USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
303
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
"There are but few of these old pioneers yet lingering on the shores of time as connecting links of the past with the present. Their trials, their pri- vations and hardships were many, and they bore them without murmur: of burdens they have borne their share, and now as they are fast passing far down the western declivity of life they should be cheered up, revered and re- speeted. for beneath those rough exteriors beat hearts as noble as ever throbbed in the human breast."
It is to be deeply regretted that for the last twenty years not much atten- tion has been paid to these old settlers' meetings and no regular society is now in existence.
THE BANKING BUSINESS.
At an early day the pioneers in none of our Indiana counties needed such institutions as banks. The people were poer and traded such commodities as they produced for the necessities of life in way of a trade, exchange or barter system. The carly-day merchants who had to employ some cash in the trans- action of their business, especially when they went to market for the buying of a new annual. or semi-annual. supply of goods, and then they usually carried their money in a pair of saddle-bags to Indianapolis. Cincinnati or other large city. Such was the method employed for the first third of a century, at least up to 1851, when the banking business was commenced at Shelbyville by the establishment of the banking-house of Messrs. John Elliott. James Hill and Alfred Major, under the firm name of Elliott, Hill & Company. Out of this grew, in 1858. the two banking concerns known as the Shelby Bank, of Samuel Hamilton, and the banking house of Elliott & Major, which transacted busi- ness until 1865. then sold to the Elliott Bank, who merged their interests into the First National Bank, which is still an important and thoroughly up-to-date financial institution of Shelbyville.
In contrast there is a wide difference between the days when coon skins and other pelts went current for a medium of exchange in Shelby county and those of this the first decade of the progressive twentieth century, when every town of much importance has need and possessees a first-class bank, where depoits and savings can be securely placed at a fair rate of interest ; where drafts and foreign exchange can be procured for a mere trifle -- less than letter postage onee was in this county in 1825.
To give a clearer understanding of the present banking business of the entire county, with Shelbyville as the common center, the following is given as the banks doing a successful business in April. 1909:
At Shelbyville, the banking business is entrusted to the following sound financial institutions: Shelby National Bank, established in 1855. as a bank- ing house. It has a paid-up cash capital of $100.000. Its president is Thomas W. Fleming : cashier is Frank E. Wilson.
·
30.4
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
The First National Bank, established in 1805. is one of the great banking concerns of this section of Indiana. It has a paid-up cash capital of $100,000; surplus and undivided profits. $136,000: deposits of $667.000. Its president is Jolin Messick : its cashier being John A. Young.
Farmer's National Bank, established in 1892, has a paid-up cash capital of $100,coo. Its officers are: President, S. P. McCrea: cashier, C. V. Crockett.
The other banking business represented within the county is as follows:
Fairland First National Bank, established in 1906, with a paid-up cash capital of $25.cco. The president is J. C. Voris : cashier is F. A. Whitted.
The Morristoren Union State Bank was established in 1894, with a capital of $25,cco, and carries on a successful general banking business. Its presi- dent is William M. Pierson ; cashier is C. T. Williams.
The Bank of Waldron, at the town of Waldiron, near Shelbyville. in Liberty township, was established in 1904, with a cash capital of $10.000, has officers as follows: President, J. A. Haymond; cashier, Ear! Haymond.
VIOLENT GAS EXPLOSION.
Among the explosions occasioned by the use of gas, in the city of Shelby- ville, may be properly mentioned here, that of November 6, 1906. on East Pennsylvania street, at the residence of Rev. G. G. Winter, pastor of the Evan- gelical Protestant church, and a time honored pioneer of the county, whose name figures in many sections of this work. It was on the annual election day and happened at about one o'clock in the afternoon, as a result of gross care- lessness on the part of two amateur plumbers who were employed by the local natural gas company, to put in a gas meter at the parsonage where Dr. Winter and family lived. That they were grossly careless, it only needs to be added that they turned on the gas in the basement of the front part of the building and were at work in the same, with a lighted candle, unprotected from the fumes of escaping natural gas. It occurred on annual election day, voting going on next door.
