USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 52
USA > Indiana > White County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 52
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Additions to the Town .- The following additions have been made to Winamac : Pearson & Barnett's in September, 1860, in the northern part and east of the railroad; Lane & Porter's in March, 1861, mostly west of the railroad ; John Falvey's in August, 1869, eight lots on the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 14; H. E. Woodruff's in September, 1870, some twenty-four lots on both sides of the railroad; H. P. Rowan's in June, 1874, eighty-six lots south of the original plat and east of the railroad; M. D. Falvey's in January, 1875, ten lots. Probably the most important event in the past history of Winamac was the completion of the "Chicago & Cincinnati Railroad," and the loca- tion of a station at the county seat. Business of all kinds multiplied
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
rapidly, and erelong the population of the town was doubled. Regular trains began running during the summer of 1861, and grain and live stock buyers soon afforded the citizens a market which had formerly been sought at Logansport. The citizens began to assume airs of the most killing kind. Sidewalks were built and old ones improved ; streets were drained ; herds of swine and cattle in the streets were unanimously con- sidered a nuisance to be tolerated no longer, and a general appearance of industry, thrift and growth usurped the place so long occupied by ap- parent immovability. This satisfactory state of affairs led to the incor- poration of the village.
Incorporation .- In 1868, the county seat became the incorporated town of Winamac. The question was submitted to the qualified voters residing within the limits to be incorporated, at a special election called for the purpose, and was carried by 89 affirmative votes to 18 negative; whereupon the first officers were elected, as follows : Trustees, H. E. Woodruff, H. P. Rowan, W. S. Huddleston, Robert Carroll, and R. W. Hathaway. These officers first met for the transaction of business on the 7th of May, 1868, and made the following appointments for the cur- rent year : Clerk, Alonzo Starr; Treasurer, Mark D. Falvey ; Marshal, Alonzo Starr; School Trustees, George Burson, G. F. Wickersham and John N. Ingrim. The following have since been the officers of Winamac : May 1869-Trustees, James Gill, O. Carper, Jonas Michaels, Caleb Brobst and J. H. Kelley ; Clerk, Assessor and Marshal, Alonzo Starr ; Treasurer, M. D. Falvey ; School Trustee, F. B. Thomas May, 1870- Trustees, H. E. Woodruff, S. L. Rowan, O. Carper, J. Michaels and Joseph Collins ; Clerk and Assessor, J. H. Kelley ; Marshal, Alonzo Starr ; Treasurer, M. D. Falvey ; School Trustees, F. B. Thomas, George Burson and W. S. Huddleston. May, 1871-Trustees, O. Carper, H. E. Woodruff, H. P. Rowan, Jacob N. Little and George Burson ; Clerk, G. T. Wickersham; Treasurer, M. D. Falvey ; Marshal, W. C. Barnett; School Trustees, W. S. Huddleston, Jonn Steis and John H. Kelley ; Street Commissioners, O. Carper and J. N. Little. May, 1872-Trus- tees, J. D. Vurpillat, W. C. Barnett, O. Carper, Lewis Hoffman and C. Messerly ; Clerk, Ben. Frank ; Treasurer, M. D. Falvey ; Marshal, Jacob Van Valkenburg; Street Commissioners, Lewis Hoffman and J. D. Vurpillat. May, 1873-Trustees, Lewis Hoffman, W. C. Barnett, Benjamin Frank, Joseph Vurpillat and James B. Long; Clerk, W. B. Burson ; Treasurer, J. H. Kelley ; Marshal, Horace Terry; School Trus- tees, J. R. Dukes, G. T. Wickersham, M. D. Falvey and R. Hock. May, 1874-Trustees, Lewis Hoffman, Joseph Vurpillat, Abraham Phillips, John Steis and James Martz; Clerk, C. W. Wickersham; Treasurer, J. H. Kelley ; Marshal, John Mehan; Street Commissioners, John Steis
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MONROE TOWNSHIP.
