USA > Indiana > Henry County > Hazzard's history of Henry county, Indiana, 1822-1906, Volume II > Part 63
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In 1896 Mr. Elliott established "The Little Courier," a small daily newspaper of four pages, five columns to the page, but deemed sufficient to meet the wants of the public at that time. From this small beginning "The Daily Courier" has grown to its present size, an eight page, six columns to the page, newspaper, published six days in the week and giving every week-day afternoon very full and complete accounts of the local happenings of the county in addition to several columns of telegraphic news from all parts of the world. It is now the only daily paper published in the county. In 1899 Mr. Elliott disposed of the "Courier" to Mark O. Waters and Joseph A. Greenstreet, who continued to publish the paper until 1902, when Greenstreet retired and Waters con- ducted the publication alone. In 1903, George A. Elliott, son of William H., purchased a half interest in the plant and in 1904 the office went into the control of William H. and George A. Elliott, who now publish both the daily and weekly "Courier." During General Elliott's absence from the newspaper, he was first an officer in the navy while the Spanish-American war continued, and later was a government official in Porto Rico, as will be found fully set out in another part of this History. The "Courier" was first a Whig newspaper and has steadfastly supported Republican policies since that party was organized.
In February, 1852, "The Democratic Banner" was flung to the breeze in New Castle by J. Fenwick Henry. He published the paper for eighteen months and sold the property to Nelson Abbott. who changed the name to "The New Castle Banner." It ceased to exist in 1855. "The Henry County Times" appeared in October, 1865, con- ducted by R. F. Brown, who moved the office front Connersville to New Castle. The "Times" did a thirty days' stunt at the county seat and then located in Knightstown, as is mentioned elsewhere.
Henry L. Shopp and Harrison Hoover started a paper styled "The Henry County Independent," in April, 1867. Twenty four numbers of the paper were issued by them, when the office was sold to a company of Democratic citizens and placed under the editorial charge of Leonard H. Miller. In January, 1868, its name was changed to "The Signs of the Times." Mr. Miller continued to edit the "Times" until April, 1868, when S. S. Darling, of Hamilton, Ohio, succeeded him. It seems to have been the fashion to change the name of this paper with the advent of each new editor, and on the 27th of May, 1868, the paper was christened "The New Castle Examiner." Lewis L. Dale then assumed editorial charge. The following May, there being an opening for a Demo- cratic newspaper in Cambridge City, the office was moved thither and the "Examiner" became "The Democratic Times." The paper was published in Cambridge City only a few months, and the office was then re-established in New Castle. In December, 1870, Loring Bundy and William Johnson bought "The Democratic Times" and it was conducted
1093
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
by them for two years. Jesse M. Hiatt and Harrison Hoover were the next proprietors, taking charge in December, 1872. They changed the name and politics of the paper, making it Republican and styling it "The New Castle Times." About six months later Mr. Hoover sold his interest to James M. Kissell; and he, in the latter part of 1873, sold out to Benjamin S. Parker, a gentleman of well-known literary ability. In January, 1875, Mr. Hiatt disposed of his interest to Arthur E. Wickersham. At the same date the name of the paper was changed again, becoming "The New Castle Mercury." The "Mercury" was conducted by Parker and Wickersham until April 10, 1882, when Elwood Pleas and Company succeeded to the ownership. The publication of the "Mercury" was discontinued in 1884, and the office sold to the owners of "The Muncie Herald," a Democratic newspaper.
"The Henry County Republican" was inaugurated by Elwood and Maurice E. Pleas in August, 1870. In July, 1872, the "Republican" was consolidated with the "Courier."
A Democratic paper, "The New Castle News," was started early in 1877, the proprie- tors, Thomas J. Higgs and Josiah Crawford, moving the outfit from Connersville. It suspended publication in about nine months.
Colonel James D. Williams began the publication of a Democratic paper in Janu- ary, 1878, called "The Indiana Statesman," but the venture was not successful and the "Statesman" pulled up stakes in less than six months.