At the time of the terrific explosion Doctor Winter and son, Emil. now a . physician of Indianapolis (then a student, home from college to cast his first vote ) ; also his mother. so greatly beloved within Shelby county for her many sterling qualities of both mind and heart, were present in the house. The father and son were in the front room. or the doctor's study and library. The father was hurled upwards, as the ceiling and roof parted. He was sent in a westerly direction and was thrown to the ground with great violence, and at the same time, while in mid-air, was struck upon his head by some of the timbers of the falling roof.
He soon regained his senses and thought only of the other members of his
305
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
family, and tried to gain an entrance to the basement, but in the removal of some brick, caused an opening which allowed the gas, then on fire. to severely burn him. The son was thrown into the basement, in attempting to get to the north part of the house to rescue his mother, who had fared worse than either the father or himself, for she had been pinned down beneath the falling walls and collapsing roof of the main part of the house. The son did not reach his mother, but was frightfully burned and sustained serious injuries on his hand and arm.
The word soon spread and the great throng of men and women from all parts of the city soon came to the rescue and removed Mrs. Winter, who with her husband and son, was many weeks laid up and suffered intense pain. The mother has never. probably never will, fully recovered from the awful shock and from injuries sustained by her body.
The house was totally wrecked and had to be rebuilt. The library and many priceless articles were destroyed by the explosion. The workmen- plumbers who were the cause-also sustained injuries severe and lasting in their nature.
Dr. Winter and family never received any damages from the gas com- pany, who at that date seemed unable to pay. Even the doctor's bill and prop- erty actually destroyed were not even made good to the family.
It seems almost a miracle that none were killed outright, for the col- lapsing building, with its brick walls, was reduced to fragments, while the report was heard a great distance.
THE GAS EXPLOSION AT WALDRON.
.
August II. 1890, there occurred a terrific natural gas explosion, at and around the Ogden graveyard, in Liberty township. Fountains of fire and water burst forth from the earth. The bed of Flatrock river was burst asunder and rent in many places by the frightful explosion, which witnesses and later by scientific men, including the state geologist, stated was caused by the frac- ture of the strata of lime rock that had been a day or two before shattered by use of explosives such as giant blasting powder and dynamite, at the stone quarries at St. Paul and nearer points. This made fissures, or openings in the solid rock for several miles and included the bed of the river and Conn's creek which forms junction at the place where the worst part of this explosion oc- curred. This opening in the rock formation, which lay over (in thin strata) a natural gas pocket, where the ages had been storing away gas in great quantities, and this, it is believed allowed the natural gas to make its escape. Not many hours before the explosion, men had been burning brush and tim- bers within a short distance from the spot, and so it would seem that the solution of the occurrence would naturally be that this fire ignited the escaping gas.
20
306
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
Be that as it may, the excitement ran high. People in the immediate vicinity were greatly alarmed-consternation was on every hand. Messages were sent here and there over the county, and within a short time hundreds were on the spot to view the strange and alanning catastrophe, which some be- sieved to be the end of the worid. At the town of Waldron the populace was almost distracted with fright. Men rushed along the streets with whit- ened faces, while children chung close to their mothers for a supposed impending danger. Gray-haired veterans stood aghast and wondered if really their time had come. Not a few of the citizens predicted that "time would be no more."
The scene was between two and three miles frun Wallron, where the Flatrock makes a horseshoe bend. the same being a part of the Edmund Cooper farm. The Ogden graveyard is directly across the river and one citizen re- lates how he went to the cemetery and there beheld the flames rising to the altitude of fully two hundred feet. Fifty or more fountains of fire and smoke. mingled with mud and water were violently hurled skyward. There were also eight distinct geysers. The river bed was torn to pieces and huge fissures in the earth and rocky formation were visible. These opening's were receiving the waters of the river, while great sheets of flame were sweeping on the surface of the water as it was lost in the crevices below. This included more than an acre in extent. In one place a huge hole presented itself to view and from this opening came a terrific roaring and rumbling, that caused many to believe it was the work of a volcanic eruption. For eighty rods along the river, the bed had been rent into many immense fissures. Stones the size of a large dwelling were hurled from this spot. The grave yard was badly broken up, and upon good authority it is stated that in several instances the cracks had exposed the boxes holding caskets, which could be plainly seen. Gas flamed furiously from a tract covering about ten acres. Up and down the river. for a long dis- tance. the trees and brush were literally burnt and scorched. One stately tree was totally uprooted from its place and the large roots snapped asunder like mere threads. The theory is that as soon as the escaping gas became ignited on the surface it worked back into the pocket in which a great volume of it was stored in the earth.
