USA > Indiana > Grant County > Centennial history of Grant County, Indiana, 1812 to 1912 : compiled from records of the Grant county historical society, archives of the county, data of personal interviews, and other authentic sources of local information > Part 32
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In 1866 David Ballwin commeneed hauling freight from Anderson, which was then the nearest shipping point. He used a two-horse wagon. In 1868 the Pan Handle was built to Harrisburg. This being then the nearest railroad station, Baldwin continued to transport freight by wagon from that point until 1872, when he met with an accident which left him a cripple for life. In 1873. J. W. Patterson, nephew of Bald- win. quit school and at the age of thirteen succeeded his unele in the work, and continued to haut merchandise from Harrisburg until 1875, when the Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan Railroad was built to Fair- mount, this line then taking over the freight business. In 1875 Pat- terson purchased a dray outfit and continued in the business in Fair- mount until 1878, when he sold the dray line to Eli J. Scott and Uriah Ballard.
Captain David L. Payne was the son of William and Celia Payne, who lived four miles east of Fairmount. Payne received a rudimentary education in the schools of the carly day. Perhaps no other man born and reared in Fairmount township attained to such distinction as did Captain Payne. He was as picturesque in real life as he was in his personal appearance. Long after he had departed for the west he con tinued to make visits periodically to his old home and neighbors. Cap- tain Payne was born in 1836. Gabriele Havens, who remembers Payne quite well as a small boy, relates that he was precocions, that he was witty, and for a boy possessed an abundance of initiative. It is related that in the early day a medicine had been discovered over on the river Vol. 1-14
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that was good for rheumatism, which at that time was a common com- plaint. Payne had a little touch of rheumatism, and when it was sug- gested one day that he try the new medicine he replied that it would not do for him, though it might be good for others, as he had under- stood that the remedy was a Payne killer, and he wanted to live a long while yet. Mrs. George W. Bowers was among Payne's early teachers. Captain Payne and John W. Furnish, who now resides at Jonesboro, were intimate boyhood friends. Furnish is a grandson of Judge Fur- nish, well known as a pioneer associate judge of the circuit court. Fur- mish relates that his first acquaintance with Payne was when they attended a school taught by William II. 11. Reeder in John Brewer's kitehen about the winter of 1851-52. There were about twenty other children in attendance at this school. In 1859, having secured what was for that day a fair education, Payne went west and located in Brown county, Kansas. He took part in the border-ruffian war in 1859-60 in Kansas and Missouri. In 1861, upon the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted in the Seventh Kansas Cavalry. During his service in this command Payne distinguished himself by his courageous conduct, and was soon promoted to the rank of captain. He was with General Fremont in the latter's operations through the west, and was serving under Colonel Sullivan at the time Sullivan was in pursuit of Price through Missouri, Sullivan being killed at Springfield in a hot engagement. After the war was about over Payne went west with the command of General Custer and fought the fierce Comanche Indians with that brave officer through Kansas and Colorado. In 1865, having returned to his Kansas home, Payne was elected from Brown conuly to the Kansas state legislature. In 1870, having taken up his residence in Sedgwick county, he was elected senator from this eounty in the legis- lature. He was subsequently appointed a policeman at the national capital, serving as one of the guardians of the capitol building at Wash- ington, D. C. In 1873 he was appointed postmaster at Leavenworth, Kansas.
In 1881 Captain Payne conceived the idea of starting an agitation for the opening of Oklahoma territory. It was at this time that Fur- nish was called by Payne to the position of private secretary. Payne caused to be printed and eireulated many thousand bills and circulars announcing his purpose to open Oklahoma to settlers. Payne stated in his bills that he would locate parties on the land, and proceed to form a stock company, which he organized for the purpose of securing the necessary funds with which to push his enterprise. Headquarters were established for this purpose at Wichita. The shares were sold at $5.00 each. About three thousand different investors became con- heeted with the movement, and in 1883, headed by Payne, these stock- holders moved into the territory. Captain Payne, Couch, Smith and two other leaders of the crowd were promptly arrested by the govern- ment police and taken to Fort Smith. Payne offered no resistance to the authority of the territorial police, and quietly instructed his people to calmly submit to lawful authority.
