USA > Indiana > Greene County > Early history of Greene County, Indiana : as taken from the official records, and compiled from authentic recollection, by pioneer settlers including brief sketches of pioneer families. > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
At this term Robert Anderson, an emigrant from Scotland, was natural- ized, being the first person who re- ceived their papers in Greene county. This man died soon after, leaving as his only heir in this country, George ,Anderson, who lived for a great many years four miles south of Bloomfield, and was one of our best citizens.
At the August term, Court was held by William Wick, President Judge, and Thomas Bradford, Asso- ciate Judge. Court met at the resi- dence of Thomas Bradford, and ad- journed to meet at the Court House in Burlington.
At this term Smith Elkins, Isaac Naylor, Hugh Ross and James Whit- comb were admitted to practico. James Whitcomb was . afterwards
8
The Early History of Greene County.
Several cases were tried, four / life. There was one marriage near judgments rendered, and three fines assessed. The grand jury returned ten indictments, one for man stealing, one for selling intoxicating liquors without license, and the others for various misdemeanors. Quite a large number of familiar names ap- pear as jurymen at this term, but we will not set out a list.
During this year only three con- veyances of land were made in the county ; they were : David Cloud to John H. Owen ; Scott Riggs to John Burcham ; Jonathan Lindley to Alex- ander Craig.
There were thirteen marriages this year. We will give them-and here- after we will leave off the marriages, as they would occupy too much space.
They were : Joseph Hepner to Su- sanna Bynum ; Andrew Slinkard to Mary Westner; David Perkins to Sally Fallam ; John Fires to Patsy Craig ; Alexander Craig to Malinda Wilson ; Eli Duncan to Rebecca Stevenson ; James Adams to Anna Wolf; Obediah Winters to Hannah Duncan ; James Anderson to Mar- garet Anderson ; Jesse Rainbolt to Rachel Hudson; Berney Richey to Amy Rumsour ; James Courtney to Kate Delinger ; Leonard Nicholson to Rosana Burcham.
Before closing our list of marriages, we will give the first one in 1823. It was William Francis Williams to Pol- ly Padgett. At that time Mr. Wil- liams lived in Greene county, if we are not mistaken, but he now lives in Owen. His genial face and warm- hearted greeting are impressed on our memory in a manner that will never be forgotten. We seldom see him in these latter days, but when we do see him, we see the same happy and con- tented face that we saw as far back as memory takes us. The only change is in the addition of the marks of age. He seems to be a happy and content- ed old man, and looks like one who had " fought the good fight and kept the faith," and was now waiting pa- tiently for the reward of a well-spent
Bloomfield that we have heard of, that took place while Greene county was a part of Daviess. It was the marriage of Carpus Shaw to Miss VanSlyke. Mrs. Joana Eveleigh, the first child of Mr. Shaw, is said to be the first girl child born in the neigh- borhood of Bloomfield. We are dis- posed to think there was some mis- take about this, but as we had not emigrated to this county at that time, we are not certain. Joseph Scott, who now lives in our town, is the oldest man who was born in the Bloomfield settlement, and was pro- bably the first boy born in the set- tlement.
Our early settlers were careful in their finances. They held their ser- vants, the officers, to a strict account, and required them to make annual reports of their expenditures.
That our people of the present day may know something of the differ- ence in these two periods, we will give the substance of the first report of our Treasurer, John Owens. Un- der the law at that time it was the duty of the Sheriff to collect the taxes and pay the same over to the Treas- urer. The people had the right to apply county orders on their taxes : The whole amount collected in taxes in county orders, amount- ed to ... $38 50
Whole amount collected from fines and all other sources 1 25
Total receipts. $39 75 Expenditures-nothing except the canceling of county orders $38 50
Leaving in the Treasury. $1 25
The expenses of the county for the year 1822 were $970 34. They were quite heavy for a new county. More than half the expenses grew out of the location and survey of Burling- ton, the county-seat, and the build- ing of a court house and efforts to find water to supply the town. Then there were other extra expenses- such as buying books, paying fees of prosecuting attorney, etc. One ex-
The Early History of Greene County.
pense occurred that year that has not occurred in this county since. The county paid sixteen dollars for ar- resting and guarding a fugitive slave. This amount would not appear to be large now, but in the early day it was a considerable item. It took nearly half the revenue collected that year to pay it. When we remember that in these days the erection of public buildings often run up to hun- dreds of thousands of dollars, and that a Court house, alone, in Marion coun- ty, has and will cost about a million of dollars, we are constrained to be- lieve that our early settlers were comparatively economical. The Court House at Burlington, cost two hun- dred and fifty dollars.
