USA > Indiana > Henry County > Hazzard's history of Henry county, Indiana, 1822-1906, Volume II > Part 60
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Stephen Douglas Morris, the seventh child and fifth son, has emulated his brother, John M. Having reached his majority, he left the farm where with his brothers and sisters he had labored from boyhood to manhood, and went to Indianapolis, where he entered the law office of the well known firm of Harrison (President Benjamin Harrison), Hines and Miller. He applied himself zealously to the study of his profession from July, 1882, to August, 1883, when on account of ill health, he went to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he practised his profession from September, 1883, to September, 1885, after which he returned to Indiana and located at Rushville in October, 1885, where he has since continued in the practise of the law. In October, 1892, he was married to Pamela A., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse J. Spann, the former a State Senator from Rush County. At the general election in November, 1898, Mr. Morris was elected Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, composed of the counties of Rush and Decatur, which was afterwards in
IO71
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
1899 changed to the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, embracing the counties of Rush and Shelby. He served the full term of six years during which he fulfilled intelligently and impartially the duties of this honorable position. It is a remarkable coincidence that these two brothers, John M. and Stephen D. Morris, should at the same time have served as judges of the Circuit Court in adjoining districts. They are only separated politically, John M. being a Republican, while Stephen D. is an equally earnest Democrat.
From the preceding sketch of Judge John Monfort Morris and his immediate branch of the family, it will be noted that they have been in many respects important factors in the affairs of Henry County. The dead of the family are remembered for their probity of character and for public and private duties well performed, while the living, judging the future by the past, will undoubtedly continue to advance in honor and usefulness, adding to their well earned reputations and meriting and receiving from a just and confiding public that meed of praise due to honest worth.
CHAPTER XLVI.
MISCELLANEOUS.
BANKS AND BANKING-NEWSPAPERS, PAST AND PRESENT-STATISTICAL INFORMA- TION-HENRY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
BANKS AND BANKING IN HENRY COUNTY.
From its organization in 1822 and continuing through the period of the Civil War to 1865 the banking business of Henry County may properly be designated as the "coon skin" period ; that is, the banking facilities of the county were con- ducted by individuals without regularly organized charters to do the financial business and without maintaining regular banking houses. It was a money-lending operation, pure and simple, in which there were none of the many features, so necessary in present day banking. A citizen who had succeeded in accumulating a surplus of cash was the money lender in his neighborhood; to him applied his neighbors when in want of funds to conduct various enterprises of the earlier days and frequently these transactions were carried on by the simple word of obligation of the borrower-no note or mortgage security was required. A miller, for instance, would take in the wheat of a farmer, give him a receipt for the number of bushels delivered and the farmer could call on him and get funds as his needs required ; a merchant would carry his farmer customers for all the goods needed by the latter's family through the year, the farmer paying the merchant about the holiday season when he sold his hogs, and this latter transaction was conducted by the stock buyer and for many years the pork packer who would buy the hogs and when returns were received from the purchasers in Cincinnati or from the sale of the manufactured products of the packing establishment to foreign buyers, the farmer would receive credit for the gross number of pounds he had delivered and get pay for the same. During the period of the old State Bank system it is fair to presume that our small capitalists (there were no large ones in the confines of the county in those days) did not look with favor on the "wild cat" system of banking that prevailed in other sections of the State, and farther than the loss in handling the money which these banks issued and which went to the bad when a banking institution failed, it is not recorded that any of our capitalists were otherwise financially interested in the solvency of the con- cerns. The nearest branch of the old State' Bank system was in Richmond. This condition of affairs continued until about the close of the Civil War when the present national banking system was introduced in Henry County by the organiza- tion of "The First National Bank of New Castle," which began business January 2. 1865. Its history and that of the other banks organized in the county after that date follow.
-
NEW
CASTLE
NEW
CASTLE
KNIGHTSTOWN.
ROBERT
M.NIXON MIDDLETOWN
ALEXA
FR.
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CHARLES D, MOR
NEW.
CASTLE
CNEW
CASTLE
NIMROD R.EL
LLIOTT
MIDI
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THOMA
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B M
DAVID W
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ERAST
HENRY COUNTY BANKERS.
1073
HAZZARD > HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF NEW CASTLE.
This bank began business January 2, 1865, with a paid-in capital of $100,000. Its present capital and surplus profits are :
Capital stock paid in. $100,000.00
Surplus fund. 40,000.00
Undivided profits. 8,000.00
Following are the names of all its officers and stockholders from the organization of the bank:
Presidents : Martin L. Bundy. Jehu T. Elliott. William Murphey, William F. Boor, Eli B. Phillips, J. Ward Maxim, George B. Morris.
