, The First.
376
Chautauqua Society
500
Christian Churches of County
412
Churches' Aid in War.
185
Churches of Rush County
396-455
Church Feuds.
517, 519
Church of God
453
Circuit Riding Lawyers
122
City Government (Rushville)
274
Civil War, The.
142, 323
Clark, George C.
139, 266, 296, 298, 316, 320, 520
Clerks of Court ..
133
Commercial Club.
282
Corn Growing Contests
87
County Agricultural Agent
84
County Assessors
217
County Auditors
216
County Commissioners,
198, 210, 215
County Council of Defense
194
County Fair, The.
67-74
County Government
198-218
County
County Recorders
216
County Seat, The.
110, 257-290
County Superintendents
380
County Surveyors
216
County Treasurers
216
Court House History
210, 463
Courts of County
110, 131
Crop Statistics.
77
-D-
"Dark Corner of Rush County"
232
Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion
141, 190, 473, 499
Debating
Societies
379
12
Officers
132, 215
INDEX
Delaware Indians 29
Dentists of Rush County. 340
Dewey, Jacob.
44
District School, The Old.
378
Dog Fennel Gazette, The 313
Dow, Lorenzo
237
Drainage
24
-E-
Early Markets
61, 75
Early Settlement of County.
36
East Hill Cemetery
144, 278
Education
351-395
Election, The First
207
Electric Light Plant
269,
284
Equine Phenomenon.
71
Erection of Rush County .... 37, 198, 260
-F-
Fairview Academy.
368
Falmouth Bank, The
308
Falmouth, Village of
247
Farmers' Association
81
Farmers' Clubs
83
Farmers' Festival at Milroy 80
Farmers' Insurance Association 311
Farmers' Station
239
Farming
66-91
Farmington Academy
367
Farm Names, Register of
91
Farm Production, Record of. 87
Fertilizer, Value of
26, 86
Fire Loss at Rushville
274, 276
First County Election
First Court
First Court House
115
First Gristmills
60
First Marriage License
502
First Murder Case
115
First National Bank of Mays.
307
First National Bank of Milroy
306
First Naturalization
113
First Road Survey
94, 503
First Settlers
37, 39, 60, 62
First Tax Assessment
208
Flood of 1913.
511
Flora of the Wild
58
Forest Primeval, The
58
Fowls of the Wild.
49
Frame, Dr. William.
266, 269, 317, 319, 337, 341, 346, 514
Fraternal Organizations
190
Freemasonry
456-465
Friends Academy
363
Friends, Society of
239, 426, 508
-G-
Genealogical Research
529
Geology of Rush County.
17
Gings Station
247
Glenwood State Bank, The.
308
Glenwood, Village of
247
"Deserted Villages"
255
"Gold Star" Roster.
169
Good Roads Movement.
94, 98
Gowdy, John K
133, 163, 216
Graham, David
316, 374, 382, 389, 395, 444, 446
Grain Production 77 Grand Army of the Republic.
144, 162, 223, 242
Grand Jury, First
110
"Grangers"
74
Graphic, The.
315
Gravel Deposits
19
Green, Rans Byrd
42, 64,
245
Green Township
201
Gristmills, The First 60
-H-
Hackleman, Abram
63, 229,401
Hackleman, Elijah
.141, 219, 228, 362, 377, 400
Hackleman, Pleasant A.
132, 133, 135, 139,
143, 147, 150, 152, 176, 266, 268, 278,
279, 315, 366, 390, 466, 497, 514, 520
Hack Lines.
.96
Hall, Frank J.
136, 139, 252, 266
Hall, William S
.136, 252, 376
Hanging of Swanson
118, 142
Havens, Rev. James
143, 235, 321, 405, 408, 433 Helm, Dr. Jefferson.
247, 266, 273, 279, 337, 341, 346, 367
Henderson, Village of
227
207
Henley, Joseph
65, 239,
427
110
Henley Memorial Library
242
Highway Statistics
99
Hill, Robert.
65, 239, 241, 427
History of Churches
.396-455
Hog Raising
78, 88, 527
Holt, Drury
235, 334, 383, 414, 418, 422, 484
Homecoming
Festival.
506
Homer, Town of.
.251
Horsethieves in Old Days
232, 510
-1-
Improved Order of Red Men ..
.469
Indentures
515
Indiana State Centennial.
