USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 27
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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
most part, well managed with the passing of years. In 1886 the society had grounds upon which the improvements alone were valued at ten thousand dol- lars and more than five thousand dollars were being paid out annually for premiums, while the receipts for various things connected with the fair amounted to six thousand two hundred and sixty defars.
In 1874 a new order of things was ushered in and a stock company was formed, with a membership of something over three hundred persons, or share- holders. While the county owned the grounds just outside the city of Shelby- ville used for fair purposes, this joint stock association owned all the improve- ments thereon, and there many interesting and highly profitable exhibitions were given.
From the "Centennial History" of Shelby county, published in 1876, the subjoined is extracted: "Forty-five acres of ground admirably adapted for the purpose, well shaded, an abundance of pure water accessable, one half mile east of our city, was purchased in 1872 and fenced. Since then the necessary buildings and improvements have been made. The race track, one half mile in length, is one of the finest in the state. The floral hall is fifty by eighty feet. built in good taste, light, airy and graceful. Agricultural and mechanical halls, each thirty by fifty feet, are well planned for the purpose for which in- tended."
With each returning autumn time these fairs have been sustained. Per- haps no other county in Indiana has kept its agricultural societies up every season as has Shelby county. They have never failed of paving out even and many years had large sums left on hand. The whole mass of citizens have vied one with another in making the best possible showing in way of exhibits and good business management.
There is now in possession of the present secretary. Erastus McDaniels. a valuable souvenir in way of the bill or poster gotten out by the old agricul- tural society, in 1860-it consists of a mammoth sheet advertising the fair that autumn, and around it is a wide ( ten inch) illustrated border, showing the most exquisite designs of flowers, grain, fruit and live stock. The entire poster measures about six by seven and one-half feet. It is now intended to suitably frame behind glass and place in the court-house rotunda at the semi- centennial of the original organization, which date will be 1910.
The Shelby County Livestock Association was organized in 1886 with H. B. Cole as president. D. H. Thompson, vice-president : Walter Elliott. sec- retary, and William Kinsley, treasurer. Annual stock sales in the county followed the organization of this society and much interest was engendered by its operations and general influence.
The Agricultural Association has a fine half-mile track, on which has been spent more than five thousand dollars. Close to the two minute mark in time has been recorded here.
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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
The officers in 1909 are : Adam F. May, president : William Bass, super- intendent: E. W. McDaniel, secretary. The usual time of holling annual exhibits is the first Tuesday in September, but this year, on account of the state fair, will be held beginning August 31st.
Poultry farming was commenced on a broad and advanced plan in this county in the carly eighties, and has grown to prodigious proportions. The honor of starting this branch of industry, so useful and profitable in this sec- tion, is due to Sid Conger, who began fancy poultry raising on a large scale, after first experimenting in a more modest manner. He really began in 1875 with two Partridge Cochin pullets given him by a friend. He added a fine cockerel, and thus laid the foundation for one of the most extensive busi- ness concerns in the entire West. Other breeds of chickens were added from time to time, and in 1877 he began making his exhibits at the Indiana fairs. Still later he exhibited at the chief fairs in the United States, and in 1885 won the great prizes at the New Orleans World's Fair.
The reputation was so built up by Mr. Conger that he commanded im- mense prices, a single chicken selling for one hundred fifty dollars, while a pen of six hens and one male sold at five hundred dollars This gentleman commeneed on a small borrowed capital: in 1886 sold nine thousand dollars worth of faney eggs and enjoyed a trade extending into all states and terri- tories, Canada and England.
Other men who engaged in poultry business and became important fac- tors in the industry were Messrs. T. E. Goodrich, Justus Clapp, James K. Bowers, Robert Hale, Charles Cage and Frank Cory.
CHAPTER XVIL
EDUCATIONAL.
In 1865 there were one hundred eleven school houses in Shelby county ; in 1870 there were one hundred fourteen : in 1876 there were one hundred thirty, the total value of which at the last named date was $140,000.
Not until the year 1852, under the administration of Gov. Joseph A. Wright. was the present township system for the common schools introduced into the state of Indiana, and Shelby county was partitioned into thirteen divisions, as follows: Jackson, Washington, Noble, Liberty, Addison, Hen- dricks, Sugar Creek, Brandywine, Marion, Union, Hanover, Van Buren and Moral.