The road bed along the river. in places, was completely wiped out and · cracks crossed the highway. so wide that spectators had to step long in order to cover the opening. Corn fields near by were roasted. stalk. ear and all. Blue shale was thrown up in a moistened state and from this many people made imitations of books, while the shale was yet in a plastic state, but which soon hardened, and are held in different places in the county today, as relics of the calamity.
By nightfall the flames mostly subsided, but the heat was still intense, and smoke was seen escaping from the ground, which still led some to think it was of a volcanic nature. It is stated that the first and fondest report was heard a distance of six miles.
307
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., INC.
State Geologist Prof. John Collett. of Indianapolis, visited the scene the next day and gave it as his opinion that it was caused as above narrated. and had no indication of volcanic eruption.
It is not to be wondered at that people in that vicinity believed they were on the verge of some awful calamity, as a man stands as helpless as a new- born babe in the presence of the great forces of nature, but luckily none were injured and soon the peace and order of a toiling people were resumed and today but little is thought of the strange and interesting phenomenon.
THE "MISSOURI HARMONY" SINGING CLASS.
One of the most noted singing classes, probably ever formed, and con- ducted successfully for more than seventy years, and still in existence, is the one known as the "Missouri Harmony" class, organized not later than 1838 at Morristown (or in a log school building near by). by Dr. McGaughey, the pioneer doctor of that section of Shelby county. Besides being an excellent physician, as that term was understood in the long-ago days of the thirties, he was also a musical prodigy. He was an excellent and highly cultivated singer. who it is said could carry any part in the musical scale, drifting from one part to the other, as he saw his special voice was needed in the class, and at concerts.
Music running in only four notes and designated by musicians as "Mis- souri Harmony" was very popular in early times and he taught a large class of pioneer singers after this peculiar fashion of singing. It really became a fad and spread throughout the entire musical world. With the return of each May, for all these multiplied years, no season has passed without a general meeting of the people from various sections of the United States (many of whom had been the good doctors early-day pupils ) and for a solid week music of this class was the sole thought of the people of Morristown and Shelby county. Immense throngs would come from far and near-some from Mis- souri, some from Iowa, some from Ohio and Kentucky and Illinois, all imiting in swelling the grand chorus. after the old and charming style of four-note music. The roads entering Morristown were filled with teams and vehicles for a mile either way, on the annual weeks of musical festivity and right hearty good cheer. Shelbyville and her lovers of the sweet strains of vocal music were ever present to swell the throng.
It was early in the fifties that Dr. McGaughey formed the "Old Folks Singing Class" to which between forty and fifty people belonged. The last of these are now dead ( with possibly one exception). W. W. Woodyard, who was a great bass singer, and who was of this class, died in 1908 and is supposed to be the last of the class. After the older members died others were added to the class and in time the "Missouri Harmony" style was superseded by the diapason music, using all eight of the musical notes.
----
308
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
The annual gatherings of this class are still kept up at Morristown. indeed it is a special feature of the town and is looked forward to with the return of each May-day.
THE WOMAN'S CLUB.
The Woman's Club is the name of one of the clubs in Shelbyville, at the date of the publication of this work. It is the name of the oldest literary club in the city. Previous to its organization there had been a class formed under the tuition of Miss Catherine Merrill, a gifted lady of Indianapolis. and later a club was formed bearing her name. There had also been a few persons who met together as Chautauquans. but the "Woman's Club" was the first organization in the county formed in response of the enthusiasm of the club wave that swept over the country nearly twenty-five years ago.
