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 33
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In 1888 William II. Lindsey built a planing mill and sawmill. After- wards Lindsey and Julian Swaim owned a lumber yard under the firm name of Lindsey & Swaim. In 1888 W. C. Winslow, John Rau, Frank Taylor and Charles Tigner established a bottle factory. In 1889 Charles Tigner, Allen Dillon and Frank Taylor built a fruit jar factory, which became known as the Dillon glass factory. In 1890 F. B. Ziegler. Harry Gable and Al Reed built the Big Four window glass factory. In 1890 Dr. A. Henley and Charles Tigner started what was known as the " Dinkey" bottle factory. In 1893 JJohn Borrey and others started the Bell window factory. In 1894 Headly & Company started a window honse. In 1900 the Snider preserve factory, a branch of the well-known Cincinnati concern, was established, the company erceting a large brick building for its purposes east of the Big Four Railroad. In 1910 the Bell Bottle Company was established by Alvin B. Scott and others.
Fairmount had reached a point in population and in manufacturing industry by 1894 where the need of a system of waterworks seemed im- perative. . The board of trustees of the corporation at this time consisted of Dr. J. W. Patterson, president ; M. S. Friend. Jason B. Smith, William R Pearson and Gabe Johnson. Immediately upon his clection as a trustee, Dr. Patterson began an agitation for waterworks. At first he countered considerable opposition. However, after considering the matter with care, the board decided to look into the proposition. Dr. Pat- terson and William R. Pearson were named as a committee to make a thorough investigation and report back to the board. The committee Visited a number of towns, making a searching examination of other plants and inquiring closely into the details relating to the proposed enterprise. A publie meeting was called. This meeting was held in Parker's Opera House. At this meeting Dr. Patterson made a detailed and exhaustive explanation of the plans by which the system could he installed. A petition was circulated calling for an election, and the required number of signatures secured. The result of the election which followed was a practically unanimous vote favorable to the proposition, there being but thirty votes registered in opposition to it. Work was started immediately after the bonds were sold.
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
Moved by the urgent need of a secondary school in this locality and inspired by the example set before them by the splendid work done at Spiceland Academy, where they had been students, Dr. P. H. Wright and wife and Samuel (. C'owgill and wife, in the year 1883 began to reflect upon the possibilities of establishing such an institution in Fair- mount .* The result of their meditations were communicated to others. In December. 1883, at a business session of northern quarterly meeting of Friends held at Back Creek, Jesse Hiatt arose in his place and sug- gested to the meeting that it take under consideration the proposition of establishing an academy. The proposition was favorably received by those present. A committee was appointed to consider the matter and make report of judgment to a future committee. This committee con- sisted of Dr. Alphens Henley, Joel B. Wright, Jonathan P. Winslow, Milton Winslow. Asa Bond, Elwood Haisley, Abel Knight, Henry B Rush, Levi Hiatt, James M. Ellis, Enos Harvey, Nixon Winslow, Lewis Hockett, Samuel C. Cowgill, James L. Williams, Willis Cammack, Mattie P. Wright, Louisa Rush, Eunice P. Wilson, Adeline Wright, Millie Little, Thirza Howell, Mary Bond, Mary Rush, Sallie Harvey and Keziah Haisley. On March 15, 1884. the committee reported to the
FAIRMOUNT ACADEMY, FAIRMOUNT
quarterly meeting that they favored the proposition. On June 21, 1884, the committee reported that the location selected for the academy con- sisted of three acres of ground twenty-two rods south of the public school grounds, which cost $600. The amount of money pledged by subscription reached the sum of $1,890. Elwood Hlaisley, James M. Ellis, Thomas J. Nixon, Ivy buther and Mahlon Harvey were named as a committee to look after the incorporation papers. Jesse Haisley and Samuel C. Wilson, to serve one year; Dr. P. Il. Wright and Enos Harvey, to serve two years, and Abel Knight and William C. Winslow to serve three years, were elected trustees. On September 20, 1881. the building was in process of erection. September 21, 1885, Fairmount Academy opened for instruction, with J. W. Parker. A. B., as principal, and Ellwood O. Ellis as teacher in the grammar department, each receiv- ing an ammal salary of $600. The school opened with forty pupils, but before the first term of fourteen weeks had ended the enrollment had increased to sixty-five. Before the close of the first year the attendance had increased to one hundred thirteen. The first graduates were Myra
* The writer acknowledges his indebtedness to Ellwood O. Elhs for much of the information about Fairmount Academy here recorded.
