USA > Indiana > Brown County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 59
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 59
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 59
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452
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
Section 21, 1816; Jacob Renderbach, Section 25, 1816 ; Ebenezer Dag- gett, Section 27, 1816; James Borland, Section 27, 1816; Gideon Frisbie, Section 28, 1816 ; John Lee, Section 28, 1816; William Mat- lock, Section 28, 1816; Samuel Camphries, Section 28, 1816; Thomas Graham, Section 29, 1816 ; James Parks, Section 29, 1816 ; Abraham Appler, Section 29, 1816 ; Christopher Eslinger, Section 30, 1816, Henry Wampler, Section 32. 1816; Henry Rogers, Section 34, 1816; John Thompson, Section 34, 1816 ; Wheeler Matlock, Section 34, 1816; Samuel Scott, Section 34, 1816; William Jackson, Section 35, 1816 ; John Jackson, Section 35, 1816 ; Thomas Heady, Section 36, 1816 ; John Griffith, Section 15, 1817; James Matlock, Section 18, 1817 ; James Wood, Section 19, 1817; John Buskirk, Section 25, 1817 ; Law- rence Smoyer, Section 29, 1817 ; Samuel Rogers, Section 30, 1817 ; James Wood, Section 30, 1817; Titan Kemble, Section 31, 1817; Si- mon Chauvin, Section 31, 1817 ; Chesley D. Bailey, Section 32, 1817; Robertson Graham, Section 32, 1817 : Granville Ward, Section 35, 1817; Nicholas Fletcher, Section 35, 1817; William Goodwin, Section 13, 1818 ; Thomas Barker, Section 19, 1818; Abraham Buskirk, Sec- tion 24, 1818 ; Stephen P. Sealls, Section 26, 1818; O. F. Barker, Section 30, 1818; Ebenezer Dickey, Section 32, 1818; George Whis- enand, Section 6, 1820 ; Thomas Heady, Section 24, 1821. These were the only entries in the township previous to 1822.
THE FIRST RESIDENT OF BLOOMINGTON.
The first man to settle permanently upon the present site of the city of Bloomington cannot be named with absolute certainty. Neither can the time of this first settlement be. given. The first entries of land were as follows :
PURCHASERS.
Section.
Town- ship.
Range.
Acres.
Date.
Location.
George Ritchey
33
9
1
160
Sept. 26, 1816
N. E. Į
George Hedrick
33
9
1
160
Sept. 26, 1816
N. W.
David Rogers.
33
9
1
160
Sept. 26, 1816
S. W.
Joseph Taylor.
33
9
1
160
Sept. 26, 1816
S. E. Į
Henry Wampler
32
9
1
160
Sept. 27, 1816
N. E.
Chesley Bailey
32
9
1
160
Feb.
5,1817
S. W I
Robertson Graham.
32
9
1
160
May 26, 1817
S. E. Į
Ebenezer Dickey
32
9
1
160
Feb. 12, 1818
N. W. 4
1至141至1414141主卫生
The lots were laid out on the southwest quarter of Section 33, and the southeast quarter of Section 32, which two quarters had been entered by David Rogers and Robertson Graham, as shown by the above table. It is probable that no man lived upon the town site until 1816, at which time both Rogers and Graham built log houses. Some fix the date of the erection of these houses as 1817. At all events, when the first lots were laid out, in June, 1818, a crop of wheat was growing on the land that had been purchased of Mr. Rogers. Whether it was the first or second crop on the same land cannot be stated. David Rogers entered the south- west quarter of Section 33, on which a portion of the town was laid out, but Jonathan Rogers afterward obtained part interest in the tract, as his name appears upon the deed which conveyed the land to the county.
453
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY.
PLATTING OF THE VILLAGE.
