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 29
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The trade of Mt. Tabor extended far beyond Bloomington. It is said that Hezezkiah Wampler shipped the first boat load of pork, grain and pro- visions down the river in 1836. Noah Stine owned a large cooper shop where lage numbers of barrels were manufactured for the pork packers and flour industeries. Mr. Turner had a big gunsmith shop in the village, and Mr. Chambers manufactured all kinds of spining wheels and reels.
Judge Eckles Given Charivari.
Amsden, Hatterbaugh & Coffin manufactured wheat fans for a few years begining about 1836. This firm employed as high as 25 men, and kept four peddlers with wagons on the road all the time-this was a ' large and important business. David Wampler conducted a big tannery at that place about this period.
The well known Judge Eckles was married at Mt. Tabor, and, of course, the citizens gave him an old-fashioned charivari or "belling."
A great number of tin pans, cans
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with rocks in them and all kinds of bells from sleigh, cow and sheep bells, to the big old "dinner" bells were fast- ened to the machinery in the old saw mill; the water was then turned on, thus giving the Judge and his bride a charivari by machinery.
Reached Population of 350
Mt. Tabor was at its best from 1835 to 1852, and probably did the greatest business early in the forties. Its highest population was about 350.
William Hite was the first postmas- ter, and Nathan Hill and F. G. Hite succeeded him. Besides those here- tofore mentioned in this article, we find the following were in business in the "deserted village" when it thrived:
John S. Barns started a store in 1834, and Gideon Walker ran a gro- cery about the same time. John Ben- nett began to sell goods in 1835. J. K. Hemphill also was in business about that time.
After this came Wampler, Shelburn & Dunning, in 1836; Ellett & Barns, in 1837; William Hite, 1839; James Whitesell, 1841; Felix G. Hite, 1841; A. W. Hill, 1843; W. J. Sparks, 1845; Sparks & Davis, 1847; (the Wamplers, Sparks, Whitesell, Hill, et al, were yet in business); George L. and Mil- ton Brown, 1840; William Houston, 1848; John C. Mays, 1849; Parks & Egbert, 1849; Sparks & Davis, 1849.
About the time of the war, in 1862- 1864, business and industry had dwindled and people had drifted away until at that time there was only one store in Mt. Tabor, which was kept by Levi Kean, the last store to be
kept in the village. William Cham- bers was an early wheelwright and the Posey Brothers made quite a number of hats from lambs' wool, which were disposed of in the sur- rounding community. Also a man named Moody, (we can not learn his given name at this time), conducted a talor shop in Mt. Tabor in about 1832-Edward Ellett succeeded him, and G. W. Boyd succeeded Mr. Ellett in the business.
Justice Baily Recalls Visits.
William L. Baily, Justice of the Peace in Bloomington, with offices in the court house, says that when he was a youngester (along in the eighties) he used to visit in the com- munity near old Mt. Tabor, and that only the old mill and a few houses were still standing on the site at that time And, today there is only a weatherbeaten old house or two to mark the once thriving throughfare. The busy business houses, manufactur- ing plants, the thronged streets and buildings have long disappeared.
In looking over the site of the old village, one is reminded of Gold- smith's lines which we quote at the beginning of this story.
Whether we desire to do so or not, we citizens of Bloomington must real- ize that, though Mt. Tabor had all the advantages of transportation, good business well established, and a fair foundation to build a metropolis from, she gradually died-died be- cause she did not constantly add to her population.
We can not "stand still" in this life -we must either progress or go back- ward.
EARLY PROSPERITY SMILED
ON TOWN OF STINESVILLE
The village of Stinesville was laid out by Eusebius Stine, owner, and John J. Poynter, surveyor, in 1855, on the southeast quarter of Section 17 in Bean Blossom township, Monroe county. The plat consisted of 114 lots, and owes its origin chiefly to the New Albany railroad, 15 lots of the plat being situated on the west side of the railroad track.
The village grew slowly, but re- ceived quite a boost when the Vir- ginia Company began quarrying American marbel west of the place on Big Creek.
Samuel Brisco probably started the first store, and John McHenry & Son brought a stock of merchan- dise a few years later. Then James Williams sold goods for a short time, and Mr. Matheny was probably next, followed by James Shell, with Thomas Riggs soon after.
William Easton opened the first hotel in Stinesville, and Dr. Mullinix was probably the first physician to locate in the village. John McHenry was the first postmaster. Eusebius Stine built the first sawmill; he also erected a small grist mill. These buildings were erected long before the town was started.
