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R ECEIVE D JO !! 9 1969
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
History of New Ross and Vicinity 1829 - 1967
CRYSTAL PAULINE RANDEL WALTERS
1
History of New Ross and Vicinity
1829 - 1967
CRYSTAL PAULINE RANDEL WALTERS
PRINTED BY The Wabash Valley Printing Company Montezuma, Ind.
$ 150
977.21 NOS W fen,
534 ,N55 W34 1202
PREFACE
In writing a history of New Ross and vicinity, this includes a two to three mile radius from New Ross, and this area is from Walnut and Clark townships in Montgomery County, Indiana, and from Jackson township, Boone County, Indiana, which is a short distance east of New Ross. .We hope tomorrow this history will have its place in a story of the past, and will be enjoyed by the citizens of tomorrow, and that they'll learn how our early settlers helped make this community the kind of a place it is. The early pioneers were making history, but they didn't write about it, and a lot of their early deeds and events have never been recorded, and tradition alone cannot be relied upon, for in telling stories down through the generations, they aren't always told the same. Although for some part of history, one has to depend on oral recollections of generation to generation.
It's impossible to mention every source of information, and if some families and businesses are omitted, it's be- cause there was a lack of oral or written information and records. There are a few books of which I made large use, Beckwiths', Chapmans, and Bowens' histories of Mont- gomery County, Indiana; Dr. Theodore Gronert's Sugar Creek Saga; old New Ross newspapers-old Crawfordsville, Indiana newspapers; 1874 Peoples Guide; 1878 and 1917 Mont- gomery County Atlas; newspaper clippings; Elizabeth Jane Miller Hacks' history of Jacob Miller Family; Arthur Porter's history of Union Presbyterian Church, Walnut Township and from oral information of some residents.
There may be mistakes, for memory and even written data may not always be correct. To all individuals who gave me information, I want to express my thanks.
Most all early settlers could have told of journeys on horseback, on foot, in wagons, both covered and open, through the wilderness, to reach such a place as New Ross. Sometimes these places were picked out earlier by a friend or relatives. They would come, bring families; then clear a space for a cabin, and begin life in new surroundings.
They didn't have much money (usually) but they knew how to produce most articles needed, and they would start a crop of some kind as soon as the family was settled, if weather permitted. In the New Ross area, Beckwith says, "they dreaded the wild animals more than the Indians that traveled from their camp in Ladoga, Indiana, through New Ross, to Thomtown, along Raccoon Creek. These Indians were friendly, and would perhaps beg for food, or take part in some athletic event with the settlers."
We should honor and respect the back-breaking toil and hardships of these early day ancestors, who paved the way for the easy living we have today. It's a duty we owe our ancestors, and others who have gone before us, to perpetuate the names and deeds of these hardy people in written record, for each town and community that goes through the growth New Ross did, when added together, make a complete country, such as our United States. l hope I have given the main points of interest, and of people who have helped make this community, without too many mistakes, or ommissions.
C.P.R.W.
- Page 1 -
CONTENTS
Maps of 1878 and 1917 of New Ross (Valley City) and now.
Naming of New Ross, true version
Businesses and events of early days
The people, their families, where they lived, etc.
Lodges Churches
Schools
Trustees of Township
Cemeteries
First Land entries
When it was first named Valley City
Railroads
Doctors
Community organizations
Community around New Ross, people, etc
Postoffices and postmasters
Mail carriers
A few stories about the people
100 years since New Ross naming 1867 to 1967
Incorporation of New Ross, June 1875
New Ross Fair
Interesting events and dates
History of Mt. Zion Church
History of Union Church
History of Greenwood School
History of Methodist Church
History of Christian Church
Banks of New Ross
Pictures - then and now
- Page 2 -
1878 PLAT
IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY ATLAS OF NEW ROSS, INDIANA
M. Bruch
M. Bruch
J. Brocks
SCHOOL
Adkins
Addi ti on
A. J. Rou th
Flouring Mill
Crown· St.
Inlow's
4 th
Christian Church
Addition
Inlow's 3rd & 4 th Addition
ROUTH
W. J. Inlow
M. E. Church
Inlow' s 2nd. Addition
Grange
house
1
Adkins 1
J.
Cooper Shop
Inlow's
Washington St.
JAIL
J. E. [ Jones
Sto ck Yards
Green St.
1
Addition
Main St.
BROWNINGS' ORIGINAL ! TOWN
A.
