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 8
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"AUNT MOLLEY" STEWART, BORN IN 1838 TELLS ABOUT BLOOMINGTON MAN'S SUCCESS
Reared in Monroe County-Nearly 84 Years in Watching Back-Woods Town Grow Into Present City-Recalls Civil War and Tells of Proud Military Record of Men-Folk-Impressed by Progress of Local Churches.
Mary Elizabeth Paley was ushered into this world on January 15, 1838, in a house situated just two miles west of Bloomington, in Monroe County, Indiana, and was reared in the healthful atmosphere of the region, blossoming forth into a youth of maid- enhood which has lingered in her sunny character through her eighty- three year of life, and shows today in a woman of rather mature years, but still in the prime of life.
Mary E. Paley was the maiden name of Bloomington's much-loved and wholly pleasing "Aunt Molley" Stewart, who will be 84 years of age (not old, mind you) on January 15, 1922, although we would readily guess her to be but fifty, with her winsome smile and pleasing manner.
"I was married to John H. Carth- cart in 1859," said Aunt Molley, in an interview, "who went through the war of 1861-1864 as a volunteer in the Union army, and came out with the rank of sergeant, making me very proud of my husband. Mr. Carthcart left me a widow on September 28, 1878, and some time later I married my late husband's captain of war days, Captain Robert R. Stewart, of Mitchell, Ind.
Mr. Stewart found that I loved
Blomington so dearly I could never be satisfied to live elsewhere, so he made me a home in this city to the time of his death.
"I am rather proud of the record of my men-folk, as besides the two hus- bands who fought in the rebellion, my uncle, John Eller, who was at one time sheriff of Monroe county, lost his life in the service of his country during the Mexican war. Then, my nephew went to the aid of his coun- try's cause in the late world war, and I am quite pleased with him for it. Last year, and this year, while at- tending the National G.A.R. Encamp- ment in Indianapolis, I had the hon- cr of being the only woman present at the Woman's Relief Corps sessions who had been married to a soldier be- fore the war of the rebellion."
When asked what impressed her most, as of greatest importance in the surrounding community during her eventful and active life, Mrs. Stewart smiled, and remarked that everything that was good which happened had impressed her as of importance Then, after contemplation, she con- tinued :
"The wonderful growth of Bloom- ingtor's churches has impressed me
more than any one thing along with the advancement of the city from a small, muddy county seat town. Why, I remember the old Methodist church had no bell, but a great big horn was blowed to announce the meetings to the people.
"Along with this religious growth, the W.C.T.U. must be given some credit for the wonderful fight that the good women of this community nas made against intemperance and im- moral things.
"The most creditable mark of enter- prise, I believe that was ever made in the community, was that of Henry Gentry, who started in as a little boy, without any capital whatever, only his natural grit and ambition, and amassed a substantial fortune, which he has used in helping those about him to prosperity.
"Henry started out as a bare-footed lad, to train five common cur dogs which he had "picked up," and he was so clever in handling his trained dogs that people wanted to see them per- form. From this start, little by little, the boy built up the world-famous Gentry Dog and Pony Shows, which were sold only a few years ago for a fabulous sum of money. He also gave Bloomington its first modern hotel, and one of the largest chemical con- cerns in the country-He always boosted.
"But the thing which stands out in the life of Henry Gentry, even more than his great financial success, has been his philanthropic and charitable deeds for not alone his own people, but the whole community-even to helping business men who had refused him aid when he was struggling so hard with early ventures."
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On Moonlight Nights
On moonlit nights: The time to stroll, And chat of sweetest nothingness- Young lovers, to us seem so droll, As in emotion's strong control They laugh and coo-their love confess.
Ah, we-though wed-still love the role All lovers play-to reach their goal- Or, seal the pact with fond caress, On moonlit nights.
Though we no longer climb the nole For we must know: we've crossed the shoal Between youth and age-Sacredness I felt when she gave her fond caress Still lingers, as I with time cajole, On moonlit nights.
ABOUT YOUR LIBERTY BONDS
The steady and vigorous rise in the prices of Liberty Bonds up to Decem- ber of 1921, is a development that may well bring gladness to the hearts of the American people, and for reasons entirely aside from the mere apprecia- tion in the market value of their in- vestments. For the rise in bond prices thus reflecting the drop in the price of money is the most convincing evi- dence of the trend towards normalcy.
One hears a good deal of cynical talk, however, about the advancing bond prices. "Now that the small pa- triotic investor who paid par for the bonds during the war has been shaken out the 'big fellows' are putting the prices up," is common comment by these cynics. This is the merest drivel, not only not having any basis in fact but in general is absolutely contrary to the fact.