In January, 1878, "The New Castle Democrat," with John M. Goar as publisher, appeared on the scene. It was conducted with varying success by him for several years, and in 1884 Miles L. Reed assumed proprietorship and editorship of the paper, which he successfully published until 1891, when Peter M. Gillies took charge. During Gillies' management of the office he published also a daily evening paper, called the "News," for several months in 1894, but its publication was suspended in that year. In August, 1895, Walter S. Chambers bought the "Democrat" and in the intervening years has placed the paper on a firm footing, having its own building, a substantial brick structure on East Broad street, new and modern presses and other machinery and all the up-to- date material that is required in a first-class printing office of the present day. The "Democrat" has attained a list of nearly 2,500 paying subscribers, who appreciate the paper in the highest degree.
A Greenback-Labor party organ appeared in 1881, published by Henry W. Burtch, called "The Henry County Argus." In 1883 William R. Sanborn hecame its proprietor, and in March, 1884, it died for want of sufficient circulation, a thing which newspapers as well as individuals require in order to exist.
Charles F. Sudwarth, now of Washington, D. C., started a paper which was a very interesting sheet during its existence of about two years from 1885. It was called "The New Castle Crescent."
On February 20, 1891, a number of men, connected with the Farmers' Alliance or Grange, financed a paper which was named "The People's Press," and placed William W. Prigg in charge as editor. In July, 1893, Walter S. Chambers and Arthur W. Tracy bought the plant and changed the name of the paper to "The New Castle Press." The daily "Press" was started by them January 1, 1895. In July of that year they sold the daily and weekly "Press" to Clarence H. and Charles A. Beard, who changed the name of the weekly to "The Henry County Republican," still continuing the daily "Press." The plant again changed ownership in 1897, two gentlemen of Winona, Minnesota, Messrs. Cameron and Dodge, becoming proprietors. They were succeeded in 1899 by Claude S. Watts, and July 31, 1900, Fleming Ratcliff took charge and consolidated the papers under the name of "The New Castle Tribune," he having in 1897 established a paper hy that name. The daily "Tribune" not proving profitable, was discontinued in 1902, but the weekly "Tribune" was continued under his management until the Spring of 1903, when Charles S. Hernly and Otho Williams bought the office, changed the name of the paper back to the "Press" and started a handsome and lively eight-page daily under that name with the well-known and charming writer, Jobn Thornburgh, as editor- in-chief, a position which he very ahly and satisfactorily filled during the life of the
.
1094
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
paper. Mr. Williams soon retired and Charles S. Hernly continued the business alone until February 1, 1904, when the publicatious not proving profitable, they ceased to exist and the office material was sold to "The New Castle Courier."
In June, 1903, Fleming Ratcliff again revived "The New Castle Tribune," which he continued to publish until July, 1905, when he moved the office to Spiceland and changed the name of the paper to "The Henry County Tribune." Since the establishment of "The Spiceland Reporter," in 1873, of which he was editor, with the exception of a
few years in the eighties, when he was depot agent of the Indiana, Bloomington and Western Railroad, at New Castle, Fleming Ratcliff has been identified with the news- papers of Henry County almost continuously at Spiceland, Knightstown and New Castle. His ability as a newspaper man has long been recognized. He is a fluent and forcible writer, an indefatigable newsgatherer and so long has he been connected with news- papers that he will probably continue his life-work to the end in the editorial harness.
ELWOOD PLEAS-FORMER EDITOR, THE NEW CASTLE COURIER.
Editor, Philosopher, Naturalist and Good Citizen.
Elwood Pleas, son of Aaron L. and Lydia (Gilbert) Pleas, was horn at Richmond, Indiana, May 4, 1831, and died at his home near Spiceland, Indiana, December 31, 1897. Mr. Pleas' father was of a New York family and his mother was a daughter of Josiah Gilbert, one of the three Gilbert brothers, Josiah, Joel and Thomas, who came from North Carolina to the Hopewell neighborhood, in Dudley Township, Henry County, Indiana, and who, with their families at one time owned so great a portion of the lands of that township and were so prominent in the Friends' meetings of Eastern Indiana. He was married to Sarah Ann, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Griffin, of near Spice- land, on April 26, 1854. She is a sister of John William Griffin, a biographical sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this History, to which reference should be had for infor- mation as to the Griffin family.
