USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 31
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been sweeping by. In the first cemetery monuments have been reared to the memory of the departed dead, until they now stand one against another, like so many "silent sentinels." as it were.
In 1824, at the second sale of lots comprising the donation of Major John Hendricks and James Davison, four acres of the extreme northeast corner were purchased by Arthur Major, and donated to the city as a burial place. He paid the price but did not call for a deed. In the settlement of his estate, after death, these facts were ciicited and duly recorded: and then the county made a deed direct to the city. Subsequently the city added sev- eral acres more to the cemetery. During the first few decades many a pioneer and his family were buried within these sacred grounds, and rested with graves unmarked by suitable monuments, but as the country settled and peo- ple were able and had facilities for so doing, they erected many costly and truly befitting monuments, including those fashioned from pure marble and Scotch granite. The plot has long years been protected by a substantial iron fence made in a graceful and attractive fashion. One by one, the lots within this enclosure were used by the citizens of the place and surrounding country, until it was found necessary to secure other grounds.
In 1884 what is known as "Forest Ilill" cemetery was founded and in 1893 incorporated by forty-five Shelbyville citizens and one residing in Balti- more, Maryland-a Mr. M. H. Goodrich. The names of the incorporators were as follows: L. J. Hackney, John Blessing. G. W. F. Kirk, John C. DePrez. H. C. Morrison. C. Bishop. J. B. Randall. William H. DePrez. J. W. Rucker, Charles Major. John Elliott. S. B. Morris, William A. Powell. E. B. Wingate. S. 1. Kennedy, E. Small, William Price. G. H. Dunn, William El- liott. Mrs. C. S. Gorgas, Lottie Green Tatman, Jacob G. DePrez, Mrs. Luetta Dunn, John N. Leffers, William E. Blakely, Thomas W. Fleming. O. G. Glessner. Charles Morrison, B. F. Love. David L. Corney, James S. Jeffers. John M. Byers. H. E. Schortmeier, Milton B. Robins. D. B. Wilson, Chris. Steinhauser, M. R. Senour, John Beggs. B. F. Swain. W. E. Talbert, John Messick, John Shelk. Charles Birely. M. H. Goodrich ( Baltimore, Maryland ).
The association was under authority of the act of the Indiana Legisla- ture, approved March 7, 1887. The original board of managers consisted of Leonard G. Hackney, John Blessing. George W. F. Kirk, John DePrez and Harry C. Morrison. "Article XXVI" of the articles of incorporation of this association reads as follows:
"The distinct and irrevocable principle on which this association is found- ed and to remain forever is, that the entire funds arising from sale of burial lots and the proceeds of any investments of said funds shall be and they are specifically dedicated to the purchase and improvement of the grounds of the cemetery and keeping them durably and permanently enclosed and in perpetual repair through all future time, including all incidental expenses for ap-
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proaches to the cemetery and the proper management of the same, and that no part of such funds shall as dividend, profit or in any manner whatever inure to the corporators."
Another provision is that no lots shall ever be sold at less than ten cents a square foot, but no lots were ever sold at anywhere this low a figure. . Also the rules prohibit any kind of seats, settees. stools, etc., and also have it specifically understood that no trees, shrubs, flowers, etc .. are to be planted and grown on the grounds. The lots are carefully cared for by a proper Sex- ton and today there is no cemetery better planned in Indiana and better order carried cut. To some, it may seem that many of the rules are very advanced and somewhat rigid in character. but when it is considered that these sacred grounds are not to be used as the lands of a public park would be, the same then seem reasonable. The unsightly scenes of ordinary cemeteries, such as emblems, decaying flowers, half dead trees and shrubs, and senseless urns filled with all sorts of relics and emblems of various orders and societies, owing to the whim of the lot owner, are not to be tolerated. and in fact are never seen within "Forest Hill."
This cemetery is located across the Blue river, to the northeast of the city, proper, and is on a commanding tract of land which has been highly inn- proved. Many beautiful, and some costly monuments grace the grounds which are ever kept with great care and have come to be the pride of the citizens.
It now comprises about forty acres.