and James Martz. May, 1875 -- Trustees, J. N. Little, W. H. Thomp- son, J. C. Nye, J. M. Agnew and J. W. Clark ; Clerk, Shubel Pearson, Treasurer, H. E. Pattison ; Marshal, J. W. Bennett. In October, Jacob Kiser took Thompson's place as trustee, and Joseph Collins took Agnew's place ; Street Commissioner, J. N. Little ; May, 1876-Trustees, Joseph Collins, James Toby, Simon Weyand, J. N. Little and J. H. Kelley ; Clerk, S. Pearson ; Treasurer, H. E. Pattison ; Marshal, John James ; School Trustee, C. Messerly ; Street Commissioners, James Toby and J. H. Kelley. In October, John H. Gill took Collins' place as Trustee, and in February, 1877, G. T. Wickersham took Toby's place, same. May, 1877-Trustees, O. Carper, J. H. Kelley, S. Weyand, J. N. Little and G. H. Barnett ; Clerk, S. Pearson ; Treasurer, W. H. Thompson ; Mar- shal, J. B. Agnew, Jr., School Trustee, James B. Dukes. May, 1878- Trustees, George Barnett, John Steites, J. H. Kelley, George Burson and W. Nimrod; Clerk, T. B. Martin ; Treasurer, W. II. Thompson ; Marshal, J. B. Agnew, Jr .; Trustee Burson was succeeded by Joseph Vurpillat ; School Trustee Burnett was succeeded by William Spangler ; Street Commissioners, John Steites and W. Nimrod. May, 1879-Trus- tees, G. W. Barnett, John H. Wood, John H. Kelley, Joseph D. Vur- pillat and John James ; Clerk, S. Pearson; Treasurer, W. H. Thomp- son ; Marshal, S. B. Hazen ; Street Commissioners, J. H. Wood and J. D. Vurpillat ; School Trustee, G. W. Thompson. May, 1880-Trus- tees, M. A. Dilts, N. B. Bennett, H. Kittinger, T. B. Martin and W. W. Nimrod ; Clerk, S. Pearson ; Treasurer, W. H. Thompson ; Marshal, Frank Long; Street Commissioners, H. Kittinger and W. W. Nimrod ; School Trustee, George Burson. May, 1881-Trustees, J. H. Reddick, William Keys, W. H. Bouslog, S. Weyand and J. Michaels ; Clerk, S. Pearson ; Treasurer, M. Hogan ; Marshal, C. Bridegroom. May, 1882 -Trustees, J. H. Reddick, ¡John IIustis, W. H. Bouslog, O. H. Hatha- way and James Martz; Clerk, W. B. Taylor ; Treasurer, M. D. Falvey ; Marshal, C. Bridegroom.
The first tax levied for corporate purposes was as follows, in 1868 : Special school tax, 20 cents on each $100 valuation and 50 cents on each poll ; special tax, 10 cents on each $100 valuation and 25 cents on each poll. The report of the Town Treasurer from May, 1868, to May, 1869, was as follows : Peddlers' licenses, $15; auction licenses, $10; from the Marshal, $10.80; total receipts, $35.80. Paid Town Marshal on orders $18; balance on hand, $17.80. In July, 1871, the Trustees purchased, for $215, a wagon and the necessary hooks, ladders, pails, etc., for ex- tinguishing fires. At the same time, a meeting was called to organize a fire company, resulting in an incomplete organization which was after- ward perfected. In April, 1872, a town pound was erected. The 31
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
present organization for the extinguishment of fires reflects no credit upon the care of the property-holders. The truth of the old adage of " locking the barn door after the horse is stolen" may yet be impressed upon the minds of the citizens to their sorrow. In June, 1882, town bonds to the amount of $1,000 were sold to obtain money to defray the expense of repairing the heavy " wash-outs" on Front street adjoining the river.
At a special meeting of the Trustees on the 26th of September, 1881, the following preamble and resolutions were passed :
WHEREAS, Our nation has been called to mourn the loss, by the hand of death, of its beloved chief magistrate, James A. Garfield; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting that the citizens should in a public manner express their grief for his loss, and their recognition of his eminent public services and pri- vate worth; therefore
Resolved, That we, the Board of Trustees of the incorporated Town of Wina- mac, in behalf of the citizens of the town, do sincerely mourn the loss of President James A. Garfield as a great national calamity, and extend our sympathy to his stricken family; and further
Resolved, That the citizens of Winamac be and are hereby requested to meet at the Methodist Episcopal Church at 2 o'clock, P. M., of to-day, and there hold proper memorial services in honor of our illustrious dead; and further
Resolved, That all the business men of Winamac are hereby requested to close their respective places of business from half-past 1 until half-past 3 o'clock, P. M.
