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 6
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"I remember grandfather had a
roan horse. He went for his horse one morning, only to find that it had been stolen. Great lamentations fol- lowed, but a few mornings afterward the old horse stood at the gate well- rigged out with new saddle and bridle -all complete.
Recites Incidents 90 Years Back.
"When grandfather's property was sold, after his death, a family of his. slaves were exposed to sale, which, by his will, were not to be sold out- side of the family. That was con- sidered humane in those days. Father bought a boy named Moses, and he and I were reared together.
"The people of those days were thrown upon their own resources. No labor-saving machinery. All came out of the ground-both eating and wear- ing.
"Men would raise cotton and flax and the women would card, spin and weave clothing for themselves and children.
"They had dresses of different colors and stripes. They got the colors from indigo of their own rais- ing, copperas and various kinds of blossoms.
Gave Steer For Piece of Calico.
"The first calico dress I ever saw, father purchased for my sister, who was then about sixteen years of age .- He gave a three-year-old steer for- six yards, which completed the dress. I suppose if ladies nowadays (he was writing about 1878 when dresses were rather full), were confined to six yards for a dress, they should think it rather tight.
"Education was quite limited. Our school house was made of round logs, with a dirt floor. Split logs with legs
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Monroe County's Magnificent modern Court House, construct ed of native stone, as it appeared in 1922
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Historic Treusures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
put in served for seats. Large cracks were left to admit the light.
"Our books consisted of, first, a primer, then Dike's spelling book, then Dilworth's, then Webster's first edition, completed one list of spelling books.
"Our first reader was called a 'Psalter,' some old English concern, then the Testament and Bible. These completed our reading books. No grammer, geography, nor history was in use that I ever heard of till my education was completed. I learned to cipher as far as the rule of three, and some in fractions; could write a tolerable hand, and was considered a fair scholar for those days. Our school house was also used for a church.
Girls "Put On Style."
"When young people walked to meeting together, the girls would tie their shoes and stockings in their handkerchiefs, and carry them on their arm until within sight of the church, when they would put them on, and so march up in style. We boys were spared that trouble, from the fact that we had none.
"The girls' dress in winter was of woolen goods called 'linsey'; in sum- mer, cotton stripe. Boys' dress for winter was buckskin breeches and shoes-no boots. The custom was for almost every farmer to tan his own leather and make shoes for himself and family.
"Our diet was hog and hominy for breakfast, vegetables for dinner, and a hearth full of roasted sweet pota- toes for supper. Sugar and coffee for only special occasions. Fruit was abundant. Peach brandy and honey were tolerably plenty; whiskey scarce. There were very few drunkards. No doctors or lawyers. I never saw either, that I know of, until I was fifteen years old.
Emigrate After War of 1812.
"Soon after the war of 1812, when things had somewhat settled, my father and family, with enough others to make a right smart colony, con- cluded to emigrate to some new coun- try.
"The Territory of Indiana was the place chosen, and we landed in Law- rence county, on the east fork of White river, October, 1815. The land was not yet in the market, but was surveyed off, ready to be sold. We chose our lots, and settled on them, built our cabins, and cleared a con- siderable amount of land. As the sale was to come off the next season, at Jeffersonville, a dozen or more of us went down.
"The land was to be sold to the highest bidder. When the sale took place, a man by the name of Buslitt had a longer pole than ours, and 'knocked the persimmons,' sweeping the entire settlement. Not the first man saved his land or improvements.
"So, we marched home, feeling as if we had lost a friend. I had about eight acres cleared, surrounded by a good fence.
"The part of the territory where we now live did not come into market until the next season, so we concluded
to make another trial. We moved again and selected our lots.
(Editor's Note-This selection was in the present Richland township, near Ellettsville, as described above.)
Purchases For Entire Colony.
"The next sale took place at Vin- cennes in October, 1816. By this time we became somewhat acquainted with fever and ague. I was the only one able to attend the sale, and I took the chills while there.
"I purchased for nearly the entire colony-about a dozen lots in all. After the sale, we went that winter and built cabins on our lots, and cleared some ground. I got in about six acres of fine corn, which was our sole dependence for the year.
"But lo! In October there came a frost which bit the last ear (so with the whole settlement). Then we were in a fix! We had no mills to grind our corn, so we were compelled to pound it into meal.