The bonds were bought by some 20,000,000 investors, which virtually meant the enitre population able to buy. They were issued by the billions because the government (which means the people) had to have funds to carry on the war. Every banker in the country knew at the time that there was no investment demand that could absorb these billions no matter what interest rate was offered. Indeed, if the interest rate had been placed much higher it would have caused all other securities to tumble because the in- vestors would sell their corporation se- curities in order to buy the government issues. The result would have been a terrible financial panic.
So the bonds were bought for pa- triotic reasons mainly, the investment consideration being secondary. Now with 20,000,000 holders, hundreds of thousands of whom were sure to die each year, a great many of the bonds had to be thrown on the market and naturally the prices dropped. Even after the war ended the prices slipped down further. But instead of the small investors being the victims the fact is many of the biggest corpora-
tions in the country took losses. Be-
ing unable to borrow more at the the banks these corporations during financial strain of 1920 had to sell their Liberty Bonds at practically the lowest record prices. On the other hand, bankers report that the buying at the low prices was mainly by small investors who "averaged" in this way on their original purchases from the government.
Instead of being "skinned" the small investor has quite generally profited by the fluctuation in prices, although, of course, there are innumerable cases where people of small or moderate means had to sell at less than they originally paid. Big and large, how- ever, the loss incurred in this way was a mere drop in the bucket to the losses that our young men suffered who left good jobs for a year or two to join the army at a dollar a day.
As compared to the financial sacri- fices made by the people of other coun- tries ours has been almost nothing; for not only have the bonds of other nations declined more than ours, but even the very money of the people has depreciated and in some instances has become virtually worthless.
THIS COUNTRY OF OURS
Census figures of Indiana's popu- lation of each sex twenty-one years of age and more, according to color or race and citizenship and of native white men and women according to parentage, show 1,779,820 citizens of voting age, 905,203 males and 870,- 617 females. Citizens number 1,702,- 652, of which 860,834 are males and 841,818 are females.
The citizen population comprised all native persons and all naturalized foreign-born persons. Male voters in- cluded 825,916 native-born and 34,918 foreign-born. Women voters were made up of 813,093 native-born and 28,725 foreign-born.
There are twelve Buddhist temples,
with thirty-four priests and 5,639 members, in the United States.
Of the $32,000,000 expended for a first-class battleship, $21,000,000 is for machinery.
An average American town uses for all purposes from fifty to 150 gallons of water a day for each in- habitant.
There are 49,000 drug stores in the United States.
The District of Columbia was estab- lished as the seat of the government of the United States by acts of Con- gress in 1790 and 1791.
Census bureau analysis of reports reveals that the average American family consist of 4.3 persons. Forty years ago the average was five per- sons.
Revised census figures place the population of the country; as of Jan. 1, 1920, at 105,710,620, comprising 94,820,915 whites, 10,463,131 negroes, 244,437 Indians, 110,010 Japanese and 61,639 Chinese.
More then 2,000,000 acres in this country were planted with peanuts last year.
There are about as many rats as there are poeple in the United States.
On an average, twelve schoolhouses and two college buildings are burned in America every week.
Only three women have been pro- trayed on the United States postage stamps-Martha Washington, Queen Isabella of Spain, and Phocahontas, who saved the life of Captian John Smith.
Bobbed hair, concealed ears, short skirts and all the other fads and foibles associated with modern wom- en's styles are as old as the pyramids, according to the mute story told by the mummies of both Egypt and Peru.
The procedure in arresting an in- sane person in this state is for some person who considers the individual dangerious to the community to com- plain to a justice of the peace who is- sues a warrant for the arrest of the alleged insane person. The first judgment as to the sanity of the de- fendant is rendered by a jury of six persons in the J.P. court. The alleged insane person must be present at the trial of his sanity. If the alleged insane person is adjudged to be not dangerous he is discharged. In the event the alleged insane person is found to be not dangerous the costs of the trial are assessed against the complaining party. In the event that the alleged insane person is adjudged insane and dangerous the issue is tried again at the next session of the county Circuit Court before a jury of twelve. If the insane person has an estate a guardian appointed by the court takes charge of his pro- perty.
The word "lady" traced back to the Anglo-Saxon means "bread-kneader."
The Sorosis club, organized with twelve members in March, 1868, by Mrs. Jane Cunningham Croly in New York, was the first woman's club in America.
