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 4
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A famous slander suit was tried this year, in which the plaintiff re- covered one cent damages.
About this time a.circumstanee oc- curred which created great excite- ment in the settlement. Peter C. VanSlyke, who was very wealthy, kept a large amount of money on hand, in gold and silver. One day, after returning home, having been absent several hours, he found his chest broken open, and all his money gone. His money was kept in sacks, in the chest. Of course such a great robbery as this spread consternation all over the settlement. The people flocked to the scene of the supposed robbery in great numbers, and vol- unteered their services to pursue the robber. Immediate search was made to see if any clue could be found to put them on the right track. The money was soon found, about thirty yards from the house, all safe and
Fairplay township was established. The ferry across White river at Point Commerce was established. A jury room was built to the court house. Norman W. Pierce took the place of Judge Levi Fellows as Associate Judge. Robert Inman declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States, having emigrated in 1826.
At the April term of the Circuit Court, General Tighlman A. Howard was admitted to practice law in our court. General Howard was one of the best men in Indiana, and was, certainly, for many years, the most popular man in his party in the State. In 1840, at the urgent solicitations of his party, he left Congress and be- came the Democratic candidate for Governor. It was thought that his personal popularity throughout the. State would enable him to beat Gov- ernor Bigger. But the tide of en- thusiasm for General Harrison against Martin Van Buren was irresistible, and Harrison's popularity defeated General Howard. In 1842, he was the choice of his party for United States Senator, while O. H. Smith was the choice of the Whigs. Neither got it, and E. A. Hanagan finally carried off the prizc. General How- ard was afterwards sent to Texas by the Government, and while there he died. His widow was in our county in the year of 1874, visiting Captain John D. Alexander's family, who are relatives.
At the October term, G. W. John- son succeeded Judge Law as presi- dent Judge.
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The Early History of Greene County.
The whole amount collected this | with courts, and silently he glided year for the county, from all sources in county orders, was $609 51: in cash, $33 44 : total revenue, 8642 87.
In 1832, the old Commissioners were continued in office during the first part of the year. John Crook was elected Sheriff and appointed collector. Moses Ritter was County Treasurer, John Lemons Assessor for the west side of the river, and Peter Hill for the east side. During the latter part of the year, Joel Sex- ton appeared as Commissioner in place of James Warnick, whose term had expired. John Shirly, quite a noted man in his day, commenced merchandising on Indian creek .- John S. Moore commenced keeping tavern .. Andrew Downing author- ized to sell merchandise. He was a inan of wonderful industry and ener- gy. He started the furnace near Bloomfield, and for many years had a large amount of business going on, and giving employment to many hands. He finally broke up, went to Texas, and after the war closed was United States Collector, and served a term in the Legislature. He was finally seized with consumption, the result, probably, of his years of expo- sure at the furnace, and has since "gone to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler re. turns."
The first bridge ever built in the county, except by road hands, was built this year across Richland creek, by Levi Fellows, under the supervi- sion of Peter R. Lester, who, at that time, was road commissioner, having been appointed by the Legislature.
Amory Kinney was president Judge this year, and in October John Rob- inson succeeded Judge Pierce as As- sociate Judge.
away down the waters of White riv- er, and still downward until he reach- ed the father of waters, the Missis- sippi. On its banks he erected his cabin ; but, in a few years, he came to an untimely death by being killed in some difficulty with a neighbor. After this year his name ceased to adorn the dockets of our courts, the last time it appeared there being a nolle proscqui.
This year Samuel and Benjamin Inman declared their intention to be- come citizens of the United States, having emigrated in February, 1832.
In the early part of this year Con- gress passed a law, giving pensions to all soldiers who served in the army, navy or militia during the Revolu- tionary war. Prior to this only a part drew pensions. It appears that the applicant was required to have a minister of the gospel as one of his witnesses, if such could be done, and if they could not procure the testi- mony of a clergyman, they must show that fact and the reason why. Du- ring this year applications for pen- sions were made by John Storm, Pe- ter Ingersoll, Adam Rainbolt and Joshua Burnett. None of these men were then under seventy years of age.
The tax collected this year was $384 41. There was some money collected from other sources.
It is somewhat astonishing how low the officers' fees were during all these early years. The Treasurer's fees for this year were $24 93.
Assessor's fees, on the west side of the river, $28 00.