W. J. INLOW'S 4 th : Addition
3rd
≥
-
w. J. INLOW
W. J. Inlow
Proposed Midland R. R: (Later Remnity)
W. J. Inlow
W. J. Inlow
TILORIGINAL PLAT OF VALLEY CITY
Steam. Mill
State St. (Later Interurban on this street)
Frazier St.
W. J. & E. Inlow
A. C. May s sh eds
//
J.
- Page 3 -
PLATTED AS VALLEY CITY
(NOW KNOWN AS NEW ROSS) 1917 Atlas. Map
F. Walkup
J. Davis
W. E. Evans
C. Even
John Bruch George W. Howard
North
G. Spencer
Adkins
Bakery
John Bruck
Alva G. Baker
2nd Bank
Store
Drug
John Coddington
Hdw.
1 st bank
J. E. Miller
Ice
J. W. Gardner
School Now
W.J. Inlow
MAIN
grocery
!
-
Original 50 lots of John A. Browning
T. E. Evans
W. J. Inlo w' s
2nd
: Add- ition
W.J. Inlow
W. J. Inlow
to to wn
M. Chambers
Midland R. R.
Isaac Golliday
STREET
R. L. Bratton 1917
INTERURBAN (State .St.)
Hdw.
J. : A. Morrison George Powell
Big 4 R.R.
Cream Parlor
grocery
! 1st int er-
J. Martin
- 1
ur ban station
-.
W. Butler
Other names of those living near New Ross in 1917 were Joseph W. Ramsey, Thomas E. Walker, Minnie Bruchs, Amanda Tumer, R.F. Miller, and others. SEctions 25-26-35-36-Walnut Twp., Montgomery County, Ind. The drawing of town 1917 Atlas isn't quite a true drawing.
- Page 4 -
A. B. Sparks
W.J. INLOW
1967 New Ross, Indiana
houses
houses
W. NORTH ST.
Christian Church
Telephone 7. Office
STATE ST.
FRAZIER ST.
. ME
Church
K.
School
of
P.
Built 1899
Garage
Bank
Frederick's Grocery
Restaur-
ant
-
FILLING STATION
I ELEVATOR
ELE-
ELE- VATOR VATOR
LUMBER co.
ELEVATOR\
GREEN ST
Cafe
Filling Station & .. Barber' Shop _
WEST ST
MAIN ST.
WASHINGTON ST.
HIGHWAY 136
Big Four R. R. LUMBER CO.
Fire Sta.
New P.O.
GARAGE
- Page 5 -
The Christian Church at New Ross on North Main Street - plus addition added on a few years ago at the back of church.
NEW ROSS #RISTIAN CHURCH
BIBLESCHOOL
WORSHIP
YOUTH MEET
EVE. TORSHIP 71%
TED. BIBLE HOUR 8:
JUNE 23-29
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: OUR
MINTOM JEFFRIES
This stands in front of the Christian Church.
- Page 6 -
Union Hill Presbyterian Church west of New Ross - was on road 136 - cemetery nearby.
The Methodist Church on west State Streetin New Ross, and the new addition added on a few years ago.
- Page 7 -
Providence Church - northwest of New Ross - cemetery nearby.
Pisgah Cemetery - north of New Ross - across the road from where Pisgah Baptist Church stood - west of Beckville.
CHURCH
Mt. Zion Church - east of New Ross. Cemetery at back of church.
East side of Mt. Zion Church.
- Page 8 -
Interurban car on State Street - 2nd IOOF building Ist bank in corner building room - groceriesto left on Main St- Interurban station on right side on State St. - Upstairs.was large area where entertain- ments were held.
South Main Street from State St.
2nd bank, northwest corner of Main and State Street. Occupant of car, Mike Needham.
- Page 9 -
1.
NEW ROSS - MAIN PART OF TOWN
S. toward cemetery - New Ross - X - Walters'home. Also X marks ice house on Walters' property. operated by Frank Walters.
DRAY RUN by Frank Walters - New Ross
Man marked with X - Frank Walters Other man on dray, James Gray. Cline First IOOF building on N. side of State St.
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The depot on Big Four railroad in 1913.
Interior of Wm. Walls' grocery store - Main Street
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Karl Kratz bakery on N. Main St. - and the Graves' drug store building at comer of State and Main Streets.
Section hands on Midland Railroad. Middle one, Franklin A. Walters.
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ELEVATOR AT NEW ROSS
NEW ROSS ELEVATOR
Elevator and part of buildings today in New Ross, on road 136.
Elevator and Kozy Komer restaurant - on road 136 on road 136.