Elwood and Sarah Ann (Griffin) Pleas were the parents of six children, two daughters and four sons, of whom one daughter, Mary B., now the wife of George Beckett, and three sons survive their father. Mrs. Beckett and her husband make their home with her mother, Mrs. Sarah A. Pleas, on the old Pleas' homestead. One son, Dr. Edgar Pleas, is a popular physician of Indian Territory: another, Robert J. Pleas, is a business man of Spiceland; and a third, Charles Earl Pleas, is a photographer and fruit grower at Chipley, Florida. There are seven grandchildren in the Pleas family: Mr. and Mrs. Becket have two grown daughters, one of them the wife of Evert Henshaw; Dr. Edgar Pleas and his first wife, who died some years ago, had two daughters; his present wife, Lucy, daughter of William W. Wilson, of Spiceland, was before her marriage a prominent Henry County club woman, so that the two little girls are happily situated in their father's southwestern home; Robert J. Pleas and his wife are the parents of two boys and one girl.
Elwood Pleas was in early life a carpenter, cabinet-maker, a farmer, and always a lover and student of Nature. His opportunities for gaining an education were com- paratively meagre, but he made good use of such as he possessed. He was a reader of books and a student of principles and conditions. He was convinced of the great evils of slavery early in life, and made war upon it from and after reaching maturity. When called to the editorship of "The New Castle Courier," in 1862, he made it a power in local politics and speedily made a State reputation as a daring and able newspaper man. Under his management, the "Courier" was a financial, as well as political, success. Benjamin S. Parker, writing of the life and work of Mr. Pleas, says:
"When I first knew him, he was selling Hinton Rowan Helper's "Impending Crisis," trom house to house, not as the ordinary agent sells books for his own profit, hut to help forward the mighty wave of protest against the extension of slavery, that was then sweeping over the North. That was in the fifties, several years before the war. It Was this same enthusiasm for liberty that carried him into the newspaper business during the progress of the war, and a little later led him for a time into the army. He
1095
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
understood very well that he could do the country more effective service with his news- paper than he could hope to do in the ranks of war, but he felt that the editor who so strongly upheld the war for the Union should share its dangers with those whom his words, probably, helped to lead into the service, and thus establish the truth of his convictions hy his courage."
In the Civil War he served faithfully as a soldier in Company B, 139th Indiana Infantry, as is appropriately set out elsewhere in this History. His other newspaper enterprises besides the "Courier" were "The Henry County Republican," a second owner- ship or partnership in the "Courier," and last, a connection with "The New Castle Mercury," which did not turn out so well financially, though each and all of them were well sustained editorially and were superior publications.
It was in the field of biological research and investigation that he was at his best, his special lines of work lying mostly in geology and practical entomology. His collection was the best and most representative of any private collection in Eastern Indiana, and his scientific correspondence was very large. It was beginning to yield him good financial returns, as well as many honors, when the illness that was to speedily end his life fell upon him and left his tasks unfinished.
He was a forceful writer and an entertaining speaker. His addresses before the Henry County Historical Society, which he did so much to establish, were always looked forward to as its most interesting and profitable occasions. Elwood Pleas was undoubt- edly one of the few strong men who have stood out clearly as above and beyond the high average level of the county's intelligent manhood. This is apparent in so many pages of our history that he needs no lengthy eulogium at the hands of a biographer. But more than all and better than all, was he the upright citizen and the loving, con- siderate husband and affectionate parent and generous friend. What better can any man he?