The arrest of Payne, Couch and Smith had the desired effect. Payne's purpose was to start an agitation which would create a senti- ment favorable to his project. Events which followed later showed the wisdom of his course. He was at no time an outlaw or a vicious man. Ile at all times recognized the right of properly constituted authority to ejeet his people from the territory, but it was his firm conviction that Oklahoma should be opened up to the publie for settlement, and he was impressed with the idea that already this important step had too long been deferred by the government. A few days after Payne
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and his comrades were taken to Fort Smith they were released. Re- turning to Wichita, Payne again renewed his agitation, and was again organizing his following for another raid of the territory. Before the expedition began its march, Payne had prepared a plat for the city of Oklahoma City. Entering the territory again in 1883, Captain Payne was promptly arrested, the government police this time including ten or twenty of the leaders, and they were taken to Fort Smith. Being again released, Payne organized the third expedition for the invasion of the disputed land. This time Payne was placed in Fort Smith for. thirty days, when he was released under bond. Returning again to Wichita, he began once more to organize for another invasion. This time his headquarters were changed to . Wellington, Kansas. Before his plans were fully completed for the fourth invasion of the promised land, he died suddenly in 1886 at his home in Wellington.
And thus the struggle of one man for what he believed to be right against all the powers of a powerful government ended only when death intervened. During this prolonged fight, which covered a period equal to the duration of the Civil war, Captain Payne became a national figure. Ile had the sympathy and support of followers in various parts of the United States. His printing press, on which he printed the first newspaper ever published in Oklahoma, was seized by the authorities and thrown into the Chickaskia river. It is related that he was once chained behind a slowly moving ox cart and was compelled to walk the entire distance across eastern Oklahoma to Fort Smith.
In a short time final action was taken by the government for the creation of the territory. Had Payne lived to see the territory thrown open to settlement he would undoubtedly have been one of the first I'mited States senators from Oklahoma. Captain Payne was a natural orator of considerable magnetism and power. Ilis language, though not of the finest quality, was nevertheless logical and convincing. His power over men was rarely, if ever, equalled. He was liberal to a fanlt. No worthy person ever appealed to him in vain for financial assistance. lle was always a friend to the poor. In the west, when he was in the midst of his tempestuous career, he was known among the people as "Ox-Heart" Payne. He was always considerate and eour- teous to all with whom he came in contact. In his personal relations he was always a gentleman, never quarrelsome or rude, and it is said that he was never known to take part in an argument over politics or religion, or any other question.
Mr. Furnish, Payne's secretary, served three years in the Thirty- fourth Indiana Infantry during the Civil war under Colonel Ab. Steele. Furnish lost his left arm while in the service, at Algiers, Louisiana.
En 1866 Jonathan P. Winslow, who was at that time township trustee, built the two-story frame school building" which stood on East Wash- ington street previous to the time that the present brick structure was erceted to replace it. Winslow at the time met with considerable oppo- sition to the movement. Citizens thought the trustee was too ambitious, that his plans were too extensive, and that the building he proposed was too large and entirely too expensive. But with characteristic energy and persistence Winslow went forward with the work. Ile lived to see his judgment verified by later developments, as it was not many years before his erities discovered that he rightly interpreted and foresaw the needs of the time, and were prompt to give him proper credit for his fore-
* Squire Caleb Moon afterwards bought the old frame building, which had been used as a dormitory, and moved it to his farm, west of Fairmount, in November, 1898, where it was worked over into a barn.
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sight. William Pusey and Mary Winslow Bogue were engaged as the first teachers in the frame building. In 1891 the present commodious brick building was erected.
