USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 10
USA > Indiana > White County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 10
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The present Citizens' Bank of Monticello was founded in May, 1882, by E. H. Shirk, a citizen of Peru, Ind., and W. E. McLean, the former acting as President and the latter as Cashier, and the two being the only stockholders. W. W. McColloch is Assistant Cashier. The bank has a strong safe, with a time lock, and has the entire confidence of the com- munity.
Miscellaneous Items .- Among the miscellaneous items and organiza- tions in Monticello are the following : A brass band was formed in 1848, and for about two years the citizens were regaled with the choicest music. The members were R. A. Spencer, R. W. Sill, Charles Dodge, J. R. Willey, William Braught, M. A. Berkey, W. Rifenberrick, Z. Van Buskirk and O. Mcconahay. The money to purchase the instruments was sub- scribed by the citizens.
In about 1874, Union Township voted aid to the Narrow Gauge Rail- road to the amount of $25,400, the subscription to be taken as stock. The road was built, but became a broad gauge, and is now known as the Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago Railroad. The citizens are endeavoring to escape the obligation upon the ground that the company did not comply with the requirements of the contract. The first train that passed through
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Monticello and over the Tippecanoe River was in December, 1859. This was on the Logansport, Peoria & Burlington Railroad. Trains had been running to Monticello from Reynolds Station, some time before. On the 16th of July, 1878, between 1 and 2 o'clock P. M., an engine and twenty- two freight cars broke through the west span of the railroad bridge at Mon- ticello, killing the engineer and the bridgewatchman, and wounding three or four others. The caboose, in which there were several men and women, was saved from going down by the putting-on of the brakes.
Among the additions to Monticello are Walker, Reynolds & Jenner's, 1836; John Barr, County Agent, 1837 ; J. C. Reynolds' First, Second, Third and Fourth Additions : Snyder's, 1860, and Van Voorst's, 1860 ; and others later.
In November, 1881, the Monticello Marriage Endowment Associa- tion was created, but up to this writing no visible effects are apparent.
Incorporation and Town Officers .- The first incorporation of Mon- ticello took place in 1853, when the completion of the New Albany & Salem Railroad through the county gave a decided advance to all im- provements. Reynolds at this time sprang into life and unusual activity, and her citizens confidently predicted the removal of the county seat there. The rapid increase in population and general development there, and the unwavering confidence of the citizens, created no little alarm in the breasts of the inhabitants of Monticello, who resolved to resist the re- moval by all means in their power. This led to the belief that the in- corporation of Monticello would greatly decrease the liability of removal, and in response to this sentiment the plan was carried into effect, the fol- lowing officers being elected : Trustees, Jacob Hanaway, Ferdinand Keif haber, William S. Haymond, A. V. Reed and John Wilson ; Mar- shal, Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor, John R. Willey. This state of affairs continued about one year, and was then abandoned by mutual con- sent, no other officers being elected. The second incorporation, which has endured until the present, was effected in 1862, chiefly through the in- strumentality of Alfred Orton. In response to the petition presented, numerously signed by the citizens, the Commissioners ordered that an election of five Trustees, one Clerk and Assessor, and one Treasurer and Marshal, should be held at the court house in April, 1862. This elec- tion resulted as follows : Trustees, A. Hanawalt, Z. Van Buskirk, James Wallace, John Saunders and D. K. Ream ; Treasurer and Marshal, W. H. Parcels ; Clerk and Assessor, Milton M. Sill.
In 1863 the following officers were elected : Trustees, W. J. Gridley, Samuel Heckendorn, David McCuaig, Isaac Reynolds and Cassius M. Fisk ; Treasurer. and Marshal, W. E. Saunderson ; Clerk and Assessor, P. R. Failing.
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HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
For 1864-Trustees, Samuel Heckendorn, W. J. Gridley, C. M. Fisk, Isaac Reynolds and D. McCuaig ; Treasurer and Marshal, Will- iam Reese; Clerk and Assessor, D. D. Dale.
For 1865-Trustees, Samuel Heckendorn, C. M. Fisk, W. J. Grid- ley, D. K. Ream and D. McCuaig ; Clerk and Assessor, D. D. Dale and W. E. Saunderson ; Treasurer and Marshal, William Reese.