This woman's chib was founded by Miss Carrie A. Powell, then a teacher in our public schools, in October. 1889. The membership. was limited to thirty, and the list has always been filled throughout the twenty-five years of the existence of the club. At present only ten of the charer members belong to the clubs, while of these eight have been members continuously. One because of serious illness, another on account of removal from the city, were for a time not connected with the club.
The Woman's Club has always been a study club. Its motto, "Mind Unemployed. is Mind Unenjoyed." is the keynote of its existence, and the complimentary sentiment. "Not because I raise myself above something: but because I raise myself to something. do I approve myself." shows that the object of the club, as stated in its by-laws, mental improvement and social en- joyment is well taken.
The study of history was the work of the club for the first fifteen years, and is still pursued in a slightly modified way. Six years were spent in English history, tracing the interesting course of England from the ancient Britons, of Druidical worship, down to the middle of the nineteenth century. Then coming naturally across the seas, American history from the earliest times to the present time was considered. This study covered a period of eight years of the club's life and was followed by one year devoted to the "Louisana Purchase"; this year being the exposition year of the one hun- dredth anniversary of this notable event, made the work doubly interesting. Then a year was given to the profitable study of our own Indiana, followed by the years of "Glimpses into Jewish History." delightful and helpful they proved to be. In 1907-08 the study was quite different. and yet allied in thought, being "Modern American Literature and Art."
The social side of the club is most enjoyable : five open meetings are held each year, to which many friends are invited. and which all seem to appreciate. Usually the regular program of the club is carried out. thus giving the guests
309
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
of the day an opportunity to enjoy a glimpse of the work we are aiming to do. At the first meeting in October. 1900. the club will celebrate its twentieth anni- versary.
The Woman's Club is a member of the "Indiana State Federation of Clubs," and hopes by this relation to broaden and deepen its own club life. and to extend its influence outside its own little circle.
Since the organization of this club about seventy-five different women have been connected with it. The membership varies from year to year, un- avoidably, but the vacancies are filled whenever they occur, often the applica- tions for membership exceeding the vacancies.
In 1896 our gentle founder. Carrie A. Powell, passed from mortal ken. Three other names are written with hers on the memorial page. But we
"Think of them faring on as dear. in the love of there. as the love of here:
Think of them still as the same. I say they are not dead, they are just away!"
HATTIE E. ROBINS, Shelbyville.
April, 1909.
THE WIHUB CIRCLE.
(By Horation C. Sexton, D. D. S.)
The modern social problem involved in the severed interests of man and wife in lodges and women's clubs is sometimes a trying one. The husband likes not cold suppers nor does the wife like to remain alone at night while thie husband gnes to lodge. It was some such considerations as these that in- fluenced Mrs. R. N. Harrison in the summer of 1892 to suggest to some of her friends the formation of a literary-social club, into which both husbands and wives could enter. "The Wihub" ( wives and husbands) was the result. Its first meeting was held in October. 1892. with Mrs. R. N. Harrison, the first president, in the chair.
The membership was composed of fifteen couples of Shelbyville's best, the charter members being: Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Blakely. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Carter. Dr. and Mrs. J. R. Clayton, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Culbertson. Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Daugherty, Judge and Mrs. L. J. Hackney, Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Pugh. Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Robins. Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Rucker. Dr. and Mrs. H. C. Sexton, Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Sheldon, Rev. and Mrs. E. B. Scofield, Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Stroup, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Wray.
Of these original fifteen couples only three couples now retain their mem- bership intact. Death has invaded the ranks of the "Wihub Circle" many times, choosing many shining marks in the course of the organization's seven-
310
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
teen years' existence These losses were the more felt on account of the Wihub's being more than a literary-social club-it began as a circle of friends, almost as one large family, and that feeling of warm friendliness has never been absent from its gatherings. Of deaths there have been the following: Mrs. W. E. Blakely. Dr. J. R. Clayton, Mrs. C. W. Culbertson, Mrs. R. N. Harrison, Mr. M. B. Robins, Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Love, Rev. E. F. Mahan.