On the 10th of April, 1818, the first day of the first meeting of the County Commissioners, the county seat was ordered laid off and was named " Bloomington." The County Agent was ordered to oversee the work. He was instructed to make the public square measure 276 feet, and to lay out lots 66x132 feet, and streets 821 feet wide. The number of lots to be laid out was left to the discretion of the agent. The first public auction or sale of lots was fixed for the 22d of June, 1818, and the agent was instructed to advertize the sale in the Western Sun, of Vin- cennes ; the Louisville Correspondent ; the Argus of Western America ; the Western Eagle, of Madison, and the Liberty Hall, of Cincinnati, which so far as known was duly done. Jonathan Nichols was appointed surveyor to lay out the town. The following entry appears upon the record of the County Board: " On motion of Bartlett Woodward, Ordered, that the agent of this county procure one barrel of whisky and have it at the sale of town lots in Bloomington." When it is remembered that the proceeds of this first sale amounted to the enormous sum of $14,326.85, it will probably be concluded by the reader that the action of the board was not misplaced-that is, on that day over sixty-five years ago. Of course many speculators bought lots. The complete list of those who bought lots at this sale is as follows: John Scott,. D. Thompson, Christian Eppinger, John Keys, Arthur Harris, W. A. Beatty, W. P. Anderson, William Lowe, Robinson Graham, David Sears, Floyd Cummings, Samuel Cole- man, James Borland, George Hedrick, W. D. Hoof, David Rogers, James Dunning, James Newman, Jonathan Rogers, Thomas Smith, B. Miller, W. D. Mccullough, Jacob B. Lowe, Wm. Curl, Henry Wampler, Coleman Pruitt, Elias Goodwin, Abner Goodwin, Solomon Bowers, John Owens, Samuel Scott, Sr., Nathan Julian, Isham Sumpter, Hezekiah Woodford. Solomon Phillips, E. R. Maxwell, Benjamin Freeland, George Richey, David Matlock, Lewis Noel, Samuel Haslett, James Denny, John Bus- kirk, Zachariah Williams, Moses Williams, T. B. Clark, Eli Lee, Thomas Lee, William Hardin, Nelson Moore, Ebenezer McDonald, J. W. Lee, Aquilla Rogers, John Foster, Thomas Hadey, Granville Ward, James Dickens, Stephen S. Bigger, Susannah Lee, Jonathan Nichols, Reuben Fullen, Martha Brown, W. B. Brown, Joshua Howe and James Brown. The above were the only buyers on the 22d and 23d of June, 1818, the only two days of sale, but several of them bought several lots or even many lots. As stated elsewhere, the total proceeds of this sale were $14,326.85. The land upon which the new town was located had been secured from Jonathan and David Rogers and Robert Graham by the locating Commis- sioners. The Rogers Brothers were paid $1,200 for such land and Mr. Graham $900 for 150 acres soon after the first sale of lots. When the lots were laid out, there was growing upon a portion of them a crop of wheat and corn, which the Rogers Brothers were permitted to harvest without disturbance. At the first sale of lots, Jonathan Nichols was sur- veyor. He laid out 208 lots and was paid 30 cents each. Benjamin Parks, County Agent, was allowed $33.50 for whisky furnished at the sale. The whisky was obtained of Whisenand. Robinson Graham was chain carrier ; Aquilla Rogers, chain carrier ; John Owen, chain carrier. Lewis Noel was the "crier " or auctioneer. James Parks was clerk of
454
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
the sale. Jonathan Rogers was " tapster " and dealt out the whisky to the crowd of thirsty men, and was paid at the rate of $1 a day for his services. It must be remembered that the cash receipts were far short of the proceeds of the sale-probably about 15 per cent. The lots sold very high, considering the unsettled condition of the county. A few sold for over $200 each. The bidding was very spirited, but in the end the county lost over 30 per cent of the purchase price.
OTHER BUYERS OF LOTS.