The Catholic cemetery is situated between two divisions of the "Forest Hill" cemetery of the Protestant people. This is a well kept burying ground and among the objects that attract the passer-by is the almost life sized crucifix in the center of the plot of ground used by the people of this religious faith. This was purchased and platted after the first sections of the Protestant 'grounds had been improved some years. Later the Protestants purchased ad- ditional land to the south, thus being situated on both sides of the Catholic ground at the present time. At first the Catholic people located a cemetery a mile or more out in the country, but on account of the soil. the moisture. etc .. at many seasons of the year. it was finally abandoned and the grounds just named were purchased and the improvements made thereon.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
I
Aside from being the county seat and oldest place of mercantile busienss within Shelby county, Shelbyville has of recent years been widely known as a manufacturing center for numerous things that go for the consumption of the masses. The first manufacturing plant aside from the milling industry, was-the planing mills originally built by Joseph R. Stewart in 1853. This was destroyed by fire, but its owner then engaged in business on a much larger,
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more perfect scale. The main building of his shops was fifty by eighty fcet. two stories in height. It had a two-story brick engine room 22 by 32 feet. the second story being for dry room purposes. The best machinery for wood working then extant was placed in working position and a large business fel- lowed.
The Centennial History ( 1876) of the city, gives the following on in- dustries of the plaice :
"The Blue River Furniture Factory, owned by Messrs. Corney. Waller and DePrez. occupies a large and commodious brick building for offices and salesrooms and packing. The factory itself is located a mile to the west of the city. Its machinery is propclied by a never failing water-power. This con- cern does a wholesale and retail business of one hundred thousand dollars per annum, and gives steady employment to a large number of skilled me- chanics.
"There are three flouring mills and one saw mill in Shelbyville and many of both throughout the county. A mineral water factory has recently been established here A mile from town is the large distillery plant. though not in operation just at this date. There are two successful tanneries at Shelly- ville and others within Shelby county. Also brick and tile yards, two cooper shops, and carriage making is represented by three firms -- Messrs. McGuire and Jennings : M. Carithers and James Smart.
" .Pine Hill Nurseries' of Noah Milleson, the Blue River Vegetable Gor- den,' of Jacob Buescher, three dairies and the hot house for ornamental flowers. of the late Fountain G. Robertson, are in and around the city."
In 1886 the leading industry of the city had come to be the Corney. Waller and DePrez Furniture Company. They were the outgrowth of a business established in 1874. It was incorporated under the state laws in 1883. with a capital stock of $100.000, all of which stock was paid up at the time. In 1885 their factory on West Washington street was burned, but by July of the same year had been rebuilt and on a larger scale than at first. The new building was fifty by two hundred and thirty feet in size. A warehouse was also provided near the public square, which was sixty by two hundred feet and three stories in height, with numerous other buildings in the city used for finishing and storage purposes. The products of this plant consisted of elegant and new designs in walnut furniture and reproductions of cheaper furniture materials, which were sold in all parts of the United States and the territories. An average force of a hundred and twenty skilled workmen in wood were constantly employed, and in 1886 the sales amounted to considerable in excess of two hundred thousand dollars.
The members and officers of this first great factory in Shelbyville were: D. L. Conrey, president : Z. B. Waller. vice-president : John C. DePrez, secre- tary. These gentlemen were all old citizens of the place and highly respected
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for their character and enterprise as factors in laying the foundation stones of the thrift that soon followed in the various industries of the growing city.
It may be said in passing that the foundation of this factory was the little table factory started by D. L. Conrey on the banks of Blue river, to the west of the city many years ago.
The manufacture of household and office furniture is the chief business industry of Shelbyville. The dozen and more separate plants work in dis- tinct lines, and the total goods made and distributed throughout the country surpasses anything in the world, for a city of its size. It has been alluded to as the "Furniture City of the Middle West." The originality, the beauty of design and final finish, has placed the highest standard of merit upon the output of these immense factories, when in direct competition with other much larger cities.