According to the report made to the county, by the superintendent of public schools, in and for Shelby county, in 1908. the following appears, con- cerning the enrollment of pupils and school buildings in the several townships and corporations :
Pupils Enrolled. No. School Houses
Addison
175
6
Brandywine
284
6
Hanover
233
7
Hendricks
313
IO
Jackson
200
7
Liberty
262
6
Marion
174
6
Moral
369
IO
Noble
285
9
Shelby
253
8
Sugar Creek
6
Union
205
8
Van Buren
259
8
Washington
358
5
Morristown ( Inc.)
181
1
Shelbyville (City)
1,700
7
Total
3.554
II4
All but two of the school-houses in Shelby county in 1908 were brick structures-those two were frame buildings. There are a number of school
17
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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
houses in this county abandoned and not in use at this date, but regular schools are held in the one hundred and fourteen above listed.
BEECHWOOD MANUAL TRAINING ACADEMY. 1
;
This training school is under the direction of the Seventh Day Advent- ists of Indiana, and was established at Boggstown. Shelby county, October 29, 1902. It was first named after Boggstown, but in 1907 took on the name of the beautiful natural grove wherein it is situated at the present time. At first this institution occupied three rented buildings. The first principal was Prof. B. F. Machlan, who had but twenty pupils the first school year. The work of erecting suitable school buildings went forward. William Applegate donated the seven-acre lot and contributions all over the conference were sent in. Nearly every conference worker was interested ; it was no uncommon thing to see ministers, Bible workers, canvassers, farmers, and in one instance a dentist. laboring together, with one common object-the building of a school where might be taught the Indiana youth.
Before the close of the first year it had been determined to locate at Beechwood instead of Boggstown. This was done and conference tents were procured and set up in the grove and there utilized as recitation rooms, dormi- tories, etc. A well had been provided that was one hundred and twenty-six feet deep. The autumn of 1903 still found the academy buildings unfinished and Professor Machlan's family still living in tents, where they remained until after snow fall. The students, however, lived in new quarters. About the grounds the unsightly stumps were blown out of the ground by means of dynamite and the campus provided in the spring with beautiful flower beds and shrubs. Nurseries d mated, or sold at a reduced rate, peach, pear. cherry, and apple trees: also grape vines, currants, and berry bushes, and a fine orchard and vineyard was the happy result. Today this spot is among the most truly charming within Shelby county. The academy buildings were completed in 1904: a well-house was built. and a gasoline engine installed and an eight room cottage provided new for the professor.
The year 1905-06 opened with a faculty. as follows: Prof. B. F. Mach- lan, principal: H. F. Benson, preceptor: Mrs. Lou Kirby-Curtis, science : Nettie .1. (Dunn) Saxby, preceptress; Mrs. Mertie I. Machlan. sewing and dress-making: Mrs. Cora L. Strickler, music ; and Elizabeth Bailey, matron.
At the close of that year H. F. Benson went to Japan as a missionary and there entered a Japanese college to master the language of that country. There has been changes in the faculty, but the work goes on and at this writing there are over sixty pupils and all doing good work. This school is located near Fairland, in Brandywine township.
CHAPTER XVIII.
RAILROADS.
In early days railroading in Shelby county was not what one finds it today. Then the locomotives, small affairs, were all wood-burners. and had to be supplied every ten to fifteen miles' run with more wood-and this led to the saying "wood up". The fireman and engineer and sometimes the pas- sengers, if in much of a hurry to get to the end of their journey, would ali get out and assist in throwing the wood up onto the small tender. Engineers then received two dollars a day and firemen one dollar. There was no such thing as overtime and a day's work was when the train crew got to the end of the trip, be it early or late.
This was at a time when steam injectors were unheard of and the engine had to be in motion on the track in order to pump water into the boiler. Engi- neers were then supposed to make all repairs on the engine they run, but now they kick at tightening up a bolt and want the shop men to see to small things as well as large undertakings in repairing. No block system then either, and when two trains run against each other on same line of track, they would start from opposite directions and run to a post painted white which was usually set half way between two station points. If one arrived first they waited a half hour and if the opposite train did not put in its appearance, the first train arriving at the central "white post" would take chances and sneak in, but fre- quently had to back up, as they would meet the belated train midway.