Elwood Pleas must also be given consideration as Henry County's first historian. In 1871, he issued "Henry County, Past and Present," which was a brief history of the county from 1821 to 1871. The book is a small volume, containing less than one hun- dred and fifty pages, but it is worth its weight in gold as an historical document and as a first effort to preserve the history of the county. The author of this History ac- knowledges himself to be greatly indebted to this little book of Elwood Pleas, and many of the most valuable of the early historical facts of the county would have been lost had it not heen for the careful, methodical and painstaking work of Mr. Pleas. Long may his memory he cherished.
NEWSPAPERS OF SPICELAND.
"The Spiceland Reporter" was started in July. 1873, by James W. Harvey, pro- prietor, and Fleming Ratcliff, editor. About eighteen months later Harvey gave up the publication of the paper. not finding it profitable. The citizens, however, determined to keep the paper running and the "Reporter" company was formed with about $2,700 capital and Mr. Rateliff continued as editor. Lewis Woods. Elisha B. Rateliff, Dr. J. B. Cochrane, Joseph E. Bogue and S. E. Unthank constituted the stock company. In July, 1876, Mr. Ratcliff retired from the editorship. His successors in that position were Professor Nathan Newhy, Clarkson Davis, Charles P. Butler and others. In July, 1880. the paper was sold at receiver's sale and bought by Clarkson Davis and W. S. Chamness. It expired in November, 1880. For about eighteen months prior to that time James M. Kissell was the publisher.
Recently, in July, 1905, Fleming Ratcliff moved the plant of "The New Castle Tribune" to Spiceland, changed its name to "The Henry County Tribune," and is pub- lishing the paper from an office in that town.
THE MIDDLETOWN NEWS.
The "News" enjoys a unique position in the history of Henry County newspaper- dom from the fact that it was the first newspaper published in Middletown and has occupied the field alone since its inception. It was founded in April, 1885. by J. A.
1096
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Wertz. In a short time George W. Rodecap became associated with him and in Sep- tember, 1885, the latter assumed proprietorsbip. On November 29, 1886, Joseph O. Lambert took charge and published the paper until July 7, 1893, when he sold out to Willis L. MeCampbell, present postmaster at Middletown. In January, 1894, Joseph O. Lambert and Charles B. Unger bought the office and continued in partnership until January, 1902, when Lambert became sole proprietor and has so continued to the present time. Mr. Lambert is a pungent and forceful writer and the "News" very capably caters to its many patrons in and around Middletown. Mr. Lambert is now and has been for several years chairman of the Republican County Central Committee.
NEWSPAPERS OF LEWISVILLE.
The first number of "The Lewisville Democrat was issued November 29, 1877, by William F. Taylor and Lee L. Poarch. Dr. Nelson G. Smith acted as editor for about three months and was succeeded by Thomas W. Hall, for a few weeks; after this, Taylor and Poarch were both editors and proprietors. In January, 1880, the paper passed into the hands of Dr. Nelson G. Smith, who conducted it a few weeks. William A. Dale then became editor and proprietor and after six months the enterprise was abandoned.
In June, 1900, Ursa Martin and Edmund W. Robeson started "The Lewisville Enter. prise," and continued its publication for about three months, when Martin succeeded to the business. In December, 1901, he sold the plant to William D. Fancher, who discon- tinued the publication of the paper. Ursa Martin again purchased the office in November, 1903, and revived the "Enterprise" in March, 1904. On August 28, 1905, he sold out to Edmund W. Robesou, who is now editor and publisher.
NEWSPAPERS OF SHIRLEY.
"The Shirley Enterprise" was started by Benjamin F. Martindale in October, 1900, who continued to publish it until November. 1903, when he sold the office to Joseph H. C. Denman, who changed the name of the paper to the "Gazette," and so continued it until in May, 1904, when Martindale again took charge and published the paper as the "Enterprise."
In the Summer of 1903, J. E. McClain started a paper which he called "The Shirley- Wilkinson News." In June, 1904, it was purchased by Martindale and consolidated with the "Enterprise." In April, 1905, Carl Shafer bought the office and changed the name of the paper to "The Shirley News," and still continues to publish it.
