USA > Indiana > Brown County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 52
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 52
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 52
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THE OLD SETTLERS.
In about the year 1852, an attempt was made at the county seat to organize an old settlers' association, and a call, signed by several of the oldest residents of Bloomington, was made for a public meeting for that purpose, but for some reason nothing further was done. In 1857, how- ever, the first old settlers' society of the county was established, as will be seen by the following, taken from the Bloomington Republican :
OLD SETTLERS' MEETING.
In pursuance of previous notice for an Old Settlers' Meeting, quite a large number of the old gray-headed fathers and pioneers of Monroe County met in mass at the court house in the town of Bloomington, on Monday, the 26th day of April 1857, for the purpose of organizing a society to be called the Old Settlers' Society, and make suitable arrangements for its permanent organization. The meeting was called to order. On motion of Matthe M. Campbell, Jacob B. Lowe was called to the chair, and Morton C. Hunter appointed Secretary. Col. Campbell, of Washington Township, moved that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to make all necessary arrangements for an old settlers' meeting on the 4th day of July next. Prof. M. M. Campbell moved to amend the motion by striking out the word " five " and inserting "one from e ch township in Monroe County." which amendment was accepted by Col. Campbell, and the motion as amended passed. Whereupon the chair appointed the following gentlemen to serve as said committee : Col. Campbell, of Washington Township ; John Hubbard, of Marion; David Barrow, of Ben- ton ; James P. Ellis, of Salt Creek ; John Hanson, of Polk ; Col. Ketcham, of Clear Creek ; Joseph S. Walker, of Indian Creek ; M. M. Campbell, of Perry ; Ellis Stone, of Van Buren; Judge Reeves, of Richland ; James V. Buskirk, of Bean Blossom ; Elias Abel, of Bloomington Township. To which was added Paris C. Dunning and Austin Seward. Eli P. Farmer, of Richland Township, moved that twenty-five years' residence in Monroe County entitle a man to membership. George A. Buskirk, Esq., moved to amend the motion by requiring each member to be fifty years old, and have resided in the county thirty years, which amendment was accepted by Mr. Farmer. The motion as amended passed. Samuel H. Buskirk, Esq., moved that a committee of nine be appointed to make all suitable arrangements for the meeting of the old settlers on the 4th of July, and t& prepare refreshments for the occasion. The chair appointed the following gentlemen such committee : Samuel H. Buskirk, F. T. Butler. P. L. D. Mitchell, Jesse T. Cox, Will- iam Ward, Aquilla W. Rogers, William C. Sadler, Col. L. Gentry, George A. Buskirk. The object of organizing the Old Settlers' Society is, that the old gray-headed fathers may be called together at stated periods for the purpose of enjoying a social repast with each other, and in their own way entertain the meeting by the narration of anecdotes, as well as the hardships and perilous scenes that transpire t during the early settling of this country, in the planting of civilization, clearing up of the lands, and subduing the red man of the forest, as also the dangers, perils and hardships of the war of 1812, that the rising generation may be kept in remembrance of the debt of gratitude that is due from them to their pioneer fathers for the blessings they now enjoy, and that the pen of the historian may record those scenes for the benefit of generations that may come after us
398
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
All will therefore come prepared to narrate the various incidents that came under their observation. The various committees above named will meet at Bloomington on Saturday, the 19th day of June, to make all necessary arrangements for the meeting, which is to take place on the 4th of July next. No committeeman should fail to attend. On motion, the proceedings were ordered to be published in the Bloomington Republican. On motion adjourned.
MORTON C. HUNTER,
Secretary.
GEN. JACOB B. LOWE, President.
The first meeting of the old settlers occurred on the day stated, but unfortunately a detailed account cannot be given. It is said that 1,500 persons were in town. A fine dinner was enjoyed by the old people, who afterward told over their experiences in settling up the county. The fol- lowing, taken from the Republican of 1858, gives an account of the second meeting of the old settlers of Monroe County :
OLD SETTLERS' MEETING.
Pursuant to previous notice, the old settlers of Monroe County met at the court house, in the town of Bloomington, on the 17th day of September, 1858. The meeting was organized by calling Col. John Ketcham to the chair, and appointing Milton McPhet- ridge Secretary. The proceedings of the meeting were opened by an appropriate prayer by the Rev. Eli P. Farmer.
On motion of Austin Seward, Benjamin F. Rogers was admitted to all the rights and privileges of the old settlers, he being forty years of age and the first white male child born in the county.
