Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 75

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 982

USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 75
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 75

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).

JOHN TIPTON, JAMES WARD, PATRICK COLLAN, )

State Commissioners.

FEBRUARY 12, 1820.

Tipton and Ward were allowed each $39 and Collan $36 for their services in locating the county seat. In compliance with bonds given as set forth in the above report, deeds were made to the county by all the parties except Philip Hart. The original site of the town of Spencer was surveyed as follows: "Beginning twenty rods north of the southeast corner of Section 20, Town 10 north, Range 3 west; thence north

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HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY.

125 rods, thence west 994 rods, thence south 125 rods, thence east 99$ rods to the place of beginning." Southport also properly belongs to Spencer but is not included within the corporate limits. It was surveyed about the same time as Spencer, and was included in the donations made for the site of a county seat. The space between the south end of Spencer and White River was reserved by the Commissioners as a common. The lo- cation selected was beyond question the best that could have been found in the county, and as the site at first chosen is frequently overflowed by White River, it is fortunate that it was abandoned.

ORIGIN OF NAME.

The town was named Spencer on motion of John Johnson, in honor of Capt Spencer, a Kentucky officer killed in the battle Tippecanoe. The name was adopted probably at the suggestion of Gen. Tipton, or Thomas McNaught, who both knew and admired Capt. Spencer.

SURVEY OF THE TOWN.

.On the 4th of March, 1820, the County Commissioners, meeting at the house of John Dunn, ordered that the town of Spencer be laid off in the following manner: Commencing at the southeast corner of the plat above described, and laying off seven squares north and south, and five squares east and west; lots fronting north and south to be 63x136 feet, those fronting east and west, 68x126 feet; eight lots to each square, with alleys 12 feet in width, running north and south, and east and west, through the center of each square, except the tier of lots fronting on the public square which have no alleys; Main and Market streets, 82 feet in width, and all the other streets 62 feet in width; half-streets on the east, west and north sides of the town, each 31 feet in width. The half-streets were not named. The first street running north and south, one square west of the east side of the town, was named Harrison, the second Wash- ington, the third Main, the fourth Montgomery; the first street running east and west, one square south of the north side of the town, was named Morgan, the second Franklin, also sometimes called Terre Haute street, the third Market, the fourth Jefferson, the fifth Wayne, and the sixth Clay. There were 272 lots in the old town plat, all of the same size, and in all nearly 78 acres, including streets and alleys.

The town was immediately surveyed into lots, streets and alleys by James Galletly, Surveyor, according to the above plan. The following allowances made by the County Commissioners at their April term, 1820, may be of interest to the descendants of those who assisted in the survey of the town of Spencer:

James Galletly, for surveying town of Spencer. $70 00

Samuel Alexander, carrying chain. 5 00

James Biggar, carrying chain. 14 00

Samuel Fain, agent attending surveying. 25 50

John Dunn, assisting in survey .. 11 50

Thomas Allen, assisting in survey. 8 50

Arthur Johnson, assisting in survey. 3 50

Enoch Beem, assisting in survey .. 7 75

Andrew Evans, assisting in survey. 3 00

John Freeland, assisting in survey .. 1 00

George Hambleton, surveying outlines 1 00

Levi Beem also assisted in the survey. The ground, except the east- ern part, had not yet been cleared, and was covered with timber, consist- ing principally of beech, sugar, oak, poplar and walnut. A public sale

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HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY.

of town lots was now announced, the exact date of which cannot be as- certained, but it occurred some time in the year 1820. James Biggar was allowed $10 for " services rendered crying the lots for sail," also John M. Young and Andrew Evans $5 each for acting as clerks of the " sail." The following orders, made by the County Commissioners in regard to the public sale of lots, show that they fully appreciated the importance of the occasion:

Ordered by the board, that John Matheney be allowed the sum of one dollar and twenty-five cents for ferrying the peopel across White River on the day of the first sail of lots in Spencer.

Ordered by the board, that John Dunn be allowed the sum of nine dollars eighty-seven and a half cents for whiskey he furnished the county on the day of the sail of lots in Spencer.

At a subsequent sale of lots in 1822, Thomas Allen was allowed $7.59 for supplying the bidders with the joyous liquid. These orders of the board illustrate in a striking manner the public spirit, the munificence and reckless liberality of the County Commissioners of early times. It makes us sigh for the days of John Dunn and "the first sail of lots in Spencer." The Commissioners who gave the " peopel " free liquor and a free ferry at the " sail," were John Johnson, Jesse Evans and James A. Steele. Their names are immortal, and while for the temperance lectur- er they may serve to " point a moral or adorn a tale," the "old settler," who has thirsted long in vain for another "sail," will look on them as the last of a noble race. The reader, however, must remember that in those days whisky was considered one of the necessaries, and the strict temperance views of the present were unknown.

