USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 78
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 78
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The hoe was the principal implement of agriculture. If the pioneer of that day could have seen the array of reapers and mowers, drills, planters, riding cultivators and other farming implements of modern invention, he would not have known their use. The ground was broken with the " bull- tongue " or "jumping shovel." The soil was very rich, and so loose and soft that a trail was followed with ease. Nettles grew thickly, and the legs of the horses and men sometimes had to be protected against them by buck- skin leggings. They also served as a protection against the snakes which were very numerous and seemed to wriggle from under every log and brush heap. The rattlesnake and the copperhead were the most dangerous and venomous. The latter was the most dreaded and hated; for while the former with his rattle nearly always gave warning of his unwelcome pres- ence, the copperhead seemed to have a monopoly of all the viciousness, venom and deviltry of the whole race of reptiles. Like the Indians, these unpleasant natives have disappeared from the country, and their mourners are scarcer than those of Logan. . Some of the rattlesnakes were of large size, and the early residents say they frequently found a full grown gray squirrel in the stomach of a rattlesnake when killed. This is not remark- able, for it is said that some of these reptiles were of astonishing size and of sufficient girth to embrace quite "an elegant sufficiency " of gray squir- rels. When bitten by them the settler applied a quid of chewed tobacco to
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the wound, and this remedy is said to have been a sure cure. It was learned from the Indians.
Pens were built to protect stock against the wild animals, for bear, pan- thers, wild cats, wolves and other wild beasts were very numerous at that time, and any domestic animal left unprotected during the night was certain to disappear before the morning. The most inveterate and pestiferous ene- mies to stock were the flies which swarmed in myriads, and their bite was as irritating as the sting of the wild honey bee. They retired peacefully at night or in cloudy weather, but were out with the sun and were ready for business. The settler rose early, built a smoldering fire with logs, so as to make as much smoke as possible, and when the flies entered upon their du- ties of the day, the stock came running and bellowing wildly, and smarting with mingled pain, fright and astonishment, to seek the protection of the smoke.
The difficulties and hardships which must be met and overcome were countless and unknown to the frontiersmen of to-day. With scarcely any of the comforts and conveniences of life, it seems now little less than ex- ile; yet the early settler remembers those days in the wilderness with pride and pleasure, and thinks of them as the part of his life he would like to live over again. The pioneers of Washington Township were men of strong mind and courage, and their names are legacies to their descendants.
EARLY INDUSTRIES.
The hand-mill was probably the first machine used, if it could be digni- fied by that name. At first, corn meal was made by pounding the Indian corn in a " mortar," or grinding it in the hand-mill. There were also horse- mills in use. One was kept by James Galletly, in the valley just above the new schoolhouse in Spencer. Mr. Galletly also ran a still-house at the same place. It is said that the hand-mill was invented about the year 1822, by Obadiah Turpen, who lived in Clay Township. Probably the first grist mill in the township was built by a man named Milligan, on Mill Creek. It was built about the year 1826. It was abandoned in a few years, when Joshua Kelly built a mill a short distance below it, on what is now the site of Wesley Alverson's stone mill. Kelly's mill afterward passed into the hands of Taylor Loveland. This mill was for many years patronized for miles around by the old settlers, and although no trace of the first mill re- mains, the same site has been used for a mill up to the present time. Wes- ley Alverson's mill, which now stands on the old site, is a substantial stone structure, has improved machinery, and turns out an excellent quality of flour and meal.
About the year 1830, Joshua Kelly built a small water mill on Fall Creek, a short distance below the present home of Barton Hardy.
A few years afterward, Stephen Barnes built a saw and grist mill on Rat- tlesnake Creek, three miles west of Spencer.
The early settler who carried his "grinding" to these rude mills, was often compelled to wait for hours until his turn came. They could not ex- change their grain for flour or meal and return to their homes, but had to wait patiently until their own grain could be ground for them, and this was occasionally a long time.
James M. Archer was the first tanner of Washington Township. His tanyard was located near the place where his son, Capt. James W. Archer, now lives. Afterward, Alexander Craig, Harlan Richards and Rezin Rich- ards ran a tanyard near the same place.
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HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY.