Many bright, interesting men and women have been loyal members of the Wihub and have added much to its intellectual enjoyment. From out its ranks have sprung two full fledged authors. Before ever the world heard of Mr. Charles Major, the Wihub enjoyed numerous essays from him and still takes pride in the brilliant record made in the world of fiction by that Wihub mem- ber. The other author, Mr. H. H. Daugherty, now a resident of Asheville, North Carolina, has produced a most charming book of essays entitled, "The Young Lawyer and Another Essay."
Other members now living at a distance but who still dwell in the fond memory of the Wihub, are Judge and Mrs. Hackney, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Scofield, of Indianapolis : Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Ewing, of Fort Worth, Texas: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Chez. of Ogden, Utah; Dr. and Mrs. Rucker, of Greensburg. Indiana.
The club's membership is limited to fifteen couples. Its programs consist of essays, reviews, debates, reading and music. Considerable original matter in the way of short tales and poetry have been presented. One important fea- ture of each meeting is the dinner, for Wihubers believe not in the mortification of the flesh. It has been held by them that intellectual and gastronomical en- joyment are not incompatible and they have ever acted upon that opinion.
To Byron's advice-
"Let us have wine and women, mirth and laughter. Sermons and soda water the day after."
is attributed much harm in this world. To the credit of the Wihub belongs a new motto-
"Let us think and eat and laugh and play. And have nothing but fond memories the following day."
The membership today is composed of the following well known Shelby- ville people : Prof. and Mrs. J. R. Coar, Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Cotton, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Cotton, Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Harrison, Dr. and Mrs. S. P. McCrea, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Morrison, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Ray, Mrs. Hattie E. Robins, Dr. and Mrs. H. C. Sexton, Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Sheldon, Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Stroup, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tatman, Prof. and Mrs. J. H. Tomlin, Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Wilson.
311
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
As early as the year 1824 a public library was begun in Shelbyville. It grew to considerable size and value: was long known as the "Mechanics' Li- brary," and had connected with it a thriving lyceum in which the citizens of that day expatiated upon the exciting topics of the times and some trained them- selves for eminence at the bar and on the forum. In 1852 the library was destroyed in the conflagration of the old seminary building. In the centennial history of this county, compiled in 1876, a small booklet, though very valuable, it states that there were at that date the following libraries in Shelbyville : The township, the Methodist Sunday school library, the Presbyterian Congre- gational. Robbins Circulating and the public school libraries. Besides these there were at that date school libraries in each township within the county. Thus it will be seen that the people here have ever been on the alert for all that was excellent in the training of the mind through good literature.
THE "CARNEGIE" LIBRARY.
Though it has other institutions of note, the pride of Shelbyville is its public library. Beginning in a small way, it has grown by degrees until no city in the state of the same size has a handsomer structure or a better ordered interior. The idea had its origin in the minds of the members of the City School Board, when the high school building was in the process of erection in 1895. Two small rooms were set aside for literary purposes, which proved to be the germ from which at a later period grew a fine establishment equipped with all the best appliances. After the completion of the high school building in 1896. subscriptions of money and books were taken to the amount of some- thing over one thousand dollars. A small tax was levied to maintain the em- bryonic library, which was formally opened to the public on November I, 1897. From the beginning there had been a gradual growth and upon the opening day there were one thousand volumes on the shelves since which time the number has grown to six thousand. A happy selection of librarian was made in the person of Miss Ida Lewis, to whose competent work and inde- fatigable zeal the success of the enterprise has been largely due. and she has an efficient assistant in Miss May Wood. The library soon outgrew its first humble quarters and in 1901 an appeal was made to Andrew Carnegie. Jan- uary 23, 1902. This famous philanthropist sent a favorable reply through his secretary, offering a donation of five thousand dollars to be used for the con- struction of a library, and this gift was later increased to twenty thousand dollars. The City Council promptly accepted the offer provided a site lot on the corner of Broadway and Tompkins streets, and a guaranteed annual main- tenance fund could be obtained. Plans and specifications were prepared by
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.