USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Bloomington > Historic treasures: true tales of deeds with interesting data in the life of Bloomington, Indiana University and Monroe County--written in simple language and about real people, with other important things and illustrations > Part 18
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Ellis Stone started a carding mill (for carding wool) as early as 1820. This mill was operated by a tread-
wheel, and continued for more than twenty years, some times doing a rather brisk business in the old log structure built for the purpose. The packages of rolls of yarn were pinned up with thorns, which boys of the community were paid to gather in the woods.
Haws Armstrong was operating a fulling mill (where the home-spun woolen cloth was taken and made more compact, thicker and stronger by shrinking-called fulling in early times) in 1824, which some early resi- dents think he started about 1820. We are sure he was operating this mill in 1824, and that he continued to supply his patrons for a number of years following.
John and Samuel Orchard started a carding machine in or about 1823, which was operated by means of a tread-mill.
Made Gun Powder.
Gun powder of a then superior qua- lity was manufactured by Haws Arm- strong, along with his fulling mill industry.
The Orchards also manufactured linseed oil. One or two others in the busy little town also made linseed oil at this time.
Mr. Seward manufactured axes for
the woodsmen of that day, also plows and wagons, and did expert repair work along lines of this nature. He steadily increased his business until, desiring to reach out, he started an iron foundry and began manufactur- ing general foundry output for the trade.
In 1823 E. C. Moberly kept a tavern (for that time, a first-class hostelry ). considered a step in progress for the town.
About this time Joshua H. Lucas opened a really good store. He was an eccentric character (mentioned elsewhere), a good story teller, natu- ral mixer, and soon built up a thriv- ing business. He also became inter- ested in politics in 1824, and in spite of his lack of education, won his audiences through natural ability. He was elected to the State Legislature in that year, over William Alexander, his opponent.
Kirkville Established.
Kirkville was a comparatively re- · cent village in the township, and was named in honor of the Kirk family. Lane & Carmichael started the first store, but later sold out to Mr. Kirk.
The Sydney Gazette, under an 1832 date line contains an advertisement which is rather amusing:
"Notice To Gentlemen Housebreak- ers and Thieves-J. Waran will feel obliged to the intruders that broke into his domicile on Sunday morning last, between the hours of one and two, to return him the small quantity of plate they took that morning. J. Warman would not trouble them, but the articles are family presents."
Pleasing summer scenes along Bloomington's shady residential streets.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall .
PIONEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FORMED-OLD SAX-HORN BAND FURNISHED MUSIC FOR TOWN
County Board of Monroe Agrees to Pay $200 Toward Cost of Construction of Market House, Providing Town Would Pay Like Sum-Every One Went to Barter With Farmers.
Bloomington was at one time the proud possessor of a really and truly, sure-enough market house, where farmers could bring their produce and dispose of it to the housewife, thus assuring the sale at fair price.
Market House Erected in 1837.
In 1837 the old "market house" was erected, the County Board paying $200, providing the town of Bloom- ington should pay the same amount toward establishing this co-operative market place, which the town offi- cials immediately furnished as the town's share of the bargain. .
Here it was that the townspeople went to barter with the farmers at. market. Instead of going to the gro- ceries as is done at the present time. This old market house was continued until some time in the fifties.
Pioneer Fire Company Formed.
The town had grown to such pro- portions that in 1838 it was felt that the old system of fighting fire with buckets or just "let it burn out" methods was a costly and back-woods way. An effort was made to secure a fire engine (evidently one of the "hand-pump" variety). But the effort failed for lack of financial support. Nevertheless, the attempts directed attention to the public need, and not many years later the old "Pioneer Fire Company" was organized. This company endured for a great many years, down through the sixties and eighties, and was finally succeeded by our present metropolitan fire-fight- ing methods.
Sax-Horn Band Furnished Music.
The first record we are able to find of any organized band in the com- munity leads us to believe that the old Sax-Horn Band, which was orga- nized during this decade (1830-40) was the first in Bloomington. This band furnished the town of Bloom- ington with public music until about the time of the war. in 1860-64.