"There was one hand mill in the settlement. But the corn was so soft it would neither beat nor grind, until it was kiln-dried.
"I made a scaffold up in the chim- ney and dried mine; then I had my choice, to go a mile to the hand mill, or to pound it.
"Many a time I have worked hard all day, and at night taken one-half bushel of corn to the hand mill and ground it.
"I had myself, wife and five child- ren to feed. That would be thought of as pretty hard, these times. Never- theless, we never suffered from hunger. I was considered a good shot. In a few hours I could bring in ven- ison or turkey. We also had plenty of milk and butter. So, we passed the season safely.
Indians Were Plentiful.
"When we first moved here, Dela- ware and Pottawattomie Indians were plentiful. They had a trading house within a half-mile of where I now live. They were quite friendly, and often would come with their squaws and papooses to stay all night with us.
"When we got our ground ready for rolling, we would invite our neigh- bors to the frolic. Choosing our cap- tains, they would in turn choose their hands, and at it we would go. If ever you saw logs come together, it was about that time.
"Before we commenced work we had to take a little 'critter'! It is not worth while to say we did not feel the drink, for that was what we drank it for. We had none who might be called drunkards, but such a gather- ing nowadays might all be counted as drunkards.
"Such was the custom of the coun- try at that time. Oh, what a thing custom is when rightly considered, whether good or bad.
"The year after we moved to the Territory, delegates were elected for the purpose of forming a state con- stitution. Counties were then laid off and established.
"Before Monroe county was or- ganized, an election was ordered to choose three commissioners, a clerk and a sheriff. B. Woodward, Michael
Buskirk and myself (James Parks, Sr.) were elected commissioners.
Organized Monroe County.
"We proceeded to organize the coun- ty. We purchased a half-section of land,where the court house now stands (in Bloomington). We laid off the public square, and had a court house and jail built thereon.
"Lots were surveyed and sold, bringing a considerable revenue. We were now ready to hold court, and the county machinery was ready for action.
"It now became necessary to have a school commissioner. I offered my services, and was elected.
"In order to put the school in opera- tion, it became my duty to sell all the sixteen sections to the highest bidder. By this means, a large fund was raised and the school placed on a firm basis. (I have to make long strides on account of my records being burned up).
"In the year 1832, I offered for the legislature (lower house), and was elected. I served my time at $2 a day, and boarded myself. Finding that there was not much money in such warfare, and perhaps less credit, I would not offer any more.
"Some years afterward, I was again elected school commissioner for the county. At the expiration of my term of office, I retired from public life- I never was beaten for any office i offered for.
Voted For Thomas Jefferson.
"The first president I ever voted for was Thomas Jefferson for his sec- ond term of office. I have been a straightforward Democrat ever since -voted for all the candidates for of- fice, except Greeley. I thought the Democrats got off the track there, and I would not follow them.
"I have lived on the farm where I now live for sixty-two years. I have been the ancestor of eleven children, fifty-six grandchildren, eighty great- grandchildren, and five great-great- grandchildren, thus being at this time, the representative of five generations.
"I joined the Baptist church in North Carolina about the year 1807. I was one of the charter members of Old Vernal Church, the first congre- gation organized in the County of Monroe, and was deacon of the church for quite a number of years.
"I have endeavored to live peaceably with all men, and to live in accordance with the will of my Heavenly Master, to the best of my knowledge.
"I have fought the good fight, nave almost run my race, and am now pa- tiently waiting for the good Lord to call me home, where there is a heaven- ly mansion prepared for me not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
"JAMES PARKS."
We have carefully compared the above writing with notes of history, and old records, and by casual inquiry have verified the statements Mr. Parks made in his remarkable sketch of his own life events.
Was Wonderful Man.
When we consider the fact that this sketch was made by a man who has lived far beyond the age when most men have vitality enough to re-
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
count in verbal conversation sketches of early events, we must give James Parks credit for being of wonderful vitality to have produced this clear, understandable historic sketch. We trust that future generations in Mon- roe county's bounds may appreciate the fortitude of the sturdy pioneer in giving to us this rare morsel of true literature, writen in such interesting manner, with due regard to details, without becoming dry or monotonous. Mr. Parks lived until 1882, four years after he had written the above sketch, and died at the age of 101 years.