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Part of New Ross Lumber Co.
New Ross Lumber and Hardware store on Rd. 136
More of New Ross Lumber Co.
West side of south Main St. - IGA grocery, bank, and restaurant and tavern.
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Days Manufacturing and Lumber Co. on west side of New Ross.
New Ross Telephone Office
Farmers' Supply Store - Oliver Farm Equipment
Looking down north Main Street from near State Street
- Page 15 -
Custom Farm Service and Custom Farmor Store
Custom Farm Service
Custom Farmore Store
House on S. Green St. where Harold Walters was bom, in New Ross.
- Page 16 -
Cemetery, south of New Ross - originally the IOOF cemetery, but now the New Ross Cemetery.
Last K. of P. building erected - on N. Main St.
Garage built on W. State by Walter Wilson and Fred Alexander - now Jesse P. Baker's repair shop for machinery, etc.
- Page 17 -
2nd interurban station - now houses fire equipment and is office of town clerk, Arthur Wheeler.
Now the American Legion Home on S. Main St. Robert Turner Post No. 427.
New postoffice at New Ross - on State St.
Raymond Routh's barber shop und Feather's garage and filling station on road 136.
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Greenwood School No. 8 - 2nd one - built 1873.
These two trees are all that remains on Greenwood school grounds.
- Page 19 -
Walnut Township Elementary School - west of New Ross.
Gymnasium at New Ross - W. State Street
School and gymnasium on west State St.
Remodeled 1899 school - in 19.30's W. State St.
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ALUMNI NEW ROSS HIGH SCHOOL
In 1900 the high school work was added and at first only two years of work was given. Later on a three-year course was estab- lished. Prof. Cecil Kibby“taught high school work in 1907-1908 but no classes were graduated. Beginning with the class of 1911 all classes received the full four-year course. Since the high school has been inauguarated the following persons have graduated:
- 1901
CLAUDE BROWN, SUPERINTENDENT BESSIE GOLLADAY BURTON DORSEY
STELLA BOWERS CARL A. SMITH
1902 CLAUDE BROWN, SUPERINTENDENT ROMA MINNICK
1903
CLAUDE BROWN, SUPERINTENDENT JESSIE GOTT BESSIE MITCHELTREE LOGAN MOSS ARTHUR BROWN
HARLEY BOWERS WALTER E. STANLEY
1904
H. H. HARRELL, SUPERINTENDENT LULU HOCKER
1905 JOSEPH L DAVIS, SUPERINTENDENT. BLANCHE LAWELL MAUD LAUTHERS OTTO BYMASTER
1906
JOSEPH L. DAVIS, SUPERINTENDENT TREACY ROUTH MAUDE TIPTON
BERNICE BRATTON DORA LINN
NO GRADUATES NEXT FOUR YEARS
The school of 1899 - before it was remodeled in 1930's
- Page 21 -
--
1890 - GREENWOOD SCHOOL
Row I - ·Clarence Lytle, Mavis Callahan, John Myers, Clara Myers (Smith), Walker Hink- le, Iva Eddingfield, Forest Newkirk, Ethel Sparks (Dice), Richard Sparks, Kitty Callahan, Arthur Brown, Martha Brown and Tommy Callahan.
Tow II - Mollie Conner, May Vannice, Myrtie Randell (Vannice), Elton Hinkle, Emma Eddingfield, Floyd Vancleave, Maud Canine (Linn) (Linn); Emmert Vancleave, Malissa Redenbaugh Brown, James O. Linn, Anna Scott and Elmer Myers.
Row III - James Brown, Minnie Miller (Mercer), Bertha Brown (McGraw), Burton Vancleave Julietta Linn, Brent Scott, Lizzie Brown (Lane), James Eddingfield, teacher, Myrtle Sparks (Whiteman), Bert Sparks, ? Scott, Dora Conner (Jarvis), Esta Brown and Clara Duke (Linn).
- Page 22 -
:00-
GREENWOOD SCHOOL - (1900 or 1901)
Row I - seated, Bessie Brown, Jannie Miller (Dossett) (Whitely), Lulu Brown (Massing), Nannie Miller, Ruth Williams, Margaret Linn, Ethel Brown (Brown), Nora Con- ner (Clark), Floyd Linn.
Row II - Chalmer Miller, Ina Minnick, Ray Eddingfield, Lillian Tofford (Baker) (Walters), Nellie Lytle (Sicks), Eva Brown, Iva Eddingfield (Rice), Grover Logan, Charles Lytle, Earl Linn, in front of these two, J oe Logan and Ernest Eddingfield.