In November, 1818, at the public sale, the following men bought lots : William Hoggatt, Thomas Bailey, John Storm, James Parsons, Samuel Harryman, William Newton, James Gibbs, Pemberton Dickens, Anthony Chambers, Jesse Wright, Robert Hamilton, Samuel Scott, David Kello, Wesley Whitson, Haws Armstrong, William Cooley (colored), David Hol- land, George Rodenbaugh, Solomon Green, Isaiah Buskirk, Roderick Rawlins, Capt. Robert Hamilton, Jonathan Nichols, Amos Cox, David Clements, Addison Smith, John Cutler, Benjamin Parks, Jesse C. Moore, Aaron Wallace (colored), Tilghman Chance, Joseph Lebo, Joseph Peri- shaw, George Groves, Nelson Moore, Washington Moore, Joseph Baugh, Jesse Hughes, Josiah Buskirk, Michael Buskirk, Isaac Lebo, Chesley Bailey, John Whisenand, Thomas Graham, John Ketchum and Nathaniel Clark. The total amount of this sale was $12,274.75. The County Board ordered that county orders should be received in payment for town lots. In the spring of 1819, the County Treasurer reported the following cash receipts from the County Agent from the sale of lots :
Received June 24, 1818.
$810 50
Received July 7.
1,315 05
Received September 5.
820 90
Received November 9. 5 00
Received November 10.
38 00
Received November 17
46 10
Received December 3.
228 85
Received February 6, 1819.
244 07
Received March 12.
401 22
Received April 24
109 65
Received May 11
46 00
Total
$4,065 34
This was about the fashion that the money came into the treasury. The cash receipts (from the sale of town lots only) from November, 1820, to November, 1821, were $3,860.42. Of this amount, $3,207.10 was ex- pended. In February, 1822, the agent reported in his possession notes from the sale of lots to the amount of over $18,000. This fund was the most extensive and useful of any in the county at its organization.
THE EARLY TOWNSMEN.
Among the earliest residents of the town were Enos Blair, Jonathan Rogers, David Rogers, Thomas Graham, Robert Graham, William Lowe, John Scott, Arthur Harris, W. P. Anderson, David Sears, Christian Ep- pinger, James Borland, James Dunning, James Newman, Thomas Smith, B. Miller, W. D. Mccullough, J. B. Lowe, William Carroll, John Owens, Samuel Scott, Sr., Nathan Julian, Isham Sumpter, Hezekiah Woodford,
455
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY.
E. R. Maxwell, Benjamin Freeland, George Richey, David Matlock, James Denny, John Buskirk, Zachariah Williams, Moses Williams, T. B. Clark, William Hardin, Nelson Moore, Ebenezer McDonald, John W. Lee, Aquilla Rogers, John Foster, Thomas Heady, James Dickens, Ste- phen S. Bigger, Susannah Lee, Jonathan Nichols, Martha Brown, W. B. Brown, Joshua O. Howe, James Brown, William Hoggatt, James Parsons, William Newton, James Gibbs, Pemberton Dickens, Jesse Wright, David Kello, Wesley Whitson, Haws Armstrong, William Cooley (colored), David Holland, George Rodenbaugh, Josiah Buskirk, Roderick Rawlins, Addi- son Smith, David Clements, Rev. Aaron Wallace (colored), George Groves, Washington Moore, Jesse Hughes, Isaac Lebo, Chesley Bailey, John Whisenand, and others. It is possible that a few of the above did not re- side in the town, and a few are known to have remained not over a year or two.