Fairmount had attained to such a position in population, business and commerce, by 1850, that citizens began to cast about for a suitable name for the town. David Stanfield suggested that the place be called Kingston. JJoseph W. Baldwin, who had heard much of Fairmont Park, Philadelphia, suggested the name of Fairmomd. Stanfield and Baldwin, after due consideration of the matter, left the controversy to the decision of William Neal. Neal agreed with Baldwin, and this is how the town came by its name. The town was laid out by David Stan- field, December 28, 1850. At first only four blocks were platted and surveyed by William Neal, who had been engaged for this work. The original plat was located in section 29, township 23 north and range 8 east, and consisted of fifteen lots. The following additions have been made : David Stanfield's, Jonathan Baldwin's First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth ; Nixon Winslow's; J. P. Winslow's First, Second and Third; Henley's First, Second and Third; Baldwin and Nottingham's; Phillips'; Winslow, Ellers & Bogue's, and Winslow & Osborn's. The first home huilt inside the corporation was a log cabin erected in November, 1831, by John Benbow, at the southwest corner of Eighth and Main streets. It was a typical pioneer rabin built of round logs, with a stick and play chimney, puncheon floor, chinked and danbed to protect the family from wind and cold. In December, 1833, Daniel Baldwin and family arrived from Wayne county. Baldwin had visited Grant county the year before, and while here he purchased the Benbow cabin. The second cabin built was erected by Thomas Baldwin, on the lot where Clinton Winslow's residence now stands, at the northeast corner of Mad- ison and Mill streets. In 1851 Joseph W. Baldwin built a small frame honse at the northeast corner of Main and Washington streets, where the Borrey block now stands. Here a store was opened, and Baldwin became the first merchant in the town. Other merchants of the early day were Joseph Hollingsworth, Isaac Stantield, Aaron Kanfman, Paul Williams, William and Vineent. Wright, Solomon Parsons, George Doyle, Skid Horne, Isherry Lyons, Henry Harvey, JJ. P. Winslow, Micajah Wilson, Harmon Pemberton and Robert Bogue. The first postoffice was located in a frame house built by William Hall, located at the southwest corner of Adams and Main streets. This was the third frame house built. The first was ereeted by James Cammack, on the north side of West Washington street between Main and Mill streets, now occupied as an office and soldiers' headquarters by Squire J. F. Jones. The see- ond frame dwelling was built by David Stanfield, on the northwest corner of Adams and Main streets.
William ITall was the first postmaster. In 1844 he had been elected class leader and then ordained a minister in the United Brethren church. His duties as a preacher took him away from his home a large part of the time, and as he thought the responsibilities of the postoffice were too ardnous for his little family during his enforced and many times pro- longed absence, he gave up the position, and turned it over to Joseph W. Baldwin, who kept it in his store room.
Fairmount Friends' Meeting for worship was set up in 1851. A Preparative Meeting was established in 1852, a Monthly Meeting in 1869, with a membership of 547. The first brick church was built in 1860. It had a seating capacity of 800. Fairmount Monthly Meeting is composed of Little Ridge, Upland and Fairmount Preparative Meetings. The first members were David Stanfield and wife, Isaac Stanfield and wife. Jesse E. Wilson and family, Nathan D. Wilson and family, Daniel
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Thomas and family, Allen Wright and wife, Samuel Radley and wife, Elizabeth Radley, Alice Radley, Nixon Winslow and family and Micah Baldwin and family.
In 1865 the Wesleyan Methodist church was organized by Isaac Meck, who continued as pastor for eleven years. Jonathan Baldwin donated the land upon which the present church building stands. The first mem- bers were Jonathan Baldwin and wife, Nathan Vinson and wife, Joseph Rush and wife, Mrs. Margaret Henley, and Joseph Bennett and wife.