We find that he touched upon only those points in his career which he deemed important to later genera- tions. Many other interesting things are told by neighbors, about Mr.
Parks, as the following little epi- sode, which is quite amusing:
One morning, very early, James Parks, Sr., was aroused from sleep before the usual time by a peculiar noise on the door step. Getting up as quietly as possible, Mr. Parks walked to a window which commanded a view of the door step.
When he looked out, much to his astonishment and with some alarm, he saw a big black bear lying there asleep.
The settler got his rifle, and taking cautious aim at a vital part of the animal's anatomy, pulled the trig- ger. The sharp report was followed by the death growls of Bruin, and in a few moments all was still; the bear was dead-the family ate bearsteak for breakfast.
FIRST INCORPORATION OF BLOOMINGTON WAS UNDER SPECIAL CHARTER IN 1845-GIVEN UP IN 1858-INCORPORATED AGAIN IN 1859
History of Municipal Affairs of Present City Show Signs of Turmoil in Early
Days-Progress of Citizenship Reflected in Official Business Administra- tions-Became a City in 1866.
It is believed by many people who have never taken the trouble to in- vestigate further than a mere guess, that since Bloomington was laid out as the county seat of Monroe county at the time of the organization of the county, that it was an incorporated town from that date.
Upon investigation, it will be found that as early as March, 1827, the citi- zens of the town of Bloomington, pur- suant to notice, gathered at the court house, in order to ascertain at the polls whether the county seat of Mon- roe county, Indiana should become the incorporated town of Bloomington.
Incorporation Proposed.
At this meeting, Ellis Stone was chosen as president (chairman) of the meeting, and Benjamin V. Peele was chosen as secretary.
It was decided, on motion, to put the question to test by a viva voice vote, and resulted as follows:
When the question was put, and the results counted, the secretary re- ported that a majority of 15 voiced a desire to have the town incorporated, as there were 18 votes for incorpora- tion and only 3 votes against the proposition.
An election of the necessary num- ber of trustees was ordered for the purpose, to be held on the following September 8, 1828, and was held with the subjoined result, as shown by the returns of the board of election:
"At an election held in the town of Bloomington on the 8th day of Sep- tember, 1828, to elect Trustees for the incorporation of the town, agree- ably to the act of the General As- sembly, we hereby certify that the following persons were duly elected: Joshua O. Howe, William Alexander, Asher Labertew, Robinson Graham and James Evans. Given under our
hand and seals this 17th day of Sep- tember, 1828.
"Truely and duely done.
"JACOB B. LOWE, Clerk. "ASHER LABERTEW,
"JAMES EVANS, Judges." Special Charter Granted.
It is evident that the municipal gov- ernment project was allowed to die out, after the above mentioned pro- ceedings, as we are not able to find any record of further action until late in the decade of the forties.
The incorporation project was evi- dently revived late in the forties, as we find the proceedings of the legis- lature shows the following:
"Section . Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of In- diana, That such part of the town- ship of Bloomington, in the County of Monroe as is included within the fol- lowing limits and boundaries, that is to say, beginning at the northeast corner of Outlot No. 21, thence west to the northwest corner of Outlot 39, thence south of the southwest corner of Outlot 8, thence west to the north- west corner of Outlot No. 41, thence south to the southwest corner of irac- tional Lot No. 26, thence east to the northeast corner of Outlot 35, thence south to the southwest corner of frac- tional Lot. No. 9, thence east to the southeast corner of University Square, thence north to the southwest corner of Outlot No. 72, thence east to the southeast corner of Outlot 75, thence to the northeast corner of Outlot 21, the place of beginning, including all the inlots and outlots of said town, be and the same is hereby erected into a town corporate which shall hence- forth be known and designated by the name of the town of Bloomington, sub- ject, however, to such repeal, altera-
tion and regulation as the Legislature may from time to time prescribe."
Provides For Officers.
Section 2 of this enactment pro- vided for the election of a Mayor, a recorder and five trustees, who should constitute a body corporate with per- petual succession, and to be known as the Common Council of Bloomington. Section 3 provided for the annual election of town officers. Section 4 provided for the administration of jus- tice within the corporate limits. Sec- tion 5 provided for meetings of the Council, specified what should consti- tute a quorum, and regulated the pas- sage or adoption of town ordinances. Subsequent sections regulated the mu- nicipal government.
