Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 6

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Indiana > Brown County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 6
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 6
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 6

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The neighborhood of Mooresville was principally settled by immi- grants from North Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky, and however much they might differ on other subjects, the prevailing opinion among them was that intemperance consisted only in getting drunk, and not in the use of intoxicants as a beverage, and consequently neighbors drank together in public without reproach during the first period of nineteen years. The country around was settled mostly by Friends, Baptists and Episcopal Methodists, and during the first period the work of temperance was car- ried on. entirely through the churches. The Friends were largely pre- dominant, and were proverbial for sobriety. Their church discipline was excellent as far as the use of distilled spirits was concerned, but was lax as to the use of fermented drinks ; the Baptists held that true temperance consisted in the moderate use of alcoholic drinks, while the Methodists, and more especially the itinerant preachers, taught that the only remedy for drunkenness was the total abstinence from all intoxicating liquor, and thus every Methodist society became an embryo temperance association. All through this first period small distilleries and drinking saloons were common ; drunkenness and fighting were inevitable on election day, and indeed whisky was quite a factor at the polls.

About the beginning of the second period, in 1839, there were added to the temperance force the Disciples Church, the Total Abstinence Society, the Washingtonians, the Sons of Temperance and the Good Templars ; but many Friends had considered fermented drinks harmless, and the honest but mistaken father would think he had mistreated a neighbor or calling friend had he failed to offer him a cup of cider or of domestic wine, and the boys would make merry with their companions over a mug of cider when occasion seemed to require, yet the Friends were looked upon as bright examples of temperance, the other churches and organizations not being any further advanced in the temperance cause. But now a great revival was inaugurated by the Methodists, and

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

the sale of liquor abated, and the selling and drinking of whisky became very unpopular. The Disciples were energetic and their preachers were among the most eloquent in advocating the temperance cause. All the total-abstinent societies named above were zealous in their work, and con- verts were made at all points.

At the beginning of the third period, the various temperance societies were absorbed by the Independent Order of Good Templars, and in the fall of 1872, memorials began to be forwarded to the Legislature praying for prompt penal legislation for the suppression of the sale of intoxicating beverages ; as a result, the Baxter law was passed. The enforcement of this law met with strenuous opposition, and, strangely enough, much of that opposition came from a few leading members of the Society of Friends. However, since the great Methodist revival of 1839, drinking saloons have been quite unpopular, and none of those started could sur- vive over a few weeks at a time. Some have been closed by legal process, some by moral suasion, and some have been suppressed by violence. Among the latest at Mooresville, one was abolished in July, 1883, through the efforts of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and one which was opened immediately after in the same building was legally ex- terminated about the 20th of October, 1883. No drinking saloon now exists in the town, and the traffic in liquor is generally held as disreput- able.

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

MILITARY HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED.

THE OLD MILITIA SYSTEM.

F TROM the formation of the county to the rebellion of 1861-65, the old militia system, which had done such excellent service during all the previous Indian border wars, was permitted to almost wholly die out in Indiana, owing to a protracted period of profound peace. A more or less nominal organization was carried on in Morgan County, and annual musters were enjoyed by large and motley crowds, more intent on frolic and roystering than improvement in military discipline. Aside from this, the military spirit of the people quietly slumbered until roused by the war with Mexico. The following, however, is a partial list of the soldiers of the war of 1812-15 who afterward resided in Morgan County : George Pattorff, Samuel Harryman, Benjamin Mugg, Spencer McDaniel, old man Tull, William Worthen, John Robb, - Fonville, Tobias Butler and others.

THE MEXICAN WAR.

In 1846, immediately after the call of the President for volunteers, a company was organized at Martinsville for the war with Mexico. The services of the company were tendered the Governor just one month after the call for volunteers had been issued. The officers were John W. Cox, Captain ; Pleasant Williams, First Lieutenant ; James W. Ford, Second Lieutenant ; and the company was styled the "Morgan County Rangers." But so great was the rush from every county in the State to get into the service that the company was too late, and was rejected, though five or six afterward entered other companies. The following men, who at some period were residents of Morgan County, served in the Mexican war, though but few went from the county directly into the war, the greater number going from other counties and States: Owen G. Williams and Lawrence C. Williams, with Gen. Taylor ; David Nowlen, same ; William Mabee, with Gen. Scott, shot through the hand; Charles Stoker, with Scott, was under fire twenty-two times; Stephen and Jackson Bales, Larkin Jones, William Crum, John Coffey, Y. J. Robinson, John Gless- ner, E. T. Harryman, - Hadley, - Wilson, - Lash, and no doubt several others.