ROADS, BRIDGES AND FERRIES.
The County Commissioners were first petitioned to establish roads in the spring of 1819. The first road established was that leading over the hill south of Spencer to Bloomington. It was located in the summer of 1820 by David Johnson, Alexander McBride and John Bartholomew, who were appointed by the Commissioners for that purpose. In a short time after- ward, the roads called the Elletsville, Gosport, Greencastle, Terre Haute and Freedom roads were established. The petitions for these roads were all presented to the Board of Commissioners in the year 1819, but the precise time of their location cannot be ascertained. At first these roads amounted to nothing more than a track cleared of timber to a width sufficient to allow the passage of teams. They were not graded or " worked," and in the win- ter season were almost impassable.
A good macadam road is now in process of construction in place of the old Elletsville road, and, with this exception, the roads of the township occu- py nearly their original course, and in the winter the wayfarer finds them in a condition much resembling their original state. At times they are nearly useless, and are a standing premium for profanity, and a disgrace to a civil- ized community. They will all probably soon be replaced with good turn- pikes.
The first bridges across the small streams were constructed of poles, two being laid across the stream, and a floor of poles laid on these. They were rough and insecure, and afforded a very uncertain footing for the horses. At first, no crossings whatever were made, and the streams were forded, as some of them are yet. No bridge was built across White River until 1872, when the present bridge at Spencer was constructed. It is about 500 feet in length, made of pine lumber, built on stone piers and abutments, and is an excellent and substantial structure. Previous to this time, the people were compelled to ford White River, which could be done without difficulty when the water was low, or cross by ferry. The first ferries across White River were established in 1820. They were John Dunn's ferry at the south end of the " Narrows," Isaiah Cooper's at Spencer, and Adam Brinton's at Munday's Station, as the place is now called. Brinton's and Dunn's were abandoned many years ago, but the ferry at Spencer continued in use till the building of the bridge across White River.
SCHOOLS.
The schoolhouse may always be found by the hut of the American pio- neer, and it was not long after the first settlers invaded the wilderness until schools made their appearance. The school term was short, scarcely ever longer than three months, and the branches generally taught were reading, writing and arithmetic. The schoolhouses were log cabins, which were warmed by a fire of huge logs in the old-fashioned fire-place. The seats were rough puncheons and were without any desks. The pupils sat in a row on these benches, and whenever the master directed his wrathful rod at the bad boy, it was as likely to strike the unoffending as the object of its affections. The facilities of the school-teacher were limited, and his usefulness depended greatly upon his own tact and ingenuity. There were no globes, maps, charts, neat and comfortable desks, and other conveniences found in our present schools. There was scarcely any attempt made at a classification of the school, each pupil being allowed to progress as rapidly as he could in his studies. Arithmetic was the principal study, and the pupil solved as many "sums " as he could before recitation, and paid no attention to the other members of his class.
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The order observed would now be considered very bad. The pupils stud- ied in a subdued tone or whisper, and the youth of that day would have con- sidered a prohibition of whispering unconstitutional and void. On a cold, wintry day, the teacher was besieged with applications for permission to "go to the fire." His notice was attracted for this, as well as for all other pur- poses, by snapping the thumb and finger, sounding sometimes like the firing of pop-guns from all directions at the busy pedagogue. Whenever a suffi- cient number collected around the great blazing fire, the teacher could al- ways anticipate a lively and interesting time. On Friday afternoons, the monotonous routine was varied with essays, declamations, dialogues and other literary exercises. There was no remarkable display of elocution in these exercises, the standard of excellence being the greatest speed in read- ing or speaking. The celebrated boy who " stood on the burning deck " and other rhymes of an easy, swinging measure, were always "on deck " on these occasions. The speaker generally lost sight of the well-known fact that "'tis modulation that charms the ear," and went straight through in a strictly business manner with apparently no especial object in view, except to finish up the literary business as soon as possible.
The spelling matches are so well known that a description would be su- perfluous. There was always some phenomenon, like the champion speller of the " Hooser Schoolmaster," who, while he was good for nothing else and never ornamental, could " spell down" McGuffey himself.