This act was approved by the Gov- ernor of the State of Indiana, on Jan- uary 13, 1845.
Records show that by an act ap- proved January 16, 1849, the above act was amended so as to regulate the working of streets, and another amendment approved on February 12, 1851, the corporate limits were changed as follows:
Territory Added.
"Said town corporate shall include the southeast quarter of Section 32, in Township 9 north, Range 1 west, and the southwest quarter of Section 33, Township 9 north, Range 1 west, and the following: Beginning at the southwest corner of Seminary Outlot No. 60, thence with and including the street to the southeast corner of Sem- inary Outlot No. 76, thence north with and including the street to the south- east corner of said quarter section secondly above mentioned."
The same act also provided that eleven Trustees should be elected in- stead of but five, and the name be- came "The Council of Bloomington." A number of changes were made, also in the administration of justice with- in the corporate town of Bloomington.
The citizens of Bloomington met in the courthouse in March, 1847, in pur- suance of the Act of 1845, and pro- ceeded to ballot for Mayor, Recorder, Marshal, Treasurer and five Council- men.
John Lawrence Mayor
When the votes were counted, it ap- peared that John Lawrence was elect- ed Mayor; Robert Acuff, Recorder; A. Labertew, Treasurer; D. B. Judah, Marshal, and W. H. Smith, Samuel Kirk, J. M. Howe, John Graham and Joseph McPheeters, Councilmen for the incorporate town of Bloomington.
First Meeting of Council.
On the date of March 6, 1847, the first meeting of the Town Council was held in the recorder's office.
The first act was to appoint a com- mittee to draft such ordinances as were deemed necessary by the com- mittee for the town's government, which were to be presented to the full Council for adoption or rejection.
Orders were then given for procur- ing the necessary record books, and the Council adjourned.
The Council evidently got down to business in a hury at its second meet- ing, as the records show that Samuel Moore was given permission to occupy a portion of the street for his brick
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
shed, and David B. Judah was appoint- ed Street Supervisor or Commissioner.
The Council then proceeded to adopt sixteen ordinances for the municipal government of the town. Ordinance 13 was rather peculiar and attracts attention now, not for its importance, but rather for its sly way of getting around the "Dog Proposition" in the town, which follows:
Dog Ordinance.
"13th. No person shall be allowed to keep a dog within the limits of the corporation. Any person violating this ordinance shall be fined 50 cents for each dog so kept, provided that no person shall be fined more than once during the same year for the same dog."
We can readily see that the ordin- ance was merely an annual city tax of 50 cents on each dog in the town, but in no way gave any protec- tion to the owner of the dog, as the ordinance made it a misdemeanor to keep a dog within the corporate bounds of Bloomington.
But is seems that the dog owners saw the "Joker" in the dog tax ordi- nance, for, at the August meeting of the council a petition signed by 103 citizens of Bloomington was present- ed to the Council, praying that above ordinance be repealed.
The Council proceeded to hear ar- guments for and against the repeal of the ordinance, and the petitioners were finally victorious, for the ordi- nance was finally repealed after much discussion.
The ship of town government seems to have had some stormy weather to face along at this time, as the records show that at the next meeting of the Council the Mayor tendered his resig- nation, which was laid upon the table until the next day, and was then re- fused.
After some promises, it seems that the Mayor was persuaded that the assurances of support of the Council were sincere, and His Honor with- drew the document and the skies were once more clear and bright.
At the same meeting Samuel M. Orchard was granted permission to erect hay scales on Market street.
Considerable time was spent in re- vising and amending the town charter, which was then turned over to the Representative in the State Legis- lature from Monroe county, to be passed at the next session.
Tax 10 Cent on $100.
In January, 1848, a tax of 10 cents. on each $100 worth of taxable prop- erty was levied for town purposes. In February, 1848, the following res- olution was passed:
"Resolved, That Hon. William Berry is entitled to the thanks of this Coun- cil for his promptness and energy in securing the passage of a new charter in the State Senate, which was all that this board asked or desired on his part, and that a copy of this res- olution be handed to him."