SHUBEL PEARSON, Clerk.
S. WEYAND, W. H. BOUSLOG, J. MICHAELS, J. H. REDDICK, Trustees.
In 1872, the Board of Trustees were petitioned to vote for Monroe Township $8,000 in aid of the Fort Wayne & Pacific Railroad, which was to be run on the old surveyed line of the American Central Railroad, one station to be at Winamac and another at Francisville. The citizens of the western and the eastern portions of the county, especially of the former, were highly in favor of the enterprise, as the want of better com- munication between the two widely separated portions of the county had long been felt (and will long continue to be felt). The aid petitioned for in Monroe was voted when submitted in June to the citizens, and a por- tion of the tax was afterward collected; but as the project was abandoned, the money was finally returned to the tax payers. Other townships voted aid. Such a road would be a blessing to Pulaski County, and if again on foot should be liberally assisted by the citizens. An increase of from ten to thirty per cent in the value of real estate would be the result of the completion of such an enterprise.
Secret Societies .- Winamac Lodge, No. 168, Odd Fellows, was founded in 1855, its charter bearing the date July 18 of that year. The charter members were : Henry P. Rowan, James W. Eldridge, Dr. G. W. Reddick, Andrew D. Perry, Samuel Ward, Jr., and Samuel Hoch.
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MONROE TOWNSHIP.
The first officers were : G. W. Reddick, N. G .; Samuel Hoch, V. G .; A. D. Perry, Secretary ; H. P. Rowan, Treasurer. The lodge grew quite rapidly at first, and after a few years built their two-storied frame building just south of the court yard, fitting up the upper story for the use of the society, and the lower to rent. For several years prior to the erection of the present court house, the lower portion of this building was occupied by the county officers. The present value of lodge prop- erty is about $1,500, and the present membership of the lodge is thirty- two. The present officers are : J. H. Reddick, N. G .; S. F. Keppler, V. G .; John H. Gill, Recording Secretary ; Jesse Taylor, P. Secretary ; S. Pearson, Treasurer. Pulaski Encampment, No. 62, was organized October 20, 1860, but for some reason no charter was obtained until March, 1873, the Encampment working, in the meantime, under its dis- pensation. The charter members were James W. Eldridge, Isaac Eld- ridge, A. D. Perry, G. T. Wickersham, James Gill, W. T. Clelland and T. F. Reynolds. The first officers were : James Eldridge, C. P .; A. P. Perry, H. P .; G. T. Wickersham, S. W .; W. T. Cleland, J. W .; Isaac Eldridge, Scribe; James Gill, Treasurer. The present membership is eighteen, and the present officers are : S. F. Keppler, C. P .; Peter Kroft, H. P .; John Pfyffer, J. W .; A. Madantz, S. W .; J. T. Bruce, Scribe, and H. Kittinger, Treasurer. The Odd Fellows first met in the old Barnett building on front street, formerly the principal business street of the town. The Rebecca Degree was founded in 1874, with the following first members : H. Kittinger, S. Pearson, G. T. Wicker- sham, A. D. Perry, Peter Kroft, H. Baker, W. R. Ballinger, J. M. Kline, Jesse Taylor, J. T. Bruce, J. D. Clark, S. Weyand, B. F. Frank, Mrs. Una Pearson, Martha Bruce, Melinda Burson, Susanna Taylor, Su- sanna Ballinger, Mary J. Perry, Mary Wickersham, Louisa Baker, C. M. Frank, Anna Kroft, Phoebe Clark and Hulda Agnew. The degree is Sophronia Degree, No. 122, Daughters of Rebecca.