Assessor's fees, on the east side of the river, $25 00.
In 1833, John Robinson was ap- pointed Assessor for the west side and Joseph Storm for the east side of the river. The other officers were the same as the year before. Peter Hill was appointed seminary trustee.
Those who take special interest in the early settlers around Bloomfield, would probably like to know what became of the somewhat noted Mr. This year Thomas Patterson was appointed Constable for Richland township, and has been almost con- Shintaffer. He finally became dis- gusted with the "ups and downs" of Greene county life, and especially tinuously in office as justice or some-
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The Early History of Greene County.
thing else, up to within a few years | and for some time before his death he of the present time. The second became a sert of town loafer, but was bridge in the county was built, being across Done's creek. A State tax was levied on poll and land. The occu- pants of our "temple of justice " be- ing desirous of more light, caused a window to be put in front of the edi- fice.
The lots now known as seminary lots in Bloomfield were donated by the county for seminary purposes. James Warnick, C. P. VanSlyke, Samuel Simons, John A. Pegg and Elias Crance were the first Board of Trustees. During this year Paris C. Dunning and R. C. Dewey were ad- mitted to practice law, and R. M. Carnam was Prosecuting Attorney. Paris C. Dunning is well known to many of our citizens. He was Gov- ernor of Indiana several years ago, and is a lawyer of first-class ability.
The expenses of the county during this year were larger than usual, ow- ing to the improvements being made and some appropriations for bridges. County orders issued aside from courts. $S03 50}
Circuit Court expenses. 166 00
Probate Court expenses. 9 00
Orders for wolf scalps 23 00
Total expenses $1001 50} Receipts for the year. $976 47}
The Treasurer's fees for this year amounted to $44 14.
always ready to do little jobs of work for money or something to drink. With all his faults it is said that he had a warm, generous heart. When he died, some of the citizens, remem- bering his virtues and- forgetting his errors, gave him respectable burial, and erected a stone to his memory. This stone, or rather, the inscription on it, has caused more inquiry than any other in the cemetery. In addi- tion to the usual inscription, there are two sentences. One is, " A friend upon whom fortune frowned." The other is, "Nemo est aries viventis." The last one was intended to be, "Nemo est haeres viventis," which means, "No one is heir to a living person." That is, before & person can be an heir, his ancestor or person from whom he inherits must be dead. It is said that this epitaph was put on because his father was in good cir- cumstances and would not contribute any of it to his son-his son having no legal right to it while his father lived. Wo once heard of a lawyer making an application of this legal maxim, which, perhaps, would not be out of place to relate. It grew out of a clash of wit between a parson and attorney.
" I do believe," the parson cries,
" That lawyers all delight in lies. I rank them all upon a level, As heirs and children of the devil." Quoth 'torney, popping up his head,
The names of many early settlers in and around Bloomfield have been omitted for lack of information. Cal- " The devil, then, is surely dead, For the doctrine found in Kent, is vin Moore, a blacksmith, was, in his ' Ut nemo est haeres viventis.'" day, not entirely unknown to fame. He is said to have had an unusually We rather think the lawyer got the best of that argument. devotional turn of mind-so much so, that he became better known by the In our history, so far, we have neg- name of Priest Moore than by his lected the clergy. Among the earli- est preachers in the locality of Bloom- field were Mr. Hawley, Iliram Abiff Hunter, and Eli P. Farmer. The two last are yet living, and are men of distinguished ability. real name. Then there was John Glenn, one of the very carliest set- tlers. He was a large, stout man, and might be regarded almost as a part of the county-seat. At Burling- ton he was always on hand ready to About this time, John Lemons, do a chore or take a drink. He fol- who had been a leading man in the lowed the county-seat to Bloomfield, county from the first organization,
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The Early History of Greene County.
and been in office much of the time, as Sheriff. He was a Baptist preach- jeincd the Mormons, and went fur- er for many years, but for quite a was too feeble to preach a regular sermon. ther west to "grow up with the coun- number of years before his death, he try." Several other citizens went at the same time. One man and his wife parted over the question, the man going with the Mormons and his wife remaining at home. She lived to a ripe old age, and, we believe, mar- ried twice afterwards. We remen- ber two or three of her names, but not remembering the one she bore at the date of our history, we will not give any.