For 1866-Trustees, W. S. Haymond, J. A. Wood, John Saunders, William Keefer and A. F. Howard; Treasurer and Marshal, D. K. Ream ; Clerk and Assessor, A. W. Reynolds.
For 1867-Trustees, John Saunders, William Keefer, W. S. Hay- mond, F. A. Howard and J. A. Wood ; Treasurer and Marshal, O. S. Dale : Clerk and Assessor, A. W. Reynolds.
For 1868-Trustees, W. S. Haymond, John Saunders, A. F. Howard, S. Heckendorn and E. Bennett; Treasurer and Marshal, O. S. Dale ; Clerk and Assessor, Robert Gregory.
For 1869-Trustees, S. Heckendorn, A. F. Howard, E. Bennett, W. R. Davis and D. Berkey; Treasurer and Marshal, James A. Mc .- Conahay .; Clerk and Assessor, Robert Gregory.
For 1870-Trustees, S. Heckendorn, A. F. Howard E. Bennett, W. R. Davis and David Berkey ; Treasurer and Marshal, D. McCuaig ; Clerk and Assessor, Robert Gregory.
For 1871-Trustees, Michael Hogan, David McCuaig, Mathew Hen- derson, Martin Wirtz and W. R. Davis; Treasurer and Marshal, W. F. Ford ; Clerk and Assessor, Robert Gregory.
For 1872-Trustees, John B. Harbolt, H. P. Bennett, David Mc- Cuaig, M. Henderson and M. Wirtz ; Treasurer and Marshal, B. F. Ritchey ; Clerk and Assessor, E. B. Sellers.
For 1873-Trustees, David McCuaig, M. Henderson, M. Wirtz, J. B. Harbolt and J. E. Barnes ; Treasurer and Marshal, B. F. Richey ; Clerk and Assessor, E. B. Sellers.
For 1874-Trustees, D. McCuaig, M. Wirtz, M. Henderson, J. B. Harbolt and J. A. Mcconahay ; Treasurer and Marshal, Michael Ho- gan ; Clerk and Assessor, Emory B. Sellers.
For 1875-Trustees, D. McCuaig, J. A. Vinson, J. A. Mcconahay, John McConnell and Bucklin Warden; Treasurer and Marshal, --; Clerk and Assessor, W. P. Crowell.
For 1876-Trustees, Samuel P. Cowger, J. M. Turner, E. Bennett, B. Warden and J. A. Mcconahay ; Treasurer and Marshal, M. Hogan ; Clerk and Assessor, B. F. Ross.
For 1877-Trustees, Esau Bennett, J. M. Turner, John Large, J. C. Wilson and John Miller ; Treasurer and Marshal, B. Fox ; Clerk and Assessor, S. P. Cowger.
ASENATH PRICE .
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTAR LOA TILDEN FIL'UNTIPY N
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For 1878-Trustees, J. C. Wilson, John M. Turner, John H. Switzer, R. W. Christy and William Imes ; Treasurer and Marshal- B. F. Ross ; Clerk and Assessor, Frank Bofinger.
For 1879-Trustees, J. C. Wilson, J. M. Turner, J. II. Switzer, Alpheus Bennett and R. W. Christy ; Treasurer and Marshal, B. F. Ross ; Clerk and Assessor, Frank Bofinger.
For 1880-Trustees, James Gardner, Matthew Massena, Milton M. Sill, Samuel B. Bushnell and Richard Imes; Marshal, Benjamin Reynolds ; Clerk and Assessor, T. T. Palmer ; Treasurer, W. R. Harvey.
For 1881-Trustees, Richard Imes, J. M. Gardner, Samuel Miller, A. Hanawalt and W. E. Uhl ; Marshal, Edward Reynolds ; Treasurer, Alpheus Bennett ; Clerk, Curtis D. Meeker.
For 1882-Trustees, A. Hanawalt, Samuel Miller, John McCon- nell, W. E. Uhl and Richard Imes ; Marshal, Francis Mullendore ; Treasurer, A. Bennett ; Clerk, W. P. Crowell.