Vice Presidents: Edmund Johnson, Miles Murphey, Benjamin Shirk, Simon T. Powell, William Murphey, William F. Boor, Mark E. Forkner, George B. Morris, Joshua I. Morris.
Cashiers: Daniel Murphey, John Thornburgh, Robert M. Nixon, Eli B. Phillips. William F. Byrket, George R. Murphey.
Assistant Cashiers: Augustus E. Bundy. Charles C. Powell, Percy G. Phillips, Wil- liam J. Murphey.
Bookkeepers: Alexander R. Shroyer, John Thornburgh, John R. Peed, Josiah M. Hickman, Loring Bundy, Asa Hatch, Miles M. Canaday. Lena Wisehart, Henry H. Stuart, Hoy Bock, the last two named being present incumbents.
First Board of Directors: Martin L. Bundy, Jehu T. Elliott, Edmund Johnson, Miles Murphey, Milton M. Murphey.
Present Board of Directors: William F. Boor, John Ehman, J. Ward Maxim, George B. Morris, Joshua I. Morris, George R. Murphey, William J. Murphey. Nathan Nicholson, Eli B. Phillips.
Stockholders who have been directors but not included in above are: Waterman Clift, Robert H. Cooper, Mark E. Forkner, George Hazzard (author of this History), Ed. Kahn, Leander Livezey, Clement Murphey, Eli Murphey, William Murphey, Robert M. Nixon, William Peper, Marcus A. Pickering, Charles C. Powell, Simon T. Powell. Benja- min Shirk, Edward K. Strattan, James M. Wyatt.
Original stockholders: William F. Boor, Martin L. Bundy, Waterman Clift, Jehu T. Elliott, George W. Goodwin. John W. Grubbs, Isaac R. Howard, Edmund Johnson, James McWhinney, Benjamin F. Murphey, Daniel Murphey, Miles Murphey, Milton M. Murphey. William Murphey, Simon T. Powell, Benjamin Shirk, John Shroyer.
Stockholders September 1, 1905: Mary M. Bond, William F. Boor, Belle S. Burke, John Ehman, Jehu T. Elliott heirs, Sophronia J. Elliott, Barbara Heller, Frank P. Ice, Sallie H. Klein, Sallie H. Klein, guardian, Leander Livezey, Mary C. Livezey, J. Ward Maxim. George B. Morris, Joshua I. Morris, Joshua I. Morris, trustee, Ada G. Murphey. Ellen Murphey, George R. Murphey, George R. and William H. Murphey, William J. Mur- phey. Almeda D. Nicholson, Nathan Nicholson, Eli B. Phillips, Charles C. Powell heirs, Louie M. Salmon, Victoria Salmon, John Shroyer heirs, Hannah Strattan.
Former stockholders since the organization of the bank were: Cora Bowers, Elisha Clift, Waterman Clift, Robert H. Cooper, DeWitt C. Elliott, Mark E. Forkner, John W. Griffin, George Hazzard (author of this History), Moses Heller, Isaac R. Howard, Simon P. Jennings, Ed. Kahn, Edmund Laurence, Nathan Livezey, A. Warren Murphey, Caro- line Murphey, Clement Murphey, Eli Murphey, Elizabeth Murphey, Hulda Murphey, Wil- liam C. Murphey, Robert M. Nixon, William Peper, Martha G. Phillips, Marcus A. Picker- ing, Martin L. Powell, Bushrod W. Scott, Sophia Snyder, Edward K. Strattan, Eliza Tay- lor, Frank J. Vestal, Morris M. White.
As provided by the national banking act the bank was re-chartered January 2, 1885, for twenty years and again re-chartered January 2, 1905. for the same period.
A statement of its condition August 25, 1905, is printed herewith :
Report of the condition of The First National Bank, of New Castle, in the State of Indiana, at the close of business, August 25, 1905:
68
1074
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
RESOURCES.
LIABILITIES.
Loans and discounts. $224,142.45
Capital stock paid in. $100,000.00
Overdrafts, secured and unse-
Surplus fund. 40,000.00 cured 1,507.16
Undivided profits, less expenses and taxes paid. 8,020.24
U. S. honds to secure circula- tion 100,000.00
Stocks, securities, etc. 31,552.61
Banking house, furniture and
fixtures
6,000.00
Due from approved reserve
agents
42,437.84
Checks and other cash items ..