The year 1833 closed the term of Moses Ritter as Treasurer. He was succeeded, in 1834, by Samuel D. Chipman, a brother of John N. Chip- man, who is one of our oldest settlers. John B. Ferrell was Assessor for the west side of the river and Samuel R. Cavins for the east side. George R. H. Moore was Sheriff, Andrew Down- ing and William N. Norris were ap pointed Collectors, and Judge Lester Town Agent. Carpus Shaw, Com- missioner of school lands for the whole county. Before this period, several commissioners were appoint- ed each year. Benjamin Brooks, husband of Aunt Eliza Brooks, was authorized to vend merchandise. He has been dead over thirty years .- Lark B. Jones was the first student authorized by commissioners to at- tend the State University, and that was this year.
It appears that the attention of our Commissioners was called to a defect in our "Temple of Justice," in some degree affecting the comfort of those who had business there ; and they or- dered that the underpinning of the court house be repaired so as to keep the hogs from disturbing the court. Judge William S. Cole succeeded Judge Robinson this year as Associ- ate Judge. He lived in the county after this until he was over seventy years of age. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, from Kentucky. In his native State, before emigrating to Indiana, he was a leading, influential man in his county, and served a term.
David McDonald appeared as Prosecuting Attorney of the Circuit Court. He was afterwards Judge of the same court, and finally Judge of the District Court of the United States. He stood at the very top of the ladder as an attorney and judge. He is the author of McDonald's Trea- tise.
At the September term, Thomas Bradford again appeared as Associ- ate Judge, taking the place of Sam- uel R. Cavins, who had resigned. At this term, John Cowgill appeared as Prosecuting Attorney. He after- wards became a judge, but not in our circuit.
It appears that at this period a sys- tem of inspection was adopted, and inspectors were appointed for whisky, school teachers, etc. Andrew Down- ing was appointed inspector of beef, pork, lord and butter. John Inman, E. P. Cushman and S. R. Cavins, were appointed inspectors of teachers. Samuel Owen was appointed inspec- tor of whisky and other liquors. If we had such an office as inspector of whisky now, we believe there are several persons in our towny who would accept the office without a money salary.
We are not able to give the receipts and expenditures this year, but sup- pose they were less than the year be- fore. 'The Assessors' fees for the whole county amounted to $44 00. The Treasurer's fees amounted to $20 58 --- something less than they now arc.
CHAPTER VIII.
CIN 1835 quite a number of new settlers had come into the coun- ty, and in the neighborhood of Bloomfield, among whom were Fred- erick Bough, Dr. Jesse Barnes, Wil- liam Rude, Robert Knox and Edward
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The Early History of Greene County.
West. By the way, it is now in order | Hendricks, Isaac Anderson, Raleigh for some old settler to stand up and inform us how Edward West became better known as Joe West, than by his real name.
Soon after this came Marcus H. Shryer, and a few years before Dr. David M. Dobson located at Bloom- field. Mr. Dobson did not remain at that place many years. He was a man of extra ability. He was elected to the State Senate in 1841.
In 1847, when George G. Dunn was the Whig candidate for Congress, the Democrats had great trouble in satisfying themselves with a candi- date to run against him. Dr. Foster was first nominated, and afterwards taken off the track. He was a man of superior ability, and quite a large man. In canvassing with Mr. Dunn, their personal enmity was carried to such an extreme, that it resulted in a fight, in which Dr. Foster was con- siderably marked about the face. A very short time after this, another Democratic convention was held, at which Dr. Foster bore upon his face the marks of the encounter. The general drift of the convention was in favor of Dobson, but he did not wish to make the race. In a speech, that day, speaking of George G. Dunn, he said, "the iron-hoofed, steel-toed war-horse, has run over bigger doctors than I am," casting a glance at Doctor Foster, and passing his finger over that part of his head where the Doctor's head showed the marks. He finally consented to make the race, and was defeated by one vote.
After eight years' trial of doing county business with three Commis- sioners, the Legislature returned to the system of the Board of Justices, but called them Commissioners. The Board embraced all the Justices of the Peace in the county. This sys- tem was both inefficient and expen- sive. The first Board was composed of Samuel Hartley, Moses Ritter, Jacob Dobbins, John Bullock, An- drew Woodruff, Ephraim Owen, Amos Owen, George R. Taylor, Frederick
Hopper and John F. O'Neall. The Sheriff was continued in office. E. P. Cushman was Treasurer, and Car- pus Shaw Commissioner of school lands, for the whole county. The Sheriff, G. R. H. Moore, was appoint- ed collector, and Frederick Dayhoff was appointed Assessor, for the west side of the river, and Meredith Gain- cy for the east side. There appeared, during the year, as additional Com- missioners, William F. Williams, James M. Gaston, John Young and John Cochran.