The following is the report of the Treasurer of Monticello for the year ending April 25, 1873 :
RECEIPTS.
General tax collected.
$1,998 78
Same from former Treasurer
63 27
Amount of licenses.
38 00
Amount of fines.
2 00
Special school tax collected.
2,068 46
Same from former Treasurer.
75 86
Road tax collected.
25 35
Same from former Treasurer.
51 37
Total.
$4,323 09
EXPENDITURES
Orders redeemed
$1,757 38
Interest on orders.
48 04
Fire expense.
91 36
Coupons redeemed.
1,980 00
Interest on coupons.
137 89
Expended on streets
76 72
Total.
$4,091 39
Balance on hand.
231 70
General fund, delinquent.
230 81
Special school fund, delinquent
192 29
Proceedings of the Town Board .- The first regulation to prevent drunkenness on the streets or in the town was passed in November, 1866, and inflicted a fine of not less than $5, nor more than $10, upon the law-breaker. In February, 1868, the liquor license was fixed at $100. The Monticello Hook and Ladder Company filed articles of as-
7
38512B
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HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
sociation in March, 1869, which were approved by the Town Board. Arrangements were made to appoint proper Fire Wardens and to require of property holders that they should keep on hand buckets, ladders, etc. E. J. C. Hilderbrand made the fire wagon for $150. The town receipts for the year ending April, 1869, were $767.57, and the disbursements $963.63. John Saunders and Mr. Cherrie built the Hook and Ladder building for $165 in 1869. This was the time the school bonds were issued. The Fire Wardens ordinance was finally passed in 1872-73. The fire bell was purchased in 1875 for $137. In 1878-80, the Town Board were hauled over the coals about the school bond business, though nothing had been done by them except neglecting to take Wilson's bond before he was intrusted with the new corporate bonds.
Early Newspapers .- The first newspaper published in White County was the Prairie Chieftain, the first issue appearing July 3, 1849, with A. V. Reed and John K. Lovejoy, editors, publishers and proprietors. The office was in the second story of the old court house, now used as a wagon shop on Main street, by Mr. Switzer. Mr. Lovejoy was connect- ed with the paper a short time, and then transferred his interest to John Carothers, who remained Mr. Reed's partner until 1854, when the last issue of the Chieftain appeared. The paper had met with fair patronage from members of all parties, though politically it was Democratic. As was the custom in those days, the county local affairs were largely disre- garded by the Chieftain, whose editors filled its columns with long windy Congressional or political speeches, messages of the President to Congress, and miscellaneous articles tastefully constructed. It remained for papers of a later date to condense the State and National news, and invent and render valuable the "local department." The Chieftain was immedi- ately succeeded by the Register, edited by B. F. Tilden, and published on the south side of the square by R. J. Parker. This paper, though well conducted for that day, did not fully satisfy public expectation, owing mainly to the unstable condition of political affairs and not to any fault of the proprietors. Early in 1856, it was succeded by the Polit- ical Frame, published by R. W. Sill; but in March, 1857, H. C. Kirk assumed control, continuing until the autumn of 1857, when the paper became the White County Jacksonian, edited and published by John G. Scott. At the expiration of a little more than a year, Mr. Scott discon- tinued the Jacksonian, announcing editorially that "our brightest hopes have been canceled by a full realization of everything hoped for." That somewhat obscure statement is regarded by some as an artful piece of satire to conceal the fact that the editor had hoped for nothing. Mr. James W. McEwen was the next editor of the paper, assuming control in March, 1859, and changing the name to the White County Democrat.