There were probably many enter- prises of that period which we are unable to get track of, but suffice to say, these were evidently the more important, and worthy of note as his- torical facts.
J. W. JACKSON, OLD-TIME FIRE FIGHTER IN CITY
J. W Jackson, veteran Bloomington city fireman, substituted for a mem- ber of the city fire department during the week in October, 1921, and recalled to old timers who saw him again on the job, the days when he was a galliant member of the old Pioneer Fire department in the days gone by.
Jackson was a member of this old volunteer fire department, which was in existence to about 1875, when each member paid $1 entrance fee and 10
cents a month dues, but members of the Pioneer Fire Company were ex- empt from road taxes. The old hand- drawn hook and ladder wagon of this company was kept in one corner of the old court house yard, along with
a full equipment of fire buckets and a hose reel.
Besides this experience in the old days, Jackson is rather proud of his record as a professional fire fighter, having attended more than 3,000 fires in the thirty-odd years he has been a fireman. He served for five years in the chemical squad of the Decatur, Ill., Fire department, one year as foreman of the hook and ladder squad of the Charleston, Ill., department, and the rest of his experience came in the City of Higher Learning. Bloom- ington, too, is proud of Mr. Jackson's faithful devotion to the safety of its property and life in those years of service he gave it.
FIRST STEAM MILL STARTED BLOOMINGTON ON ROAD OF PROGRESS IN INDUSTRY
Leading Merchants of Two Decades-New Ideas Introduced in Enterprising Town-But "Shinplaster" Came as a Temporary Relief in Financial Circles, and Soon Developed as an Injurious Element in Business Life.
It seems that Bloomington, after surviving the hard struggles through the pioneer stages of the first two decades of the town's life, was in a fair way to become one of the sub- stantial towns in the state, and was reincorporated, under a different form of charter during the period.
The leading enterprises were the carding mill of Thomas Hardesty; McCrum's grist mill; the various tan- neries, wagon and iron shops, harness and saddle makers, hatters, etc.
It was during this period that Major Hite started a steam grist mill and carding mill, which marked an important step toward modern meth- ods of industry in the community.
Bloomington, as a town, was again incorporated in 1847, with its popula- tion showing an increase to about 1300 inhabitants.
Leading Merchants of Decade.
The leading merchants of the town during the forties were: Peter Mar- tinsau, Labertew & Ray, Johnston & Stout, Thomas McCalla, E. P. Farmer, J. O. and J. H. Howe, A and J. Owens, John Campbell, G. H. Johnson, Dieth & Block, William Wylie & Co., Cathar- ine Owens, H. W. Woodward, J. Mc- Corkle, Snyder & Isaacs. Andrew Hel- ton, G. W. More, E. E. and G. W. Sluss, S. P. Chipman, Coleman, Levy & Co., J. and W. O. Fee. Richard Hardesty, J. W. Carter, S. and J. Pennigton, Y. B. and J. W. Pullen, Alexander Sutherland and probably others of whom no record was kept.
Among the grocers were Richard Hardestv, Aquilla Rogers, Jacob Young, J. M. C. Hunter, Felix G. Hite and Rogers & Payne.
1850 to 1860 Brings New Ideas.
During the fifties many changes in business methods were made among all classes of industry, and new ideas brought forth many inventions throughout the country as a whole, and Bloomington shared in the pro- gress of the times.
Among the prominent merchants of
this period were the following: Suth- erland & Jones, Tarkington & Abel, W. C. Fee, H. D. Woodward, Andrew Helton, Jesse Cox & Co., J. B. Mulkev, J. O. and J. M. Howe, Thomas McCal- la, S. P. Chipman, William McCrum, G. H. Johnson, E. E. Sluss, Tuley & McCrea, Samuel and Isaac Kahn, E. B. Pennington, James Millen, J. W. Davis & Co., Helton & Dodds, Miller & Moffett, Asher Labertew, John · Campbell, Dunn & Co., Pennigton & Tuley, J. B. Hobson & Co., Pleasant Williams, J. B. Mulkey, drugs (this is the first record we find of a drug store in Bloomington), Carsaw & An- drews, monuments (another new en- terprise), J. J. Cherry & Co., furni- ture, Tarkington & Atkins, Joseph Orr, drugs; Daniel Shrader, boots and shoes; A. Helton & Sons, Benjamin McGee, tailors.