In the year 1823, the official busi- ness was transacted at the county scat, Burlington. They adopted the old system of one Lister for the coun- ty, and Ephraim Owen was appointed.
During this year Smith's ferry and Jackson's ferry were established, and rates of charges prescribed.
Augustus Passmore, one of the leading men about the county seat, procured license to keep a tavern this year. He appears to have been a sort of "general purpose" man- perhaps not entirely unlike the "gen- eral purpose" man of to-day. He was a justice of the peace, could build a house, superintend a jail, keep tav- ern, or turn his hand to almost any useful employment. He was our first hotel keeper at Burlington, and after- wards followed the fortunes of our county seat for many years. Our County Commissioners prescribed his charges, and as they may be of some interest to our readers, we will give a bill of his fare and prices :
Each and every dinner. 25 cts.
Each and every breakfast .20 cts.
Each and every supper 20 cts.
Horse to corn and hay .25 cts.
Whisky by the half pint. 12} cts.
Cider by the quart. 12} cts.
One gill of whisky .6} cts.
Good rum by the half pint .. 37} cts. Good French brandy, half pint. .50 cts. Boarding by the week. $2.00.
Horse keeping by the week .. ........ $1.25. Horse keeping by the day ......... 37} cts. While they give the price of good rum and good brandy, we are in the dark as to the price of bad liquor .- Perhaps they thought it was all good.
During this year Jesse Brooks, an early settler, was drowned in Rich- land Creek, east of Bloomfield. In August, Hiram Haywood took the place of David. Deem as Commission- er.
The various allowances for digging a public well at Burlington, cost more than the Court House.
The revenue collected during
the year, in county order, was $393.29 Cash. 3.50
Total receipts. $396.79
The first school taught in the neigh- berhood of Bloomfield, was by Elisha P. Cushman. He was a pioneer member of the M. E. Church, and took active part in all religious exer- cises. His house, for many years, was the headquarters of the preach- ers of his church. He lived to a ripe old age, during all of which time he was a devout and consistant christian, exemplary in all the walks of life .- A number of his children are living in the county.
As the Court history of 1823 is so intimately connected with that of 1824, we will not commence it until our next chapter.
CHAPTER IV.
'T the March term, 1824, of the Circuit Court, W. W. Wick was President ; Martin Wines, Associate Judge; Thomas Warnick, Clerk ; John Lemon, Sheriff, and Smith Elkins, Prosecuting Attorney.
This was the first term for Mr. Wines. He will be remembered by many of this day for his generous hospitality. If you were a stranger in his neighborhood, he would take you in ; and hundreds of acquaintan- ces can testify as to his taking them in to partake of his hospitality. Ilis widow, who was also the widow of
10
The Early History of Greene County.
Cornelius P. VanSlyke, is still living, and, although she is past eighty years of age, she sees to read without glass- es, and trips along the streets like a girl.
A few days ago, the following con- versation was overheard :
Question .- Whose girl is that ? Answer .- Mr. Edwards'.
Q .- Which one ?
A .- Anna.
Q .- Why! I didn't know that Judge Edwards has a girl by that name.
A .- He hasn't. She is his sister, and older than the Judge.
Grandma Wines came to this ceun- ty in 1819, and can tell more about our early history than any person we know.
There was very little business at the March term. There were six in- dictments returned by the grand jury, one of which was for challenging a man to fight a duel. At this term, Richard Huffman, for many years known by the familiar name of "Un- cle Dickey Huffman"-a man long known by many who are now living, as a quiet, orderly, peaceable and good citizen-was fined thirty-seven and one-half cents for fighting.
At the fall term, court was held by the same judges, and James Good- win, Edgar C. Wilson, Calvin P. Fletcher and John Law were admit- ted to practice. John Law after- wards became eminent in his profes- sion, and served several terms in Congress.