487, 506
Indian Mounds
34
Indian Occupancy
29, 31, 245
Insurance Association, Local
523
-J-
Jacksonian, The
.315, 321
Jackson Township .... 202, 205, 226, 386
Jail, The County
209
Jennings, Jonathan .... 30, 110, 199, 261
Judges of Rush County
132
13
INDEX
Judicial Circuit (Third) 121 Julian, John 62, 215, 222, 260
Junior Red Cross 185
-K-
Kiwanis Club
282, 285, 476
Knights of Pythias
468
-L-
Land Office Sales 37, 42, 60, 62 Land Values 77
Laughlin, William B
44, 60, 63, 199, 208, 216, 231, 244, 260, 263, 318, 337, 345, 351, 363, 444, 494 Lawyers of County 139
Lenni-Lenappe Indians
29
Liberty Bond Sales
196
Library, Public
494
Limestone
19
Little Flack Rock Seminary
365
Lodges and Clubs.
456-493
-M-
Mahoning, Chief
31, 33, 245
Making of a Town
262, 284
Manilla Bank, The
304
Manilla, Town of.
249
Marcellus
256
Markets of Early Days
61, 75, 93
"Marks and Brands"
79
Masonic Order
456
Mauzy (Griffin) Station
246
Mayors of Rushville
276
Mays, Village of ..
226
McKee, Capt. John
147, 154, 371, 381, 392, 449
"Means vs. Anti-Means"
519
Pioneer Schools
354
Medical Profession, The.
337-350
Memorial Tribute
258
Methodist Episcopal Churches.
433
Mexican War.
141
Military Annals
141-197
Militia Drill Days
141
Milroy Bank, The.
306
Milroy Farmers' Festival.
80
Milroy Press, The.
332
Milroy, Town of
222
Monarch of the Forest
59
Morgan, Amaziah
64, 215, 245, 260, 264
Morton, Oliver Perry
132, 137, 145, 160
Moscow, Village of.
234
Moses, John F
211, 213, 217,
219, 314, 316, 324, 362, 370, 397, 400
Mound Builders, The.
34
Mt. Etna
256
Murder Case, First
115
-N ---
Native Animals
47
Natural Gas
.269, 284
Neighborliness, Spirit of ..
.. 90, 257, 506
News, The.
316, 328
New Salem State Bank, The. 309
New Salem, Village of.
230
Newspaper Files
280, 320
Newspapers of County
313-336
Nicknames of Schools
.522
Noble Township.
200, 204, 228, 386
-0-
Odd Fellowship
466
Officers of County
132, 215
Orange Township ...... 201, 206, 231, 387
Order of Eastern Star
462
-P-
Patriot Assassinated
146
Patrons of Husbandry
74
Pedigree, Value of.
530
Peoples National Bank, The
301
Peoples Loan & Trust Co.
302
Perkins, Jehu.
.61, 110, 112, 142, 200, 215, 229, 260
Physicians of County
337-350
Pioneer Banking
291, 309
Pioneer Cabin
43
Pioneer Court Document.
119
Pioneer Justice.
33
Pioneer Militia Company
141
Pioneer Reminiscences ..
38, 44, 116, 118, 124, 281, 313, 324, 333, 340, 354, 362, 391, 396, 428, 508
Pioneer Roads.
92
Politics, a Review of.
213
Population, Basic Elements of ..
.. 36
Population, Statistics on
254, 270
Posey Township ..
203, 206, 234, 387
Postoffice at Rushville.
276
Poultry Culling.
88
Presbyterian Churches
442
Press of Rush County, The ...... 313-336
Prison Limits
115
Prosecuting Attorneys.
132
Public Library
494
Public Square, The
260
Pugh, Dr. William A.
340
Puntenney, George H
80, 135, 139, 154, 276, 315, 446
-Q-
Quaker Settlement.
239, 427
Quarries in County
18
14
INDEX
-R-
Railroads, Coming of.
102
Raleigh, Town of. 253
"Rebel House," The
524
Records (City) Destroyed
274
Reeve, Benjamin F.
228, 266, 364, 377, 414, 417, 418, 423 Register of Farm Names 91
Reminiscences
38, 44, 116, 118, 124, 281,
313, 316, 355, 362, 397, 428, 483, 508
Republican, The
316, 326
Retributive Justice.
33
Revolutionary War
141, 474
Richland Academy
238, 370
Richland Township .... 201, 205, 236, 387
Richland, Village of
238
Ripley Rangers, The
510
Ripley Township.
.200, 204, 239, 387
Roads in Early Days
92
Roster of Bar
139
Roster of Physicians
339
Roster of Soldiers.
152, 166-175
Roster of Teachers
386
Rotary Club.
282, 285, 474
Rural Mail Delivery
277
Rush Circuit Court.
110
Rush County Chautauqua
500
Rush County Historical Society.