At the time of the organization of the county, of course the popula- tion was sufficient to warrant such organization. Much of this popula- tion was near the center of the county, or on Township 9 north, Range 1 west, where it was known the county seat was likely to be located. As soon as the State Commissioner had bought land for the county seat of the Rogerses and Graham, the land in the vicinity of Bloomington rose suddenly in value and was in great demand. The town was laid out, not by the State Commission, but by the County Board, and while this was being done under the direction of the County Agent, many citizens of the county visited the spot. The streets running north and south, be- ginning on the west were named as follows: Poplar, Cherry, Spring, West, East, Walnut, Blue and Buck, and those running east and west, beginning on the south, were Water, South, North and Washington. Some changes have since been made in these names. On the days of the first sale of lots, a large crowd of settlers of the county and speculators gathered to look on and possibly participate, and certainly to drink of the free whisky furnished by order of the County Board. Just why the sales were so large and at such a high figure cannot be stated, unless it was because it was known that Bloomington was destined to be a great educational center. One thing is historical :
The settlement of the town was phenomenal. At the close of the year 1818, not less than thirty families lived in the town in hastily built log cabins, or rude frame houses, from the saw mill of old man Blair. A log court house had been built in which the first school was being taught, probably by Addison Smith; stores had been started ; blacksmiths, carpen- ters, tailors and saloon keepers had appeared ; hotels had been thrown open for public entertainment, and an irregular mail route had been es- tablished with Vincennes and probably with other points. The town had a population of over one hundred and forty. The year 1819 saw this nearly double, as in 1820 the population was nearly 300. The first store was opened in June, 1818, by William Hardin, who sold whisky prin- cipally, and about $150 worth of notions. He kept tavern at the same time. The following year, George Whisenand opened a tavern, and of course sold whisky and other liquors at the bar. About this time or soon afterward, Joshua O. Howe, Alexander Owens and Henry Batterton established separate stores of much greater pretensions than that of
456
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
Hardin, which scarcely deserved the name. The latter really kept grocery, as liquor in those days was classed as "wet groceries," and saloons, or the name, were unknown. The three men mentioned did not begin at the same time, but somewhere from 1819 to 1822, the exact date being unobtainable. Elias Abel says that when he came to Bloom- ington in 1824, the population was over 500, and was possibly 600. Others who came about the same time fix the population at about 400 in 1824. At all events, Bloomington at that time was the most prosperous town in this portion of the State.
About 1820, Austin Seward began manufacturing wagons, and did a general blacksmithing as did Benjamin Neal also. About the same time, William Alexander built a tannery in the eastern part of town. Col. Joseph Campbell started a tannery about a mile west of town. Day, Lucas and Campbell had some interest in the early tanneries. One stood where the railroad turn-table now is. Blair & Lowe owned an old horse mill. David Thacker owned another. The grain was ground in a rude manner, and was then bolted by hand, the owner of the grain doing the turning. The toll was one-sixth. Thacker's mill supplied his small dis- tillery with ground grain. Not more than a barrel of liquor was manu- factured per day, however. A man named Garner conducted a saw mill near the college, the motor being cattle or horses on a tread-wheel. Ellis Stone started a carding mill as early as 1820. It was operated by a tread-wheel. The building was of logs. He continued more than twenty years, and at times did a large business. He pinned up the packages of rolls with thorns gathered from the woods by boys whom he paid for the service. Haws Armstrong was operating a fulling mill in 1824. He had started it as early as 1820, and continued for a number of years to supply his patrons. Mr. Armstrong manufactured a superior article of gunpowder also. Samuel Dodds operated a tannery where the high school building now stands. John and Samuel Orchard started a card- ing machine about 1823, by means of a tread-wheel turned by oxen. They also manufactured considerable linseed oil, as did one or two others in the busy little town. Mr. Legg succeeded Thacker in the latter's tread-mill. Mr. Seward manufactured axes, plows, wagons and difficult work of the same character, and was so well patronized that he steadily increased his business until at last he began manufacturing general foundry work. E. C. Moberly kept tavern in 1823. Joshua H. Lucas opened a good store in 1823. He was an eccentric character of but little education, but of the highest natural ability. He was a fluent speaker, and always carried his audience with him. In 1824, he ran for the Leg- islature against William Alexander. The race was a close one, but Mr. Lucas was victorious, and it is stated that his victory was mainly due to his skill in telling stories and anecdotes of a quasi immoral character, which captivated the rabble.