At this term, the first indictment for murder in the county was found, and two men were arrested to answer the charge. They demanded separ- ate trials, and one was tried and ac- quitted. The case was continued as to the other to May, 1824. The prisoners were sent to Bloomington for safe-keeping, and, after the trial of the first one, the other was sent to Spencer for safe-keeping.
They were taken to Bloomington by Isaac Anderson, George Lindley, David Lindley, Ephraim Owen, Wil-
-
liam Bland and Thomas Bland. The guard to Spencer was composed of John Lemons, Isaac Anderson, James Stalcup, Hilton Wagoner, Hallet B. Dean, Benjamin Owen and Augustus Passmore (the " general purpose " man.)
The second trial appears to have created great excitement. The Pros- ecuting Attorney, with the assistance of Addison Smith and Isaac Nailer, prosecuted the case. We are not certain who conducted the defense, but it was probably C. P. Hester and John Law. The original jury was challenged entirely, after which for- ty-eight others were brought in, and yet they could not find a jury. Twen- ty-five others were brought in, mak- ing in all eighty-five. From these they selected a jury, composed of Moses Ritter, John Burch, George Burch, Simon Snyder, John Ullam, Joel Benham, Daniel Ingersoll, Geo. Padgett, John Breece, John Moore, Joseph Misand and Alexander Craig.
The defendant was found guilty of manslaughter, and sentenced to four years' imprisonment in the State prison. 'This was a very expensive trial. It cost the county a large amount more than all the other trials for that year. The county had to pay for extra prosecuting attorneys; and for boarding and guarding the prisoners.
· The May term, 1824, was held by Jacob Call, president Judge, and by Thomas Bradford and Martin Wines. At this term there was a famous slan- der suit between parties long and fa- vorably known by the people of the county, and especially the defendant, who was one of our best citizens. The case was tried by a jury, after having been continued and passed until the witnesses and parties were brought in court on seven different days. The jury, after a long and la- bored trial, rendered judgment for six cents. At this term, also, the famous ox-driver, (Mr. Shintaffer,) was fined one dollar, which was a very heavy fine for that timc.
11
The Early History of Greene County.
At the fall term, John B. Potter / made, and the people were called up- was president Judge. At this term, Mr. Shintaffer, who had heretofore signed what in common parlance is called a "lie-bill," appears not to have profited by his past experience, and another slander case was present- ed against him. We often hear it said that the people are becoming more wicked as the years pass by. We have heard this cry ever since we can remember. The same harping about the growing wickedness of the present, and the superior virtue of the earlier days, was observed at a very early day in the history of the world. Solomon, on one occasion, felt called upon to contradict this idea, and said : "Say not thou, what is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concern- ing this." Solomon was conceded to be the wisest man, yet we hear the same old cry about the excessive wickedness of the present compared with the past. "With malice toward none, and charity to all," let us speak the truth on this point. During the year 1824, more than half the cases in court were either for riot, affray or slander ; a very large proportion of cases were of these classes, show- ing a state of society that we do not sec now. However, in the wicked- ness of pride and extravagance, the present age has far outstripped their ancestors.
For the year 1824, Hallet B. Dean was appointed Treasurer ; John Bus- kirk, Lister for the west side of the river, and George Baber, Lister for the east side of the river. During the year the office of Assessor was created, and these men were reap- pointed.
In the early part of the year it be- came evident to the officers of the county that Burlington, the county- seat, could not be furnished with wa- ter with any ordinary expense, and the attention of the people was called to the question of removing the coun- ty-seat. Various suggestions were
on to donate a suitable place. Fair- play was very strongly urged- as a suitable place. It was a high, dry locality, overlooking White river, and in that day appeared to be the most favorable place. Peter C. VanSlyke, a wealthy land-owner in and about the present site of Bloomfield. made by far the most liberal offer and do- nation, and this donation of the land on which Bloomfield was laid off was accepted. Peter C. VanSlyke has long since been gathered to his fa- thers. None of his children arc liv- ing, but his grand-children, great grand-children, and great great grand- children live on, or contiguous to, the donation.
Notice of sale of lots was given to be had on the 22d day of April, 1824. The notice was published in the Ind- ianapolis papers, and stated : "This town is beautifully situated on the east side of the west fork of White river, on a rich, dry soil, plentifully watered by good springs ; possessing as many natural advantages as any other new town, perhaps, on this river ; surrounded with a very flour- ishing settlement, contiguous to mills and mill seats. The attention of merchants, mechanics and manufac- turers will be particularly excited by the extent of surrounding country ; the conveniences of water-works, and healthfulness of situation. From the superior natural advantages possess- ed by this town, and its electricity to the center of the county, it is eleva- ted above the fear of future reloca- tions."