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Rush and Melissa Scott. The present buildings stand on land at the northwest corner of Rush and Eighth streets, donated by Nixon and Louisa Rush. In 1895 the new structure was occupied. In 1911 an addi- tion was built, which has greatly facilitated the work of the teachers and increased the efficiency of the school. While the school is supported by Friends, it is non-sectarian. Presbyterians, Christians, Congrega- tionalists, Episcopalians and Baptists have had their turn as members of the faculty. Albert R. Hall, an efficient young educator, is at this writing Principal of the Academy.
In 1895 the high school received its commission. The present high school building was completed in 1894. R. W. Himmelick was the first superintendent of schools, he in turn being succeeded by C. HI. Copeland, who held the position for fifteen years. The first graduates of the high school were Grace Crilley, Eliza Frazier, Verna Hardwick, Grace Hobbs, Albert Knight, Moses Morrison, Emma Parrill, Irwin Winslow and John P. Starr. The matter of starting the high school was first agitated by Dr. J. W. Patterson, N. W. Edwards, E. D. Lewis and JJ. W. Parrill. Finally the town trustees advised the school board to proceed and the result is the structure on South Vine street.
The Fairmount Bible School had its origin in a theological institute of the Indiana Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist connection (or church) of America. The first session of this institute was held at Sheridan in 1884, under the leadership of Rev. Eber Teter, at which meeting there were twelve elders and licentiates present. A ten-day institute was held ammually on the various circuits of the Indiana Con- ference until June, 1906, when, by an order of the previous annual con- ference, a thirty-day institute was provided for and hold on the Wesleyan camp ground, near Fairmount. This institute body, at the close of this session, framed a memorial, which was presented to the next annual conference of the same year, asking for the establishment of the Fair- mount Bible School, which was granted. The purpose of this institution was for the training of an efficient ministry in the spreading of Bible holi Hess. Among its promoters we find the names of Eber Teter, Aaron Worth, George Reber, William J. Seekins, Thomas P. Baker, Jacob Hester and James O. Baker. This school had a small beginning. The first enrollment numbered twelve, with one teacher. Since that the this institution has been able to enroll from thirty to sixty and to main- tain a faculty consisting of four teachers, which will of necessity be maintained in the future. The development of this school has been marked by the sending out into the different tiekts fifty-one graduates up to the year 1912, a period of six years. The present school build- ing was erected in 1907, and may be valued at $2,000. The building is located a mile northwest of Fairmount, in a beautiful spot, with plenty of shade and water. Close by is a large tabernacle with a scal- ing capacity of two thousand, known as Bethel Tabernacle, where state and national conferences of the church are held from time to time. The institute has a library of 350 well-selected volumes.
II. 1I. Wiley came from Jonesboro, in 1876, and started a saw and planing mill near the railroad which he operated until he retired from the business. In 1882 Cyrus Winslow and Lemuel Pearson bought the saw mill which had previous to that time been owned and operated by Winslow, Pearson & Beidler. The mill was located south of Fairmount.
William S. Wardwell came to Fairmount in 1878 and took charge of the Woolen Mills" which for many years had been operated previous
* The woolen mill, an important industry in its day, occupied a two story frame structure which stood at the southwest corner of First and Sycamore streets. Prior 10 1878 this mull had been owned and managed at different periods by Vincent and William Wright, Jesse Reece and Elwood Harley.