A. & J. Owens, Henry Batterton and J. O. Howe still continued their stores, steadily increasing the value and variety of the stock. All kinds of goods then sold for twice or thrice as much as now. Calicoes and prints were from 25 cents to 50 cents per yard, and other articles similarly high, and what rendered the times harder was the lack of mar- ket for farm productions. Wheat, corn, oats, etc., were worth from 20
457
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY.
cents to 40 cents per bushel, and it was difficult to sell them at that. Money was scarce-good money. Paper money was in existence and was worth all prices below par. As the value of the bills constantly fluctu- ated, they were really merchantable property as gold and silver were dur- ing the last war. Silver money was scarce and gold scarcer. The smaller denominations were almost unknown except as they were created and used by mutual consent. A silver quarter was quartered or cut in half, and the pieces called " sharp shins " passed current for 64 cents or 12} cents. Money was so scarce, however, that merchants were forced to barter their goods and were compelled to do a provision, pork and grain business. Farmers could trade live or dressed hogs for goods, the demand regulating the supply and price. They could also trade their grain in the same manner. This forced the merchants into pork packing and grain buying, and to the construction of flat-boats for the conveyance of their products to the Southern markets. The towns along the larger streams had the advantage in these particulars, and nearly all the heavy grain and pork shipments were from such points. This accounts for the fact that extensive business in this direction was not done at Bloomington.
BUSINESS MEN.
During the remainder of the decade of twenties, the merchants of Bloomington were : Alexander & John Owens, Joshua O. Howe, Henry Batterton, A. F. Morrison, John Muir & Co., 1824; John Borland, 1826 ; G. M. Early, 1826 ; John Garner, 1827; George Henry & Co., 1828; Andrew Todd, 1827 ; Evans & Barnes, 1827 ; Patterson Officer, 1828; George Hardesty, 1828, and possibly others. One of the most noteworthy features of the town then was the liquor traffic. The most prominent of the merchants kept it on their counters free for their pat- rons, and a tavern or inn which did not keep it at the bar, was a rarity, probably unknown in the early history of Bloomington. Among the liquor sellers were some of the best citizens, morally and temperately. During the decade of the twenties the following men sold liquor : Will- iam Hardin, Clem Dickens, George Henry, John Borland, 1827; Not- ley Baker, 1827; Robertson Graham, 1828; Isaac Brown, 1828; Albert Literal, 1828 ; Jacob Kelley, 1829; W. D. Mccullough, 1829; John Owens, 1829; John M. Berry, 1829 ; and Barton Byers, 1829. A man named Jordan manufactured liquor in Bloomington, though not on an extensive scale. Mr. Thacker also distilled a very good article of whisky, if the judgment of old settlers is to be relied upon. As such old settlers were natives of Kentucky, no attempt will be made to con- trovert their opinions. The tavern keepers during the twenties were William Hardin, Dr. E. C. Moberly, William Nowland, A. F. Morrison. John Sheets, George W. Hardin, Francis Taylor, Thomas Nesbitt and Mary Stockwell, J. O. Howe, Hannah Sheets, W. D. Mccullough. The Orchards kept the "Temperance House," where, it is said, liquor was not " on tap." The early physicians were David H. Maxwell, W. C. Foster, Roach and Jenkins.
ANECDOTES.
Bloomington was the rendezvous for the general muster of the county militia once every year. In addition to that, there were company and
458
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
regiment musters, though the battalion or general muster was by far the most universally attended. On these occasions, old Brig. Gen. J. B. Lowe donned his uniform and turned-up continental hat, buckled on his sword, and conducted the muster in person. On that day men were free, that is, they were privileged from arrest, except for crime. They could fight, run horses, drink all kinds of liquid hell, and rave through the county seat at will on the public streets and grounds, and no one could molest or make them afraid. The old muster or parade ground was two or three or more blocks east of the public square, that portion of the town being open common at that time. The muster was little better than a farce, and was chiefly enjoyed for the sports invariably present. Wrestling, jumping and shooting at a mark were among the popular sports. At one of these gatherings, two men became involved in a question of honor, and with true Kentucky spirit proposed to settle the matter with a fist fight. One was an experienced fighter, the other was not, and both were athletic, full of pluck and wind. Both stripped to the waist, and the experienced man stepped into a door near by, where stood a barrel of soft soap, which he quickly smeared over the upper half of his body and resumed his position ready for the fight. The slight delay led friends to intercede and the fight was compromised at this juncture, though the ex- perienced man refused to withdraw unless his antagonist paid for the soap, which cost a picayune, which was accordingly done. Many a savage and protracted fight was witnessed on the public square. Election days were similarly observed.