After seeing this notice. we saw at a glance that the question of remov- ing the county-seat had been settled over fifty years ago ; and settled by an unanswerable and invincible ar- gument. Electricity to the center certainly settles the question ; and we may now rest contented, and let the matter cease to agitate our minds.
In this early day mills were of very great importance, many of our early settlers being required to go over
12
The Early History of Greene County.
thirty miles to do their milling.
Hance Stalcup, one of the earliest settlers, and one of Greene county's best citizens, surveyed the town of Bloomfield, and laid it off in lots. lle was a generous, liberal man, and the county at that time being poor and in debt, he donated his fees. We have heard it said that William Clen- ny, father of Alexander Clenny, was one of the chain carriers at this sur- vey. William Clenny was a very old man-near a hundred years old when he died. He had been a soldier in the Revolutionary war under General Greene, and in his old age he always wept like a child when he heard General Greene's march sung. Cor- nelius Westfall and Willis Fellows, two other Revolutionary soldiers, emigrated to this county and were carly settlers.
Early in this year, it appears that the office of collector became so un- popular that no one would accept it. The Board of Commissioners ordered the Sheriff to give public notice throughout the county, that if any one in the county would accept the office, to appear with his securities, and he should receive the appoint- ment. This was a clear case of the office seeking the man instead of the man seeking the office. The office of collector does not seem to go begging in that way now; but we must bear in mind that for the two years pre- ceding this year, only four dollars and seventy-five cents had been col- lected in cash. The other collections were in county orders. John W. Wines, commonly called Wick Wines, finally accepted the appointment .- He collected during his year, in coun- ty orders, etc., 8355 982. The office of constable, it appears, also went begging, and the Sheriff was appoint- ed constable for two townships.
In May, the specifications and plans for the court house for the new county-seat, were submitted, and the work ordered to be commenced. Per- haps some of our readers would like to know something about the architec-
tural taste of our ancestors. If they are not instructed by the archi- tectual beauty of the edifice, they will certainly commend our early set- tlers for their frugality and economy in public works. Their economy was measured by the hard times and scar- city of money among the people. It would be well if the public officers of the present day would consider the condition and wants of the people when they devise plans to spend the people's money. The plans and spe- cifications of the new court house were as follows : "A hewed log- house, twenty-six by twenty feet ; one story and a-half high ; with one door, and, one window with twelve lights in it (8 by 10) in the lower story, with a good poplar plank floor ; the upper story tongue and groved ; with one pair of stairs and one parti- tion accross the upper story, and a window in each end of the same. House covered with joint shingles twenty inches long and six inches to the weather. All to be done and performed in a good and workman- like manner."
This was a fine house for that day. The majority of the people then cov- ered their houses with boards, had puncheon floors, and had no parti- tions in their houses, and very few had glass for their windows. And we believe they were much happier and better contented with their life, than the majority of the people now are.
During this year the office of coun- ty commissioner was abolished, and the business of the county was done by a " Board of Justices," composed of all the justices of the peace in the county. Their first meeting was in September, and was composed of Frederick Slinkard, who was elected President of the Board, and Peter R. Lester, Augustine Passmore, William Clark, John E. Kelshaw, Henry Lit- tlejohn, Benson Jones, John Hill an d John Gordon. All of these were leading men in their settlement. Of this Board, only one is now living,
18
The Early Ilistory of Greene County.
and that is Peter R. Lester. He must | For hire for saw 25
be eighty years old, but we do not know his exact age. He has lived a long and unblemished life. The sting of calumny has never tainted his honored reputation-always honest and exact in his dealing with his fel- low-men.
This Board met at Burlington, and adjourned to mèet after dinner at Bloomfield. The court house had been built, but had not been chinked and daubed, but the weather was so mild that it could be used without it. The court house was built on the lot now occupied by Cravens Brothers for a drug store.
At this time Bloomfield was a for- est, and when the lots were sold it became necessary to make some rules in regard to the rights of the owners. Persons who purchased lots or owned them, were prohibited from falling timber on other lots without remov- ing the same immediately.