Many times the throttle would not work and steam could not be shut off in time to stop the train, and in such cases the engineer had to open up his pumps from the tank and fill his boiler up with cold water in order to reduce the steam so the locomotive would stop for want of power.
There were no sort of safety devices then-neither steam brake nor auto- matic couplers.
In the old time freight service if a train was supposed to carry fifteen freights it had to draw that number whether filled with straw or stone, it made no difference, but now all is changed-the horse-power and diameter of the drive wheels are the base and the freight is drawn by the ton weight and each engine has a given capacity and is seldom overloaded or "stalled."
Men still living in Shelbyville remember well when in going over the old Knightstown strap-rail road, how they had to assist the train crew in wood- ing up and watering the locomotive between stations.
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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
THE RAILROADS OF THE COUNTY.
Shelby county was early in the vanguard of experimenters in various railroad projects. From the date of the organization of the county, forward for a number of years, the subject of internal improvements was uppermost in the minds of the more enterprising and intelligent classes. In 1822 the Governor in his message advocated the speedy construction of state roads, im- provement of rivers, etc., to facilitate transportation. Shelby county joined the advanced march of progress in the carly thirties. Among its citizens at that date was Judge Peaslee, living at Shelbyville. He was the projector of a road extending from the top of the hill to the southeastern part of the city, to Lewis creek. a distance of one mile and a half. The road was constructed en- tirely of wood, the cars being pulled by horses. It was put in operation July 4. 1834. and passengers were taken the "round trip" for twenty-five cents. Mr. William Ford was the conductor. This was the beginning of what the projectors hoped would be a line to Cincinnati, but capitalists did not seem to take very kindly to the unique project, hence the scheme was abandoned. It should be stated. in passing. that if this can be justly termed a railroad, that it was certainly the first attempted on the continent, west of the Alleghany mountains.
. The first real steam railroad in the county, as well as the second in In- diana, the third in the United States, west of Cincinnati, was constructed in 1846, and completed in 1849-50. It was known as the Shelbyville Lateral Branch, connecting Shelbyville with the Madison & Indianapolis road, at Edinburg. Its total length was sixteen miles. Its president was Maj. John Hendricks. The first in order of construction of these earlier roads was the Madison & Indianapolis, while the Louisville & Portland was second.
Shelby county's second steam road was the Rushville & Shelbyville line. with a total mileage of nineteen miles. This was built in 1847, and completed about the same date as was the first road in the county. The Knightstown & Shelbyville line was built about the same date, and was twenty-five miles in length.
After a few years the branch connecting Shelbyville and Edinburg was . abandoned. as was also the Knightstown line. At about that date the Cam- bridge City branch of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis road was completed. This road intersected the main road at Columbus, and the Pan Handle Railroad. at Cambridge City, all being under the management of the Pennsylvania Company, furnished many advantages to both passengers and shippers of various commodities.
The Cincinnati, Indianapolis & St. Louis road (of the "Big Four" sys- tem of today ) was commenced in the autumn of 1849 and completed through Shelby county in 1853. At that date it was styled the "Indianapolis, Cin-
261
CHADWICK'S IHISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
cinnati & Lafayette Railroad." Its projector and first president was Hon. George HI. Dunn. of Lawrenceburg, who did more for the cause of transpor- tation than any dozen men in Indiana. Before the building of this railroad corn was a drug at ten cents a bushel : wheat thirty-five to forty cents : pork one dollar fifty cents to two dollars per hundred pounds dressed. net. At the same time good beef steak could be purchased at less than three cents, while other produce bore a corresponding market price in Shelby county.
This company's lines ( owned or controlled ) connected Shelby county with four of the most important cities in the West-Chicago. St. Louis, Cin- cinnati and Indianapolis. Thus the products of farm, workshop and stock yards were brought in close touch with the real consumer in far distant places. where greater prices always prevailed. The passenger service was made more complete and travel began to rapidly increase, and has never ceased to do so even today with the many fast flying steam and electric trains through the county. Up to 1886 there was a mileage of sixty-five miles of railroad within this county.