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to his arrival. Mr. Wardwell, who is still living, manufactured blankets and stocking yarn. Hle later moved the machinery to Converse, Indiana.
In December, 1877, Joel Reece, who had been publishing the Jones- boro News, finding that field unprofitable for his occupation, moved his equipment in a wagon to Fairmount, and issued the first edition of the Fairmount News. The matter of starting a newspaper had for several weeks been discussed by citizens who had held frequent meet- ings. Among the active promoters of the paper were Robert Bogue, N. W. Edwards, E. N. Oakley, and J. P. Winslow. The paper was issued from a room in the rear of the second story of the Pioneer Drug Store. An old-fashioned Washington hand press, the nucleus for an equipment of the average country newspaper of that day, was used to print the first edition, and the writer, as a boy of eleven years, gained his first insight into the printing business by assisting in the work of producing the first newspaper ever printed in Fairmount. Recce con- dneted the paper for about a year, when he sold out to Charles Stout
1
HiGit Scuoon BUILDING, FAIRMOUNT
and moved to Stafford county, Kansas, where he has since died. The Fairmount Times was started in 1888 by Edward A. Morgan.
The paper was later discontinued. About 1894 Morgan again en- tered the Fairmount fiehl, with a paper called the Daily Journal, which was discontinued in 1906. A number of other newspapers have been established in the intervening years, with indifferent success. The Child's Golden Voice, a religions periodical issued monthly by Rov. G. P. Riley, was published here in 1885.
In 1885-1886 Brady & Attred Bros. owned and operated a chair factory east of the railroad, north of the Big Four depot.
In 1885 the Fairmount Machine Works were established by J. 11. Harrington and M. A. Miatt. bater Mr. Hliatt retired from the firm and was succeeded in the ownership by Elwood Davis and William Fink.
In January, 1881, Gilbert LaRne, associated with two brothers, came to Fairmount from Anderson and started a small saw and planing mill, which later developed into an excelsior factory. The business pros- pered under the management of LaRne, who in the meantime had pur- chased his brothers' interests.
In January, 1885, Kimbrough Brothers established a saw mill, which
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prospered for many years, supplying dressed lumber in large quantities to the Graham & Morton Transportation Company, at St. Joseph, Mich igan, owning and operating a fine of vessels on Lake Michigan plying at that time between St. Joseph and Chicago.
The Fairmount Manufacturing Company incorporated February 2, 1886, with a capital stock of $3,000. This company was organized for the purpose of manufacturing the Lancaster Corn Planter and Ditch- ing Machine. The officers of the company were J. P. Winslow. pres- ident : 6. R. Small, secretary, and Levi Scott, treasurer. There were twenty stockholders.
In 1887 T. J. Nixon owned and operated the flouring mill located where Urey & Company's mill now stands. Mordecai Nixon was in charge of the milling. In the same year T. J. Nixon and Dr. A. Henley composed the firm of Henley & Nixon, grain dealers, who carried ou an extensive business among the farmers. This firm had in 1881 purchased of Robert Bogne the grain elevators, and new machinery was bought. and installed.
Jonathan P. Winslow and Enoch Beals, under the firm name of Winslow & Beals. in 1887 occupied the two-story brick elevator now standing at East Washington street and the Big Four Railroad. This Imilding was erected in 1875. In addition to the grain business the firm handled salt, lime, hair. Hour, etc.