The first records of Winamac Lodge, No. 262, F. & A. M., are lost. The charter is dated May, 1860, the charter members being James W. Selders, G. W. Reddick, Stephen Bruce, John Myers, and George Bur- son. The lodge worked for several years under a dispensation before obtaining a charter. The first officers in existing records were: J. W. Selders, W. M .; G. W. Reddick, S. W .; Stephen Bruce, J. W. The present officers are : S. Weyand, W. M .; Mr. Burnett, S. W .; Simon Keppler, Treasurer; Edward M. Morehart, Secretary ; R. S. Rodgers, S. D .; J. R. Connor, J. D .; John Falcon, Tiler. The present membership is twenty-nine; value of lodge property, about $300.
Tippecanoe Council of the Royal Arcanum, No. 303, was organized in October, 1879, with the following charter members : C. D. Wood, L.
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
B. Perry, J. W. Clark, M. A. Dilts, T. B. Hedges, T. E. Allison, J. M. Ward, W. T. Gary, W. S. Myers, W. H. Conn, W. H. Bouslog, Jacob Keiser, J. H. Gill, W. H. Barkalow, J. W. Brown, S. Pearson, D. H. Gary and G. W. Thompson. The first officers were: C. D. Wood, R .; M. A. Dilts, V. R .; D. H. Gary, P. R .; J. M. Ward, O .; T. B. Hedges, Secretary ; W. T. Gary, Collector ; W. H. Bouslog, Treasurer ; Jacob Keiser, Chaplain ; J. W. Clark, G. ; T. E. Allison, W. A. R .; L. W. Perry, S .; G. W. Thompson, Med. Ex .; Trustees, W. S. Myers, C. D. Wood and J. W. Clark. The present officers are : T. B. Hedges, R .; L. D. Perry, Secretary ; W. H. Hoffman, Collector; W. H. Bouslog, Treasurer ; J. T. Bruce, Chaplain. The present membership is twenty-nine.
Various temperance movements have striven to do away with the sale and consumption of liquor in Winamac. The Good Templars effected an organization some ten years ago, and for a season was very prosperous, numbering, it is stated, as high as 300 members. They did good work, and for a time largely reduced the sale of liquor ; but the citadel of King Alcohol was too strong to be taken, and the lodge finally went down, and the records were carried away by one of the members. Articles of association of a lodge of the Patrons of Husbandry were filed in the Re- corder's office in August, 1875; and about the same time lodges of the order were instituted in various portions of the county. As the records of the organization at Winamac could not be found, but little can be stated, except that the order flourished for a few years, did good work in reducing the price of various farm implements, and finally disbanded. Farmers must look out for their own interests, as the rest of mankind are hawks, so to speak, which swoop down upon their hard-earned homes like veritable birds of prey.
In August, 1882, Division Master Workman Halley organized at Winamac a chapter of the secret order known as Knights of Labor. But little could be learned regarding this society, probably for the reason, as stated, that such things are not permitted to be divulged. The members meet once a month over Michael Falvey's store, charge $1 initiation fee, and work in the interest of the laboring classes.
Newspapers .- The first attempt to publish a newspaper in Winamac (or in Pulaski County) was made during the summer of 1858, when sev- eral prominent Democrats formed a sort of stock company, purchased the necessary material, and engaged a native of the Emerald Isle-a Mr. James Mahaffie-to manage and edit their party paper, called the Pulaski Democrat. Mr. Mahaffie was an odd genius, and loved the flowing bowl better than was good for him ; not that there was anything paricularly odd in that fact, but, in general, because his social proclivities were too
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MONROE TOWNSHIP.