Johnson & Wright were authorized to vend merchandise. The revenue collected this year, amounted to 8846 052, which was considerably in excess of the expenditures. In fact, at the close of this year, our county was out of debt, and had several hun- dred dollars in the Treasury.
The Assessors' fees for this year, were $39 10. The Treasurer's fees were $19 11.
Every thing was prosperous in the county, and the various townships were being rapidly filled up with en- ergetic, industrious citizens. In view of the general prosperity of the peo- ple, the Commissioners determined to build a new Court House, with rooms for county officers, and they appoint- ed John Inman, William Freeland, Levi Fellows, Ruel Learned and Hugh L. Livingstone, as a committee, to draft plans, etc., and gave them authority to borrow $1.500, but not to pay a higher rate of interest than 10 per cent. The report of the com- mittee showed that the Court House would cost $5.157. This committee was authorized to superintend the building, etc. The contract was let to Calvin Hertwell, for $5.800, $1.000 to be paid April 1st, 1836, 81.500 November 1st, 1836, $1.000 April 1st, 1837, and balance at completion of the building. The contractor, after receiving the first payment, left the country, and his surcties, Andrew Downing and Samuel Simons, had to finish the building. Mr. Downing
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The Early History of Greene County.
undertook the completion. The coun- ty failed to make the payment ac- cording to contract, and after Mr. Downing had exhausted his means and his credit, the work was about to stop. The committee, then, on their own responsibility, borrowed of the Bedford bank, $2.000, at 12 per cent., and the work was completed. The committee had some extra work done. The building was not finished until in 1839, and cost the county $6.271 59. The committee, who had charge of it, reported that it had cost Mr. Down- ing considerably more than he had received for it. The County Com- missioners endorsed the action of their committee, and paid the bank debt.
In the year 1835, the term of serv- ice of Thomas Warnick, as Clerk of the Circuit Court, expired. Up to this time, he held the office of Clerk continuously from the first election to that office. Next to Judge Brad- ford, he was perhaps the leading man in the organization of the county .- In the earliest days of the county, when no money could be collected on taxes, he advanced money from his own private funds, to purchase the necessary books for keeping records. His oldest son, James Warnick, who now resides in Bloomfield, is about fifty years of age, and was born and raised in the county.
Samuel R. Cavins succeeded Mr. Warnick, as Clerk. The first ad quod damnum case in the county, was on the application of Ruel Learned, and the jury was composed of John T. Freeland, Paris Chipman, John Mi- lam, A. B. Chipman, Jesse Barnes, Barney Perry, Benjamin Brooks, Hilton Wagoner, James H. Hicks, Thomas Patterson, Carpus Shaw and John Vanvorst. This case was for the purpose of establishing what is now known as the Peden Mill, and assessing damages incident thereto .- The jury reported no damages to any one, and that all the lands on the stream, for two miles above the dam, were public lands.
The first newspaper started in the county, was in 1836, and it was called the Comet, and was edited, at first, by William Rude. It was like a comet, in some respects. It blazed with brilliancy for a short period, and dis- appeared for a long period, but like a comet, continued to return at inter- vals. In 1840 it appeared with more than usual brilliancy. Judge Ed- wards conducted it then, and it blazed amid the furor of log cabins and hard cider, bearing aloft the standard of Tip. and Tyler, but as the autumn leaves began to fall, the Comet col- lapsed, and disappeared forever.
About this period, there were sev- eral boys in and near Bloomfield, who are there or near there yet, among whom are Captain William Bough, Joseph Burcham, Colonel James Cul- bertson, William D. Ritter, Henry Mason, Jeremiah Stropes, James Warnick, Henry Roach, Vincent Shields and Aden G. Cavins.