In September. 1870, a petition properly drawn up and signed by a sufficient number of voters of the town was presented to the county commissioners, requesting that an election be held for the purpose of determining whether or not the town should be incorporated. The election was held on September 26 of that year. The total vote cast was sixty-five. Of this number forty-four were in favor of incorpora- tion and twenty-three against it. The first election of officers was held on December 10, 1870, with the following result: Trustee First ward. Enoch Beals ; Second ward, Elwood Haisley ; Third ward, Milton Gossett ; Fourth ward. Dr. P. IT. Wright; With ward, C. T Schooley: A. M. Raper, clerk ; Micajah Wilson, town assessor, and Foster Davis, marshal. The trustees met Jammary 23, 1871, and adopted by-laws for the gov- ernment of the town. At a meeting held on April 4, 1871, William Hall, Alex Piekard and Joseph N. Rush were elected school trustees.
The Methodist church was originally organized in 1861. The first services were held in the old frame schoolhouse" which stood at that time on the east side of Walnut street, between First and Second. The charter members of the church were William Il. Brodriek, class loader; Agnes Brodrick, Joseph Brodrick, Martha Brodrick, David Baldwin, Elizabeth Baldwin, Martha A. Wilentts, Hannah Willentis, M. M. Mason and Anua Mason. In 1864 the membership had increased by the addition of the following names: John R. Kirkwood, Phebe Kirkwood. George N. Bekfeld, Sarah M. Eekfeld, Mary H. Moreland, Mahala Ward, Martha A. Smith, Thomas J. Parker, Rebecca Parker, John Shields, Martha Shields, John S. Bradford, Lonisa Williams, Rachel J. Fank- boner, Sarah Moreland, Jane Knight, Delilah Hollingsworth. Wesley Hollingsworth, Isabel Hollingsworth. A frame building was constructed for worship at the southeast corner of Second and Main streets in 1871, and used for several years. In 1886 a one-story brick church was built at the southeast corner of Madison and Walnut. In this church services were held until 1910. In 1910 the present magnificent structure was dedicated. The building committee having charge of its construction consisted of J. F. Life, Charles T. Parker. J. W. Dale, Dr. J. W. Pat- terson, Palmer Winslow, Curtis W. Smith, J. W. Parrill, Dr. W. N. Warner, Asa Driggs, O. M. Bevington, Captain Hugh Weston, with Rev. Benjamin Kendall, pastor. This building cost $10,000.
The Baptist church was organized April 25, 1888. The charter mem- bers were Cornelius Price, Hannah Price, William Price, F. C. Creek, Catherine Creek, William Mulford, Joseph Leach, Louisa Leach, James M. Fowler, Imeretia Fowler, Ida Fowler, and Albert Fowler and wife. James E. Price, clerk, and R. J. Gorbit, moderator. The present brick church was built on the corner of First and Sycamore streets in I891. Emery Swindell, Joe Leach and James M. Fowler comprised the build- ing committee. The church was dedicated in November, 1891, by Rev. A. J. HTill.
* This structure was later bought by William Hollingsworth and moved to the south side of East Washington street, between Main and Walnut, and occupied by Hollingsworth for many years as a cabinet shop and coffin factory. The building was later bought by N. W. Edwards, and in July, 1908, was torn down.
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The African M. E. church was organized in 1901 by Reverend Cham- bers. The charter members were Reuben Jones and wife, Mrs. Luzena Frazier, Minnie Wallace, Rosa Wallace, Lucien MeMillan and Lydia E. MeMillan, Ilomer Dieken, Willis Dicken and Virte Lee Jones. Bishop Grant dedicated the building on East Seventh street in 1903. Rev. JJerry Nickels was the first pastor.
St. Cecelia's Catholic church was organized in 1878. The services were held at private homes for several years, Father Kelley, Father Struder, Father Grogan and others being in charge at different times.
In 1900 the present building on North Vine street was dedicated, and Father Joachim Baker became the first priest. The prime movers in the erection of the new church were John Shanghnessy, L. L. Coyle. and Jerome Coyle. The charter members were J. P. Shaughnessy and family, Patrick MeCone and family, Martin Flanagan and family, Wil- liam Monahan and family, James Monahan and family, L. L. Coyle and family, Jerome Coyle and family, Mrs. Isaac Delph and children, Andrew Ulrick and family, Mrs. James Fenton, John Pfarr and family, Joseph Kearns and family and J. HI. Flanagan and family.