preponderant for financial success. He edited the paper, in a way, until after the political campaign of 1858, when he shook the dust of the place from his feet and has since cast his lot elsewhere. The paper remained suspended until the early autumn of 1859, when Tibbatts & Magee began issuing it, continuing until the following year, when Mr. A. Valen- tine became connected with it. Some time during 1860, or the early part of 1861, the publication was again abandoned ; but, in 1862, was again revived by Rufus Magee, who issued it until 1863, except for a short time when it was suspended by military orders. George Burson obtained editorial control in 1863, and issued the sheet as a Republican organ until February, 1865, when M. H. Ingrim became editor, remain- ing thus until about 1868. About this time, the name was changed to Winamac Democrat. Under him, the paper was again Democratic. In about 1868, F. B. Thomas secured a one-half interest, and in October, 1870, Ben Frank bought out Mr. Ingrim's interest. In a short time, Mr. Thomas purchased Mr. Frank's interest, and remained sole editor and proprietor until November, 1882, when the entire paper was sold to a number of prominent Democrats, who had associated themselves together as the " Winamac Democratic Publishing Company," with A. B. Cramp- ton as editor-in-chief, and Thomas Benton Hedges as associate editor. John O. Behymer purchased the paper in the spring of 1883. Mr. Be- hymer came from Tipton, Ind., where for some time he was the proprie- tor of the Tipton Express. He is an able journalist, and the Democrat. under his management, will be ably conducted. From 1865 to 1868, the paper was a six-column folio, but at the latter date became an eight- column folio. During these years, the circulation was usually between 300 and 400, but after 1868 it increased. The paper, during its entire career, except when issued as the organ of the Pulaski County Repub. licans, has been of the "stalwart " Democratic character, and has up- held, with unfaltering determination, the principles of the party of which it is an ardent supporter.
In the spring of 1865, a joint-stock company was organized for the purpose of issuing a Republican paper at the county seat. The members were B. T. Lane, Stephen Bruce, John P. Barnett, Charles Meeker, Rudolph Hoch and Peter Kroft. Money to the amount of $300 was raised, and John Ferrell was induced to publish the paper, the members receiving their papers free. The sheet was christened the Winamac Republican, and presented a creditable appearance. Mr. Ferrell had his failings, and fell into bad circumstances and finally induced Mr. Lane to purchase the office, which was done about two months after the paper was first issued. Mr. Lane conducted the paper for a time and finally employed John W. Ryan to edit it. At last the office was sold to F. S.
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
Remington, who issued the paper until March, 1869, when it passed to the present owner, Hon. Jacob Keiser, who has since remai ned sole editor and proprietor. The paper under Mr. Keiser was first issued as a seven- column folio, subscription $1.50 per year, and the circulation at the time of the transfer to Mr. Keiser did not exceed about 200. In 1872, the paper became a six-column quarto, but after the lapse of a year was changed to a eight-column folio, and has thus remained since. The paper has been skillfully and ably conducted, has a largely increased circula- tion, and has done a great deal to reduce the Democratic strength of the county. It is one of the best county papers in the State.
On the 7th of September, 1878, appeared the first member of the Winamac Journal, an organ devoted to the interests of the Greenback party. The paper presented a neat appearance, was a seven-column folio issued every Saturday, subscription $1.50 per year, and from the start enjoyed a large circulation. Its editor, M. H. Ingrim, an old newspaper man, and a fluent and forcible writer, succeeded in increasing the strength of his party in the county to about 300, but in April, 1883, the Journal's politics were changed to Democratic, and it is still issued under the same name, form and editorship. The local advertising patronage is good.
Schools .- The first session of school held in Winamac was during the summer or early autumn of 1839. It was taught by John C. Waldo in a small log cabin which had been built and occupied by the family of John Davis. Those who sent children to him were John Pearson, Joseph Conklin, John Davis, Mrs. Harris, and possibly several other families living in the neighborhood, but without the limits of the village proper. He had in all some ten scholars. Nothing further can be stated regard- ing this first school. The following year the house was occupied as a dwelling, and as there was no other suitable building that could be used as a schoolhouse, the town was without further educational facilities until some time during the year 1841, when John Staley was employed to teach the second term in the old log cabin of Davis. In 1840, the work of building the hewed-log schoolhouse on Lot 159, which had been donated by the proprietors of the town for the purpose, was begun ; but owing to some obstacles no longer remembered was not completed until the spring of 1843, and soon afterward the first term in this house was taught by John Staley, probably. This house was a substantial structure, and ought to have been, judging from the length of time required to build it, and and was used for educational, religious, political and other purposes until about 1858 or 1859, when the frame building now occupied by Hon. Jacob Keiser was constructed at a cost of about $800, and located on the school Lot. No. 159. This building was used for school purposes until the
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MONROE TOWNSHIP.