The Chairman requested every person who was fifty years old and upward, and who had resided in the county thirty years. to come forward and have their names, ages and places of nativity registered, whereupon eighty-eight came forward and were duly registered.
Gen, Lowe, who was selected by the committee of arrangements to deliver an address, not. being present, Rev. Eli P. Farmer was called upon, and addressed the meeting in a brief, appropriate speech, detailing many interesting incidents connected with the early settling of the county. He was followed by Col. John Ketcham, M. M. Campbell, John M. Saddler, James V. Buskirk, Rev. Solomon Lucas, and others, each giving an account of his trials and har Iships in the settling of the county, and of their bear, wolf, deer and panther hunts, many of which were truly amusing, and were listened to with much inter- est, not only by the old settlers, but by a large number of citizens who had assembled on the occasion.
On motion of Mr. McCollough, it was resolved that the next annual meeting of the old settlers be held at the same place on the 17th day of September, 1859, and that each member bring his wife, and those that have none are requested to get one, or bring a widow; also, that all old settlers who have not registered their names are requested to do so previous to the next meeting; and, on further motion of Mr. McCollough, Col. John Ketcham was appointed Chairman, and Milton McPhetridge Secretary, to serve until the next annual meeting.
At half-past 1 o'clock, a procession was formed, and after marching around the public square, the old settlers, with many others, repaired to the "Young's House," and sat down to a sumptuous dinuer prepared by mine host, Jacob Young. The tables were well filled with everything necessary to satisfy the most fastidious.
The best kind of feeling prevailed throughout the day, no incident occurring to mar the harmony of the meeting. After dinner was over, the old men got together, in groups, and talked over bygone scenes. All seemed to enjoy themselves, and will long remem- ber the happy meeting of this day. The company dispersed at a late hour without any formal adjournment.
PLACES OF NATIVITY.
Kentucky, 30; Virginia, 24; North Carolina, 10; Tennessee, 8; Maryland, 6; Penn- sylvania, 4; Indiana, 3; Ohio, 1; Vermont, 1; Delaware, 1.
By order of the Committee of Arrangements.
JOHN KETCHAM, Chairman. MILTON McPHETRIDGE, Secretary.
After this, annual meetings were held until the war, when they were abandoned. In about the year 1866, the society was re-organized and held meetings until 1870, when the society joined the district society at
399
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
Gosport. But this did not last long, and soon afterward the old organiza- tion was revived. It died out once or twice after this, but at the present is in good working order with annual meetings held in various portions of the county. If the old settlers would be as wise as they have been during the long years since they came into the wilderness, they would record their experiences-their hunting stories, trials, dangers, sickness, sur- roundings, etc., etc .- so that future generations might know what they en- dured. As it is, they unwisely come together to tell their experiences without putting them on record. At each annual meeting, let a competent clerk be hired (pass around the hat and raise the funds) to place on record the stories, facts, etc., regarding the county in early years, and let the record be kept locked sacredly in the court house vaults.
An independent society of old settlers was organized at Ellettsville in 1878, as will be seen from the following official minutes of the first meet- ing:
MINUTES OF OLD SETTLERS' MEETING, HELD IN WORLEY'S GROVE, ELLETTSVILLE, SEPTEMBER 26,1878.
In honor to Uncle Jimmy Parks, this being his Ninety-seventh Birthday .- At 11, there were about 3,000 people on the ground, and the exercises proceeded as follows: I. A song by congregation-"Sweet By and By." 2. Prayer by Rev. E. P. Farmer. 3. Music by Old Band. 4. Song by all over seventy years of age. Song, " Jesus, Lover of My Soul." 5. Elected D. Byers, President, William McNutt, Secretary. 6. Speech by James Parks, Sr. 7. The Autobiography of James Parks, read by Elder R. Parks. 8. Music by New Band, followed by Old Band. 10. Short speeches by all over eighty. Robert Graham, E. P. Farmer, J. Campbell, Elias Abel and L. Walden participated. 11. A. W. Reeves, Master of Ceremonies, announced dinner adjournment. 2 P. M. 1. Music by Old Band. Speeches by all over seventy years old called for. A. Mills, of Spencer, addressed the meeting. 3. Music by Hoadley String Band. 4. Speech by David Byers, who made a very appropriate speech, and thanked the people for conferring upon him the office of President. Then came to the front Abraham Henry dressed in ancient style -with a bark-colored scissor-tailed coat, with an enormous collar which made his head lean slightly forward. He made us a good speech, producing a splendid sensation. 5. Song by the Galloway family, "The Old Hearth Stone. " This was an excellent piece, and was well performed. Speeches by J. Manis and R. M. Parks were next. 7. Closing speech by Rev. S. C. Kennedy-presenting a wreath of beautiful flowers to Mr. Parks and wife, as an emblem of honesty and beauty, unsurpassed by the arts of men.