The Congregational church was organized in 1888, by Rev. William Wiedenhoeft, who was the first pastor. The charter members were H. H. Wiley and wife, Wesley B. Hollingsworth and wife, Mrs. Phoebe La Rue, Mrs. Sarah F. Ink and Mrs. Elizabeth Nelson. The church which now stands on the east side of Walnut street, between Washington and First, was dedicated December 15, 1889. Levi Scott, Dr. A. Henley and William Lindsey were members of the building committee. Members of all denominations contributed liberally of their means to the funds for the buikling.
The Christian church was organized in 1907. The first members were Noah Ienigar and wife, A. R. Long and wife, Mrs. C. N. Brown, Ab Jones and wife, John Strubel and wife, Mrs. J. C. Albertson, William Cox and wife, Rockafeller LaRue and wife. Rev. W. A. M.Kown was the first pastor. The church building at the corner of East Second and Walnut streets was erected in 1912. The building committee consisted of the pastor, Rev. J. Ray Fife, A. R. Long, Ab Jones, Jason B. Smith, N. C. Ilenigar, Ed Stout and John Struble. The church was erected at a cost of $5,500.
The census of 1870 shows that Fairmount had a total population of 337, 334 native and 3 foreign; 331 white and 6 colored. In 1875 there were 253 children of school age in the corporation. The amount of tui- tion fund drawn during the year was $789.30. In 1876 Fairmount corpo- ration had enumerated 230 children of school age, 120 male and 110 female. The average daily attendance was 135. There were three teachers, one male and two females. The teachers' wages per day aver- aged, male $4 and female $2.50. Days taught during the year, 100. One frame schoolhouse was sufficient to accommodate the pupils. The estimated value of school building and school apparatus was $2,050.
In 1878 C. A. Wood and son, Mark, built a stave factory east of the Big Four Railroad. The business flourished for a time. In the year 1879-80 the factory dressed two million oil barrel staves made from timber secured in this locality. In 1881 J. P. Winslow and son, W. C. Winslow, bought the building of the Woods, and installed a flax mill. The venture proved to be a profitable enterprise until people quit grow- ing flax. The mill was then abandoned and the machinery shipped to Odebolt, lowa.
The Cincinnati, Wabash and Michigan Railroad was constructed as far south as Fairmount in 1875, this station remaining the southern terminal point until 1876, when the line was extended on to Anderson.
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Jonathan P. Winslow and Jesse E. Wilson were active in promoting this railroad, and Jesse E. Wilson served as one of the directors for a time. A. G. Wells had the contract for the construction of the road from Wabash to Fairmount. The line had previously been extended from Goshen to Wabash. In 1893 the Big Four Company took over the road, and since that year the road has been known as the Michigan division of the Big Four. The property has been acquired by the New York Central System, and is now operated by the New York Central people, having been extended to Louisville, Kentucky, on the south, from Benton Harbor, Michigan, on the north.
The C. I. & E. Railroad was built from Matthews to Fairmount in the year 1892. In 1901 the line was extended from Matthews to Muncie. In 1898 it was extended from Fairmount to Swayzee; in 1899 from Swayzee to Converse, where eounection was established with the Penn- sylvania line to Chicago. In 1907 the road was taken over by the Penn- sylvania Company, and is now operated by this company as a short line from Muncie to Chicago. The C. I. & E. was projected by Harry Drew, manager of the Matthews Land Company, and the surveyor of the line was Fremont Wilson, who was afterwards elected surveyor of Grant county. For a considerable period the line had headquarters in Fairmount, and the extension work west to Swayzee was largely carried oli from the offices here.
In 1876 the amount of taxable property located within the corpora- tion was $79,550.