present brick was erected In April, 1869, the School Trustees asked the Town Trustees to issue the bonds of Winamac to the amount of $7,000 to defray the expense of erecting a much-needed larger school building ; but conclusive action was deferred until the following February, when the question was again brought to their notice ; whereupon it was ordered that eighty-six bonds each for $100 should be issued, the principal to be paid in two equal annual installments in June, 1871 and 1872, the bonds bearing ten per cent interest payable annually. The bonds were issued, and purchased, it is stated, at a slight discount, by men residing mostly in Logansport. In December, 1870, town bonds to the amount of $343.32, were issued to purchase of Eden Shotwell the necessary ground for the contemplated house. When the time arrived for the payment of the bonds, the town was unable to meet its obligations, and even the annual interest was neglected. In one or more instances suit was brought by the bond-holders to collect the overdue interest. At last the Trustees were compelled to issue additional bonds for the payment of the interest and judgments ; $500 in bonds was issued June, 1874; and $1,000 in April. 1875. Again, in December, 1876, $3,000 in, bonds was issued for the same purpose. The obligations of the town are yet outstanding to the amount of about $2,000. The schoolhouse, a square, two-storied brick building, was erected in 1871, at a total cost in round numbers of $9,000. The present appearance of the building invites conjecture as to what has become of the School Trustees and the fund for repairs.
Churches .- The Methodist Episcopal class was first organized at Winamac in 1839, not far from the month of August. Among the first members were Mrs. Andrew Keys, Mrs. John Pearson, several of the Munsons, several of the Oldses and others, whose names cannot be remem- bered. Comfort Olds was one of the first preachers. Rev. Taylor was the minister in 1842. Among the members, up to this time, in addition to those above, were Mrs. Mary Jenkins, John Pearson, several of the Hatterbaughs, Maj. John Gardner, and a little later, John N. Ingram, W. M. Lemon, Nathaniel Routson, Elijah T. Oliver, John Reeder and various members of their families. The five men last named were Trustees in 1844. At this time, John and Edna Pearson deeded Lot 119 to the Trustees in trust, for ground upon which to build a church which was strongly talked of at that time. The class weakened, however, and the church was not erected for many years. The first meetings were held in the old log cabin built for the family of John Davis. Sometimes the class met in private houses, in the court house and in barns. Upon the completion of the schoolhouse in 1843, church was held therein until the Reformed Church was erected, which the class was permitted to use until their own frame church was built in 1867. Oliver and F. B. Thomas
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
served the class early in the capacity of pastors. In 1859, the Trustees were Joseph E. Reed, William C. Barnett, Stephen Bruce, John Stephens, A. Wirick, Daniel Short, William Murphy, James Raver and C. G. Cleland. At this time, meetings were yet held in the old frame schoolhouse. For some reason the old Pearson lot was not used, and in about 1859 the class purchased Lot 104 for $100. At this date, Rev. Miles H. Wood was the pastor in charge. Among his successors have been Revs. Kahler, Sanders, Hines, Mckinsey, Handley, Beal, Potter, Beatty, Cook, Reeder, Beebe, Harrison, Jackson, Clifton, Conner, Tarr, and the present pastor, Rev. Allen Lewis. The class is prosperous, and numbers about eighty-four members. The church, begun in 1866 and completed in 1867, cost about $1,000.
The Christian class was organized in 1860 by Rev. John O'Kane, and consisted of the following members : Ephraim Dukes, wife and two daughters, Dr. F. B. Thomas and wife, G. T. Wickersham and wife, L. W. Estes and wife, James Dukes and wife, James Tobey and wife and W. H. Jacks. The class was organized in the Reformed Church, and continued to assemble there the most of the time until their frame church was erected in 1869 and 1870, at a cost of about $3,600. An indebtedness of $400 was upon the house at the time of its completion, which amount was fully paid on the occasion of the first public meeting. The ministers of the class have been Revs. Dukes, Kemp, Edmundson, Wheeler, Gary and Barnett. The class is doing well.
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