The school master generally had more need of a goodly muscle than a well stored mind. Some " big boy " was nearly always sure to aspire to distinc- tion by whipping the teacher or by conducting himself in the most insolent and impudent manner, to gain the admiration of the smaller boys, who re- garded one who could do this with impunity as having reached the height of human greatness. This species of ruffianism has happily disappeared from our schools, and an ambitious young man of this character would soon come to grief.
Perhaps the first school taught in Washington Township was near the lo- cation of the new stone mill in Spencer, about the year 1822. The names of the pioneer pedagogues cannot now be ascertained. While some of them perhaps ought to be as famous as Ichabod Crane, of Sleepy Hollow, a care- less generation has left their praises unsung, and they are lost to history.
There are now eleven schoolhouses in the township, all neat, substantial frame structures, well finished, and with good furniture. There are eleven teachers, eight male and three female. The former received an average of $1.85 per day, and the latter an average of $1.57 per day in the year of 1882, and the total amount paid to teachers was $1,959.35. The enumera- tion of pupils between six and twenty-one years of age was 350. The num- ber of pupils in the township is reduced on account of the transfers made to the graded school in Spencer. The schools of the township are under the control of energetic and efficient teachers, and are conducted as nearly as practicable on the graded system. They will compare favorably with any schools of like character in the country, and afford ample opportunities for a good common school education.
OFFICERS.
On the 4th of March, 1819, the Board of Commissioners in session at the house of John Dunn, ordered an election to be held on the first Monday of April, 1819, in each township of the county, for the purpose of electing one Justice of the Peace for each township. There were then only three town- ships in the county. The voting precinct for Washington Township was John Dunn's house, which seems to have been at that time the place of hold-
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HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY.
ing public meetings of all kinds. On the same day, William W. Cooper was appointed Constable for Washington Township, and was succeeded the next year by Joshua Matheny. Who were elected Justices of the Peace at these early elections does not appear, but David Johnson, Isaiah Cooper, William Biggar and Isaac Heaton were probably the first dignitaries to administer the law in Washington Township. The latter was afterward elected Probate Judge, and was a man of considerable ability and influence. In the election of 1820, Philip Hart, the first settler of the county, served as inspector of elections, also serving in that capacity for several years afterward. At that time there were no other offices of any consequence. The School Trustees of the township have been H. Richards, John J. Cooper, Nathan Collins, H. D. Ellis, and John R. Harrold, the present Trustee. John J. Cooper occupied that position for many years. The Justices of the Peace at present are John J. Cooper, George W. Edwards, John M. Kinney and Thomas J. Harris. The political complexion of the township is Republican, and has been since the organization of the Republican party. The Republican majority varies from 40 to 100.
CHURCHES.
" Bethel" Methodist Episcopal Church is located four miles southwest of Spencer. The church building is a one-story frame, 26x40 feet, presents a respectable appearance, and has ample and comfortable accommodations. It is located in a quiet and orderly neighborhood, and has a good member- ship of solid and intelligent farmers. The present building was erected in the year 1853. The church had been organized in a loose way several years previous to this time, the meetings being held in an old log church. Jesse Williams was the minister at the time of building the present church, and superintended the work. The membership at that time consisted principally of the following-named persons, some of whom are still active members : Daniel Price, Sr., Daniel Price, Jr., Aaron Price, Andrew Jackson, John Barnes, Giles Leak, Silas A Leak, Thomas Gaskill, John T. M. Scott, John F. White, William Holman, Vivian Beck, Martha Gibson, Nathaniel Willard, E. A. Duling, Anthony S. Barnes, John M. Coleman, Frederick Sapp, Lemnel Payne, and others whose names cannot now be ascertained on account of a failure to keep any records of the church membership. The only unpleas- antness that marked the smooth course of the church was the trial of an err- ing sister for back-biting and too much freedom in her personal statements. She was duly notified to appear for trial at the old log church, and she ap- peared. On account of the crowd it was decided to have the trial outside under the trees.
The wayward and talkative sister at once raised a technical point, claim- ing that she had not been notified in due form to appear for trial in the woods, and refused to attend. She was the liveliest of the flock, and was wel, known for the remarkable fluency and ease with which she handled contem- poraneons biography.