OPENING SCENES OF THE GREAT REBELLION.

It is unnecessary to give a summary of the causes which led to the rebellion of 1861-65. During the five years previous to the breaking-out of the war, the interest in Morgan County ran to fever heat. The ele- ments of political feeling were sharp and distinct. Many of the citizens had formerly been residents of the South, and a strong regard for the land of their birth and childhood led them into open sympathy with their former friends. On the contrary, many others were Abolitionists, with

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

scarcely an instinct or a thought in common either with the Southern people or their Northern sympathizers. This condition of things gave the county all shades of opinion on the impending crisis. Late in the fifties, the two parties, Democrat and Republican, were almost equal in the county in point of numbers. The Presidential campaign of 1860 was bitterly fought, with the following result: Republicans, 1,755; Douglas Democrats, 1,516; Breckenridge Democrats, 62; Union candidates, 15. This was a Republican gain of 218 votes over the Presidential election of 1856, and greatly encouraged the party in the county. Soon after the news had been received of the passage of ordinances of secession by South Carolina, a mass meeting of the party was called to meet at the court house in Martinsville on the 29th of December, 1860, on which occasion several thousand persons assembled to take into consideration the state of the country. Hon. A. S. Griggs was made President, and Sims Major, Secretary, and the following committee was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting: W. H. Craig, T. J. Worth, A. A. Barrickman, Thomas Freeman, S. D. Ruckle, S. A. Til- ford and Aaron St. John. While this committee was at work, the meet- ing was addressed by the President, and by Dr. J. J. Wright and others. A long series of resolutions was then adopted, asserting that the Chicago platform was just; that the deplorable state of the country was due to the Democratic administration of Buchanan which desired to carry slavery into all the Territories; that the termination of Buchanan's reign would be hailed with joy ; that the Union must be perpetuated at all hazards, and that secession was treason, and should be rigidly dealt with. The meeting was very enthusiastic.

About the middle of February, 1861, a strong Union meeting was held in Gregg Township, J. B. Hinkle acting as Chairman and H. K. Spen- cer, Secretary. Dr. J. P. Rader, D. Seaton and H. K. Spencer were appointed to draft resolutions. These stated as the sense of the meeting that the administration of Mr. Lincoln must be supported, that no State was justified in seceding, and that an amendment to the constitution pro- hibiting slavery should not be adopted. A large meeting of a similar character was held about the same time in Mooresville, in Morgantown and at several other places in the county.

It should be remembered that there were representatives in the county of all shades of political opinion, from the most ardent Abolitionist to the one who believed in the right of the States to secede, and in the divine origin of slavery. The excitement continued to increase as the winter wore away, and as the Southern States, one after another, seceded. Large quantities of Government stores and forts and important strategic points were seized ; and soon grave apprehension was felt by strong Union people, owing to the apparent apathy of President Lincoln after his in- auguration, that nothing would be done to check the dissolution of the Government. Continued and extensive preparations for war were made in the South, long after the North ceased to believe that the differences which divided the two factions of the country might be amicably adjusted. Neither the North nor the South knew the strength or the spirit of the other. The former believed that if war was begun the South would be forced into submission within three months, and the latter believed that

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

the North would never have the courage to attempt to coerce the rebellious States back into the Union. Many throughout the North believed that the administration had no right to resort to coercion. On the contrary, the great majority were urgent in their demands upon President Lincoln to strangle the hydra of secession in its infancy, and, if necessary, forcibly maintain intact the union of the States.