Among the early residents of Stinesville were Eusebius Stine, Samuel Brisco, Thomas Wilson, Charles Miller, Frank Ashbaugh, Mr. Matheny, Jackson Hite, William Eas- ton, George Pugh and their families, and probably a few others.
The great feature of the village has been the stone industry of the surrounding neighborhood.
Hotel Tourner
Hotel Bowles
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WOODBURN, ON SIXTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY GIVES $1,000 TO MEMORIAL FUND
Head of History Department Is Oldest Active Member of Faculty-Will Retire
in June. Dr. and Mrs. Woodburn Were Leaders in Raising of Funds for Student Building.
In commemoration of his 65th birth- day, Dr. James A. Woodburn, together with his wife, has forwarded a gift of $1,000 to the Million Dollar Me- morial fund, the first subscription to be received from a faculty member. The oldest active member of the faculty, and president of the alumni council, Dr. Woodburn has manifested a keen interest in the Memorial pro- ject since it was, first mentioned as a possible movement. He and Mrs. Woodburn have already made contri- butions to memorial or endowment funds of six different educational institutions, the University of Michi- gan, Mt. Holyoke, Wellesey, Johns Hopkins, Purdue and Indiana. They also were leaders in the raising of funds for the Student Building in 1903.
Will Retire in June.
Since 1890 Dr. Woodburn has held the chair of American history at In- diana University, and will have com- pleted a period of 32 years of con- tinuous service to the University when he retires at the end of the present year. Graduated from Indi- ana in 1876, he has since received de- grees from John Hopkins and Colgate universities.
Professor Woodburn has displayed an unusual interest in state and mu- nicipal political affairs since his con- nection with Indiana University. He is president of the Bloomington Ki- wanis club and an elder in the local United Presbyterian church. He has long been a member of all the im- portant state historical societies and has taken a lead in the programs of each. He is author of a number of historical works widely used as text- books in schools. He still resides in the house that was his father's home.
Works Have Won Renown.
Various agencies of the state have made recognition of Dr Woodburn's achievements as a teacher and his- torian. The Indianapolis Star, com- menting editorially last spring said in part: "He has accomplished an amaz- ing amount of literary work during his connection wtih the University. He has dealt extensively with govern- ment and politics. His 'Life of Thad- deus Stevens' is a valuable contribu- tion to American biography and na- tional history. He stands high in edu- cational circles and holds an enviable position as an authority on American history. He has so ing and so ably represented the University and his name is so intimately associated with it that he seems a permanent part of it."
The gift made yesterday by Dr. and Mrs.Woodburn is one of the larg- est received to date in the Memoriai campaign, and is a wholly voluntary one, being made before the real drive for subscriptions is opened .- Indiana Daily Student, Nov. 30, 1921.
Charles W. Moores was re-elected president of the Indiana Historical So- ciety at the annual business meet- ing in Indianapolis, December 29, 1921, in the auditorium of the public library. Other officers elected were: Professor James A. Woodburn, of In- diana University, first vice-president; William E. English, second vice-presi- dent; Harlow Lindley, third vice-presi- dent; Lee Burns, recording secre- tary, and Charles E. Coffin, treasurer. The executive committee for 1922 is composed of the following, in addition to the officers: Evans Woollen, chair-
Dr. James A. Woodburn
man; L. N. Hines, Miss Harriet Palmer, of Indiana University; Mrs. F. A. Martin and Jacob P. Dunn.
The constitution of the society was amended so as to permit the annual business meeting to be held at the time of the joint conference on the history of the early part of the year with the historical society, the histor- ical commission and the Society of In- diana Pioneers. A report on member- ship showed a gain of 570 in 1921. There are now 700 members.
Professor Woodburn read a memor- ial to Judge Daniel Wait Howe, late ex-president of the society. Two gifts of historical documents were received by the organization.
INDIANA SCHOOLS GET $1,623,785 FROM STATE
January Apportionment for 1922 Has Been Distributed-Raised by Taxation, Fees.
A total of $1,623,785.33 has been distributed to the ninety-two counties of the state as the semi-annual ap-
portionment of the state school fund, J. S. Hubbard, deputy state superin- tendent of public instruction, an- nounced. The fund is distributed in January and June of each year.
The money was distributed on the basis of $2,036 for each of the 797,- 537 school children in Indiana. Ma- rion county received the largest amount, the total being $168,880.09. The smallest amount of the money went to Ohio county, which receive l $1,860.90.