The church has always been in good condition, and has never fallen into decay or lost its usefulness. It is on a solid basis, with a good membershipl a spirit of harmony, and an ability to accomplish unlimited good in the com- munity in which it is located.
The " Union of Owen " Church belongs to the Separate Baptist denomi- nation, and is located about six miles east of Spencer. It was organized about forty-eight years ago by Samuel Randolph and John Layman, the fathers of David Randolph and Alfred Layman. The congregation then consisted of seventy-five or eighty members, and held their meetings in an old log church on McCormick's Creek, one mile southwest of the present location. The church is a frame building, 36x40 feet, comfortably furnished,
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and with a seating capacity of 300. The minister in charge is Alfred Lay- man, who has filled that position for many years. Thomas Franklin is the oldest member, and occasionally preaches, for the congregation, and has ordained many ministers of this denomination. This church is distinguished from other denominations by many peculiarities, and is characterized by its primitive simplicity and religious fervor. The custom of washing the feet is still practiced at the yearly meetings in June. There is probably no church in the world which more consistently and boldly repudiates and spurns the earthly vanities and foolish pride of the present generation with its "itching ears," its " sounding brass and tinkling cymbals," and which more closely clings to the traditions, the customs and the faith of the apostles.
Christian Union Church .- This church is located about two miles south- west of Spencer. The building is a frame structure, comfortably furnished, and with ample accommodations. The church was organized by Rev. J. V. B. Black February 1, 1865, with the following officers : Buckner Dickerson, Official Elder ; Henry Harvey, Financial Elder ; John F. White, Recording Elder. Rev. Silas Watts served as Pastor from 1865 to 1867. During the next two years, the pulpit was filled by Rev. T. G., Price and Rev. Waymire. Rev. T. G. Price has been the presiding minister from 1869 to the present time, filling the position with credit to himself and his church, and with the approval and indorsement of his congregation and community. In 1867, the membership numbered 100, and, in 1870, it had increased to 164. In 1870, the present church house was built, with Buckner Dickerson, Otho Workman and Henry Harvey as Trustees. The cost was about $2,000. The church was dedicated by Rev. O. Abbot. The present membership numbers seventy-seven, some of the members having moved away, while others of the faithful have gone to reap the goodly harvest of their earthly sowing. The church is still in a prosperous condition, and is one of those institutions whose influence for good, while not always direct or perceptible, yet is of incalculable value to a community.
TAXES.
Public expenses were not heavy at first, but the amount of property which had to bear the burden was correspondingly small. It was not long before the pioneer was reminded of the existence of society around him by those necessary assessments for the public welfare that have in some form been laid on the people ever since such a thing as a State or municipal society existed. In the year 1819, the first tax was levied. It was a gen- eral tax levied by the Board of Commissioners, and was as follows : "On first-rate land, 50 cents per 100 acres ; on second-rate land, 434 cents ; on third-rate land, 314 cents ; and on horses, 37} cents per head."
For this year, John Dunn's Ferry was taxed $5, and that of Adam Brinton $8.
For the year 1820, the rates were as follows : "On first-rate land, $1.50 per 100 acres ; on second-rate land, $1.30 ; and on third-rate land, 93} cents."
For the year 1823 : "On first-rate land, $1 per 100 acres ; on second- rate land, 663 cents ; and on third-rate land, 50 cents ; on horses, 37} cents per head, and on work oxen, 25 cents. "
For the year 1825 : "On first-rate land, 75 cents per 100 acres ; on second-rate land, 50 cents ; on third-rate land, 37} cents ; horses, 37} cents per head ; work oxen, 184 cents per head ; gold watches, $1; silver watches, 25 cents ; brass clocks, $1; four-wheel carriages, $1; two-wheel carriages, 50 cents each."
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HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY.
In the year 1843, the number of polls in the township was 195; number of acres assessed for taxation, 20,288 ; value of lands, $61,324; value of improvements, $30,870 ; value of lots and improvements, $24,219 ; value of other property, $20,774 ; total value of taxables, $137,187 ; total tax col- lected, $795.23, of which $374.61 was State tax.