243.72
Notes of other National Banks.
8,000.00
of deposit.
44,197.03 185,738.95
Fractional paper currency, nick- els and cents. 1,398.89
Lawful money reserve in bank, viz:
Specie .$ 1,943.00
Legal tender notes .. 12,000.00 13,943.00
Redemption fund with U. S.
Treasurer (5 per cent. of cir-
culation ) 5,000.00
Total $434,225.67 Total $434.225.67 State of Indiana, County of Henry, ss:
I, George R. Murphey, cashier of the above-named bank, do solemnly swear that the above statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. George R. Murphey. Cashier. Correct attest : John Ehman, W. J. Murphey, Nathan Nicholson, Directors.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 30th day of August, 1905.
W. E. JEFFREY, Notary Public.
ROBERT MILTON NIXON, CASHIER.
Robert Milton Nixon, third cashier of the First National Bank of New Castle, was born in New Castle, June 9, 1842, the only child of Jesse R. and Mary Esther (Leonard) Nixon. Jesse R. Nixon was born February 2, 1815, in Surrey County, North Carolina, and came with his parents to Henry County in 1830, settling on a farm four miles south- west of New Castle, now owned hy John C. Hudelson. Jesse R. learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for some time. He was married September 19, 1841, to Mary Esther Leonard, of this county. For several years he conducted a dry goods store in New Castle and later, after the Civil War, with his son, Robert M., established a drug store with which he was connected until his death. He died July 26, 1884. and his wife died March 5, 1889, each aged sixty-nine years. Both are buried in South Mound Cemetery. They were greatly respected for the prohity and purity of their lives.
Robert M. Nixon obtained his education in the schools of New Castle, having been a student at the old academy under those eminent instructors, Ferris and Ahhott. He responded to the call for volunteers in the Civil War and enlisted, as a musician of the first class, in the 36th Indiana Infantry, in August, 1861, and was mustered in September 16th of that year. In consequence of the general order abolishing regimental bands, he was discharged. Elsewhere in this History his military service will be found appro- priately set out. Returning home in the Spring of 1862, he became a clerk in the drug store of Dr. John Darr, where he remained until early in 1864, when he went to In- dianapolis and accepted a like position in the wholesale drug house of W. I. Hasket and Company, Mr. Hasket having gone from New Castle to engage in that business. While at Indianapolis he took a course in a commercial college and for a time was a clerk
National Bank notes outstand- ing 100,000.00
Due to trust companies and sav- ings banks. 466.48
Individual deposits
subject to
check
$141,541.92
Demand
certificates
1075
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
in the office of Major Martin L. Bundy, paymaster U. S. V. In October, 1865, he returned to New Castle and resumed his old position in the drug store of Dr. Darr, with whom he soon hecame a partner, the business being conducted under the name of John Darr and Company. In a short time Dr. Darr retired and was succeeded hy Jesse R. Nixon, and the firm became Jesse R. and Robert M. Nixon and later Nixon and Son. Early in the seventies the firm built the commodious block on Broad Street, long occupied hy Nixon and Son as a drug and book store, and since by their successors, Beam and Lynn, in the same business. In 1874 Robert M. was elected cashier of the First National Bank, succeeding John Thornburgh, and remained in that position for nearly eleven years, when, in connection with the present vice president of the United States, Charles W. Fairbanks, he largely aided in securing the right of way for the Indiana. Bloomington and Western Railway, now a part of the Big Four system, from Indian- apolis to Springfield, Ohio. In August, 1890, President Harrison appointed him deputy comptroller of the currency, a position for which he was thoroughly fitted and the duties of which office he discharged with entire satisfaction for nearly three years, until after President Harrison's term of office expired, (March 4, 1893), when the directors of the Fifth National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio, prevailed on him to take the presidency of that institution. His career as president of this hank illustrated the energy and splendid business ability of Robert M. Nixon, for within a year or so after he took charge the hank was placed on a solid hasis and became one of the leading financial institutions of that city. Perhaps it was the great labor attached to this undertaking that impaired his health, for in the Winter of 1895, his former rugged physical strength gave way to severe indisposition. He was brought to his home in New Castle and lived but a short time thereafter, passing away on the night of January 18, 1896.
Robert M. Nixon and Celestina Beam were married in New Castle, October 15, 1872. Four children were horn to them, namely: Frank, Horace, Mary and Estella. The sons are engaged in business in New Castle-Frank is conducting a real estate, loan and in- surance office and Horace is connected with the Krell Auto-Grand Piano Company. The two daughters and hoth sons live with their mother at the elegant home on the corner of Church and Main streets.