The first government Indian school in the United States was opened at Hampton, Va., in 1875. It had pre- viously been a negro school.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES OF PIONEERS SHOWS IM- PORTANT STEPS IN WELFARE OF PEOPLE ALONG WITH OTHER PROGRESS
Early History of Bloomington's Churches Indicate Spiritual Ideas Were Con- sidered of Much Importance by First Townsmen-Presbyterians Come First, Then Methodists and Baptists.
Along with other phases of life which the pioneer settlers of Monroe county and Bloomington had to con- sider in those first years, when very existence meant a battle with all kinds of discouragements, we find m .ch credit is due to the early organization of religious folk for the success of our present city of culture. Bloomington may well be proud of her citizenship, in the wonderful showing made by the sincere effort of her early citizens to give respectful devotion to God dur- ing the pioneer struggles through which they labored.
The early history of the city's churches shows many interesting de- tails, which may be considered a credit to the life and growth of any com- munity.
Presbyterians Earliest.
The Presbyterian church of Bloom- ington was organized September 26, 1819, by the Rev. Isaac Reed. The first members were: Henry Kirkman, Mary Kerkum, David H. Maxwell, Mary D. Maxwell, John Ketcham, Elizabeth Ketcham, Elizabeth Ander- son, Elizabeth Lucas and Patsey Baugh.
The church was organized in the log court house, and the first three baptized were the children of Dr. Maxwell-Martha Ann, James Darwin and Samuel Franklin.
In 1822 the church had its first regular minister, the Rev. David C. Proctor taking charge. He preached three-fourths of his time in Indian- apolis and the remainder in Blooming- ton.
The Rev. B. R. Hall, principal of the State Seminary (now Indiana University), succeeded the Rev. Mr. Proctor as minister in 1825.
Andrew Wylie, D.D., supplied the church from 1830 to 1834. He was president of Indiana College into which the State Seminary had been trans- formed in 1828.
The Rev. Ranson Hawley served
from 1834 to 1841; the Rev. W. W. Martin, from 1843 to 1845; the Rev. Alfred Ryors, from 1845 to 1847; the Rev. Levi Hughes, from 1847 to 1851; the Rev. Thomas Alexander, from 1851 to 1853; the Rev. F. H. Laird, from 1855 to 1856; the Rev. Lowman Hall, from 1856 to 18572 the Rev. T. M. Hopkins, from 1858 to 1869; the Rev. A. Y. Moore served in 1869.
The first church building was erect- ed in 1826, which served until a new building was constructed in 1859-63.
Methodists Organize.
The Methodists organized their class at Bloomington in 1820, and built a church about six years later. Among the early members were: Joshua O. Howe and wife, Daniel Rawlins and wife, Benjamin Freeland and wife; Samuel Hardsey and wife, Ebenezer Shepard and wife, Mrs. Wright, Jona- than Legg and wife, Naomi Otwell and family, Jas. H. King and wife, Abraham Pauley and others.
A church building was erected of brick, the Wrights doing the brick work. Elias Abel wheeled mortar. The sturcture cost about $600. In the forties it was sold to the Baptists, and in the sixties was sold again to the Catholics.
Big Horn Is Used.
In 1846 the Methodists erected a new church. The Rev. Mr. Owen was pastor at this time. This structure served until about 1873 when a more imposing edifice was built, which cost about $12.000. There was no bell on the church of 1846 and the door- keeper used a great tin horn to call the people to worship.
Other members of the church in the early years were the families of John S. Watts, Benjamin Neeld. J. D. Rob- ertson, C. G. Ballard. J. S. Jones, W. E. Waugh, Zimri Worlev, John Henry, G. W. Moore, J. W. Moore, J. W. Davis, Wesley Robertson, and others. The Christians, or "Campbellites,"
organized a class in, or not far from, 1820 and built a church in the late twenties. The families of Haws Arm- strong, David Batterton, William Armstrong, Eli Lee, George Isoming- er, Johnson Mccullough, Dudley C. Smith, D. Eckles, J. W. Hardin, John P. Rader, William A. Clark, Thomas N. William, D. F. Tilford and many others were members.
The Baptists started a small class at a little later period, the leading members being the Fosters, Stones, Vanoys and others. They also built a brick church, but were not as strong as the other three denominations.
In June, 1852, the Second Presby- terian church was organized with a membership of eleven, eight of whom had been connected with the member- ship of the other church.
The Rev. Mr. Bishop became the stated supply of the church, and con- tinued until 1867. The Rev. Elisha Ballentine, after 1854, supplied the pulpit of this church during the ab- sence of the Rev. Mr. Bishop, and served from 1867 to 1869 without as- sistance.