Row III - Charles Johnson, teacher; Ethel Sparks (Dice), Clara Myers (Smith), Arthur Brown, Minnie Miller (Mercer), Grace Williams, Nellie Williams, Rose Logan (Sherrard), Wesley Brown, Newton Brown, Dalla Conner (Long), ? ? , and Dora Linn (Randel) (my mother).
Row IV - Burton Vancleave, Vora Williams, Martha Brown (Elkins), Ida Logan (Randel) and Clarence Lytle.
- Page 23 -
GREENWOOD SCHOOL - taken Oct. 18, 1909
Back row - Marion Lytle, Lottie Terry (Tvedte), Leslie Linn, Flo Linn (Robison), Glen Terry, Mark Linn.
Second row - Nina Newkirk (Wetterick), Clyde Newkirk, Moss Terry, Ward Linn.
1st row - . Lola Vannice, Ray Wohel, Mary Linn (Crouch), Garrett ? ? Terry, Hubert Mercer, Effie Brown.
Teacher - Mary Alexander.
- Page '24 -
-
GREENWOOD SCHOOL - 1915
In door - Ray Woehl, Forest Baber, substitute teacher for Opal Rhoades and Oran Tharp
Next row - Hazel Brown, Earl Smith, Merle Terry, Floyd Ray.
Next row - Effie Brown, Russell Myers, Blanch Myers, Ruth Minnick, Manson Linn, Audrey Norman, Mabel Linn.
Bottom row - Rena Brown, Christine Linn, Crystal Pauline Randel, Hubert Norman and Ralph Minnick.
- Page 25 -
Picture of New Ross class - taken in late 1910's
This was the mode of travel when I was young. This is my father, Orval Randel and his brother-in-law Earl Linn, taken 21/2 miles west of New Ross.
- Page 26 -
NEW ROSS SCHOOL CLASS
NEW ROSS SCHOOL CLASS
NEW ROSS SCHOOL CLASS
- Page 27 -
William Walters, son of Jacob and Catherine Lamb Walters and wife, Julia Fritter Walters - daughter of Enoch and Catherine Fritter. They came to New Ross 1869 - he died here 1899 - she died here 1910. He was a blacksmith. This is only picture I have of the early settlers here.
Clarence Lytle and Michael Wohl making hay, as it was done years ago.
- Page 28 -
HISTORY OF NEW ROSS AND VICINITY 1829 - 1967
Psalms 78:3-6; "What we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us, that the generations to come might know them, even the children which should be born, who should arise and declare them unto their children."
To draw back the curtain of time and watch the growth of the New Ross area, is not to dwell in the past, but to know and cherish the fruitful efforts of our early settlers, and those who came later, to make the New Ross community what it is today. It would be impossible to write about the town without includ- ing the surrounding area, for the two are so closely connected, and the people of the community make the town.
The early pioneers settled here without any of the comforts, conveniences, or luxuries we have today. Here in the begin- ning there were no churches, no schools, no newspapers, no telephones. If anyone received a letter or newspaper from their former home it was passed around for all settlers to read and enjoy. Crude log cabins, with dirt floors, were the first abode here. They couldn't get into a car, "dash" into town, buy cloth and provisions. They had to buy salt, which was very ex- pensive, and sometimes they had to travel a long distance to get the salt, which they bought by the barrel . . Mills, (saw, flour, carding and cane) sprang up in various places, and "go- ing to mill" was a big event.
No town or community can survive now, nor could it then without schools, churches, or industrial life (today's wording), so establishing all these to provide educational life, spiritual life, and provisions for life, plus some "payrolls" to sustain the individuals, both customer, merchant, and other people was needed.
In the year of 1821, according to Beckwith, "no sound was heard in the vicinity of New Ross, excepting the discordant noi- ses of the wolves, panthers, and other animals, and they were all one anothers' audience. "Forests were dense, land was mud- dy and swampy with a surface growth of vegetation, I can re- member a dense woods on the farm we lived on, 2 1/2 miles west of New Ross, in which my father, with team of horses and wagon would try to find a pathway through the woods, about 55 years ago. Today, 1967, this woods is gone !