Robert M. Nixon was a man of culture and refinement; a student of and thorough master of music; of somewhat reserved nature hut genial with friend and acquaintance; habitually industrious and a man who found in his home life the greatest happiness. Vice President Fairbanks paid a beautiful tribute to Robert M. Nixon's memory, at his bier, in which, among other things, he said: "In the meridian of his usefulness, night came upon him. He was not old in years, hut in good deeds he was venerable. No day with him was complete without some kindly service performed. He was a lover of his fellowmen and never put upon others hurdens he could bear himself." Another friend has said: "If every one for whom he did a kindness were to throw a blossom on his grave he would sleep beneath a pyramid of flowers."
THE ATTEMPTED ROBBERY OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
"November 1, 1869 .- The following resolution was unanimously adopted: Resolved, that the thanks of the stockholders and directors of the First National Bank of New Castle are hereby returned to the citizens of New Castle who so gallantly and heroically defended the bank from burglars on the night of the 29th of October, and particularly to Thomas L. Campbell, who gave the first alarm of the attack.
"JOHN THORNBURGH. Cashier.
MARTIN L. BUNDY, President."
The few pen scratches required to write the above, which is taken from the minutes of the directors' meeting of the First National Bank on the date stated, furnish a slight clew to the curious, but hy no means reveal the thrilling features of the story of that much-talked-of incident in local history. No doubt the main incidents of the occurrence are familiar to many who read this sketch, either through personal knowledge or tra- dition, but an event which had so much importance and note throughout the county, can lose nothing in the repetition.
1076
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
The night selected for the robbery was one of calm, brilliant serenity, such as is only possible in the crisp atmosphere of Mid-autumn. The moon shone clear and bright over the deserted streets of sleeping New Castle.
It was not yet the day of dynamite, when a small hole quickly drilled, a charge, a fuse, a light, and the money, are all that are required. Dynamite was an unthought-of power. He who would follow the cracksman's wary life must have a strong arm and a true eye to carry out his daring work. Wedges were used to force open the doors, and with these the men expected to pry' their way to a fortune.
Then, as now, New Castle had a midnight train on the Panhandle, and it has always been supposed that the two men interested in the affair came in on that train, broke open the tool house door and secured the crow bar with which they pried open the rear entrance of the hank and thus gained admittance to the building.
They lost very little time after their arrival, but began work at once. With all their precautions, however, they had neglected to consider that the noise might arouse someone nearby, or else, having considered it, thought the risk not great, and thus provided for their failure.
In those days, the big store of Mowrer, Murphey and Company occupied that part of the Murphey block now divided into a drug store, barber shop and confectionery store. Thomas L. Campbell, who was at that time a clerk in the store, slept at night on the floor above in the rear of the Murphey building with his bed near the wall against the opposite side of which the safe stood on the bank floor below.
Mr. Campbell was aroused by the first stroke of the hammer and realized almost immediately what was taking place, but stood for some time hefore deciding on any plan of action, for he had no means of knowing how many men there were or how and where guards might be stationed. That someone was on watch, seemed clearly evident, for at one time the pounding suddenly ceased and soon after, Mr. Campbell, looking from the window, saw a local young man pass by on his way home from a "sparking" trip. He feared to signal him, however, lest he give the alarm to the would-be robbers, and the pounding was, in a short time, resumed.
Having finally planned his course of action, the young man crept carefully down stairs to the front door, then of solid oak without glass, carrying his shoes with him. It seemed as it every sound would alarm the robbers, but the pounding kept uninterrupt- edly on, and with each stroke his courage rose. Putting on his shoes, he slid the bolts fastening the door and slowly opened it. He at once remarked a pressure against it and perceived through the small opening he had made that a heavy object leaned on it. This, he at first thought, was a man, and grabbed at what he took to be the hand. His relief can be imagine l when he foun'l it only a four-foot stick of fire wood, placed there, no doubt, that it might fall and give the alarm should the door be opened.
It was the work of a moment to slip through the opening, close the door and re- place the stick, after which the thoroughly aroused young man sped down the street with winged, yet silent feet, to Adam Beam's residence on the corner of Twelfth and Race streets, where he then boarded. Here he quickly aroused George Beam, ac- quainted him with the situation, and engaged his assistance. The two then awakened Calvin Bond, who lived just across the street on the present Alcazar Theatre site. In low but rapid words, he, too, was informed of the rohbery and was told to hasten to the cor- ner of Main and Church streets, where Alexander Chambers lived, on the site of Dr. Oliver J. Gronendyke's present residence, and there await the assembling of others.