Some relics were exhibited by the Rev. G. N. Puett and Johnson Sharp, calling the mind back to years gone by. 9. Ordered the Secretary to publish the minutes of the meeting in the Sun, requesting other county papers to copy. Adjourned to meet at this place on the 26th of September, 1879. Benediction by R. M. Parks. The following roll of honor was prepared at the meeting and read:
ROLL OF HONOR.
James Parks, ninety-seven years of age; Francis Parks, eighty-seven; Biddie Cox, sev enty-eight; Susan Wickens, seventy-eight; Elizabeth Kirby, eighty-two; Elizabeth Parks, seventy-eight; Sarah Coffey, seventy-five; Rebecca Figg, seventy; Martha Corder, seventy- four; Rebecca Munson, seventy-three; Mollie Reynolds, seventy; Mania Buskirk, seventy- four; Verlinda Walden, seventy-six; Esther Griffith, sixty-eight; Permelia Hansford, six- ty-eight; John Roan, seventy-six; John M. Berry, seventy-four; W. G. Anderson, eighty- one; Robert Delap, seventy-five; Jacob Wood, seventy two; Rev. Eli P. Farmer, eighty five; James Manis, -; Robert Graham, eighty -three; Binona Denny, seventy-two; John Stanger, seventy-nine; Joseph Campbell, eighty-three; James Hannah, seventy-three; John Matthews, seventy-two; Mary Campbell. seventy-four; Elias Able, seventy-eight; John Fyffe, seventy-seven; John Raper, seventy-seven; Anderson Mills, seventy-four; David Byers, seventy-two; Abraham Henry, sixty-three; Jacob Holsaple, seventy-four; Hosia Kyle, eighty-three; Joseph Wampler, seventy-eight; Ransom Parks, seventy-seven; Hiram Coffey, seventy-six; Joseph Baker, sixty-eight; Eld. Lewis Walden, seventy-seven; An- drew McCoy, sixty-seven; Jonathan Kegley, seventy-three; William Brown, seventy-one; Jane Moore, eighty-two.
400
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
The above honored fathers and mothers were seated upon the rostrum. G. K. Perry and G. W. Faulkner assisted the Secretary in enrolling the names. G. B. Moore, J. M. Harris, Barton Acuff, S. P. Thompson, J. D. Coffey, A. W. Recves and Johnson Sharp, Committee. G. K. Perry, Marshal. Ample dinner was served on theground and the 26th of September was an enjoyable day in 'Ellettsville. The best of order prevailed. With these honored veterans on the rostrum, the vast crowd felt like children, whose duty it is to honor our mothers and fathers.
WILLIAM MCNUTT, Secretary.
THE COUNTY LIBRARY.
An early law of the State (the one which brought the county of Monroe into existence) provided that ten per cent of the proceeds of the sale of town lots should be used to found and maintain a county library. A treasurer was appointed to take care of the fund. The first purchase of books was made in 1821, when $60 was spent for a few dozen standard works. They were bought of B. Ferguson, whoever he may have been. By July, 1830, $2,428.14 had been paid to the Library Treasurer, the greater por- tion of which had been used in purchasing books, so at that period the county had a fine library of about 800 volumes. In 1830, $1,272.68 was re- ceived from the Town Agent and another installment of books was ob- tained.
In September, 1830, settlement was made with the County Agent for the library fund in his possession, which settlement in full was as follows :
1. Proceeds of the sale of lots June 22, 1818, one-fifth in hand, balance in four semi-an- nual installments .. $14,326 85
2. Of this, ten per cent with interest, less sun- dry expenses, is library fund. $1,945 53
3. Second sale of lots, November 3, 1818, pay- able in three annual installments. 12,274 75
4. Of this, ten per cent with interest, less ex- pense, is library fund.
1,923 22
5. First sale of outlots December 1, 1819, one- fifth in hand, balance in four nine-months payments.
1,219 62}
6. Of this, ten per cent with interest, less ex- pense, is library fund .. 179 05
7. Second sale of outlots December 25, 1820, three annual installments
976 00
8. Of this, ten per cent with interest, less ex- pense, is library fund ..
139 73
9. Third sale of outlots December 17, 1821, in five annual installments.
815 00
10. Of this, ten per cent with interest, less ex- pense, is library fund .. 104 35
11. Proceeds of sale of inlots to Rawlins, Blair & Brown
287 50
12. Of this, ten per cent with interest, less ex- pense, is library fund.
35 44
13. Total proceeds of the sale of inlots and out- lots. 29,899 72₺
14. Total library fund. 4,327 32
15. Amount already received by the library. 357 00
2,428 14
Twenty-five per cent loss.