THE TOWN IN 1830-40.
In 1830, the population of Bloomington was not less than 700. At that time the "Indiana College " had a large attendance. an excellent corps of instructors and a superior curriculum. This institution, which was built in 1823, was the pride of the town and the means of rapidly and greatly increasing its population, enterprise and material wealth. The town also boasted a flourishing newspaper, if such an issue can be said to have been flourishing. The citizens had incorporated the village a number of years before, and this was another source of joy and congratulation. In addition to all this, there were numerous factories of leather, liquor, domestic and farming implements, flour, tailor goods, oil, and numerous stores, shops, offices, mechanics, artisans, tradesmen, educators, profes- sional men and speculators. The incorporated town of Bloomington was a prosperous place.
MERCHANTS, INDUSTRIES, ETC.
The merchants during the decade of the thirties were Alexander and John Owen, Joshua O. Howe, Evans & Barnes, Parks & Hester, Henry Batterton, Patterson Officer, Notley Baker, George H. Johnson, John Borland, Labertew & King, William S. Wright, Nichols & Roach, John Bennett, Hardesty & Graham, J. & J. W. Carter, John M. Sluss, B. R. Byers, John Campbell, Rogers, Blakely & Co., Hardesty & Robertson, J. H. King & Co., F. T. Butler, John M. Berry, Asher Labertew, Sluss & Hall, Tilford & Glass, John S. Barnes, John Fee, William Alexander, Moore & Swarengin, and perhaps others. Among the liquor sellers were Notley Baker, George & John Hardesty, James Cochran ; and among the
459
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY.
tavern keepers were Asher Labertew, Aquilla Rogers, Daniel Deckard, S. P. Seall and others. During this period, the population of the town increased to nearly 1,000, and enterprises of all kinds multiplied. The county seminary had been built in 1835, and had been so changed that females alone were admitted. In the State University, boys alone were admitted. The students attending both institutions at any time were about 200, and the influence exerted by the presence of such facilities for education gave Bloomington a literary and social caste at that time prob- ably possessed by no other town in the State. There were two newspa- pers, each enjoying a fair circulation, and besides these there was issued by Marcus L. Deal a semi-monthly periodical in the interests of the col- lege. The town had three or four churches attended by large congrega- tions, and served by ministers of great ability and repute. Indeed, Bloomington was the center of the conference of most of the denomina- tions, where the Presiding Elder or preacher resided, and where the re- ligious interests of this portion of Indiana found their controlling head. The merchants had enlarged their stocks of goods and had begun to pack pork, though on a limited scale comparatively. The Sewards were doing a big business in all kinds of iron work ; D. Batterton manufactured iron ware and stove furniture ; Philip Murphy & Co .. manufactured hats and caps, getting his wool from the surrounding country ; Notley Baker, was the barber; J. Mccullough was tanner and currier; S. P. Seall was proprietor of the Globe Inn; William Lowe was Postmaster ; Watts, Dunning, Gorman, Denny, J. B. Lowe, J. A. Wright and others were lawyers; McCorkle, Hamill and Foster were the doctors; Chipman & Kirk made hats and caps ; T. J. Ryan manufactured saddles ; Day was the painter ; John McCullough's tannery was an extensive establishment for the time. The master tailors were Abram Funk, W. J. Flurry, A. Labertew, S. T. Hardesty and H. Hardesty. They adopted a sched- ule of prices for cutting and making. In 1837, the old " market house " was erected, the County Board paying $200 if the town would pay as much more, which was done. Here it was that the townspeople went to market instead of to the groceries as at present. The old house was continued until some time in the fifties. In 1838, an effort to secure a fire engine failed, but the attempts directed attention to that want, and not many years later the old Pioneer Fire Company was organized. This company has endured until the present day. During this decade also a saxe-horn band was organized, which furnished the town with public music until about the time of the last war. These are only a few of the enterprises of this decade.
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