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The paper during the war, though sometimes severe in its denunciations of the course pursued by the administration of Mr. Lincoln, did not re- sort to that offensive extremity which caused the military authorities of the State to suppress many Democratic sheets throughout Indiana. Scurrilous personalties, however, gave the paper no little notoriety, though they usually appeared over the non de plume of correspondents. In July, 1866, N. C. A. Rayhouser became a partner of Mr. McEwen's, and the name of the paper was changed to the Constitutionalist ; but at the end of about six months, Mr. Rayhouser sold out, or at least got out, and Mr. McEwen continued alone until June, 1870, when he was joined by A. P. Kerr, who also sold his interest in August, 1873, Mr. McEwen remaining again alone. The office was finally sold to William B. Hoover, at whose death the issue was continued by Jasper Keyes. About two years ago, the office was partly destroyed by fire, and the publication of the paper was abandoned for a period, though the Monticello Times published by C. J. Reynolds, soon took its place, but ceased to appear in January, 1882. On the 16th of June, 1882, Owens & Uhl issued the first number of the White County Democrat, really the successor of the Democratic patronage of the county, though the editors refused to recog- nize any relationship between their organ and papers of Democratic pro- clivities previously issued. In January, 1883, Mr. Uhl sold his interest to Mr. Owens, who is yet sole owner and proprietor. The Democrat is newsy, ably conducted, and has a large circulation.
James and Benjamin Spencer issued the first number of the Monticello Spectator on the 12th of May, 1859. The paper was Republican, politically, and was a credit to the editors and to the county. It never received the support it deserved, and was finally com- pelled to suspend in February, 1862, owing to a lack of patronage. Milton M. Sill purchased the office, and issued the first number of the Monticello Herald February 14, 1862, continuing until October, 1863, when J. G. Staley took charge of the office, but sold out the following January to A. H. Harrit. In February, 1865, W. H. Dague purchased a one-half interest, and in the following August Mr. Harrit withdrew, leaving Mr. Dague sole owner and proprictor. In the autumn of 1869, the office was purchased by S. P. Conner, and in 1870 W. J. Huff se- cured a part interest. Mr. Conner left in the fall of 1870, leaving Mr. Huff sole editor and owner. In November, 1874, J. B. Van Buskirk be- came associated with Mr. Huff, and thus the paper remains at present. The Herald presents a bright face, is skillfully managed, has an extensive circulation, and is firmly founded.
On the 13th of April, 1878, appeared the first number of the National, a weekly paper, six-column folio, subscription price
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HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
$1.50 per year ; editor and proprietor, Jacob C. Smith. The paper has been regularly issued since, and has steadily advocated the principles of the Greenback party. Attempts have been made to " fuse " it into one or the other of the old parties, but without success. It has a fair circula- tion and a paying patronage of job work.
Secret Societies .-- Libanus Lodge, No. 154, F., & A. M., of Monti- cello, received its dispensation on the 1st of April, 1853. Its charter bears date May 23, 1854. The first officers were: F. G. Kendall, W. M .; J. W. Bulger, S. W .; William Russell, J. W .; C. W. Kendall, Secretary ; A. Yunt, Treasurer; W. B. Gray, S. D .; Ralph Spencer, J. D .; W. C. May, Tiler. It has prospered fairly since that early day. The present membership is something over fifty, and the lodge property is valued at about $500. The present officers are : W. S. Bushnell, W. M .; S. B. Bushnell, S. W .; T. F. Palmer, J. W .; M. M. Sill, Secretary; Israel Nordyke, Treasurer; M. T. Didlake, S. D .; J. R. Van Voorst, J. D .; Elisha Warden, Tiler.
Monticello Lodge, No. 107, I. O. O. F., was granted a dispensation January 23, 1852, and was instituted on the 30th of the same month and year, the charter members being M. R. Sheets, J. T. Ritchey, W. R. Davis, J. R. Lovejoy, Samuel Barnes, R. C. Kirk and D. T. Spears. The first officers were: William Davis, N. G .; D. T. Spears, V. G .; J. R. Lovejoy, Secretary; J. T. Ritchey, Treasurer. The present membership is forty-seven.
Rebekah Degree, Eudora. No. 201, was organized in December, 1879 the members being William Parcels and wife, James Hay and wife, S B. Bushnell and wife, R. L. Harvey and wife, William Spencer, H. V. Spencer.
Stewart Encampment, No. 159, was organized in December, 1882, with the following first members : R. L. Harvey, T. F. Palmer, S. B. Bushnell, D. McCuaig, J. C. Hughes, Orlando McClintock, Robert Nicewander and George Uhl. The present membership is fourteen.