The state school fund is derived from the state school tax, interest on the common school fund, unclaimed fees, manuscript fees, and show licen- ses. The largest source of income is the state school tax, which this year provided $1,619,817.63.
The amount of money received by Monroe county was $16,349.08.
MONROE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY ACTIVE MANY YEARS
Monroe County's Medical Society was organized during the period of activity among members of the old- school medical profession, and as the older doctors of the community gradu- ally gave place to newer blood of the on-coming generations, the organiza- tion has continued to live, regardless of the theory of practice.
This organization is affilliated with the State and National Medical So- ciety and numbers nearly every grad- uate practicing physician in Monroe County among its membership.
Practicing physicians who were members of the Monroe County Medi- cal Society January 1, 1922 are:
Dr. F. A. Austin, Dr. Fred H. Bat- man, Dr. W. N. Culmer, Dr. C. E. Harris, Dr. G. F. Holland, Dr. W. W. Harris. Dr. J. E. P. Holland, Dr. P. C. Holland, Dr, J. Kentling, Dr. J. E. Luzadder, Dr. O. M. Morris, Dr. J. E. Rogers, Dr. J. C. Ross, Dr. Rodney D. Smith, Dr. C. C. Stroup, Dr. F. F. Tourner. Dr. J. P. Tourner, Dr. Leon E. Wetsell, Dr. J. W. Wiltshire, Dr Homer Woolery, all maintaining office and practice in Bloomington; with Dr. Burton Myers. Professor of Anatomy in Indiana University, and Dr. O. K. Harr's. of Ellettsville, Dr. Mitchell. of Smithville, and Mrs. Luck as phy- sician for women at Indiana Univer- sitv. completes what we are informed is the correct membership at present.
"ACCORDING TO HOYLE."
Edmund Hoyle (1672-1769) was an English writer on whist and card games. He was the first man to systematize the laws of whist, and for a time he supported himself by teach- ing, the game. His famous "Short Treatise on Whist" appeared in Lon- don in 1742. Rules for other games followed, and his book of games, which included the "Short Treatise," has passed into many editions. His name has become proverbial, and "Hovle," in common speech, means a book of rules and instructions for card games, especially the famous book edited by Hoyle himself: The common expres- sion, "according to Hoyle," means fol- lowing the rules laid down in Hoyle.
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OLD UNIONVILLE SCENE OF HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IN 1861-WHOLE FAMILY BUTCHERED
Monroe County Shocked by Terrible Crime-Believed Act of Mad Man- His- tory of Early Days of Village-New Unionville Result of Railroad.
One forenoon in September, 1861, (old) Unionville and Benton town- ship inhabitants were shocked by one of the most tragic incidents ever tak- ing place in Monroe county, Indiana. The whole community was horrified when people heard of the awful crime that had been committed in the Cox home.
Neighbors found on that fateful day, when they entered the premises of a man named John B. Cox, that a whole family had been terribly butchered, seemingly in cold blood.
Horrifying Scene.
Within the house a shocking scene met the startled eyes of the first neigh- bor who made the discovery of the awful murder. Mrs. Cox lay upon a bed with her throat slashed from ear to ear, while the husband and father of the family, John B. Cox, was found laying unconscious in his own blood on the porch of the house, weakened from the loss of blood from several (leep cuts and severe bruises about his neck and head.
Upon another bed near the mother was found a little girl of ten years, whose throat was horribly mangled. She was still breathing, but had lost consciousness. Upon the floor near the bed on which this girl was found, an- other younger girl was found dead
with her head half severed from the body.
A trundle-bed was found to hold two smaller children, a girl who was se- verely cut about the neck but not mort- ally wounded, and a boy of about ten, who was unconscious from the loss of blood from severe cuts inflicted on his person.
This little boy, it seems, was not a member of the Cox family. He was considerably scratched and bruised, and evidence showed plainly that the little fellow had put up a terrible fight for his life, as the bedding was torn and scattered over the room.
A baby, the youngest child of the Cox family, was found to be the only member of the household that was un- hurt, and this caused not a little com- ment and wonder at the time.
Large Crowd Gathers.
Soon the word of the ghastly mur- der became spread throughout the community, and an enormous crowd gathered at the scene of the crime to view the horrible sight.