Samuel Culbertson taught school in Bloomfield, about this time .- Among the early Representatives in the Legislature, were Drury Boyd and Joseph Storm, but the records of the county fail to give the dates. It is said that Joseph Storm was unusually popular with the people .- He was a large, muscular man, and noted for. his great physical strength. It is said, that in passing through a grove, just west of Bloomfield, in an early day, he was attacked, by two catamounts. They were very dan- gerous animals for an unarmed man to encounter. He was entirely un- armed, and had to meet the attack without a club or any other weapon of defense. He met it, and slew the two catamounts with his. ponderous fist. This great victory added very much to his renown. As a member of the Legislature, he manifested unusual activity in dispatch of the business of the Legislature.
In 1836 several Commissioners went out of office, and there appeared, as additional members of the Board, John B. Ferrell, Elisha Knox, E. P.
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The Early History of Greene County.
or bets are often made in these latter days, in reference to persons who de- grade themselves by drunkenness. -- On the day before the last election, Doctor Norvell and Captain Dugger were passing through the court yard, and saw a man who had taken in more tangle-foot than he could hold, and was in the act of spilling some of it. "There," says Captain Dugger to Doctor Norvell, "is one of your friends." The Doctor answered, "I'll bet you any thing you dare, that he is a Republican." By this time they had come up to the subject of their conversation, and hailed him, "how are you, my friend ?"-as candidates usually do. The only response was, "'Rah, for Dugger !"
This year, (1836,) J. M. H. Alli- son and John F. Allison first pro- cured license to vend merchandise. They are men who have been long and favorably known as two of our best citizens. For many years they were the leading merchants of the county.
Cushman, Lewis Story, J. W. Coffey | The Democrat won. Similar guesses and John Abrams. The officers of last year continued in office, except Assessors. Thomas Butler was As- sessor for the west side of the river, and G. R. H. Moore for the east side. This year, Mr. Moore held the office of Sheriff, as well as collector and As- sessor. He started out in life under very favorable circumstances. Phys- ically, he was rather repulsive, being a hunchback, but he was a man of fair education and good sense. He was Sheriff for four years, and spent many years in teaching. As an offi- cer, intellectually, he was above the average, but towards the close of his term, he became inefficient as Asses- sor, negligent as Sheriff, and default- er as collector. The duties of Asses- sor, had to be taken out of his hands, and his suretics had to make good his collections. All these misfortunes grew directly out of the use of intoxi- cating drinks. He very early in life, became a debauched and degraded drunkard, and finally became a coun- ty charge. It is a sad thing to see a man, who has the ability and oppor- Edward West commenced display- ing his ability to Hoosier, as an auc- tioneer, by auctioning the town lots of Bloomfield. tunity to do well, allured away by his appetite, down to degradation. On an occasion of a great political cam- paign, when the excitement was up John Cole, the sailor, located in Bloomfield. He was a gay and fes- tive young buck, but not so much of a buck as a hunter had taken him to be a few years before. The hunter had shot him for a deer, at a deer- lick. a few years before. It was a terrible shot, going into his breast, and coming out near his shoulder blade. The Commissioners relieved him from poll tax and road working, on account of this wound, and this was the first case of exemption from paying tax, in the State. high, this man was seen in the gut- ter, beastly drunk, and presenting a wretched appearance. A Whig and Democrat, strangers to him, chanced to see him. The Democrat pointed to him and said: "There is one of your Whigs." The Whig said he was a Democrat, and finally the dispute closed in a bet, which is said to be the end of a fool's argument. They agreed to leave it to the subject of the bet, and approached him. The Whig said to him that he had made a bet that he was a Democrat, and The revenue collected, was 81.305- 30. Cost of assessing, $82. Treas- urer's fees, $38 30. that they wanted to know his politics. Mr. Moore answered in his drunken, hiccoughing style, "You bet I was a During the year 1837, the addi- tional justices of the peace, who ap- uel Ferguson, Drury B. Boyd, Daniel Harrah and Alexander Poc. The of- Democrat, did you ? Safe bet-win nine times out of ten-have all the peared as commissioners, were Sam- symptoms-drunk, ragged and filthy, but a better Whig, you never saw." -
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The Early History of Greene County.
ficers of the year before continued in office, except that John Crooks was appointed Assessor for the west side of the river, and John B. Ferrell was appointed Collector. The surplus revenue was distributed to the coun- ties this year, and John Jones, Jr., was appointed agent for Greene coun- ty, and he entered into a bond of ten thousand dollars.
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