Just what were the changes in the Charter that were made at this time can not be stated, but following this, the records show that James S. Hes- ter was appointed Town Attorney.
Mr. Smith resigned as Councilman, and Dr. R. C. Hamill was appointed
as successor to finish the unexpired term of Mr. Smith.
At the election held in 1848, David H. Maxwell was elected Mayor of Bloomington; J. G. McPheeters, Re- corder; D. B. Judah, Marshal; Asher Labertew, Treasurer; Joseph M. Howe Elias Able, Henery Tanner, William Owen and Alfred Mercer, Councilmen.
Liquor licenses was fixed at $25. In May and June, 1848 active work was done in improving and grading the town streets and sidewalks.
In 1851, a resolution was presented in the Council meeting for the purpose of increasing the tax on retail liquor dealers with a town license of $500, additional to any county, state or gov- ernment tax.
After much discussion and a num- ber of warm speeches on both sides, the resolution was adopted by the Council.
Cholera Visits Town.
Cholera swept this part of Indiana in 1851, and Bloomington did not es- cape, quite a number of her citizens dying from the dreaded disease.
So dangerous became conditions from the epidemic that the State Uni- versity closed down and the students were sent home.
The Town Council purchased 200 bushels of fresh lime, which was scat- tered throughout the town.
It was also decreed by the Council that all saloons be closed until the scourge was safely passed. This was indeed a wise move, as it was at this time (1851-52) that the new railroad -the New Albany & Salem Railroad was being graded and construction work going on in the town of Bloom- ington, and great gangs of men were employed here.
It was found that some of the town's streets would of necessity have to be changed in order to facilitate the entrance of the railroad through the town.
In several years following much ex- pensive work was done upon the streets of the town-so much so that a strong sentiment was finally engen- dered against the continuation of town affairs under control of the munici- pal government plan.
Election Held To Determine.
This growing sentiment of opposi- tion led to an opening of the polls in January, 1858, to determine whether the corporation should be disolved. The voters indicated their desire by casting 115 ballots with "Yes" on them, and 101 had the word "No" on, giving a majority of fourteen votes in favor of dissolution. The munici- pal government was then dissolved.
The following is a clipping from the Bloomington Republican, issued in August, 1858, which gives a peep further into town affairs at that time:
"Corporation Meeting-Pursuant to public notice, a meeting of the voters of the town of Bloomington was held at the court house in said town on Monday evening, the 2d of August, 1858, for the purpose of disposing of the property, money, and effects be- longing to the late corporation of said town, which corporation has been abolished by a vote of the legal voters of the same,
"The meeting was organized by
calling Samuel H. Buskirk to the Chair, and appointing Milton McPhet- ridge, Secretary. The object of the meeting was then stated by the Chair.
"Robert C. Foster, President of the Board of Trustees of said town, sub- mitted the following statement of property, money and effects of said corporation, and libilities of the same, viz:
"There is due said corporation as follows:
In Treasurer Sluss's hand .. $ 26.00
In Marhal High's hands (Citizens Bank) 133.00
In hands of Lemuel Gentry 830.00
Taxes unpaid for 1855 and 1856 1,679.50
Takes unpaid for 1857 160.00
Due from James W. Throop for fines 4.00
Total $2,833.04
Resolution To Dismiss Suit.
"Robert C. Foster offered the fol- lowing resoultion, viz:
"Resolved, That the corporation suit now pending in the Supreme Court of the State of Indiana, be dismissed, the appellants paying all the costs that have accrued in the Common Pleas Court, Circuit Court and Supreme Court.
"Resolved, That the funds in the hands and now due from Lemuel Gen- try, Treasurer of Monroe County, and paid in on the taxes of 1855 and 1856, be distributed to each of the persons who have paid the same, in propor- tion to the amount paid.
"Resolved, That a committee of two be appointed by the President of this meeting to make such distribution, and when so distributed issue certifi- cates to the persons entitled thereto; when
"Dr. William C. Foster moved to strike out the first resolution and in- sert the following:
"Resolved, That a committee of two be appointed to prosecute the suit in the Supreme Court, and to collect the delinquent taxes of 1855 and 1856; which motion was not adopted.
"Whereupon a division of the ques- tion was demanded by Mr. McCul- lough, and a vote was taken on the first resolution, which was adopted.
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