The following is the list of purchasers of lots at the first sale:

Thomas Allen, Lot No. 120, $28; John Bartholomew, Lot No. 61, $31.50; James Biggar, Lot No. 53, $15.50; Lowry Biggar, Lot No. 54, $13; Neely Beem, Lot. No. 222, $20; - Beem, Lot No. 214, $20; Enoch Beem, Lot No. 216, $71.50; William Batterton, Lot No. 149, $56; Benjamin Parks, Lot 177, $129, and Lot 142, $46.50; Asa Chambers, Lots 178, $98; 162, $173; 143, $103.50; 123, $30.50; 49, $14; 93, $176; 200, $56.50; No. 8, in Southport, $56; Andrew Evans, No. 174, $53; John M. Young, No. 71, $40.50; Samuel Fain, No. 170, $29; Michael Smith, No. 173, $56; No. 155, $40; No. 77, $44; No. 15, in Southport, $11; No. 1, in Southport, $35; Samuel Jackson, No. 169, $50; No. 152, $55; No. 151, $44; No. 137, $40.25; No. 37, $39; No. 218, 30; No. 7, in Southport, $112; James Galletly, No. 166, $31; No. 161, $93.75; No. 114, $133; Elijah Chambers, No. 165, $61; No. 221, $40; George Whisenand, No. 158, $50; Colman Pruett, No. 197, $78, No. 146, $208; No. 116, $48; Caleb Stansbury, No. 36, $30; No. 17, $13; Zachias Chambers, No. 156, $78.50; John M. Young and Zachias Chambers, No. 16, $11.50; John Foster, No. 148, $81; Thomas F. Johnson, No. 145, $120; No. 119, $22; No. 182, $41; William Hynon, No. 185, $37; Moses Hicks, No. 186, $32.80; Joseph Skidmore, No. 141, $55.75; William Skidmore, No. 198, $21; No. 35, $17.50; John M. Jenkins, No. 237, $43.50; No. 238, $40.50; David Johnson, No. 239, $25; No. 236, $42; No. 65, $14; No. 197, $46.75; No. 199, $31.25; John Lowry, No. 181, $91; Abraham Hender- son, No. 235, $30; No. 217, $23.25; Samuel Sandy, No. 231, $28; John Wright, No. 202, $32; John Cutlar, No. 201, $42.50; Louis Noel, No. 96, $122; No. 124, $47; John Mattock, No. 95, $100; Adam Lamb, No. 99, $65; No. 104, $30; No. 15, $13; No. 18, $20; No. 16, in Southport, $10; Jesse Evans, No. 100, $61.50; No. 38, $15; No. 213, $41; Thomas

J. J. Montgomery

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HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY.

Allen and Jesse Evans, No. 120, $41; William T. Jackson, No. 103, $24.12; Eli Tarbutton, No. 107, $26.50; Isaiah Cooper, No. 113, $91; No. 159, $230.75; in Southport, No. 11, $7.50; No. 12, $8.25; James Steele, No. 228, $17.50; No. 224, $20; No. 50, $17; John Vancamp, No. 115, $45; John Johnson, No. 59, $36; No. 58, $51; No. 4, $15.25; No. 3, $12.75; Philip Hart, No. 1, $26; No. 2, $35; Daniel Harris, No. 62, $17; No. 39, $31; No. 2, in Southport, $12; John McBride, No. 227, $11.62; John Dunn, No. 19, $12; Samuel Dunn, No. 20, $22; Henry Jacobs, No. 138, $28.50; No. 240, $28.75; No. 192, $20.25.

This sale was reported to the Commissioners at the December term, 1820. The remainder of the lots was soon disposed of at public and private sales.

THE COURT HOUSE.

With some slight exception,it is generally agreed that the old log court house on Lot No. 98 was the first house built on the original site of Spencer. The following order of the Board of Commissioners will show the airy architecture of our first temple of justice:

Ordered by the board, that a temporary court house be bilt in the town of Spencer after the following plan, to wit :

A duble house, one room of which to be twenty feete squar, the other to be twenty feete by sixteen, and a pasage between them of twelve feete, to be all covered under one roof, the logs to face from eight to twelve inches, and to be built ten feete high above the sills, and the sills to be raised six inches above the ground on rock, and the said cabin to be covered with a good clapboard roof, a puncheon floor to be laid in each room, and the entire each room to be chinked in, and dobed on the outside, and one window in each room, and to be fased and hung with good shutters made of plank on iron hinges, the house to be raised and covered, the big room to be finished by the fifth Monday in May insuing, and the house to be compleated by the October Term of the Circuit Court Eighteen Hundred and Twenty.