At this meeting the Board appoint- ed John Hill to chink and daub the court house ; and it was to be chinked with short blocks, and the daubing was to be one-third lime and two- thirds sand on the outside, and clay on the inside. Thus it can be seen that no necessary expense was spared in making the temple of justice com- fortable. Short block chinking was regarded as much better and nicer than long chinking.
Along with the county-seat the "general purpose man," Augustus Passmore, moved to Bloomfield, and was authorized to keep tavern on con- dition that he would pay ten dollars into the county treasury, which he paid in county orders. He was one of the Board of Justices, and made himself useful in many ways.
Toward the close of the year, Eph- raim Owen, Town Agent, made a re- port of his receipts and expenditures. His receipts for the year in cash,
- amounted to .. $18 873
He had paid out as follows :
For nails .. $5 00 For whisky. 1 25
For glass. S73
Total expenditure. $7 871 7 37 1
Leaving a balance of. .. $11 50 The County Treasurer's report, which formerly was made in May, was made this year at the end of the year, the time being changed by law. It, therefore, as a matter of fact, cov- ered one year and eight months :
The receipts for the period, (none being paid in cash) were .. .. $463 22 The expenditures were .. 618 71
So we were running in debt.
The collector's fees for that year were $17 85, and were paid in county orders.
This closes our history for the year 1824. In the meantime a number of new settlers had come in, whose names were not given; but we will endeavor to give them in the preced- ing chapters.
CHAPTER V.
HE year 1825, found Greene county burdened with. taxes, notwithstanding they were, com- pared with the present day, very low. But manfully and heroically the peo- ple pressed forward. A few cabins were put up at the county seat, and here and there throughout the coun- ty, squatters were pre-empting land. The rush from the older States was not like it has been in late years, to- wards new Territories or States.
During this year, J. W. Wines and Robert Beaty appeared as members of the Board of Justices.
Hallet B. Dean was appointed Treasurer, George Baber. Sheriff, was appointed Collector. This year a jail and estray pen were built, and the usual economy was observed. Otis Hinkley, the first merchant in Bloomfield, commenced business this year. Osbon's ferry was established.
This year the Circuit Court con- vened, for the first time, at Bloom- field. The first divorce ever granted in the county, was this year, and was
14
The Early History of Greene Countyj.
in favor of Ezekiel Herrington. Dur- [ string out." In the carly days, our ing this year Judge Bradford retired from the Bench, and William B. Morris took his place.
We believe it is not saying too much to say that in the organization of the county, and for many years af- ter, Judge Bradford was the active, living, moving and controlling spirit in its civil and political organization.
As stated heretofore, as Sheriff pro tem, he called the first election, gave the officers their certificates of clection, and put the county in run- ning order. At his house all the elections and courts were held for the first two years. He left a large fam- ily, some of whom reside in the coun- ty now. George Bradford, the pro- prietor of Bradford's ferry, at Fair- play, is his son. George Bradford and Henry VanSlyke, (the latter be- ing a grand son of P. C. VanSlyke who donated the site for Bloomfield) have probably resided in the county longer than any other men in Rich- land township. They came here with their parents when they were chil- dren. In many respects these two men are alike, each has selected for his residence a high and dry location, and their houses are surrounded with all the comforts and conveniences of thrifty farmers. Each farm extends to the river, being part ridge and part river bottom. Each commenced keeping house in an early day, and. kept their latch strings out, visible at all times by their passing friends and acquaintances ; and have sus- tained throughout their lives reputa- tions for hospitality. They are noted for having always attended to their own business, and letting other peo- ples' business alone. And while we are writing more for the old folks than the young, we will make a di- gression for the benefit of our young folks, and say, that while Mr. Brad- ford has only one handsome and ac- complished daughter, Mr. VanSlyke has several.
Perhaps Young America does not understand the meaning of "latch
people fastened their doors with wooden latches. A string, usually of buckskin, was attached to the latch, and then extended through a hole above the latch, the other end hanging outside the door. When out, by pulling the latch string the latch would be raised and the door could be opened. If the latch string was drawn in, then the latch could not be raised from the out side. Hence the "latch string out" was symbolical of hospitality, and the "latch string in" .. was symbolical of penuriousness and selfishness.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.