It seems that Mr. Cox had been hav- ing trouble with his neighbors, who were immediately arrested upon sus- picion of having had a hand in the terrible crime, and they were taken to Bloomington for safe keeping. Later, these men were tried in the county
court and acquitted of the charges.
The dead and wounded were removed to the residence of William Cox, near the scene of the tragedy. As soon as John B. Cox regained consciousness he stated that several men had attacked the family during the night, and had knocked him senseless, after which he knew nothing until the shouts of the neighbors had aroused him, the next morning.
Cox Believed Off Mentally.
It was believed, later, by many peo- ple, that John B. Cox, who was at times afflicted mentally, had commit- ted the horrible deeds during a fit of temporary insanity.
Cox disappeared from the commun- ity soon after the trials of his neigh- bors, and one Bloomington man who came home from the Civil war on fur- lough, stated that John B. Cox had re- ported for roll call in his company one morning with other recruits, but when recognized the man disappeared and it was believed that he went into the Confederate lines. This was the last time he was ever heard of by Monroe county people.
Many people in the community in- sisted on taking the matter as the act of an insane man, and the case termi- nated with this view. The wounded children connected with this tragedy have all recovered and lived to the present time, growing into useful and upright citizens.
Old Unionville was the only village in Benton township, Monroe county until the Indianapolis Southern (now the Illinois Central) railroad was built, about 1904-1905, when a num-
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Scene on Indiana University Campus
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ber of families moved to the present site of the hamlet of (new) Unionville which was established when the rail- road built a station about three miles west of the old site of Unionville.
Alexander First Merchant. It is probable that J. J. Alexander
SAYS REST OF WORLD WORKS WHILE U.S. PLAYS
W. L. Harding, former Governor of lowa, discussing the status of the farmer Jan. 11, 1922, said the fed- eral reserve banks and the war fi- nance board do not understand the farmers' situation at present.
"Farmers should have one year's time on paper instead of ninety days," he asserted. "The wheels of pros- perity will start again when the farm- ers begin to buy, but they will not begin to buy until they get better prices. While Germany, France and all the rest of the world are hard at work getting back their trade lost during the war, this country is at play, and capital and labor are at each other's throats. We had better buckle up our belts and take the slack out and get down to work."
Mr. Harding said the farmers had been hit harder by the business de- pression than any other class.
"We are poor," he added.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY INCOME AND EXPENSES GIVEN
Purdue university and Indiana Uni- versity received in the six months ended December 31, 1921, $1,424,127.42 expended $1,243,105.70, had left a bal- ance of $170,756.32 and had at the beginnig of the period a balance of $52,353.85, reports they have field with William G. Oliver, state auditor, show. The Purdue report does not include figures for its extensive agri- cultural experiment station. The In- diana University report does not in- clude figures for its medical school with the hospital division.
The Purdue report shows that the university began the period with a balance of $38,742, received $751,594, expended $473,235 and ended the per- iod with a balance of $154,482.
The Indiana University report shows that it began the period with a balance of $13,611, received $672,- 532, expended $669,870 and ended the period with a balance of $16,273.
There were in each instance a num- ber of bills belonging to the pre- vious half-year, paid in the period, and likewise a number of bills which should have been presented for pay- ment in the period will not be paid until in the first half of 1922.
The Purdue report gives all its salaries, exclusive of the agricultural station, as amounting to $267.788 for the period. The Indiana University report shows no such tabulation.
Indiana University celebrated the 102nd anniversary of its founding Friday, Jan. 20, with an all-Univer- sity convocation.
was the first merchant, as he opened a store worth about $900 in 1836, and soon did a good business. Late in the forties, James Carter opened a store and continued the business for a num- ber of years. C. C. Fleener opened a store about the same time.
F. R. Miller engaged in business at
the plece about 1852, and thus the business life of the place went on, usually one or two merchantile estab- lishments, a blacksmith shop, post of- fice, carpenter shop or two, along with about a dozen families composing the population of the village.
BLOOMINGTON'S POSTMASTERS CHANGE IN 1922
January 21, 1922, a change in post- masters for the Bloomington postof- fice took place. William M. Graham, a Republican leader in the civic affairs of the city having successfully passed the civil service requirements, was rec- ommended to the Congress by Repre- sentative Oscar Bland, from the Sec- ond District, and received the appoint- ment as postmaster of Bloomington, Ind.
The quarterly report of the Bloom-
ington postoffice shows receipts of $20,988.90 compared with $16,684.24 . for the same three months last year. The receipts have gradually increased from $27,000 in 1913 to estimated re- ceipts of $75,000 for the present year.