On March 4, 1887. the Fairmount Mining Company was organized for the purpose of making explorations for natural gas. Other com- munities in Grant and adjoining counties had formed similar companies for this purpose, and the results were such as to encourage local men to believe that the Fairmount field offered as good prospects for de- veloping this natural fuel as others that had been successful in their projects. J. P. Winslow, T. J. Nixon, C. R. Small, Levi Scott. Dr. W. Il. Hubbard, M. Mark, John Flanagan, Kimbrough Bros., and Dr. A. Henley were the original stockholders. The board of directors con- sisted of Dr. A. Henley, president; T. J. Nixon, secretary ; C. R. Small, treasurer: J. P. Winslow, W. C. Winslow and Levi Scott. On March 9. the secretary was directed to contract for the work of drilling for gas. Agreeable to instructions, Nixon contracted with W. A. Walley, of the firm of O'Neill & Walley, of Muncie. Mr. Walley placed Steve A. Irwin in personal charge of the details of the work, the derrick was promptly constructed, equipment secured. and operations commenced. On Tuesday, April 26, gas was discovered in Trenton rock, at a depth of 965 feet. The well yielded an abundance of gas. Professor Orton. Ohio state geologist, after much difficulty, succeeded in making a test of the pressure, and found that its flow was 11,500,000 enbie feet every twenty-four hours, or, in the language of Professor Orton, at the time, "nearly sufficient gas to supply the three largest cities in Ohio." The well was located on the south side of East Washington street, near the old brick elevator formerly owned by Winslow & Beals. In the fall of Is88 a special train bearing James G. Blaine was stopped near by, the well opened, and the Maine statesman admired the flame very much. The pressure was so great that it was with considerable difficulty that the flow was harnessed and gotten ready for use. Excursion trains came loaded with passengers from every direction to see the well. In a few weeks, because of its wonderful output. which was easily more enormous than that of any other well in Indiana, it was given the name of Jumbo, after Barnum's elephant. and it was thenerforth known throughout the country as the "Jumbo" well. The gas was finally piped, and the expense of gas for light and fuel for many years did not exered $12 per year for each family for domestic purposes. Walker
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Winslow was the first man in Fairmount who used natural gas for cook- ing purposes, and it was not many months before its use was general among the people.
Attracted by the cheapness of the fuch many glass factories located in Fairmount, and by the year 1890 the town began to increase in pop- ulation and commercial importance, until 1894, when the census showed a population of approximately five thousand. Foreign corporations, see- ing the opportunity presented, began to lease land in the neighborhood. The gas was pumped into Chicago by means of great pumping stations erected for the purpose. The powerful engines installed in these huge plants pulled so strongly as to diminish the supply perceptibly, gradually exhausting the pressure. Far-seeing men wisely discouraged the farm- ers from leasing land to outside syndicates, but the counsel went un- heeded nutil the pressure began to weaken, and then gradually dis- appear. And thus nature's bounty, which promised at the outset to make the gas belt one continuous city, was dissipated, and there are now but few scattering families in this part of the state who are using natural gas.
In 1887 various means were adopted to induce manufacturing in- dustries to locate in Fairmount. Dr. W. H. Hubbard and John Flan- agan were selected by the Fairmount Improvement Committee to solicit donations in the way of real estate to be offered for the location of shops, factories, or other industries that would be of benefit to the town. The owners of the Nixon Winslow land offered ten acres to an institu- tion that would employ one hundred and fifty hands. The owners of the Wilson farm offered eight acres for a factory that would employ one hundred men; Levi Scott, five acres for one hundred hands; Allen Dillon, four aeres for a desirable factory or shop; J. P. Winslow, ten arres to shop or factory working one hundred hands. Others stood ready to do likewise, if necessary. Levi Scott and W. C. Winslow were appointed a committee to solicit donations of money to be expended in properly advertising the town and. presenting Fairmount's claims to the attention of parties desiring locations for factories and other suitable industries.