THE FALL OF FORT SUMTER

At last the news was received that Fort Sumter had surrendered to the rebels. On the evening of Monday, April 15, 1861, this startling news reached Martinsville, and kindled a degree of angry excitement un- known before in the history of the county. The great majority forgot party, and came loyally forward to the support of the Government. Ev- ery business pursuit was dropped, and the citizens gathered at towns and cross roads to review the ominous situation, and encourage one another with hopeful words. The prompt call of the President for 75,000 volun- teers to put down the rebellion sent a wave of relief throughout the anxious North, and double the numbers called for immediately tendered their services. America had never before witnessed such a universal and popular uprising. Mr. Callis, editor of the Gazette, came out on Wednes- day, April 17, with long, loyal editorials, urging an immediate response to the call of the President, and declaring that the Union must be pre- served. The following short article also appeared in the issue of the 17th :

HOME TRAITORS.

On Monday night last, when the news of the reduction of Fort Sumter reached this town, several of our citizens openly rejoiced at the event. We are sorry to re- cord this lamentable fact. We are grieved to confess that we have men in our com- munity who are so destitute of patriotism and love of country as to laugh over its downfall. Shame! Shame!

Such men were very few, and were speedily borne down by the in- tense loyalty which blazed forth at the county seat and at almost every other place in the county. A mass meeting of the citizens was called to be held at the court house on Saturday, April 20, to consider what should be done by the county to meet the emergency. Apparently the citizens were unable to wait until Saturday, the 20th of April, before holding their meeting at the court house, for on the evening of the 18th, pursuant to a few hours' notice, a large assemblage gathered at the court house. P. S. Parks was made Chairman. Upon taking the chair, he made a rousing speech, declaring that it was the duty of all but traitors to stand by the old flag-that all party prejudice should be renounced, and that the Constitution and Union must be maintained. His remarks had a wonderful effect upon his audience, and were greeted with tumultuous cheers. P. M. Blankenship was called out, and spoke encouragingly to those who desired to volunteer in the impending crisis, and hoped that a general war might be averted. Rev. W. C. Smith was next called to the stand, and electrified his audience with his brilliant eulogy of the " stars and stripes," and his eloquent utterances in favor of unfaltering loyalty. He denounced the traitors with the keenest invective and most searching analysis and logic. O. R. Daugherty was then called out. He said he did not support the administration, nor the causes that brought

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

on the war. He was for his country, right or wrong, and knew no other flag than the stars and stripes. The committee that had been appointed to draft a series of resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting (W. J. Manker, J. K. Scott, J. W. Ferguson, John Williams and John H. Thornburg), then reported as follows :

WHEREAS, We have learned with sorrow and regret that a rebellious faction in South Carolina has wantonly, insultingly and traitorously destroyed American prop- erty, killed American soldiers, and outraged the American flag, and all this, too, upon soil belonging to the Federal Government; therefore

Resolved, That we, the people of Morgan County, Ind., in mass convention as- sembled, hereby denounce such action as the rankest treason, and such actors as the vilest traitors, in comparison with whom Benedict Arnold and Aaron Burr sink into utter insignificance.

Resolved, That in this crisis, forced upon us by Southern traitors, we forget and bury amid the relics of the past, all political feeling and prejudices, and, rallying around our own time-honored and blood-stained banner, we know but one watch- word-"Our country, right or wrong."

Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the President of the United States and the Governor of the State, and their coadjutors in this trying crisis, and hereby pledge them not only the sympathy, but all the material aid that we can extend in every effort they may make to maintain the honor of our flag and the integrity of our Government.

On motion each resolution was submitted separately to the assemblage for adoption or rejection. A motion was made to strike out from the second resolution the words, "forced upon us by Southern traitors," but his motion was earnestly opposed by Messrs. Parks, Manker and Smith, and supported by himself and Mr. Cunning. A stranger present spoke eloquently in favor of rejecting the motion to strike out. He said there were but two flags-the stars and stripes and the palmetto-and that one or the other must be chosen. The motion to strike out was finally lost, but it incited considerable ill-feeling at the time. The resolutions were then severally adopted. The meeting was well attended, and an unwaver- ing loyalty prevailed. The meeting then adjourned, to meet again on Saturday night, as had been advertised.