First Bank Is Opened.
The first bank of Blomington was opened during the fifties. The wool- en factory belonging to Mr. Holtzman had become a large and prosperous concern. George Heppert was the town's butcher; Theodore Johnson made saddles in his factory; Cox and Springer, Woodward & Buchanan sold drugs, as did Mason & Faris; Slider & Tibbetts merchandise. There were also a host of kindred establish- ments too numerous to mention.
Tarkington & Atkins began to issue "shinplasters" of the denominations of 50 cents and $1 in the year 1855. J. M. Howe also issued a small quan- tity of these notes.
These "shinplasters" of small de- nominations were devised as a means for facilitating exchange, as a great want was being felt for denomina- tions of notes smaller than the banks of the time or the Government issued. It is said that Tarkington & Akin issued several thousand dollars worth of these "shinplasters."
In a year or two these "shinplas- ters" began to depreciate in value, and then there was a pretty mess, ac-
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
cording to the word of several older citizens.
Action Against "Shinplasters."
The following action was taken by leading business men of Bloomington in 1858, the proceedings being pub- lished in the town paper at that time, from which we quote herewith:
" 'Shinplasters'-We, the under- signed citizens of Bloomington, Indi- ana, pledge our word and honor that we will not take any 'shinplaster' cur- rency after the 1st day of February for more than ninety cents on the dollar; and that we will not circulate any more after that date-nor any other paper currency not regularly chartered according to law.
"January 20. 1858.
"Signed-William O. Fee, Thomas Mullikin, A. W. Campbell, Kahn & Bro., Howe & Co .. W. D. Owen, O. L. Draner, Tuley and McCrea, Benjamin McGee. Millen & Moffett, Mason & Faris, P. Henoch, A. S. Mercer. E. E. Sluss. B. S. Cowgill, J. S. Tibbets, A. Helton & Co., M. L. Mccullough, A. Adams, Dunn & Co., E. Johnson, B. J. Wade, J. C. Mccullough."
First Bank Organized. .
The first banking business was done in the early fifties. by Tarking- ton and Atkin, who issued at first only "shinplasters": J. M. Howe did the same thing.
In about 1857, the Bloomington Bank was regularly organized, with a capital of about $20,000, and soon bank bills were issued, signed by the above men.
Missouri and other state bonds were deposited with the Auditor of State, but in 1860 these bonds so depreci-
ated in value as to cause the sus- pension of the home bank.
Soon after this a private bank was organized, and continued until about 1870, when it was transformed into
the First National Bank of Blooming- ton, with a capital stock of $50,000- later increased to $100,000.
The actual population of Bloming- ton in 1866 (August) was 2,118; in July, 1876, 2,404, and in 1884, 3,200.
FIRST RAILROAD BUILT INTO BLOOMINGTON IN EARLY FIFTIES
With the decade of the fifties, the town of Bloomington became more im- pressive as an industrial and educa- tional center than had been its fortune ever before, and it became evident that the town could not be kept from a healthy growth. With the building of the first railroad through Monroe county passed out of existence the old stage line which the Orchard brothers had run in connection with their old log "Temperance House" situated on what is now College avenue. But, the Orchards had seen the future of their stage line fading, and a couple of years before the railroad was actually built into Bloomington these men, Samuel and John Orchard erected what was then considered a modern hotel and called it the "Orchard House" (men- tioned elsewhere).
This up-to-date hostelry, along with the coming of the New Albany (now the Monon) railroad was quite an in- ducement for new industrial enterprise, and the development of native indus- try, which naturally forced business of the town to a substantial growth.
The New Albany Railroad, which had been built through Monroe county
early in the fifties, added materially to the growth of the county seat. It gave the town an advantage of quick transportation at far less cost than heretofore had been offered for mark- eting the products of the community, thus adding importance to the progres- sive town.