As early as 1856 Shelby county enjoyed the benefits of three railroads -- the Indianapolis & Cincinnati line; the Shelbyville & Rushville line and the Shelbyville & Columbus Railroad, later known as the Cambridge City branch of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad: also the Edinburg. Shelbyville & Knightstown Railroad. The last named road ran along the Smithiland pike, passed through the town of Shelbyville on Broadway street. out by the fair grounds, then on to Knightstown, in Henry county. Indiana. It was a curious old flat bar railroad. ever out of repair and never profitable to its owners. During the period of the Civil war the rails were taken up by the government and shipped South. to be used in the construction of temporary railroads for transportation of troops and munitions of war. This road was never re-constructed in Shelby county, and nothing but the cuts and parts of the old grade have been visible for many years.
At the time just named-1856-when Shelbyville had three railroads. she also had six dirt roads entering the place, instead of the present fine rock graded roads.
ELECTRIC INTERURBAN LINES.
In the march of time, with the searching eye of modern science, and the studying out of many useful inventions, the transformation of public convey- ance (form the old stage coach and ox team methods), the country has be- come a real wonderland of switfly flying vehicles, propelled by steam, gas and electricity, which go hither and yon, at the will of the would-be traveler, whether it be for pleasure, or upon professional and strict business errands. The horse car has served well its time and laid by as a relic. The stage coach likewise filled its early-day mission, but is no more to be heard thundering over
262
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
hill and dale. The heavy freight wagons of the olden-time are now only seen within city and town limits. Steam and electricity have changed all former methods, and yet who shall say that we are not yet in our infancy, even in these matters which today seem so perfect.
The first attempt at introducing the electric current as a motive power within Shelby county was in 1901, when the enterprise of the following Shelbyville business men undertook the business and organized a company for the purpose of building a line of electric railway from Shelbyville to Indian- apolis. These men were-Ed. K. Adams, Albert Deprez. Joseph Deprez, John R. Messick, Arthur Thurston and T. E. Goodrich. The right-of-way having been secured the first shovel of dirt in the matter of construction was thrown Saturday afternoon, October 27, 1901, at a point just north of the city limits, in a cut. The line was finished and opened to the general public the first week in September, 1902. and continued in the hands of the original incorporators until June. 1903, when the first company sold their interests to the present corporation-the Indianapolis & Cincinnati Traction Company, whose line now runs between the two great cities.
Upon the opening of the line frem Shelbyville a brass band was engaged and accompanied the officers and invited guests to Indianapolis, where they were royally welcomed by an enthusiastic city. September 11, 1902, the road was declared open for general travel and ever since has been known as one of the finest lines of electric road within the state of Indiana. Train ser- vice to and from Shelbyville is frequent and satisfactory to all concerned.
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CHAPTER XIX. HISTORY OF TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
BOGGSTOWN.
Boggstown, platted by John McConnell and Armstrong Gibson, in 1867. was at the geographical center of Sugar Creek township and named in honor of Joseph Boggs. a pioneer settler of this county. It was eight miles to the northwest of Shelbyville. It is situated. as originally platted. on twenty-four lots at the intersection of the Fairland, Franklin & Martinsville Railroad, with the Bluff road. It had at one time a good general store, post-office, black- smith and wagon shop and an extensive tobacco manufactury, using the to- bacco produced in the vicinity. The tobacco was peddled out by large wagons that plied the roads in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. The "Boggstown brand" was counted the best to be obtained and demanded good selling prices.
The earliest merchants there were Joseph Boggs, William H. Manwar- ring, Hugh McFadden, who was an old Pennsylvanian who had three sons of prominence-James B., an attorney; William G., a physician of Shelbyville, and "Uncle" Hugh McFadden, a prominent farmer of Sugar Creek township. Of Mr. Manwarring it should here be added that he taught school and later engaged as a clerk in a store, becoming a partner in the same and there sold goods for a long term of years, but upon the construction of the Madison & Indianapolis Railroad he sold out and moved to the county seat of Johnson county, ten miles distant from Boggstown. He there engaged in merchandis- ing and held many of his former customers, who would come many miles to trade with him, for he was a sagacious merchant, who gave value received. He continued in trade until his death, which was at an advanced age. Hugh McFadden, the other pioneer merchant of Boggstown. finally sold and en- gaged in extensive farming operations.