A very large crowd assembled, and J. J. Johnston was called to the chair. He delivered a loyal and eloquent speech. He said it had been remarked by the enemies of the country at home that Morgan County would not respond to the call of the Governor for troops, but that the present demonstration and the volunteers before him proved the assertion false. He announced that the volunteer company numbered eighty-four, and that additional names were constantly being added to the enlistment roll. He was followed by W. J. Manker and Rev. J. S. Woods, both of whom delivered eloquent speeches of great power and loyalty. A plan for a home guard was then presented, providing for the support of the families of volunteers, for the organization of home militia to be in readi- ness for any peril to the county, State or nation, and calling upon all the townships for co-operation and assistance. The plan or resolution was unanimously adopted, and a subscription of $72 for the volunteers was taken from the citizens of Martinsville, and $23 from the citizens of Morgantown. W. J. Manker and W. C. Smith, of Martinsville, were appointed a committee to procure blankets for the company, and Jacob Adams and William Fesler were appointed to do the same at Morgan- town. At this juncture of the meeting, J. K. Scott, Captain of the com- pany, arrived from Indianapolis and announced that the company had

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

been accepted by the Governor, and would march at 6 o'clock on Monday morning for Camp Morton, Indianapolis. The enthusiasm immediately became intense, many more volunteered, and more than twenty farmers volunteered wagons to haul the boys to the capital. The meeting ad- journed, to meet again the following Wednesday night.

OTHER LOYAL MEETINGS.

The citizens of Monrovia, soon after the receipt of the news of the fall of Fort Sumter, organized a military company and elected Mr. Fos- ter Captain ; but, learning that the company would probably not be re- ceived by the Governor, soon disbanded. On the 19th of April, at 1 o'clock P. M., a big war meeting was held at Morgantown. J. R. Cul- bertson was chosen Chairman, and J. M. Ragsdale, Secretary. Eloquent speeches were made by P. S. Parks, Judge Griggs and Col. John Vawter. The meeting was very enthusiastic, and the speakers were constantly interrupted by tremendous cheers. The following resolution was adopted :

Resolved, That we are devotedly attached to our flag and Government, and that we heartily respond to the requisition of the President of the United States and the Governor of this State for troops for the maintenance of the honor of our flag and the integrity of our Government.

A rousing meeting was also held at Mooresville, and great loyalty was manifested by the members of all parties. The first men to leave the county to enter the service, so far as known, went from the neighbor- hood south of Mooresville. These men were W. H. Dryden, John T. Harvey, Nathan Summers, Thomas Brady, Thomas F. Dryden and Rob- ert B. Gilbert. They reached Indianapolis on the forenoon of the 17th, and in the afternoon were joined by many others from Morgan County anxious for a position in some regiment. The men mentioned were as- signed to the Fifteenth Regiment, three years' service, and were credited to Montgomery County. They were not the first in the service from the county. Who were is difficult to state.

The issue of the Gazette of April 24 contained the following :

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

A company of volunteers over 130 strong left this place on Monday morning last for Camp Morton, Indianapolis. They were commanded by J. K. Scott, Cap- tain; Charles Day, First Lieutenant, and T. F. Orner, Second Lieutenant. Previous to their departure, a patriotic and affecting address was made to them by Rev. W. C. Smith. Among the vast throng assembled to see the volunteers depart, we do not believe that a single dry eye could have been found during the delivery of that speech. We can say this much for the Morgan County boys: A braver and more determined set of men never went forth to face an enemy. We feel confident that in whatever position they may be placed Capt. Scott and his command will give a creditable account of themselves.

The same issue contained the following :

The Union feeling is on the increase. With but few exceptions, Morgan County is sound for the Union. For a week past our town has been profusely decorated with the stars and stripes, and our streets enlivened by the sound of fife and drum. A large volunteer force has been raised, and we have plenty of material to form another should it be needed. Men who were open disunionists a week ago, are now ready to defend the Union.

Also the following in the same issue :

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

On Sunday last, over $100 was made up in this town, for the purpose of uni- forming and equipping the officers of the Morgan County Volunteers. This was due to the energy and perseverance of one or two of our citizens.