The Mails In 1859.
The following schedule was posted in the Bloomington post office, and may serve to give persons of today a hint of what was considered rapid mail service in 1859-1860.
"THE MAILS-Arrive at and de- .part from the Bloomington Post Office "From New Albany (by railroad), arrive at 5:25 p. m., and depart north immediately.
"From Columbus (by two-horse hack), arrives every Tuesday, Thurs- day and Saturday at 12 m., and de- parts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at 10 a. m.
"From Bloomfield (by hack when necessary), arrive every Tuesday and Saturday, at 4 p. m., and departs every Monday and Friday at 8 a. m.
"From Indianapolis, via Martinsville (by two-horse hack), arrives every
DRUGS
BLOOMINGTON BUILDINGS 1921
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
Tuesday and Friday, at 12 m., and de- parts same days at 1 p. m.
"From Point Commerce, via White- hall (horse-back), arrives every Thurs- day, at 1 p. m., and departs same day, at 1:30 p. m."
Showers Bros.
About 1856 the Seward & Chase Iron Foundry doubled its capacity, and began doing a large business.
It was some time during this decade that Showers & Hendricks established a general cabinet shop, doing general manufacture of furniture (by hand, chiefly), and jobbing work. This firm continued to grow, and finally sold out to Showers Brothers, about November 17, 1869, when the new firm began the manufacture of bedsteads as a spe- citlty.
The following is quoted from an old newspaper issued in Bloomington,on August 27, 1858, in which the follow- ing quotations were made as an adver- tisement by a local concern:
"Bloomington Prices Current-Cor- rected every Friday morning by Dunn & Co .: Wheat, per bushel, 55c to 65c; Oats, 30c; Corn, 35c to 40c; Wheat Flour, per 100 lbs., $2; Corn Meal, per bushel, 40 to 50c; Potatoes, per bushel, 50 to 75c; Bacon, per lb., 4 to 6 1-2c; Lard, per lb., 7 to 8c; Butter, per lb., 10 to 13c; Eggs, per dozen, 8c; Sugar, per lb., 11 to 12 1-2c; Coffee, per lb., 14 to 20c."
Among the merchants and business men during the decade of the sixties (known as uncertain period, during the War of Rebellion and following) in Bloomington were: Dunn & Co., J. M., Howe, W. O. Fee, S. J. Wade, Geo. Bollenbacher, J. S. Faris, Benjamin McGee, Milton Rogers, Mercer & Adams, Seward & Sons, G. W. Bat- terton, A. Holtzman & Sons, J. H. Hay & Co., E. Johnson & Co., Small and Riddle, Showers, Hendricks & Co., G. McCrea, C. P. Tuley, A. P. Helton, W. L. Bates, Turner & Sidway, Cherry & Mckinley, Chase & Co., Munson and Doughton, Stuart and Manley, Kahn & Co., J. Misner, Carter and Perring, B. M. Burt, and T. S. McCune.
Business Life of Eighties.
The comparative growth of the city of Bloomington may be made in noting the business concerns existing in the middle eighties, as classified by the line of business rather than the indi- vidual as a merchant. We herewith give a list of firms grouped under each representative business heading:
Dry Goods-W. W. Wicks, Lane & Buskirk, McCalla & Co., L. S. Fields & Co., S. K. Rhorer, Mefford & Sons.
Ready-Made Clothing-Moses Kahn, Queen City Clothing Store, C. P. Turner, manager, Benjamin McGee.
Merchant Tailors-Benjamin Mc- Gee, John W. Davis, John Ehni.
Groceries-D. T. Raley & Co., Rob- ertson & Bro., J. B. Clark & Son, W. H. Meadows, Lane & Buskirk, A. H. Wilson, J. W. Robinson, Dunn & Co., Collins & Karsell, J. W. Johnson, James M. Hunter, J. R. Anderson.
Hardware Stuart & McPheeters, W. J. Allen.
Books and Stationery-E. P. Cole,
James D. Faris, Hiram Lindley, Lew- is H. Anderson.