"The Shirley Hustler" was started in April. 1900, by Noble B. Van Matre, who published it about two and one-half years, then engaged in other business and the paper was suspended.
THE MOORELAND RECORD.
This is a weekly newspaper published by Harold C. Burton, by whom it was es- tablished July 28, 1905. It is the most recent claimant for the patronage of the reading public of that portion of Henry County.
RIVATE
PRIV
TE
PRIVATE
DAVID
HOOVER
LIEUTENANT
JAMES
BLACK
PETER
HIBALD
A
RPORAL
CC
ISAIAH B.ANDERSON, PRIVATE
G
JACOB
REDDING
LEMUEL
NI
RF
FLL
EAND
ON
COMPANY B, 139th INDIANA INFANTRY.
ERGEANT
1007
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
STATISTICAL INFORMATION.
Total comparative value of property of all kinds in Henry County, as shown by the several townships and towns combined assessed for taxation for the years 1842, 1870 and 1904:
Townships.
1842.
1870
Blue River
Not organized.
358,040
1904. 825,270
Dudley
275,320
797,600
1,494,380
Fall Creek
207,995
990,960
1,639,540
Franklin
308,319
$70,180
1,440,480
Greensboro
157,753
589,300
1,076,380
Harrison
142,292
672,330
1,196,650
Henry
237,183
1,512,770
4,017,650
Jefferson
Not organized
562,550
996.690
Liberty
302.421
1,042,890
1,497,610
Prairie
251,279
825,570
1.299.800
Spiceland
Not organized
802,960
1.426,720
Stony Creek
168,142
330,550
562.420
Wayne
468.660
1,685,620
2,613,790
Total
$2,519,364
$11,041,320
$20,087,380
Total comparative amounts of taxes levied for all purposes in Henry County as shown by the several townships and towns combined for the years 1842, 1870 and 1904:
Townships.
1842
1870.
1904.
Blue River
Not organized.
3,208.07
13,267.09
Dudley
1,180.62
7,144.68
20,254.76
Fall Creek
961.99
7,937.26
28,404.57
Franklin
1,306.12
8,246.14
20,626.66
Greensboro
668.14
6,179.50
19,259.59
Harrison
627.02
5,805.30
20.828.12
Henry
1,015.14
12,637.84
82.864.85
Jefferson
Not organized.
5,249.98
13,269.00
Liberty
1,282.47
9,192.21
20,854.80
Prairie
1,120.47
7,762.47
18,750.44
Spiceland
Not organized.
6,247.77
21,988.26
Stony Creek
762,49
3.159.72
9,383.63
Wayne ....
1,974.31
15,258.12
50,879.69
Total
$10,898.77
$98,029.06
$340.631.46
Total comparative value of personal property, of all kinds, in Henry County, as shown by the several townships and towns combined assessed for taxation for the years 1842, 1870 and 1904:
Townships.
1842.
1870
1904.
Blue River
Not organized.
88,790
190,620
Dudley
50,251
249,970
332,240
Fall Creek .
43.080
412,280
476,850
Franklin
47,229
332,260
368,870
Greensboro
25.118
196,330
269,850
Harrison
16,908
217,390
314,560
Henry
39,988
609,400
1,182,760
Jefferson
Not organized.
188,050
214,200
Liberty
50,609
325,410
301,570
Prairie
48,799
258,650
287,290
Spiceland
Not organized.
296,310
393,160
Stony Creek
31,266
112,330
141.740
Wayne
85,078
692,550
824,850
Total
$438,326
$3,979,720
$5.298,560
Total comparative value of all lands, exclusive of town-lots, without the improve- ments thereon, in Henry County, as shown by the several townships assessed for taxation for the years 1842, 1870 and 1904:
1098
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
1904.
Blue River
Not organized.