For the year 1852-Number of acres for taxation, 27,702; value of lands, $101,602 ; value of improvements, $61,283 ; value of lots, $28,464 ; personal property, $151,569 ; total taxables, $342,918 ; total tax, $2,098.74, of which $152.25 were township tax; delinquent, $155.50; number of polls, 266.
For the year 1860-Number of acres for taxation, 29,540 ; value of land, $338,377 ; value of improvements, $107,621 ; value of lots, $25,460 ; value of improvements on same, $54,730 ; value of personal property, $247,984 ; total value of taxables, $774,172 ; total taxes collected, $4,618.52, of which $154.83 was township tax ; delinquent, $2,003.45 ; number polls, 292.
For the year 1870-Number of acres assessed for taxation, 29,805 ; value of lands, $535,995 ; value of improvements, $115,225 ; value of lots, $65,- 410 ; value of improvements on same, $115,415 ; value of personal property, $315,470 ; total value of taxables, $1,147,515 ; polls, 317 ; total taxes col- lected, $12,218.05 ; delinquent, $2,256.66.
For the year 1880-Number of acres, 29,805 ; value of lands, $424,090 ; value of improvements, $69,670 ; value of lots, $119,475 ; value of im- provements on the same, $173,255 ; value of personal property, $128,745 ; total value of taxables, $915,235 ; total taxes collected, $9,077.99.
SURFACE, TIMBER, WATER, ETC.
The greater portion of the surface is hilly and rolling, some sections be- ing rough and unproductive. The northern part, known as "Texas," is the most broken. The uplands are generally well watered, have a good soil, and are well adapted to grazing and stock-raising. Although not so profitable for the raising of grain and agricultural products, with careful and skillful husbandry they would soon become very valuable as grazing lands. Many acres of land that might be made to yield a handsome profit are hardly worth the taxes on account of bad management and unskillful farming.
White River enters the township near the northeast corner, in Section 1, and runs diagonally through it, passing out near the southwest corner. It has a large acreage of rich and valuable bottom lands on White River, vary- ing from one-fourth to three-fourths of a mile in width, and producing heavy crops of corn, wheat and other grain. There are no other streams of any consequence. The creeks are Rattlesnake, in the western part, and Fall Creek, Mill Creek and McCormick's Creek in the northern and eastern part of the township. They are all small streams, but Rattlesnake, which is the largest, frequently becomes swollen to a considerable size by heavy rains, and causes a great deal of damage along its narrow valley. McCormick's Creek, which joins White River from the east about one mile east of Spencer, is a favorite resort for picnic parties and pleasure-seekers, on account of its beautiful and romantic scenery. From its mouth to the falls, about one and a half miles, it winds through a deep, narrow, rocky valley, with precipitous sides and gray cliffs that rise like solid stone walls higher than the tall oaks. The bluffs and steep sides are covered with clambering vines and a dense timber growth, shutting out the sunlight and leaving the narrow valley shady, silent, and seemingly far from the haunts of man. The falls are twelve feet in height, and the surrounding scenery would delight the eye of an artist. The valley is in some places rocky, in others, covered with grass and wild flowers and strewn with moss-covered
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bowlders. The scene is one of wild sylvan beauty and grandeur, and it is perhaps the only spot the hand of the invading pioneer has left unchanged. It wants only the wild war-whoop of the departed and disinherited Lo to wake the echoes in the enchanted vale and complete the scene as it was when the Indian was lord of the domain.
The timber growth is principally beech, oak, ash, sugar, walnut and poplar. The best timber has disappeared, but there were once magnificent forests of valuable timber.
The hills of Washington Township are full of splendid building stone, equal if not superior to any other in the State, and they will be some day studded with the tall derricks of many stone quarries. A committee of ex- perts, appointed to select the best stone to be found for the superstructure of the new State House, after a critical examination of the stone in various parts of Indiana and the West, selected that of the quarry at the mouth of McCormick's Creek. A bridge was built across White River at this point, and a switch connecting with the Indianapolis & Vincennes Railroad was built by the contractors, and for some time the quarry was worked on an extensive scale. The bridge was twice washed away by the floods, and the expense of quarrying this stone being greater than ordinarily, the contract- ors became discouraged and abandoned it for the cheaper but inferior stone of the Bedford quarries.
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