The contract to build the court house according to the above plan was let to Adam Lamb, and built by him. He received $100 for his service. The Commissioners met in it for the first time at their March term, 1820. Previous to this time their sessions and all other meetings of a public nature were held at the house of John Dunn. The old court house still stands on its original location, the logs covered with weather-boarding, and with some additions built to it. Here were held the first Sunday schools, religious services, schools and public meetings of various kinds. The main part of the present court house was built in 1825, and an addition afterward built to the west end. It is a two- story brick building, neat and comfortable, and except the lack of vaults for the protection of the records, answers the purpose for which it was intended. The first trial was held under the trees near the south- east corner of the public square. Thomas Adams, the first resident law- yer in Spencer, and famous in his time, and a lawyer named Elkins, of Greene County, were the opposing counsel. Most of the settlers gathered to witness the proceedings. The trial, as is usual in such cases, opened with a dispute between the attorneys over some legal question, and Mr. Adams, becoming somewhat enthusiastic, knocked Mr. Elkins down with a law book. The Constable interfered and restored the dignity of the court. The illustrious example set by our first law- yers under the shadows of the primeval forest has suffered no dishonor in recent times.

EARLY RESIDENTS.

The first settlements were made in the immediate neighborhood of what was afterward the town of Spencer. In 1820, John Johnson built

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HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY.

a cabin near the present location of Moore's Hotel, and kept a small stock of goods. In the same year, Samuel Howe and James M. H. Allison and Fletcher Allison commenced business in Spencer, and they were followed in a few years by George and William Tingle, George Duig- nan, John Young, George Moore, Noah Allison and others. The Allisons were located on the north side of the public square, Duignan and Moore on the northwest corner, Young on what is now the location of Beem & Newsom's store room. These merchants kept a general stock of mer- chandise suited to the wants of their customers, taking in exchange for their goods hides, produce, etc.

James M. H. Allison was perhaps the first prominent business man of the place. He was an energetic, intelligent business man, and public spirited in a high degree. He bought produce from the farmers and shipped it in flat-boats to New Orleans, the only market at that time for the surplus products of this part of the country. He also manufactured linseed oil in Spencer. The flax seed was crushed by two large, circular stones about ten inches thick and four or five feet in diameter, pro- pelled by a treadwheel. This wheel also furnished power for a carding machine in the second story of the same building. He was prosperous in business, but soon left Spencer and located in Greene County. He laid out the town of Point Commerce there, and expended a considerable fortune in the attempt to make it one of the leading towns of south- western Indiana. He died at Point Commerce a few years since.

Noah Allison, a brother of James M. H. Allison, came to Spencer a few years after his brother, and began business on a small scale. During all the early history of Spencer, and even till a few years before his death, he was the leading merchant of the town and county. He was a man of great energy, industry and perseverance, and practiced the most rigid economy. His stock of goods on commencing business was very meager, and his customers in proportion. He also worked as a shoe- maker when not waiting upon his customers. Although beginning with scarcely any capital at all, his rigid honesty and indomitable energy and perseverance won, and he soon controlled the greater portion of the business of the county. He never lost the confidence or patronage of his customers, and held his position at the head of the business interests of Spencer until he retired. He traded extensively in all kinds of products, shipping them to New Orleans in flat-boats, and amassed a considerable fortune. His sons continued his business for many years after he re- tired, and his three grandsons are running a grocery store at his old place of business.

Lawrence Adams, familiarly known as "Uncle Larry," located in Spencer in November, 1829. He at first lived where the residence of Judge Franklin now is, and afterward removed to his present location. For many years he kept a small stock of candies, confectioneries, ginger- bread, picture-books, holiday goods, etc., and his little store was famous with the children, and "Uncle Larry " was as much revered by them as Santa Claus himself. He is still living in Spencer, very old and en- feebled.

William Leak located in Spencer about the year 1828, and kept a saloon near the place where the Levistein building now stands. He did not continue in business long, becoming involved in difficulty on account of the murder of James Carter. He attacked and killed Carter in his sa- loon with a hoe, gave "straw bail " and fled.

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HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY.