In 1896, when the promoters first began to talk about building an interurban line to connect Marion and Anderson, the scheme was put down as a foolish project, and one which stamped its supporters as chimerical and visionary, the idle dream of a poetical mind. A meet- ing was called of men interested in the matter at the Claypool Hotel, in Indianapolis. There were present at this meeting Noah Clodfelter, William R. Pearson, Dr. Sullivan, Dan Mustard, Burr Sweetser, John II. Winslow, V. C. Quick and Harvey Painter. Three New York finan- ejers met with this party. Arrangements were made with a New York trust company to underwrite $500,000 worth of bonds to begin the work of construction. The panie of that year rendered it impossible for the trust company to place the bonds for cash. At a subsequent conference William R. Pearson was directed to go to Chicago to inter- view the president of the Trust Company of lowa. This man's father was a Wall street capitalist. An attorney and another representative of the Towa people were sent to look over the proposed route of the line. After going over the ground carefully these men returned to Chicago and reported the prospects first-class. The president of the Iowa company went to New York to see his father regarding the matter, and the father turned down the proposition on account of the financial stringeney then generally prevailing. L. N. Downs was then interested by the promoters of the enterprise, and he went to Kalamazoo, Mich- igan, where a $92,000 loan was arranged for. Immediately upon the
HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY
consummation of this deal, William R. Pearson went to Cleveland, where seventeen car-loads of rails were purchased with which to begin the con- struction work. At Cleveland Mr. Pearson received a telegram from interested parties to return at once. Upon his arrival home announce- ment was made that a proposition had been submitted by W. C. Me- Whinney, Eli and Charles W. Halderman and Phil Matter for the purchase of the property, and the proposition had been accepted. These men financed the scheme, and in 1898 the line was opened for passengers between Anderson and Marion.
Fairmount township has furnished its share of county officials. J. Il. Parker served two terms as county treasurer; Thomas Winslow served as county assessor: Samuel C. Wilson, J. J. MeEvoy and M. S. Friend have served as representatives in the legislature, and Charles C. Lyons served four years as state senator.
The Commercial Club was organized in 1904. John Flanagan was elected president, J. F. Life, secretary, and R. A. Morris, treasurer. The directors chosen were, in addition to the officers, Al. Goldstein and John Rau. The organization did good work for a time. The location of the Bell Bottle Company and the Snider Preserve Factory is largely due to the efforts of this club.
In 1884 the Fairmount Union Joint Stock Agricultural Association was organized. In the summer of that year the fair ground was laid out on what is known as the David Stanfield land. southeast of the town and adjoining the corporation limits. The ground selected comprises a beautiful grove, which affords plenty of shade and water, an open space on the south edge of the grove serving as a splendid race track. The first fair was held in September, 1884, the following officers being in charge of the enterprise: Enoch Beals, president; W. (. Winslow, secretary; Levi Scott, treasurer; M. S. Friend, superintendent, and Philip Davis, marshal. The fair has been held continuously ever since, with the exception of one year. The stockholders reorganized in 1904. The name was changed to the Fairmount Fair Association. Dr. J. W. Patterson was elected president ; John Flanagan, treasurer; Xen II. Edwards, secretary, and Gilbert LaRue, superintendent. These men gave the association an impetus and a standing which enabled the fair to go forward with added prestige and new life.
In 1883, Dr. A. Henley and Levi Scott. perceiving that the interests of the growing town required and the development of the surrounding country demanded local banking facilities, proceeded to organize the Fairmount Bank as a private institution. They purchased ground on South Main street and greeted a two-story brick building. On June 24, 1886, the capital stock was increased to $25,000. The bank was re- organized and incorporated under the laws of the state and became known as the Farmers' & Merchants' State Bank, with Dr. A. Henley, president, and Levi Scott, cashier. The directors met in 1887 and decided to increase the capital stock to $50,000. The institution con- tinued to operate successfully as the Farmers' & Merchants' State Bank until June, 1893, when the panie of that year which brought disaster to so many enterprises throughout the country, carried this bank down in the general erash.
On July 15, 1893. the Citizens' Exchange Bank was organized with Nixon Winslow, president; John Selby, vice-president, and W. C. Wins- low, cashier. Other stockholders were A. A. Urey, John Seale. Sr .. and William J. Leach. On June 14, 1911, this bank was reorganized and incorporated as a state bank, with John Selby, president; Charles F. Naber, vice-president, and Victor A. Selby, cashier.