Monticello Lodge, No. 73, K. of P., was established February 2, 1877. The present membership is fifty-one. The officers are: E. P. Roberts, P. C .; J. C. Rufing, C. C .; P. D. Bennett, V. C .; J. R. Van Voorst, Prelate ; William Guthrie, M. of E .; J. Y. Stevenson, M. of F .; Z. T. Bennett, K. of R. S .; William Dunklebarger, M. at A .; John Beiderwolf, I. G .; B. F .. Bierly, O. G .; H. P. Owens, Z. T. Bennett and E. R. Gardner, Trustees ; H. P. Owens, D. D. G. C. The lodge is in a prosperous con- dition. The charter members were as follows : John H. Wallace, Emory B. Sellers, Henry P. Owens, James V. Vinson, Irvin Greer, Henry Sny- der, John C. Hughes, Isaiah Bisher, Taylor Bennett, John T. Roach, Washington Kuntz, George Baxter, Frank Roberts, Thomas J. Woltz,
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William R. Harvey, William Spencer, James E. Howard, Josiah Purcell, John T. Ford, John H. Peet, Albert W. Loughry, John H. Burns, T. Fayette Palmer, Samuel Fenters.
An organization called the Sovereigns of the Red Star was established at Monticello in May, 1882, the object of which was the protection of its members from the use of strong drink. The members were J. C. Brown, Abner Cochell, J. S. Wigmore, Nate Benjamin, E. Wheaton, R. L. Har- vey, John Grub, W. J. Gridley, James Grim, Jesse Spencer, H. D. Replogle, John Donavin, D. B. Ford, Richard Runkle, W. W. Pettit, Joseph Young, W. F. Ford, J. M. Perkins and Charles C. Davis. The society is secret in its workings. The order should receive substan- tial encouragement from the citizens of the town, as its object is surely in the right direction.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union has an organization in town, which is in excellent working order, and is doing much good, though its field of labor should be extended.
Tippecanoe Post, No. 51, G. A. R., of Monticello, was organized March 31, 1882, by Judge J. H. Gould, of Delphi, Deputy Mustering Officer. On organization, the membership consisted of twelve members, and the first officers were: John C. Brown, Post Commander ; George W. Robertson, Senior Vice Commander; James M. McBeth, Junior Vice Commander ; Robert G. Clark, Surgeon; Rev. J. B. Smith, Chaplain ; John H. Burns, Officer of the Day; L. G. Kenton, Officer of the Guard; Mahlon H. Smith, Adjutant. The present officers are: George Uhl, Post Commander ; John H. Wallace, Senior Vice Commander ; Thomas A. Robinson, Junior Vice Commander ; Henry Van Voorst, Quartermas- ter; John C. Brown, Officer of the Day ; David S. Rhodes, Officer of the Guard ; S. B. Bushnell, Adjutant ; James M. McBeth, Sergeant Major ; Isaac Price, Commissary Sergeant ; Rev. J. B. Smith, Chaplain. The present membership is fifty-seven, and the organization meets in the hall of the A. O. U. W., on the second and fourth Friday evenings of each month.
Early Schools in Monticello .- In commencing an account of the schools of Monticello, no better can be done than the publication of the following selected portion of an essay on the early schools of White County, read before a Teachers' Institute at Monticello a few years ago, by Milton M. Sill, one of the county's oldest and most respected citizens:
In the year 1835, a frame schoolhouse was erected at Monticello, on the present site of Mr. Nordyke's residence, twenty by thirty feet in length, with all the modern appliances, including iron latches and hinges for the door and sash and glass lights for the windows, which were care- fully placed near the roof lest some wicked boy should drive his fist
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HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.