The outgoing postmaster is Oscar H. Cravens, who has been efficient in carrying on the postal affairs of the office for eight years, having received the appointment during a Democratic administration, then a re-appointment
Postmaster William M. Graham
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for a second term as Bloomington's postmaster. The following article ap- peared in the Cincinnati Enquirer, of January 8, 1922, which will give a hint as to the political activities of the Second District at the present writing:
A movement is being launched in the Sec- ond District to nominate Oscar Cravens of Bloomington, as the Democratic candidate for Congress. He recently resigned as postmas- ter at Bloomington. He has published a Democratic newspaper in Mronoe county for years and is one of the most popular men in the district.
The Second was a Democratic stronghold until it was divided by the Cullop and anti- Cullop factions. The victories of the Demo- crats in the recent city elections have given to them the hope that they can carry the Second if the factional strife can be elimi- nated.
Certain leaders were saying this week that Cravens is the one man upon whom all of the factions can unite, as he has not antag- onized any of them. It is said that Cravens, while not a candidate, would not be adverse to accepting if the nomination came without opposition.
Representative Oscar Bland, Republican, will have no opposition in the Second for renomination, but observing politicians of both parties have come to look upon the Sec- ond again as doubtful territory .- Cincinnati Enquirer. Jan. 8.
The first act of William M. Gra- ham after assuming his official du- ties as Bloomington's postmaster for 1922 was to subscribe $250 to Indiana University's million dollar memorial fund.
Retiring Postmaster Oscar H. Cra- vens likewise made a contribution of $250 to the State University memoria! as his last act in the office of post- master.
Both Mr. Graham and Mr. Cravens are former students of Indiana Uni- versity.
Bloomington's Post Office Building as it appeared in 1922.
FIRST PIANO TO ENTER BLOOMINGTON IS RE- TURNED 99 YEARS AFTER INITIAL TRIP- BELONGED TO PIONEER PROFES- SOR IN COLLEGE
Another treasure, coming, we might say, out of the mists of pio- neer days, is the old square-upright piano used by Professor Baynard R. Hall, the first professor in the old
Seminary (which has ultimately de- veloped into the wonderfully com- plete Indiana University of today). This old musical instrument shows by its mahogany inlaid case the aris- tocratic atmosphere from which it evidently was taken when Professor Hall "imported" it into the then new State of Indiana. It is probable, that this instrument was the first piano that was ever brought to Blooming- ton, as Mr. Hall had it carried by ox-team and flat boat from Philadel- phia to Bloomington in 1823, when this village was rather young.
The return of the old relic of refine- ment and culture of the pioneer life of the community to the city of high- er learning seems but fitting triumph during the present age, when people are reviving olden memories and building memorials for past heroes, lest "others may forget."
Return Seems Triumphant.
The old piano came again to Indi- ana's seat of learning through a be- quest of Mrs. George Roberts, of Vicksburg, Miss., and arrived in Bloomington for the second time in January, 1922, ninty-nine years af- ter its first arrival.
During the life of James O. Howe, who came into possession of the old piano of Professor Hall in 1861, the University had expressed a desire of obtaining it as a relic of its history. Having had knowledge of the often- expressed desire of the University, Mrs. Roberts made provision in her will that the school should have the old instrument upon her death, which occurred during 1921.
The piano first arrived here by wagon from Philadelphia, before the
Oscar H. Cravens, Outgoing Postmaster and Editor.
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days of railroads and steamboats on the Ohio. Professor Hall learning of his appointment as a professor in 1823, sent east for this luxurious piano, and took up his duties as sole professor when the Seminary opened in 1824. The piano safely crossed the mountains, traveled down the Ohio in a flatboat, and then came overland from Louisville, arriving "in tune."
Heavy rains were encountered on the trip from Louisville; the water was high, and streams had to be forded. In crossing one narrow ford seven feet deep the piano had to be blocked up to keep the water from entering the case.
Natives Flock To Hear It.
The arrival of the piano is vividly described in "The New Purchase," by Dr. James A. Woodburn. In the words of the owner: "It arrived in tune, at least we played tunes on it. Natives flocked around the doors and windows, looked in and walked in; came by day or night, 'never dreamin' to be troublesome, just sorter wantin' ter hear that powerful pianne tune again. They often sort of wanted to see the lid tuck up to see the tune played, and see them jumpers dance the wires so most mightly darn pow- erful smart.'
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