The Fairmount Banking Company was organized as a private in-
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stitution on December 18, 1902, with Aaron Morris, president; John Flanagan, vice-president ; R. A. Morris, cashier, and C. R. Small, assist- ant cashier. In 1905 the bank was organized under the laws of the state and the name changed to The Fairmount State Bank. John Flan- agan was elected president, W. F. Morris, vice-president. and R. A. Morris, cashier. The present officers are W. F. Morris, president ; R. A. Morris, cashier, and Tony Payne, assistant cashier.
The Fairmount Telephone Company was promoted by S. B. Hill, and operated by him successfully for several years. The Citizens Tele- phone Company was organized in October, 1902, with John Kelsay, president. The directors elected for the first year were Aaron Newby, Aneil E. Ratliff, C. R. Small, Dr. D. A. Holliday, W. A. Beasley, I. S. Benbow and John Kelsay. This company took over the plant of the Fairmount Telephone Company, which at the time was under the management of Harry Miller.
Fairmount has about twenty-five miles of cement sidewalks and approximately five miles of brick streets. The business blocks are modern in arrangement and substantial in structure.
The business men now here are J. HI. Wilson, Xen H. Edwards, Ribble Bros., II. D. Wood, M. W. Hunt, W. IF. Parrill, Driggs & Welsch, Hiatt & Ware, John Flanagan, W. Zim Payne, Chas. C. Hackney, J. W. Dale, J. N. Diekey, Cland Jones. S. A. Hockett, J. F. Life, Henry H. Habe, Chas. Kiefer, L. E. Nolder, J. R. Busing & C'o., Mrs. Bessie Cooper, Cy Pemberton, John A. Clarke, John Osborn, W. Frank Buller, Hollingsworth & Son, Chas. IL. Stephens, Fritz & Son, Marion Light and Heating Company, L. A. Wagoner, manager; Hill Brothers, John L. Conrad, But D. JJay, L. II. Kimes, P. II. O'Mara, 0% Fankboner, Clint Lewis, J. C. Albertson, C. L. Salyers, Leonard E. Montgomery, Montgomery & Buchanan, Will Lewis, Elmer Pennington, J. N. Winslow, Mark Snodgrass, Ehner Jay, Ab Jones. William Daniels, Chas. F. Naber, Mercer, Brannum & Bevington Company, John Wins- low, A. D. Bryan, Abe Freeman, Augustus Weaver, E. H. Parker, Cen- tral Indiana Gas Company.
The successinl development of natural gas in various parts of Grant county stimulated enterprising men in adjoining neighborhoods to make explorations for the fuel. Nature had never before provided heat and illumination which was at once so reasonable in price or so convenient for commercial or domestic purposes. For many years the cost of fuel was merely a nominal expense, while the simple turning of a key de- signed for the purpose opened up the avenne to unlimited quantities, night or day. For illuminating purposes the new fuel was quite an im- provement over the coal oil lamp, and great flambeaus were frequently seen along highways and in the streets which would light up a distance equal to a city block. It was when excitement was running high that towns sprang up in this part of the state much as western towns would appear in a single night. In 1896 B. V. Leach built the first house on the present site of Fowlerton. Previous to this time a postoffice had been established in that neighborhood called Leach, after the well- known family of that name, who were quite numerous and influential. and who owned many acres of land located southeast of Fairmount. The first industry established in the comummity was a tile mill, erected in 1895, which was owned and operated by Elbert and Jeff Fowler. About a year later John L. Smith started a saw mill, and William and Charles E. Leach started a grain elevator. At about the same time B. F. Leach began work on a bottle factory on land donated by William J. Leach. In 1899 Favre Brothers started the Fowlerton Window Glass Factory. P. A. Dailey started a saw mill abont this time. The Royal
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