Perhaps there had been 'passers-through' searching for new lands before anyone entered land here, but in 1822, John Win- ter entered land for his daughter, Mary Winter, in September, SW1/4, section 24, Walnut township, first land entry made around here. (She later married William Brent, and Indiana's Governor James A. Mount, from Montgomery county, was re- lated to her, also Elizabeth Jane Miller Hack, famous novelist born in New Ross, but more on her later. ) There were several land entries between 1822 and 1829, but no one came here un- til 1829. John J. Eddingfield entered land 1837; David Buchan- an 1835; Thomas E. Harris, 1836; James B. Jessee and Wilson Browning 1829; David Spohr and John Pogue 1835; John Walkup 1825/28; and John Kelley 1829.
In 1829, Wilson Browning and wife, Rebecca, and children and his nephew, James B. Jessee and wife Nancy (Candler) Jes- see and baby Martha, came from Virginia to what is now New Ross. James B. Jessee was born in Russell Co., Virginia, Oct- ober 13, 1803; his wife, Nancy Candler, daughter of Squire Candler, was born in Virginia. Nancy died March 4, 1874. Jamcs B. Jessee was son of Archie and Nancy (Browning) Jessec. Both of James B. Jessee's grandfathers, Browning and Jessee were in the American Revolution, his Grandfather Browning living to age 102. Martha was the only child of theirs born in Virginia; others were born in Indiana. They were Isaac W., Dorothy; Dosha (Docia) married George T. Dorsey jr. ; Thomas J. ; and James M. Jessee, born May 5, 1845, married Nancy McNorth 1869; and he married 2. Josephine Baldwin, and he
.
died in Walla Walla, Washington. Thomas J. and James M. were Civil War veterans, and Thomas J. died in Corinth Mis- sissippi, but is buried here in Jessee cemetery, and Nancy Jane Jessee born 1833 married William H. Brown, 1-20-1850 and lived with her parents in 1850 (census).
Wilson Brownings' wife was ill, and needing help, they asked James and Nancy (Candler) Jessee to spend the winter with them, so that Nancy could do cooking and housekeeping chores for them. James and Nancy were glad to do this, for they only had $8 when they came here in 1829. In 1830 Wilson Browning became ill, and he wanted to go to Kentucky to see Dr. Dud- ley, so accompanied by James B. Jessee they started out, but when they reached Indianapolis, Indiana, Wilson became seri - ously ill, and died September 1830. He was buried in Indiana - polis. His was the first death of any settler who had come to Walnut Township, Montgomery County, Indiana. His widow, Rebecca, married James Anderson 1832, and left here.
James B. Jessee was a farmer, carpenter, blacksmith, and shoemaker. For about 50 days he had educated himself by ob- servation and study of books. He subscribed to Crawfordsville Record 1831 till 1844, and continued his subscription when it became Peoples Press, and on later when it became Crawfords- ville Journal, until his death.
Wilson Brownings' oldest son, John A. Browning, born 1822, Va., bought all the land belonging to the heirs of his father. This was E1/2 of NW1/4 of Section 35 and W1/2 of NW1/4 of section 36. In 1853 word began to circulate around (as rumors do) that a railroad would soon be built in this community. Many of these settlers realized this would be a progressive opportunity for future years, and they began to plan and pre- pare for this development.
John A. Browning was one of these, and he laid out a town, containing 50 lots and he gave this town name of Valley City. As Browning was a blacksmith, he had built a shop in 1841, at age 21. He kept mail in his blacksmith shop, and was the first postmaster in Valley City. First postoffice was one mile west of this, but mail was addressed to Valley City.
Wilson Browning and James B. Jessee had built a cabin of hewn logs, but later James B. Jessee built his own, where he kept travelers, made shoes, or did anything he could to make money. His brother in Virginia owed him $60, and when he sent this money to James B. Jessee, he went to Crawfordsville and borrowed $20 at 20% interest, and with this bought his first 80 acres land. He added to this, and he later owned 240 acres land. He hauled wheat to Chicago; sold pork for $1. 25 a hun- dred pounds, and went to Attica for barrel of salt, paying $8. 50 a barrel. (Do not know his selling price). By hard work and per- serverance he was able to accumulate very much (Beckwith).