Drugs-H. Lindley, J. D. Faris, Peter Bowman.
Agricultural Implements-W. J. Allen, Stuart & McPheeters, H. C. Smith.
Wagons and Carriages-James Ry- an, Gilmore Bros., W. J. Clark, W. J. Alexander, Hoover & Dodson.
Jewelry-M. J. Smith, Leveret Cochran, J. O. Howe, Henry Turner.
Boots and Shoes-W. T. Blair, George Bollenbacher, George Atkin- son, W. W. Wicks, L. S. Fields & Co., McCalla & Co., C. C. Mefford & Sons, S. K. Rhorer.
Hotels-National House, L. M. San- ders, proprietor; Orchard House, Wal- nut Street House.
Milliners and Dressmakers-Mrs. Nichlos, Mrs. Arnott, Mrs. Gregory, Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Snodgrass, Mrs. Atkins, Mrs. Harold, Mrs. Bullard and Cooper, Mrs. Tilley, Misses Faris.
Restaurants-Mrs. Lucky, Mrs. Rott, George Buckart.
Livery Barns-M. B. Rogers, Wor- ley & May.
Flour Mills-Baldridge & Gourley, Hilton Height.
Saw Mills-Gemmel Peterson, Jo- seph Alexander.
Woolen Mills-Holtzman & Bros. Spoke Factory-Waldron, Hill & Co., Bollenbacher & Sons.
Bedstead Factory-Showers Bros.
Chair and Table Factory-Showers, Dodds & Co.
Tannery-John Waldron.
Planing Mills-C. J. McCalla.
Brick Yard-J. Garrison.
Lumber-W. H. Hughes. Builders and Contractors-Adams & Benton, H. J. Nichlos (architects also), M. D. Griffey & Co., W. C. Black, A. Robinson.
Stone Contractors-Byerly & Stev- enson, James Voss.
Plastering Contractors-H. H. and Benjamin Voss, R. M. Denton.
Furniture-Baker & Neeld, Mat- thews & Turner.
Barbers-W. T. Voss, Ephraim Huges, Benjamin Voss William Proffet Daniel Pinkston.
Butchers-Cron & Roseberry, J. M. Phillips & Co., Walker & Bros., Bult & McConnell.
Foundry and Machine Shop-Se- ward Bros.
Cigar Manufactory-George Seiner Stone Quarries-Matthew Willon, Moses Dunn, John Baldoff.
NOTE-The fact that people of the present day are familiar with happenings from the eighties on, it is not deemed necessary to take up space for further details, other than calling attention to business concerns of Bloomington in 1922, as represented in the last part of this book.
FAIRFAX IS OLD LANDMARK IN CLEER CREEK
About 1835, N. Whisenand and R. Wilson opened liquor establishments in the village of Fairfax, which has always been a village of moderate pretensions, as regards size, but one
of the landmarks of Clear Creek town- ship and Monroe county.
So far as can be learned, these men continued in business and increased their stocks. Scarborough & Wilson opened a store in the place about 1838, and did a good business for several years. Holton & Huston be- gan merchandising about 1840. The Hilton grist mill was erected at a very early time and considerable flour was sent down the creek in flat-boats, as was pork. Mr. Helton continued in business in the village with his store, mills and factories, until the fifties, when he removed to Bloomington. A large amount of furniture was manufactured at that time in the village.
About 1847, L. Q. Hogatt and Mr. Helton formed a partnership, and
later the Redfields succeeded Mr. Helton. After that time the village remained small and its life was un- eventful.
SAVE AN 1812 WAR RELIC.
Commodore Perry's Flagship Niag- ara is Docked at Port Erie.
The United States brig Niagara, that famous unit of Perry's fleet to which his flag was transferred on the foundering of his flagship Lawrence, is to have a permanent home in the port of Erie, Pa.
After nearly a century in a wa- tery grave in Misery bay, where it was sunk along with the other mem- bers of the fleet on the signing of the international treaty between Great Britain and the United States, the old Niagara, having been raised in con- nection with the centennial celebra- tion of Commodore Perry's victory in 1913, is far too much of a historic relic to permit of its being jostled about from place to place.