Among the first carpenters who appeared in Spencer were Mont- gomery Leonard, Finley B. Johnson, Henry Devore, Anthony Foster and Junia Lathrop. Mr. Leonard and Mr. Johnson came about the year 1823, and Mr. Johnson has resided in Spencer continually from that time to the present, working at his trade until a few years since. He built the first frame house in Spencer, and has had perhaps a larger share than any builder in the construction of its edifices. He was an excellent carpenter, and was very successful in his business affairs.

Isaac Heaton came to Spencer in 1825, from New England. He had a strong native ability and, for that day, an excellent education. He soon became a prominent citizen, was elected Justice of the Peace, and afterward County Auditor and Probate Judge. He was among the first school teachers in Spencer. He filled all these positions with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the public.

James Bircham was the first blacksmith to locate in Spencer, ard was a valuable addition to the village.

Dr. Amasa Joslin came to Spencer about the year 1823 and engaged in the practice of medicine, which then consisted largely of the treat- ment of malarial diseases. Quinine was the great remedy then, when the long array of patent medicines which eliminate disease and death was unknown. Dr. Joslin had a very large scope of country in which to practice his profession, extending from Spencer northeast to "Lamb's bottom," in Morgan County, and southwest to the mouth of Eel River. He was quite successful in his profession, in which he accumulated a bandsome fortune.

Dr. David Sheppard began the practice of medicine in Spencer about two years after Dr. Joslin, and also took high rank in his profession. He soon removed to Point Commerce, Greene County, where he died about twenty-five years ago.

Dr. John Sedwick was also one of the first physicians to locate in Spencer. He was prominent in his profession, and enjoyed a lucrative practice. He died in Spencer.

The first resident attorney was Thomas F. G. Adams, who located in Spencer about the year 1823. He was famous for his wit. brillancy and eloquence, and the novel methods by which he sometimes carried his point. He would contend for a proposition, which he knew to be absurd, with the utmost plausibility and with the most earnest eloquence. While the title to a town lot, which he owned, was in question, he moved a building off the lot and left it in the middle of the street for a year, intend- ing, in this way, to save it should the suit be decided against him. On this account an indictment for maintaining a nuisance was returned in the Owen Circuit Court against him. The Presiding Judge was suddenly called away to Terre Haute on account of sickness in his family, and as soon as he was gone Mr. Adams contrived to have his case called up for trial before the Associate Judge, who, of course, was not informed in the law. He read to the court, with great gravity, a few old English cases, in all of which it happened that the nuisances complained of arose from noisome and offensive smells, stinks, etc., and argued long and earnestly and with the most fervid and tremendous eloquence that there could be no such thing as a nuisance without an accompanying stink attached, and as his house, in the street, did not stink, it was therefore no nuisance. This remarkable logic prevailed with the learned Associate Judge, who instructed the jury that a thing must stink before it could be declared a

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HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY.

nuisance, and Mr. Adams was acquitted. For some unaccountable reason, this important precedent has not been generally recognized by the higher courts.

Basil Champer was among the early resident attorneys in Spencer. He was a partner of Gov. Whitcomb, who attended the Spencer bar for years. Champer was aspiring and talented and soon entered the polit- ical arena. He was twice elected to the Legislature, though the county was decidedly Democratic and he a decided Whig. He was first elected in 1840, on a local issue growing out of the State internal improvement system. His competitor was in the Legislature the previous year, and failed in an attempt to make Spencer a point on the proposed macadam road from New Albany to Crawfordsville. Through Champer's influ- ence, Spencer was named as a point on the road. On receipt of this news, all the people came together in a grand mass-meeting, enthused to the highest pitch; and so intoxicated were the citizens with the meteoric prospects of Spencer, on account of the supposed importance of the pro- posed road, that Delana R. Eckels only voiced the sentiments of the people, when, in the course of an extensive and triumphant address made on this occasion, he declared that Spencer would become the "Grand Emporium of the West." While the prospects of Spencer are bright and promising, the "Grand Emporium" part of the programme is still "in the future waiting." Champer rose rapidly in his profession, taking high rank as an advocate, and would have distinguished himself had his life not been shortened by dissipation.

Delana R. Eckels, above alluded to, was also among the first attor- neys who located in Spencer. He became Judge of the Circuit Court, and as a lawyer and Judge achieved an enviable reputation. He is still engaged in the practice of law at Greencastle, and is yet vigorous and in full possession of his intellectual faculties, though over eighty years of age.

Henry Secrest was also in the practice of law at Spencer about the same time as the attorneys above mentioned. He was a man of very fine abilities and accomplishments, and an able lawyer.