In 1832 David Spohr, born August County Va., February 7, 1802 - died July, 1878, and wife Selena Foster Spohr came to this area. She wasdaughter of William Foster, born 1778, Va., and Mary McCrea Foster, born 1783, Maryland, who settled here at same time. David and Selena Spohr brought two child - ren, Nancy J. and John Spohr, who was born February 4, 1831, in Rockridge, Co., Va., and was 8 months old when he came here. John married July 27, 1876, Catherine Routh Inlow, daughter of Andrew Jackson and Sarah Agee Routh, and widow of Abraham Inlow, who died 1872. Catherine was born January 9, 1843. She had two Inlow children, Ida B. married Thomas Evans and James Inlow married Carrie Riffle. Catherine and Mr. Spohr had no children, but they raised a motherless boy, Henry T. James. In boyhood, John Spohr set aside 3 months for edu- cation, but as in other months, if wood or milling was needed, he had to stay out of school, but at age 18, he started working for Jonathan Martin at $4 per month. He attended Quaker Insti - tutc at Darlington, Indiana, and later taught school here. He bought land here and also in Kansas. He died December 8, 1909. Other children of David and Selena Spohr were born in Indiana,
- Page 29 -
William R. born 1834; Rebecca A. born 1836; Sarah Ellen, born 1839; Mary Margaret, born 1841; and Elizabeth, born 1846.
When David and Selena Spohr came here they went to home of Joseph Spohr, born 1803 Va., and wife, Ann, who had come here in 1830. Joseph's children, born in Indiana, were John D. born 1833; Mary M., bo n 1834; George W. born 1836; Sally A., born 1838; Samuel H., born 1840; Rebecca J., born 1842; Susan W., born 1844; and Martha E., born 1847. They m. 1830, Va .. (These birthdates given for these children are ac- cording to census ages. ) Having sold his horse and wagon, David Spohr had only one horse and no wagon for several years, but they bought a cow, and her calves provided them means to buy another horse and wagon, and thus they started on their upward climb again. (Beckwiths).
D. Goober was an early settler in 1835.
When Browning platted the town into 50 lots, there were sev- en cabins in the original Valley City of his. They were occu- pied by Dr. James Dunbar; William McGuffin, born 1835 - died 1904; son of Samuel and Polly Henry MeGuffin; Cyrus Wren; Samuel Chambers, via Va. to Ohio, to Indiana; Samuel Still- well Harris, born 1800 Va., and wife Mary Rhea Harris, born 1807, Blount Co., Tennessee; Franklin Imel; and John A. Browning.
In 1836 or 37, a postoffice was secured one mile west of Valley City at George T. Dorseys' Sr., Wayside Inn. Mr. Dor- sey was an early and respected citizen, and he was named first postmaster. (more on Postmasters later).
In 1867 A. C. Mays and Henry B. Hulett became angry that their mail was going to another Valley City in southern part of Indiana, so they went to George Dorsey, Sr., to talk to him, to see if something couldn't be done about changing the name Valley City to another name. Mr. Hulett had a general store and A. C. Mays was a stave manufacturer. Mr. Hulett had his store 1867 .to 1876, and about 1887 he was county clerk of Montgomery county, and lived in Crawfordsville. In the April 16, 1909 issue of Crawfordsville Journal, Mr. Hulett said he "got mad at the mail going to the southern city, Valley City, Harrison Co. Ind., so he went to Mr. Mays and said. "Let's erasc Valley City off the map!" After they had consulted Mr. Dorscy Sr. they went to see Montgomery County commission- ers, and told them they wanted the name changcd. George T. Dorsey had suggested the name Ross, after a battle fought in England, at Ross, so they agreed, excepting they decided to add New to it, making it New Ross. So commissioners changed name to New Ross from Valley City, and recorded the same. Mr. Hulett went to Urbana, Illinois, to the Big Four Railroad, to tell them "there was no more Valley City on their route, only New Ross, and now there would be no more annoyance about the mail"' In a nutshell: Henry. B. Hulett, A. C. Mays and George T. Dorsey Sr., changed name of Valley City to New Ross, 100 years ago, 1967.
Also about two weeks before Mr. Hulett had put his version of the naming of New Ross in the paper, on April 12, 1909 is- sue of Crawfordsville Journal, Hannah Peterson, daughter of George Dorsey, Sr., and wife Alice Roller Dorsey gave this version: "George Dorsey and wife and three children went from Baltimore, Maryland to Va., then to Crawfordsville, Indiana by wagon in May 1836 for two years. They lived in a log house near Major Whitlocks, then Mr. Dorsey bought land 10 miles east of Crawfordsville, or 1 mile west of New Ross), and built a Wayside Inn. Had private entertainment for travelers passing through. "Hannah said house was a two story house, fin- ished in solid oak, with three large fireplaces downstairs, and two fireplaces upstairs. (At time Hannah was telling this story she was 79). She was only surviving member of her family. She said her father was postmaster, and original name was Valley City, but that he had name changed to Now Ross. (From the article by Mr. Hulett, Mr. Dorsey did, suggest the name Ross,
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