In a similar manner, a hasty trip was made down South Main Street, resulting in the assembling at the designated corner of John Thornburgh, cashier of the bank; 'Squire Alvin Burr, William Hoover, Nicholas Mowrer, and James Mowrer, Judge Martin L. Bundy, president of the bank; Augustus E. Bundy, assistant cashier; Clement Mur- phey, a director; Alexander Chambers, John A. Heichert and Sampson Jetmore, together with a few others whose names can not be learned. In all about a dozen men had col- lected, armed with various styles of weapons.
The party was quickly divided, one part going east to Fourteenth, thence north to Race, there again subdividing, half going west on Race to the rear and half around on
1077
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Broad to the front or the building. The other division marched down Main Street, mak- ing a similar separation at Race Street and joined their corresponding parties at the rear and front.
The robbers were thus effectually hemmed in and would have no doubt been cap- tured had not some one of the pursuing party inadvertently made a noise which at- tracted their attention, The burglars were using a candle, which was at once extin- guished, leaving the room in total darkness. One of them ran to the front door and the other to the rear, thus commauding the attention of both parties, though they knew not where nor how many their besiegers were.
As the larger of the two men ran to the rear and out of the door, Alexander Chambers, who stood in the shadow of a wood pile just outside the door, fired his re- volver at him, upon which the fellow cried, with an oath, "Take that," and discharged a ball from his revolver into Chambers' hip. He continued firing as he ran to the gate and William Hoover, who was one of the best shots in town, fired a shotgun at him just as he reached it. In his nervousness, however, he aimed high, and the bold robber es- caped unharmed. The action was so rapid and the firing so brisk that the man was gone almost before they realized it. Pursuit was begun, but they were kept at bay by his revolver and he escaped. John Alexander, who lived by the old Methodist parsonage, was awakened by the shooting and came to the door in time to see the escaping man as he stood for a moment, bareheaded and coatless, undecided which way to turn, ou the corner now occupied by the new Methodist Church, then a vacant lot used as a play ground for school children. Realizing in a moment what was up, it is said, he cried, "Here he is; come and take him."
The hunted man leaped forward and cried and as he ran, "Why don't you take me yourself," firing a parting shot by way of emphasis, and though the search was long continued, nothing more was ever seen or heard of him, unless a discarded shoe, found next morning in one of the lots now occupied by the school house grounds, may count.
With the little man, who started out by way of the front of the bank, things fared not so well. His troubles began when James M. Mowrer hurled a big boulder through the front door at him, informing him of the enemy's presence in front, and on turning, he found that he had left the middle door locked, thus cutting off his escape to the rear.
Mowrer, Campbell and Thornburgh, seconded by others, followed up the attack closely and were almost on the man when he turned at bay and began firing. Mowrer had a revolver but could not use it to advantage for fear of shooting one of the crowd. Thornburgh had a pistol, but for some reason, it failed to go off. One of the fellow's shots struck Campbell in the right arm just under the shoulder and at the same moment the desperate man made a dash for liberty, knocking Campbell down as he did so. Campbell scrambled to his feet only to find his arm useless and at once grew sick. He was taken to Mowrer, Murphey and Company's store, where Dr. Samuel Ferris was called to attend him, and for several weeks he was confined in bed at Mr. Beam's with his wounded arm.
Meanwhile, "John Henry." as he later styled himself. dashed across to the lot where the Burr block now stands, and across Main Street, followed closely by the pur- suing crowd, led by James M. Mowrer, and attempted to cross a lot just north of the Shroyer building. Here difficulties again beset him for he tumbled unexpectedly into an unseen cellar, left by the burning down of a saloon. This gave Mowrer a chance to gain on him and by the time he climbed out of the hole and started to run again Mowrer was so close that the final accident was all that was required to make his cap- ture a certainty. A few yards from the cellar. a ditch was being constructed to the Shroyer building and into this the unfortunate man tumbled, headlong, while Mowrer jumped in on top of him. The crowd quickly secured the robber and removed him to the jail, where every effort to get him to reveal his own and his partner's identity failed, his only information being that his name was "John Henry." He was one of the coolest men ever placed in jail here and absolutely refused to be scared by the crowd, who even went so far as to threaten to hang him if he did not tell.
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