In this issue, also, was a lengthy editorial, reviewing the position taken by the Morgan County Clarion. It seems that the latter had asserted that "any State has the right to secede from the Union," that it (the Clarion) would " not raise a hand in hostility against its Southern brethren," that the pending crisis was a "sectional war," and that the volunteers were " disseminators of abolitionism trying to destroy the country." The Gazette proceeded to administer a severe rebuke to the Clarion for its alleged treasonable and disloyal utterances. The article was long'and bitter.

CONTINUED PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION.

Another immense war meeting was held at the court house on the evening of the 24th of April, to make arrangements to provide Capt. Scott's company with uniforms, and to raise funds for the support of the families of volunteers. Rev. W. C. Smith was called to the chair, and P. M. Parks was appointed Secretary. A resolution was presented by Jackson Record, and adopted, asking the County Commissioners to do- nate means from the county treasury to uniform the volunteers and pro- vide soldiers' families with necessaries. Arrangements were made to secure a loan from the citizens with the above mentioned objects in view, until the County Board could be prevailed upon to appropriate the needed amount from the county treasury. The meeting was very enthusiastic, and $165 was raised, $100 of which was sent to Capt. Scott's company, and the balance retained for volunteers' families.

On the same evening of this meeting, a rousing one was held at Morgantown by the citizens of that vicinity, and many from Brown and Johnson Counties. William Fesler was Chairman, and J. M. Ragsdale, Secretary. A long series of patriotic resolutions was adopted. Speeches were made by T. D. Calvin, of Brown County, and S. O. W. Garret, of Johnson County. A company of seventy-five men was enrolled amid the music of fife and drum, and the cheers of the vast audience. The company was named the "Morgantown Military Home Guard." The greatest loyalty was manifested at this meeting. Patriotic war meetings were held about this time at Mooresville and in Gregg, Adams and other townships, but as the details were not recorded they cannot be given here. A second company began to form at Martinsville about this time, and in other portions of the county, Home Guards were organized. Loyal meetings were held everywhere. Schoolhouses and churches were thus occupied, and ministers stepped aside from their high calling to denounce the course of the South and encourage the enlistment of volunteers.

HOME GUARDS.

Early in May, the company of Home Guards at Martinsville was fully organized, and the necessary officers were elected. A small company was formed at Howell's Schoolhouse on the 4th of May, and the follow- ing officers were elected : Madison Avery, Captain ; Hugh McElravy, First Lieutenant. John W. Payne was President of the meeting, and G. W. Hall, Secretary.

HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

On the 1st of May, a big war meeting was held in Indian Creek Bottom at the schoolhouse near Widow Long's. The presiding officers were John Buckner, Chairman, and James Maxwell, Jr., Secretary. A long series of loyal resolutions was adopted. Early in May, an attempt was made to hang a citizen of the county for boldly and publicly express- ing decided disloyal sentiments. He had come to the county seat to trade, but left town very hurriedly when threats of lynching seemed likely to be carried into execution.

The Gazette of June 5 said :

MILITARY SPIRIT.

We are emphatically a war-like people. The rolling of the drum and the notes of the fife are heard every day. A large number of our citizeus congregate at Military Hall almost every night and go through the exercise of drilling. Even the little girls and boys have caught the fever and may frequently be seen marching and counter-marching, drumming upon tin pans and old stove-pipes, whistling and sing- ing national airs, flourishing wooden swords, guns, etc. Vive les enfans?

It seems that the company of Home Guards at Martinsville had a second and more satisfactory election of officers, as will be seen from the following, which appeared in the Gazette of June 12 :

MARTINSVILLE RIFLES.

This company, organized under the new militia law, was sworn into the service of the State on Saturday afternoon last. The oath was administered by Capt. Ben- jamin Hayward, in front of Military Hall, and furnished quite an impressive and solemn scene. The following persons were elected officers of the company: Ebenezer Henderson, Sr., Captain ; Thomas Morrison, First Lieutenant ; W. A. S. Mitchell, Second Lieutenant ; William Harrison, Orderly.

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 6

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co. Number of Pages: 814

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co.
Number of Pages: 814