through them, for the glass was scarce then and high priced. This build- ing answered the purpose of a church, also, for ten years, during which time there was no church edifice in the place. Mathias Davis, father of Mrs. David McCuaig, was the first teacher, and continued several terms of three months each, until about the year 1838, when he returned to his home in Carroll County and remained there two years, when he again took the Newell School in Big Creek Township. He was succeeded in the Monticello School by William Cahill, who taught one term. Mr. Cahill was a very clever gentleman and a scholar, but he lacked muscle and nerve. He was succeeded by Mr. Montgomery, a sprig of Green Erin (many of the scholars thought him much more than a sprig). He introduced the rawhide whip into our school and used it on the least provocation. His administration is memorable for the assault made by him on one of his pupils (Erastus Gray), which resulted in his arrest and incarceration in the county jail. He whipped the poor boy until the blood literally ran down his back, and yet many justified the act and censured the boy's father for causing his arrest. He was followed by James Kelley, also an Irishman, but the opposite of his predecessor in disposition and without his mental acquirements. James Givens succeeded Kelly and taught several terms with satisfactory results. At this time, there had been but one attempt upon the part of a female teacher to open a pub- lic school. Miss Fannie Carter, a lady of rare accomplishments and of fair executive ability, opened a subscription school, and though a strong prejudice existed at that time against female teachers, she suc- ceeded for three successive terms in carrying on her school and did much good.
Shortly after the close of Mr. Givens' school, Ranson Mcconahay was selected to teach the Monticello School. He and his brother David had been teaching in the southern part of the county, while his nephew David (now living at Idaville), had taught in Liberty Township in what was known as the Elston neighborhood. All of them had the reputation of being able and successful teachers, which was fully justified by him in the management of the school here. At the close of his term, a long va- cation ensued, and the parents were divided in opinion, some insisting on a lady teacher, others preferring a male. In the confusion existing, Mrs. Moore, a widow lady, announced her intention of occupying the school- house on a certain Monday. On the Sabbath preceding, the parties op- posing her sent a messenger to Pittsburg, in Carroll County, with power to employ a teacher and bring him forthwith to occupy the house in dis- pute. The result was the employment of a Mr. DeLaplane, and install- ing him as teacher in the schoolhouse at 4 o'clock, Monday morning, an hour unprecedentedly early for school, and upon the arrival of Mrs.
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Moore, at the regular hour, he had proceeded so far as to have heard the dozen scholars with which he was surrounded recite three or four lessons each, and, with no prospect of a recess, was still continuing to muster them for further recitation. The lady indignantly demanded possession, which he ungallantly refused to give, and held the fort through a storm of threats and abuse from her and her friends on the one side, until re-en- forced by his backers. A truce was then called, which resulted in the final loss of the school to both, and Lucius Pierce was the successful ap- plicant. He instituted in place of the rod for punishment the ferule, and the refractory pupil was punished by banishment to a lonely bench in a remote corner, where, after due time given for reflection, he was brought out and tortured in proportion to the enormity of crime committed, which was from three to ten strokes of the ruler in the open palm of the left hand. Decided progress was made by the scholars under the teach- ing of Mr. Pierce, who continued with slight lapses for two years, his brothers also teaching both at Monticello and in other parts of the county.
Prof. George Bowman's School .- In the fall of 1846, Prof. George Bowman began his career as a teacher in White County. He intro- duced the studies of Natural Philosophy, Astronomy, Algebra and Latin, and for the first time the scholars had the opportunity of acquiring some- thing more than the fundamental principles of an English education. New books were introduced and the cause of education rapidly advanced under his efficient and faithful management. Blackboards, until then unheard of, now adorned the walls of the school room; the art of composition and declamation was cultivated and pupils were required to give reasons and illustrations in support of theory.
Mr. Bowman removed to Delphi in the fall of 1850, and as no teacher of sufficient experience and learning could be secured to take his place, the cause of education somewhat languished after his departure. It was probably about this time that an effort was made to built a brick school- building near where Israel Nordyke now lives. Whether the house was to be erected with the county seminary funds under the laws regarding that institution, or whether it was to be built wholly as a schoolhouse for the district of Monticello, cannot be certainly learned, though it is a matter of history that the building was completed as far up as the tops of the lower windows, and then, owing to the failure of subscribers to advance the funds promised, the work was abandoned and the material soon afterward re- moved. There was a period during the '50's when the old schoolhouse of 1835 could not accommodate the children seeking education, and in conse- quence various private or subscription schools where opened in other buildings in the town. Besides this, only the fundamental branches were
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