Loss by bad debts. 10 60
Loss by relinquished lots. 258 90
$3,054 64
16. Balance due library July 1, 1830.
$1,272 68
1
DAVID BYERS, President.
401
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
The ten percentage from the sale of town lots proved a munificent fund for the maintenance of the library. As no record was kept of the purchases, the additions to the library cannot be given. As volumes wore out by use or otherwise, they were replaced from the constantly accumu- lating fund. This old library, now comprising over 2,000 volumes of standard works, is yet in the same old office that was built during the twenties. The McClure library, founded during the fifties, was another useful mode of disseminating knowledge among the poorer persons, but the cheap books and newspapers of to-day have taken the place of the old circulating county libraries.
THE COUNTY SEMINARY.
In early times, it should be remembered, the free common school system of to-day was unknown. Scholars then paid tuition to all schools. As the weight of the expense fell upon families less able to sustain it, the system, if such it can be called, was not favorable to the education of the masses. And then there was the lack of higher educational facilities. All this led to the creation of centers of learning where private or public enterprise or individual donations or bequests were the sustaining or maintaining power. The County Seminary was designed to afford each county the means of furnishing a higher education to her youth within her own borders, and for many years was a very popular institution. The funds were obtained from fines, forfeitures, etc. In July, 1829, the fund in Monroe County amounted to $443.89. About six years later, the fund amounted to nearly $2,000. At that time the old brick seminary building was built and school in it was begun. In 1852, when the new school law was adopted, the seminary was ordered sold, and was bought by the Methodists, but soon afterward went back to the county and was used for school purposes until purchased by Mr. Leppert a few years ago. It is now used as a dwelling.
THE COUNTY PRESS.
It is conceded that Jesse Brandon published the first newspaper in Bloomington, beginning about the year 1826, having come from Corydon with his material, at which place he had formerly been State printer. It was not long before Jacob B. Lowe became his associate. The paper was called the Bloomington Republican, as is shown by the County Commis- sioners' records, where orders appear payable to Brandon & Lowe, pub- lishers of the Bloomington Republican for printing done the county. The name of the paper indicates its politics. How long the issue was continued cannot be stated, but not longer than until 1829. About the 1st of January, 1830, W. D. Mccullough & Co. began issuing a small sheet called the Independent Whig. It was a small five-column folio, was furnished for $2 per year, and its motto was "Measures, not Men." The sheet became defunct in 1831. On the 15th of September, 1832, Jesse Brandon and Marcus L. Deal issued the first number of the Far West, an exponent of the Whig faith. with the motto, " Willing to praise but not afraid to blame." D. R. Eckles was the publisher. The paper survived about two years. During the summer of 1832, Mr. Deal had begun the publication of a semi-monthly periodical called the Literary Register, an issue devoted to the interests of the Indiana College; but
1
402
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
when the Far West was started in the following September, as stated above, the Register was abandoned. About the 1st of June, 1835, Marcus L. Deal issued the first number of the Bloomington Post, an organ of the Whig party. I. H. Brown and I. N. Morris were associated with him at times. This paper was continued eight or ten years, selling for $2 a year in advance, or $3 at the end of the year. In October, 1838, the first number of the Ben Franklin made its appearance, with Jesse Brandon at the helm. The politics of the sheet was " First choice, Harrison ; second choice, Van Buren." How long this paper was conducted cannot be stated. Mr. Deal, for a short time, pub- lished the Budget of Fun, date unknown. Late in the forties, C. Davison published the Herald, a Whig paper, for several years, and during a por- tion of the same time J. S. Hester conducted another of opposite politics. About the same time, also, Elder James M. Mathes published a monthly periodical called the Christian Record in the interests of the Christian Church. Healso issued a weekly newspaper called the Independent Tribune and Monroe Farmer. C. G. Berry and Jesse Brandon were connected with this paper. The brightest paper up to this time was started in 1852, by James Hughes, and was called the Northwestern Gazette. It was issued about a year and a half. In 1853, G. H. Johnson and W. N. Connelly were connected with it. In 1853, Eli P. Farmer and Jesse Brandon published the Religious Times, afterward called the Western Times. In 1854, J. F. Walker and L. M. Demotte bought the Times office, and began issuing the Bloomington Times. This was the first organ of the Republican party in Monroe County. The office was after- ward removed by Jesse Brandon to Nashville, Ind. In January, 1854, A. B. and J. C. Carlton started the Bloomington News Letter, a Demo- cratic paper, the editor being A. B. Carlton, a man of excellent ability. His political animosities were too severe to secure public favor and made him many enemies. The following, taken from the paper and appearing as an advertisement for a boy to learn the printer's trade, shows the political asperity of the sheet:
WANTED IMMEDIATELY .- A boy of sober and industrious habits, between thirteen and fifteen years of age, can have a first-rate opportunity to learn the Printing business by applying at this office immediately. He must be a pretty good reader and speller, and able to read manuscript. He will not be permitted, while under our charge, to use in any quantity, as a beverage, any intoxicating liquor. He must be apprenticed for at least three years-we would prefer five. Any one wishing to learn the business will be taken on a trial of three months.