Outside of Shelbyville, at an early day, no town was better known than Boggstown. The highway on which it was located surpassed any other, en- route to Indianapolis, hence the trade was very large .. The tobacco wagons sent out from this place made many points as far out as Milwaukee, Wisconsin : Chicago, Illinois, and other now great cities, which at that day were but small towns, or little cities. In 1909 there are at Boggstown an elevator, general stores, a Methodist Episcopal church, a Presbyterian church, an Advent church and a seminary of this denomination near. Also an agricultural im- plement house and the post-office.
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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
MOUNT AUBURN.
Mount Auburn was platted as a village by John Warner. Christopher M. Allen, Daniel A. Allen and William P. Records. The date of plat filing was Jannary 18, 1837, when thirty-two lots were surveyed off for village uses. It was at the common corners of section 17, 18, 19 and 20, township 11, range 6 east. Later additions were made. It was in the exact center of Jackson township, making it just twelve miles to the southwest of Shelbyville. The original name of the place was Black Hawk, after an old Indian warrior. The first to sell merchandise there was a Mr. Huffman, who lived in the same build- ing -- a small affair but large enough for the business he carried on. A. Bar- nett was next to come in, then came Sylvester Delano and Caleb Sanders. It was in 1839 that Joseph Hageman located his saw mill at this place, or hard by it. In 1841 a "corn-cracker" was added and went by the more digni- fied name of flour mill. A tannery was also an important adjunct of the town and there the domestic and wild animal skins were tanned and the leather used for domestic uses. In 1886 the town had a population of one hundred and seventy-five people and has about that number at this date-1909.
WALDRON.
Waldron, originally called Stronpsville, was laid out by George Stroup. March 27. 1854. It comprised twenty-four town lots, to which there were made several subsequent additions. It is situated on the line of the railroad in Liberty township, eight miles south of Shelbyville and is in the midst of a fine agricultural section of the county. George Wooden was the pioneer mer- chant here and he handled a good and complete stock of general merchandise. He was followed by J. J. Curtis. Other dealers were Messrs. Chapman, Lare- more, Robinson. Stroup. Haymond, Thompson, Trees, Hahan and McCain. Graw & Newton operated an extensive saw mill industry. This was followed by a grist mill built by John Ferren. In 1854 a carriage shop was started by Richey & Pierson. The post-office for more than ten years was known as Conn's, but finally changed. The first postmaster was T. K. Short, who held the position ten years. Physicians of the place have been Doctors Richey. Washburn, Kennedy. Skull. Pearsons and Jenkins, in the earliest period of the town's history. In 1885 there was a population of about four hundred and fifty and the present population is about five hundred.
Waldron is favored, and has been ever since 1888. by being in the center of a natural gas belt which has been greatly developed within the last few years. Not fewer than twenty-five gas wells are to be seen within a radius of one mile of the town. Gas sells to consumers at twenty cents per thousand cubic feet. Houses, both in town and country around about are supplied with this product, and used as fuel and for illuminating purposes.
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CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
In April. 1900, the business of Waldron consisted of about the following : J. K. Anderson, grocery: J. W. Lantz. general stock : Miss Tilla Hutten, dry goods and millinery : J. N. Lee & Company, general merchandise and farin im- plements : A. C. Abernathy, restaurant and fancy groceries: J. & S. Peterson. exclusive dry goods and millinery : J. A. Haymond, groceries, hardware and drugs : B. L. Coy, dry goods and groceries : Carry Gardner, meats : J. O. Bry- son, wall paper and frames : J. B. Archer & Son, boots and shoes : Loy Sparks. restaurant : Nading Grain and Milling Company, elevator : Mrs. Stroup, hotel: Fred Critzer and Carl Garrison, barber shops: Ed Hepner and George Perry. blacksmiths : McCain & Company, harness shop: Thomas Russell. livery barn and poultry yard, and farm of nine acres: S. B. Stroup & Company, lumber and coal: Bank of Waldron. cash capital ten thousand dollars. J. A. Haymond. president : Henry Maloy, job printer : Doctor Keeling, physician ; T. D. Lewis. Justice of the Peace.
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