321
Rush County in War
141-197
Rush County Medical Society
337
Rush County National Bank
299
Rush County Seminary
366
Rush, Dr. Benjamin
44, 199, 208, 264, 345
Rushville Business Directory
285
Rushville City Schools.
388
Rushville Female Institute.
369
Rushville National Bank, The
298
Rushville Social Club.
479
Rushville, The County Seat.
208, 257-290
Rushville Township .... 202, 203, 243, 387
Russell, Enoch
37, 228
-S-
Sailor, Conrad.
.64, 208, 217, 228, 260, 263, 400, 401
Sanitary Commission, The
158
Sanitation, Regulation of
350
Savannah
255
Scalp Tree, The
32
School Bonds.
391
School Nicknames
522
Schools Aid in War
191
Schools of Rush County, The .... 351-395
Schools Twenty Years Ago
384
Seat of Justice, The.
208, 261
Seed Testing Plant.
86
Service Men in World War.
169
Settlement of County
36, 199
Sexton, Dr. Horatio G ..
127, 244, 267, 268,
337, 341, 345, 369, 442, 461, 491, 495
Sexton, Leonidas
135, 139, 300, 369, 460, 464
Sexton, Village of.
.227
Shakespeare Club
480
Shauck, John L ....
351, 376, 382
Sheriffs of Rush County
133
"Sidelights" on County History. 494 Sims, Stephen ...... 60, 110, 199, 266, 381 Slaves Enter Land. 525
Sleeth, George B ....... 135, 139, 156, 485 Smith, Oliver H ... 113, 115, 124, 318, 410 Snakes of the Old Days 53
Social Clubs
477
Soil Analysis
23, 25, 27, 28
Soil Fertility.
20
Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home .. 135, 159, 225
Soldiers' Monument
144
Soldiers' Roster
152
Spanish-American War
164
Spelling Matches.
378
Stage Lines
93
Statistics, Miscellaneous
526
Statistics on Crops
77
Statistics on Population.
254, 270
State Highway Commission
100
State Representatives.
218
Street Fairs
488
State Senators
218
"Sultana" Disaster, The.
157
Superintendents of Schools.
380
Swanson, Edward I.
111, 118, 142, 246, 522
Swine Breeding
78, 88, 527
-T-
Taxes in Pioneer Days
.208
Teachers of Rush County
386
Telephone
270
Thompson,
John P.
229, 402, 403, 406, 412, 425
Toll Roads.
95
Topography of Rush County.
... 17, 21
Townships
200, 219, 386
Townships and Villages
219-256
Township Trustees
255, 386
Traction Lines.
107
Tragedy in Orange
521
Transportation
...
92-109
Treason in the '60's
145
Treaty of St. Marys
29, 30,37
Trustees, Township
255, 386
Turkeys, Wild.
49
Types of Soil.
21
-U-
Underdrainage
24
Underground Railroad
509
15
INDEX
Union Township ........ 200, 206, 245, 387 United Presbyterian Churches ...... 445
-V-
Value of Farm Lands .77
Vandals Destroy Records 274
Veeder, Charles H.
111, 139, 216, 267, 278, 495
Villages, "Deserted"
255
-W-
Walker Township .... 202, 204, 248, 387 War Fund Campaigns. 181
War Record of County
141-197
Washington Township 200, 204, 251, 387
Waterworks at Rushville 269, 284 Watson, James E. 136 Wheat, Cost 89
Whetzell's Trace 504
Whitewater Canal 100. 319
Wick, William W. 110, 115, 132
Wild Animals
47
Williams, Isaac. 38, 228
Wolfe, Joel
143, 147, 150, 152,
163, 176, 279, 321, 369, 412, 466, 514 Woman's Council, The 471
Woman's Relief Corps
163
Women in War Work 180
World War, The
166-197
Wreck of the "Sultana" 157
HISTORICAL
CHAPTER I
GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY
Rush county (Indiana) lies west of Fayette and Franklin, north of Decatur, east of Shelby and Hancock, and south of Henry and Hancock counties. A study of the outcropping rocks of the county shows that this re- gion has passed through three geological ages, the Upper Silurian, the Devonian, and the Quarternary or Drift period. To the first of these groups belong the Laurel limestone and the Waldron clay which outcrop in the Big Flatrock creek near Moscow and in the Little Flatrock creek near Milroy. Going upstream from Moscow, the Laurel limestone passes below drainage and the Devonian limestone appears in the bed of the creek. The drift, which belongs to the third and last age, covers the entire county to an average depth of 100 feet, and belongs to the earlier and later invasions of the Wisconsin ice sheet. The drift is so deep in Rush county that only in a few cases is it noted that the streams have cut their way down into the rock of the first two ages.
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