There are mirror factories here, a wrench and steel-range factory. Also two up-to-date machine shops, where all kinds of fine mechanical work -- new and repair-can be furnished. At this date ( April 1909) there is being set in operation a cloth glove factory which is to be conducted on a large scale. New industries are being induced to locate in Shelbyville, which affords the working man a most excellent place in which to live and educate his children.
Directly and indirectly, these great factories have come to be the pride of this section of the state. The tonnage by rail. of lumber and coal and other materials required in such plants, gives a large railroad business, and af- fords much work. even for the day. or common laborer. Another peculiar feature of this city is the fact that with all these multiplied industries, it is a non-union city, and strikes of any considerable proportions have never been known at these factories, where all is paid that the work and current prices will afford, from year to year.
The following is a list of the more important factories in Shelbyville at the date of April, 1909:
Blanchard-Hamilton Furniture Company: C. H. Campbell Furniture Company: Conrey-Davis Manufacturing Company: the Conrey & Birley Table Company: The D. L. Conrey Company: Hodell Furniture Company : Root Furniture Company: The C. F. Schimoe Company: Shelbyville Desk Company; Shelbyville Wardrobe Manufacturing Company: Spiegel Furniture Company. These make up their share of one hundred and fifty-nine such factories in Indiana.
These large factories represent large fortunes and furnish employment to many hundreds of workmen. The majority of the proprietors reside in the city and own beautiful homes. The worthy objeets of the city always receive their attention, and many of the churches owe their splendid edifices to the ex- istence of these men and their successful operations. Some of the owners have banded together with others in a tithing pledge -- to give to the work of
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the church one-tenth of all their income. However, it should be recorded that not all have yet come to be that liberal in their support of public enterprises.
Another industry of this city is the plant of the Shelbyville Mirror Works. the output of which is eagerly sought for, because of its superiority and com- pleteness of finish. Their goods find a market all over the country. It is an incorporated business. the incorporators being Frank J. Rembush and Enos Porter, whose capital stock is $6.500. Thirty persons find employment in these works. The date of starting this enterprise in Shelbyville was 1899: its original proprietors were John Ainsley and Frank J. Rembush, who really man- aged it until 1901. when it was legally incorporated. Mr. Ainsley retired in 1904. It first started out with finishing but forty factory mirrors a day. but now the daily output is four hundred. The raw material is purchased both in this country and Belgium and France. The latest improved silvering. a secret held by this company, is used on their present output of goods. The old methods of using quick-silver are abandoned and where only sixty-five per cent. of reflecting power was formerly obtained. now ninety-five per cent. is obtained.
Besides these extensive factories, may be added a coffin, or burial casket factory and a bent-wood factory, both doing a prosperous business. The form- er is conducted by the McLaren Lumber Company, and the latter by Messrs. Fretchling & Morner.
Other Shelbyville industries are the Sodawater Fountain Manufactory, the Silver Leaf Baking Powder, Shelbyville Canning Company, two cigar factories, an incubator factory, cement goods in an endless variety, inchiding a recently patented concrete hen's nest, which is proving very popular, as it is cool in summer, warm in winter and always free from mites and lice. Also two bottling works. the "Best" gate factory. Deprez Artificial Ice Plant, the Shelby- ville Wood-working Company, and numerous lesser factories.
NEWSPAPERS.
The city is now supplied with four newspapers, as follows, and which are mentioned at length in the "Press" chapter :
They are the-Daily Liberal, Shelbyville Democrat, Shelbyville Morning News and the Republican.
HOSPITAL AND SANITARIUM.
Fortunate indeed is the city that has within its borders good hospitals and sanitariums. Shelbyville, at this date can boast of both-one the private hospital of medicine and surgery, belonging to Dr. T. C. Kennedy, at Nos. 24 and 26 East Broadway. This is a brick building, with ample appliances for the treatment of all cases in surgery and chronic cases, in general. It was
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founded by Doctor Kennedy, June 1. 1900, and has been in successful opera- tion ever since. While most of the work of this hospital is in connection with local-Shelbyville and Shelby county patients, there are from time to time. others from remote parts of the state who come here for treatment.