The physicians from the early day to the present time, beginning with Philip Patterson, who located in Fairmount in 1848, are John White, 1854; Dunean Pierce, 1855; David S. Elliott, 1859; Alpheus Henley, 1865; Jolm Horne, 1867 ; Henry Charles, 1868; Peter HI. Wright, 1871; C. V. Moore, 1876; J. W. Patterson, M. F. Baldwin, D. A. Holliday. S. M. Nolder, Glenn Henley, J. P. Scale, L. D. Holliday, W. N. Warner and C. N. Brown.
Among the early business men not already mentioned were Milt Crowell, Eph Wilson, John Busing and Joshna Hollingsworth. Others were William P. Osborn, A. D. Bryan, Charlon Thomas, Nathan John- son; John Lillibridge, Thomas Baldwin, B. S. Payne, Mrs. Maria Hollings- worth, Charles W. Hasty, Frank Norton, A. P. Harvey, D. M. Notting- ham, Wilson, Dove & Co., Winslow & Co., 11. 11. Wiley, Fields & Co., woolen mill ; Winslow & Beals, warehouse ; Charles R. Fleming, hotel, and Parker & Relfe. A business directory prepared and printed in 1877 shows the following:
William Azbel, proprietor hotel; Enoch Beals, grain dealer; Henry Charles, physician; Asa Carter, carpenter ; Foster Davis, justice of the peace ; W. J. Dove, miller; William S. Elliott, farmer and pioneer tile maker ; Alpheus Henley, physician; John B. Hollingsworth, stone cutter; Cyrus Haisley, farmer; Jabez I]. Moore, retired farmer and mechanic; Lewis Moorman, retired farmer; Eli Neal, farmer and township trustee ; Major B. V. Norton, farmer; Thomas J. Parker, dealer in boots and shoes; Samuel Radley, farmer; Aaron Taylor, farmer and teacher; James Underwood, farmer; J. P. Winslow, merchant and county com- missioner ; Jesse E. Wilson, farmer; John Wilson, engineer ; . II. Wiley, proprietor planing mill ; C. A. Wood & Son, proprietors stave factory, and Joel B. Wright, farmer.
The first cornet band in Fairmount was organized in October, 1870, by Blanche Hockett. The first instructor was D. K. Elliott, who now Jives at Anderson. The members of this band were Blanche Hockett, Walker Crowell, Dennis Montgomery, Cyrus W. Neal, Joel Puckett, Henry Jeffrey, J. B. Hollingsworth and Wesley Hollingsworth. The
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next band was organized September 14, 1884, by William St. Clair. The members of this organization were J. W. Patterson, leader ; John S. Baker, John Montgomery, Dennis Montgomery, Orlando F. Baldwin, Gilbert LaRue, George Gibson, William Hollingsworth, Charles Hollings- worth, Pet Gift, William Galloway and Lewis Mittank. When General Logan spoke at Indianapolis during the campaign of 1884 this band was assigned to the position of honor in the line of march and escorted the speaker to the platform. In December, 1904, Quinton LaRue organ- ized the present Fairmount band. Birney Allred, Walter Briles and LaRue met in the old light plant on East Washington street, for their first practice. Since this first meeting of the original members of the organization rehearsals have been held once and many times twice cach week. The result of their persistent work is the splendid band which is now a credit to Fairmount. Professor C. R. Tuttle was for several years an efficient instructor, and the organization progressed rapidly under his direction. The instructor at the time this article is being written is Professor George E. Payson, of Alexandria. Other members of the band are Charles Kiefer, Birney Allred, Leslie Davis, Burr Holmes, Ed Guinup, Albert Riggs, Homer Williams, John W. Mont- gomery, Oscar Dickey, Orville Wells, Earl Morris, Ellis Wright, Louis Bender, Otto Morris, Omar Brewer, Enther Davis, Russell Stephens. Aneil Wright, Ward LaRue, Russell Dale, Roy Wells and Kenneth Morris.
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