W. M. Franklin, F. T. Brown, A. T. Rose, W. E. Dittemore, I. E. Johnson, Harlan Richards and others also commenced the practice many years ago at Spencer, but, with the exception of Mr. Johnson, they are all yet living and well known. Besides the above attorneys, James Whitcomb, afterward Governor, Tilman A. Howard, Craven P. Hester, Samuel P. Judah, Elisha Huntington, Thomas Blake and Gov. Parris C. Dunning were frequently in attendance at the Spencer bar.

William D. Farley was also among the first lawyers who practiced here.

HOTELS.

Philip Hedges was the first hotel keeper in Spencer. His tavern was a log cabin built near the southeast corner of the public square in 1822. A short time afterward Reuben Fullen kept a tavern on the south side of the square. Hedges' Hotel sported a sign board with a painting of Gen. Andrew Jackson on horseback in full uniform, while Fullen's sign was the "Indian Queen." Old residents who remember these signs say that they were painted in bold, glaring, gorgeous colors that rivaled the glittering sheen of the golden chariot of a modern circus and menagerie. They were considered marvels of art, worthy of the brush of Michael Angelo, and while each had its admirers, the palm was generally con-

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HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY.

ceded to " Old Hickory," on account of his dashing appearance and the splendor of the colors. For a long time these were the only public places of entertainment for the traveler. Hedges is well remembered by the old residents. He was a man of marked characteristics, the princi- pal one of which was the firm conviction that the world owed him a liv- ing, and he lost no opportunity in endeavoring to collect the debt. He figures extensively on the records, and seems to have made a specialty of small jobs with the County Commissioners. The Board of Commission- ers allowed him $25.25 for clearing the timber off the public square, and there are still living a few of his old acquaintances who remember that while Mr. Hedges got the money, he entirely overlooked the little matter of clearing away the timber. Many other little incidents might be re- lated illustrating the absent-mindedness and carelessness of this merry landlord of ancient times. He was shrewd, discreetly avoiding unneces- sary labor, and in the way of unfulfilled obligations he was the Wilkins Micawber of the village. Among the other early tavern keepers were John Johnson, John Dunn, Isaac Westfall and George Moore. John Dunn's hotel was on the northwest corner of the public square. It was a two-story frame built by Finley B. Johnson, and was the first frame building in the county. Moore's tavern was on the west side and West- fall's on the north side of the public square. It would require a volume to give any account of the hotel keepers from that time to the present, for their names are legion. John H. Johnson, J. W. Cleaver, Elisha Evans, J. A. Coffey, B. P. Wiggington, were all well known and popular landlords. The hotels at present are the National House, on the north side of the square, William Wines, proprietor; the Lucas House, on the east side of the square, I. S. Lucas, proprietor; Moore's Hotel, on South Main street, W. M. Moore, proprietor; Ohio House, opposite I. & V. R. R. depot, W. W. Pryor, proprietor. There are also several boarding- houses. The first tavern keepers were watched with a zealous and eagle eye by the Board of County Commissioners, and their rates fixed within reasonable bounds. For the year 1819, the board ordered that the fol- lowing be the "rates for taverns:"

French Branda, per half pint. .50

French Branda, per gill. .25

Rum, per half pint.

.50

Rum, per gill. .25

Wine, per quart .. 1.75

In a less quantity in proportion.

Whisky, per pint. .25

Whisky, per half pint.

.12}

For one warm meal .. .25

For cold chick. .12}

Lodging. .123

A horse standing at hay with a sufficient quantity of corn or oates .50

The landlords of the Spencer hotels are now left free to fix their own rates, and the public has no cause to complain. The Commissioners of to-day have not the jurisdiction over " cold chick," whisky and "French branda," which was exercised by their predecessors, but competition has brought them within their reach, and the above tariff, for the protection of County Commissioners only, is no longer necessary.

MAILS.

Philip Hedges, Jacob Harsh and James M. H. Allison were among the first Postmasters. The first mails came to Spencer about the year

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HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY.

1821. At that time the mail route was from Terre Haute to Browns- town, via Bloomington and Palestine. Bledsoe Hardin was the first mail carrier, bringing the mail to Spencer once in every two weeks. The mails were light, newspapers rare, and news of every kind was eagerly sought for. If postal cards had been in use at that time, the Postmaster would have had ample time to peruse and exhibit them when he deemed it of public utility. Hedges' Hotel and the old court house were first used as post offices. News traveled slowly, and important events were old before the people learned of them. The newspapers which cir- culated here were George D. Prentiss' paper, the Journal, and the Louis- ville Democrat. In political campaigns, these papers were the texts for the members of the opposing political parties, and the slogans of the edi- tors were taken up by the politicians and patriots of the village.

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Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 75

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 982

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 982