For the purpose of assuring it a permanent resting place, where it can be inspected by visitors from all parts of the world, the city of Erie has made presentation of the Niagara to the United States government. Con- gress at its last session accepted the gift, and passed a bill directing the navy department to assume charge of the old relic and to keep it in fit- ting repair, and also erecting, if nec- essary, a suitable dock for its an- chorage at the port of Erie.
Friendship Almost Was.
One township almost had a vil- lage once upon a time, in fact in the month of September, 1857, James G. Fleener, with the assistance of the county surveyor, laid off . eighteen lots on Section 21, Township 8 north, Range 1 east, and named the plot thus laid out "Friendship."
But Friendship was doomed to · die on paper, as it seemed impossible to make friends who cared to live at the place through the trials of life, and receiving no friendship, how could "Friendship" be shown. The project was surrendered to the inevitable in a few short months.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
BLOOMINGTON BUILDINGS 1921
STAGE LINE AND OLD "TEMPERANCE HOUSE" GREAT TOWN BOOST PROJECTS OF EARLY BLOOMINGTON.
Samuel and John Orchard Were Early Promoters of Projects Which Aided in the Progress of the Community-Orchard House Erected to Meet Needs of Traveling Public When Railroad Came.
One of the most prominent factors in the early life of Bloomington, the really premier project which put Bloomington on the map and adver- tised the town and this section of the state, was its first stage line.
This transportation project was started on a rather gigantic scale 'in 1836, and when we take into con- sideration the fact that highways of the "West" at that early period were nothing but mud roads, and the com- parative expensive equipment re- quired in maintaining a stage line to any extent, we must take off our mod- ern hats to men who had nerve enough to launch such a venture-especially when we recall the scarcity of cap- ital in the pioneer days.
But needless to say, it was these early stage lines which ultimately led to the growth and progress of our State and communities, for with each trip from the outside world, the old stage coaches, trundled into Blooming- ton with three to eight passengers.
Orchards Responsible.
Samuel M. Orchard and his brother,
John Orchard came to Bloomington about 1823, from Washington County, Indiana, where their parents, Isaac and Margery (Mitchell) Orchard had moved from Bourbon County, Ken- tucky, and purchased a 160-acre farm in 1819. The two brothers started a carding machine as their first ven- ture in Monroe county, on the lot where the old "Orchard House" was later erected, situated on Fourth street, just east of where the Monon passenger station now stands.
In 1826, these progressive young men added the manufacture of lin- seed oil to their enterprise, although as a separate occupation, which they made a success, as did they every venture which they undertook. In 1836, the Orchard brothers sold their wool carding business, and made the historic step for the growth of our present population.
In 1827, the two Orchard brothers, erected what was named the "Temper- ance House," on what we know as College avenue, in Bloomington. This old tavern was the first hostelry in
the history of the county's highways that did not have a bar or serve liquor to its guests, and gained a reputation for this fact among the early traveling public.
About 1836, it seems as a part of the same plan, the Orchards start- ed a stage line from Indianapolis, Ind., to Leavenworth, Kas., and another stage line from Louisville to New Orleans, which required many changes of horses and relays of drivers; but it is evident that the business minds of these pioneer promoters were equal to every emergency.
It seems that in the partnership, Samuel M. Orchards was the leader, and in 1837, he began butchering live stock for the trade, and continued this individual enterprise successfully along with his many other projects for about twelve years.
Built Orchard House.
In about 1849-1850, the foresight of Samuel M. Orchard must have dic- tated the erection of the old "Orchard House" upon the ground which im- mediately faces the Monon station to- day. As we know, this was just be- fore the projected building of the "New Albany" railroad (the first rail- road through the county) and we find that the Orchard brothers not alone had erected their then up-to-date hos- telry in expectation of the new rail- road, but they gave liberally in sub- scriptions for stock in the new railroad enterprise which was to mean so much later on for our city's progress. Old records show that the parkage front- ing the east entrance to the present
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