221,980
458,220
Dudley
119,873
414,460
637,600
Fall Creek
43,387
392,280
659,780
Franklin
150,626
390,190
591,920
Greensboro
76,408
284,120
514,320
Harrison
97,006
338,970
761,280
Henry
118,028
544,630
912,810
Jefferson
Not organized
281,430
543,460
Liberty
135.375
575,480
843,720
Prairie
123,356
467,840
686,730
Spiceland
Not organized.
333,620
453,590
Stony Creek ..
88,907
178,940
333,010
Wayne
178.810
500,940
694.530
Totai
$1.181,776
$4,924,880
$8,090,970
Total comparative value of all improvements on lands, exclusive of improvements on town lots, in Henry County, as shown by the several townships, assessed for taxation for the years 1842, 1870 and 1904:
Townships.
1842
1870
1904.
Blue River Dudley
Not organized
47,270
37,070
102,042
127,660
111,850
Fall Creek ..
67,338
129,890
124,090
Franklin
95.604
111,060
88,720
Greensboro
44,737
80,730
72,760
Harrison
27,848
106,040
102.200
Henry
52,542
139,720
230.020
Jefferson
Not organized.
77,860
73,010
Liberty
116.437
136,950
104,130
Prairie
78.609
91,370
71,090
Spiceland
Not organized.
123,840
101.410
Stony Creek
45,838
34,810
43,910
Wayne
119,962
163,830
119,560
Total
$750.957
$1.371,030
$1,279,820
The reader should not fail to note that the appraisement of these improvements for the year 1870 is more than $91.000 greater than in 1904, thirty four years later. This may be accounted for in the possibly different ways of making the appraisement for the years mentioned. Then it is a fact that as the wealth of the county has increased, the tendency has heen to consolidate and enlarge the farms. The prosperous neighhor has purchased the farm of his less prosperous one; thus, as the farms have increased in size, the value of improvements, so far as houses are concerned, has decreased. The smaller the tarms the more valuable the improvements in the aggregate.
Total comparative value of all town lots, without improvements thereon, in Henry ('ounty, as shown by towns and townships, assessed for taxation for the years 1859, 1870 and 1904:
Townships.
1859.
1870.
1904.
Blue River
600
890
14.410
Fall Creek
4.420
16,140
79,600
Franklin
6,200
6,290
26.400
Greensboro
3,015
6,070
16.610
Harrison
610
1.100
4,250
Henry
29.980
81.850
677.040
Jefferson
1.160
3.590
2,310
Liberty
580
900
970
Prairie
9 840
2.900
6.900
Sniceland
5.960
10.680
24,550
Stony Creek
2.610
2,040
3.480
Wayne
61,700
110,610
172,260
Total
$119,765
$243,060
$1,047,940
Total comparative value of all improvements in town lots in Henry County, as shown by towns and townships assessed for taxation for the years 1859, 1870 and 1904:
Townships
1859.
1870.
1904.
Blue River
2.100
4,620
27,560
Fall Creek
22,170
40,370
127.410
Franklin
14,300
30,380
29,330
Greensboro
11,835
22,050
65,820
Townships.
1842
1870
32.160
Dudley
9.160
Dudley
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
1099
Harrison
4,780
14,450
Henry
71,290
137,170
611,130
Jefferson
6,110
11,620
19,890
Liberty
3.500
4.150
3,120
Prairie
8.960
4,810
25,470
Spiceland
16.960
38.510
60,830
Stony Creek
5,140
2,430
10,140
Wayne
102,310
217,690
357,570
Total
$269,455
$522,630
$1,384,880
Total comparative value of all lands ( farms and town-lots combined ) and improve- ments thereon, in Henry County, as shown by the several townships and towns com- bined, assessed for taxation for the years 1842, 1870 and 1904:
Townships.
1842
1870.
1904.
Blue River
Not organized.
269.250
536,610
Dudley
225,069
547,630
791,420
Fall Creek
164.915
578,680
990,880
Franklin
261,090
537,920
746,370
Greensboro
132,635
392,970
669.510
Harrison
125,384
454,940
882.180
Henry
197,195
903,370
2.431,000
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