Perhaps the institution that leads all others in the United States, for actual cures from the dread drug and liquor habit, is what is known as the "Hord Sanitarium", where a positive cure is guaranteed for neurastenia, nervous and mental diseases, including the liquor and drug addictions. This is purely a Shelbyville enterprise, based upon scientific and business principles, and was founded October 1, 1906, by John B. Stewart and L. J. Hord. June 1, 1908. Mr. Stewart withdrew from the institution and it is now managed by Luther J. Hord and his father. K. M. Hord, better known as Judge Hord. both of Shelbyville, and who have established a reputation in various and remote sec- tions of the country for doing just what they claim to do-effect a cure for the drug and liquor habits.
This institution occupies one of the most sightly and charming spots within the city of Shelbyville. It is the oldl homestead-the country home- originally built by John Elliott. who founded the First National Bank of Shelbyville. It was erected in 1862 and was then a half mile outside of the town, but now it is built up thickly all about it, except to the north, which overlooks the Blue river front. It is situated on a two and a half acre plot of ground completely parked and adorned by both shade and fruit trees, with flower gardens all about the premises. It is an ideal place and is a successful institution. Its street location is No. 360 West Franklin street. With it is an "Annex" of twenty-two rooms and a neat cottage of six rooms, while the main building and offices occupy about twenty desirable rooms.
Luther J. Hord. a collegiate, and master in chemistry, while living in the far southwest. made a special study of this matter and through his being posted in chemistry, finally discovered a true and sure cure for both the awful drug and the liquor habit. That this is true it only needs to be added that he does not ask any pay unless within about three weeks the patient-man or woman-is satisfied of a cure. Both Judge Hord and his son, who discovered these remedies, are life-long residents of Shelbyville. A visit to this sani- tarium will convince the most skeptical.
CHAPTER XXI.
MISCELLANEOUS-ORIGIN OF "LOG-ROLLING.
As applied to the political lines, the term "log-rolling" without doubt originated in Shelby county, and has become familiar in political campaigns. and well understood by those who seek office even in these advanced. progres- sive days from one end of our country to another.
It came about in this wise: It was in 1851. when the late ex-Vice-Presi- dent Thomas A. Hendricks had been nominated at Indianapolis, for the office of Congressman. One day while riding to fill an appointment in Hamilton county and reaching the neighborhood in which he was to speak. he alighted from his horse to assist a man who was trying to get a heavy log on a log- heap. The task was great for one, but quite easy for the two men. Mr. Hen- dricks got on his horse and went on his journey, not making himself known. or even telling him his business in that section. The second day after this he spoke in Boxleytown, Hamilton county, and at the conclusion of his speech a man came forward and said to him :
"Did you assist a man rolling logs (naming the place) day before yes- terday ?"
"Yes. I believe I did." said Hendricks.
"Well, that settles it." said the man of toil. "We 'lowed that it was you. and I want to say to you, stranger, that any man es will neighbor with a feller that way and not be blowin' 'bout such important business to hisself es runnin' fur Congress, is just our kind of a man. That feller you helped is my son-in- law. He and another son-in-law. my son and me are all Whigs. but every darned one of us intends to vote fur you."
It will go without saying that the tally sheet showed a change of eight votes in favor of Hendricks. Since that date the man who gets out among the people. mingling with them as neighbor and friends is called a "log-roller."
OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
Since the close of the Civil war at various times, irregularly, there have been held old settlers' reunions. Along in the eighties these meetings of pio- neers and their children were largely attended and fraught with much pleasure and were the means of drawing together people from different sections of the county as well as some from adjoining counties. It was sometime in the early
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eighties that a joint association was formed by old settlers living in Shelby. Rush. Bartholomew and Johnson counties. This association held its regular meetings at Riverside Park, near Flat Rock. Shelby county. Not alone did the older members of the counties represented enjoy these enthusiastic gather- ings, but also thousands of the younger generation mingled with the old pio- neer band and. all in all. the meetings were of great interest. At these re- unions speeches were made by distinguished men from over the state, and reminiscences were the order of the day. These were related with much feel ing at times, again with much laughter and of a comical nature. as the carly day scenes were related. One of the old settler's reminiscences was re-pro- duced in 1887. but is too full of good sentiment and historic points to be left out of this work, hence will here be given space :
These are the remarks made by Rev. Elephlet Kent, so well known in connection with the history of the Presbyterian denomination in Shelby eoun- ty. He came to this county in 1829 and lived to be about ninety years of age. He spoke thus :
"It is now more than half a century since I came to Shelbyville. I had left the theological seminary in 1829: and feeling that it would be important for a minister to be suitably married. upon my return home. I turned my at- tention in that direction. I met my first wife and proposed successfully. Her father's favorite maxim upon the subject of marriage was that daughters should be married off and not on. When my wife and I were ready to start for our home mission field in the then far West. it seemed as it his daughter had been married too far off! The trip to Indiana at that time was an im- mense'affair. an undertaking of far more magnitude than a journey to Europe would be in our day. It was a sad leaving, and we parted with many tears. We came down the Ohio river on a steamboat and arrived at Madison at night. I preached for the pastor two Sundays and then went far off out into the missionary field. I purchased a horse, saddle and bridle, paying the sum of thirty-five dollars. My wife rode in the stage. In this way we reached Bar- tholomew county. Thence we entered into Shelby county and reached the home of John Conover. While there James Hill. the grandfather of Mrs. Teal, sent his son. James, with a horse for my wife. This family was better ยท off than most of the early settlers, for they had a log cabin with two rooms. From there we went to Shelbyville, to the house of Major Hendricks. We were well received everywhere. I was now upon my field of ministerial labor. and engaged boarding in the house of Dr. S. B. Morris. There were two rooms in his residence, and one of them. ten by sixteen feet, became the par- lor, study and bed room for my wife and myself. After three months we moved into a small two-story brick building. just finished. In the lower room my wife immediately opened a school, and we lived upstairs.
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"I remained in this field till 1835 and then received a call to Greenwood. where I continued my ministerial labors five years.
"As I stand here today and look back. I feel that it is very difficult to realize the changes that have taken place within this time. The limits of the town were then very small. From Hendricks street to Franklin, and from Tompkins to Pike was all there was of it-and that space was occupied by but a few small cabins. At some seasons it was extremely muddy. From where I now live it was often impossible to reach town on account of bad roads.
"Once a young minister. Mr. Danforth, and I, had been preaching in the country and were overtaken by night. It was so very dark and the creeks were so high that we concluded to remain all night. So we hitched our horses and entertained ourselves the best way we could; and if I have ever in my life danced to keep warm. it was then. Early in the morning we started. not knowing what direction to take. but soon found a pig path, which led up to the house of Mr. Curran who had been at our meeting the day before. Fe piloted us on to Shelbyville.
"To me it is very pleasant to look back upon those days gone by. I felt that I was the happiest of men. My wife, too, enjoyed the missionary labor we were engaged in, and on her dying bed said she never regretted coming here. The Presbyterians were anxious to have preaching in their own faith. and treated us with the greatest of kindness. I would often take my wife with me on Sunday to my preaching places. We always found the latch- string out. It is true that there was generally but one room in the house. When we would suggest that perhaps it would not be convenient for them to let us remain over night, they would invariably reply that it was entirely con- venient. At bed time. the one bed would be made into three or four, and then the task was how to get in. This was a little mortifying to my young wife at first, but after a time we got used to these unavodiable inconveniences of a new country.
"Shelby county is second to none in almost everything that goes to make up a prosperous community and a happy and contented people. But the people of the present generation must know that they owe a debt of gratitude . to those who opened the avenues that have led to their success. Energy and perseverance have peopled every section of her wild lands, and changed from a wilderness to gardens of beauty and profit. where but a few years ago the barking of the wolves and the screaming of the panthers made night hideous with their wild shrieks. now is only heard the lowing of domestic animals. On the spot where but little more than half a century ago the savage pitched his tent, now rise the palatial dwellings. school-houses and church spires. The transformation has been brought about by the incessant toil and ag- gregated labor of thousands of tired hands and anxious hearts, and the aspira- tions of such noble men and women as make any country great.
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