No Know-Nothing boy, nor one who has Know-Nothing parents, need apply, as we want no one about us who is trained or sworn to lie, or who is taught that falsehood is a venial offense. J. C. CARLTON, Publisher News Letter.
September 20.
About the last of June, 1856, the office of the News Letter was sold to Howard Coe, who commenced the issue of a seven-column folio news- paper called the Bloomington Republican, the name indicating the poli- tics, and continued the sheet until the 25th of February, 1858, when the office was sold to Clement Walker and W. S. Bush, who issued the paper under the same name. Late in January, 1859, Mr. Bush severed his con- nection with the office, leaving Mr. Walker sole owner and publisher. Later in the same year, J. F. Walker became connected with the paper, but did not purchase a half interest until 1863. It is said that this paper,
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403
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
during the war and afterward, attained the largest circulation of any paper ever issued in Bloomington. While the Republican was issued, three attempts were made to found successful Democratic papers in the county seat. During the winter of 1857-5x, C. T. Nixon issued thirteen numbers of the Bloomington Advocate, and during the summer of 1858 John B. Borland started the Bloomington Presage, continuing it about three months. It was " a paper reflecting the true principles of Democ- racy, and which is uncontrolled by bolting demagogues or county politi- cians." Another Democratic paper was started on the 3d of October, 1863, by C. H. Patterson, and was continued about six months and then abandoned.
In May, 1867, William A. Gabe, the present editor and proprietor of the Republican, purchased the office, changing the name to the Blooming- ton Progress, and later to the Republican Progress. In about 1874, the office and outfit were destroyed by fire, but were replaced, and the issue has since been continued without interruption. It was issued first as a seven-column folio, but later was changed to an eight-column folio. It is at present enjoying a fair patronage in all departments. In 1868, Thomas C. Pursel started the Bloomington Democrat, and continued the issue until the entire office was burned in 1872, but within a few weeks the sheet was again published. Mr. Pursel for a time published the In- diana Student, a small periodical devoted to the interests of the State University, and edited by a corps of students. In August, 1875, the Democrat office was sold to O. G. Hunt and J. V. Cook, who commenced the publication of the Bloomington Times, a Republican organ. A few months after this paper was started, or in October, 1875, H. J. Feltus commenced the issue of the Bloomington Courier, a Democratic paper, which he has issued successfully until the present. The publication has a fair county patronage. In April, 1877, Walter S. Bradfute and a young man named Arnott began issuing a small publication about as large as a sheet of letter paper. It was designed to chronicle local news and pleas- antry, and seemed to strike the popular fancy from the start. About the 1st of November, 1877, Arnott left, and since that time to the present Mr. Bradfute has continued the issue alone. The paper is called the Bloom- ington Telephone. The first increase in size was in the fall of 1878, the second early in 1880, and the third and last in January, 1883. In is now a six column quarto, and is in prosperous conditon. James Marlin conducted a Greenback paper called the True Plan during the campaign of 1878. In 1880, the Bloomington Hawkeye was published for a few months. Its political face was Democratic. John East conducted a small campaign sheet in 1880 for a few months.
The only other town in the county where newspapers have been issued is Ellettsville. In 1872 or 1873, Howard L. Morris, editor, and S. B. Harris, proprietor, issued the first number of the Ellettsville Republican, which after two issues passed wholly to Mr. Harris, and Mr. Morris stepped down and out. At the end of two issues, Mr. Harris employed John Walker to edit the sheet, which was done for about six months, after which Mr. Harris assumed the editorial robes for about two years. He then rented the office to Charles McPhetridge, but before the end of that time it went to William B. Harris, son of S. B. After W. B. had
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