In April, 1870, the First and Sec- ond Presbyterian churches were united under the pastorate of the Rev. A. Y. Moore, and called themselves the Wal- nut Street Presbyterian church.
United Presbyterians.
The United Presbyterian Church of Bloomington is composed of three branches-the Associated Presby- terian (Seceder), the Associated Re- formed Presbyterian (Union), and the Reformed Presbyterian (N. L. Cove- nanter), which were separately organ- ized in 1833, 1834 and 1838, respec- tively.
The three branches remained apart until 1864, when the Associated Re- formed, under the Rev. William Tur- ner, and the Associate, under the Rev. John Bryan. came together and formed the United Presbyterian con- . gregation. In 1869, the Reformed congregation, under the Rev. T. A. Wvlie, came into the union.
Early accounts of the separate branches are meager, indeed; but it is known that most of the members were from North Carolina and the South, having left there, owing to their abhorrence to slavery. They were for the most part farmers, and were scattered outside of the county seat
At the time of the union the mem- bership was about 200. The church,
Bloomington First Christian Church, as it appears in 1922.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
Upper-First Methodist Episcopal Church, and First Presbyterian Church. Lower-Trinity
Episcopal Church, and the First Baptist Church. (1921).
in the north part of Bloomington, was built early in the seventies. The Rev. W. P. McNary became pastor in 1870.
Other Classes Organized.
Up to about 1880 other religious classes had been organized. The Catholics had a small organization in Bloomington, and built a handsome brick church west of the railroad, on Sixth street.
The colored people built two small brick churches in the city. Weston A. Goodspead, in his history of Bloom- ington and Monroe county, published in 1884, makes the following notation:
"Bloomington may be compared to Oberlin, Ohio, in the number of its colored population, and in many other respects-such as churches and
schools. The city contains over 100 colored people, many of whom are well educated and well mannered."
RECORD OF THE REV. GEORGE W. TERRY IS WORTHY OF PRIDE OF CITIZENS OF TODAY
Having preached more than 5,300 sernions, serving as Moderator in his Association in the Baptist church, vol- untering for service during the Mexi- can war, and again enlisting in the military service of the United States in 1862 and taking part in the fa- mous battle of Jackson, Miss., second Missionary Ridge, Tenn., Resaca, Dal- ton, Little Kenesaw Mountain, Deca- tur, Ga., Atlanta, second Atlanta, Gris- woldsville, Ga., Savannah, Ga., and Bentonville, N. C., after having been appointed chaplain of Company B, 97th Regiment Indiana Infantry, is only a part of the laudable record of the Rev. George W. Terry, one of Monroe's early citizens.
The Rev. George W. Terry, who was widely known as a citizen of pure and patriotic Christianly character in Bean
Blossom township, was born in Rich- mond, Va., December 6, 1825, fourth of eight children born to Thomas and Elizabeth Terry, natives of Virginia and of French-Saxon and Irish-French Saxon descent. George W., was reared on a farm in Greenbrier coun- ty, Virginia, until fifteen years of age, when his parents took him to Muhlenburg county, Kentucky, where they resided until after he father's death.
Worked as Silversmith.
The boy attended school when not engaged on his father's farm, and in 1847 was married to Nancy A. Shel- ton, daughter of John and Minerva (Weir) Shelton, of that county. By this union nine children were born, Ruth Ann (Mosier), Melissa Jane (Jackson), William A., George T.,
John C., Charles, Ida May, Edward F. and Robert C. Terry.
After his marriage, George W. Ter- ry followed the trade of silversmith until 1862, in New Albany, Ind., from 1857 to 1859, then in Gosport (then in Owen county) Ind., where he en- listed in service in 1862, and his wife purchased a farm near Stinesville and removed the family to this farm. He studied at night during these years while following his trade, in order to prepare for the Baptist ministery.
The grandfather of this man was in the War of the Revolution, and at the siege of Yorktown received a wound which later resulted in his death. His father, Thomas Terry. was a soldier of the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Craney Island, Va. With such a parentage patriotism was a sacred element in the life of George W. Terry, and dur- ing the Mexican war he volunteered his services to his country, but peace was declared before he got on the field of action.
Followed Regiment on Crutches.
In September, 1862, Mr. Terry en- listed in Company B, 97th Indiana In- fantry, and was soon appointed chap- lain. He was with the regiment in all its engagements during this bloody war, except when in the hos- pital, and took active part in the fol- lowing battles: Jackson, Miss., sec- ond Missionary Ridge, Tenn., Resaca, Dalton, Little Kenesaw Mountain, Big Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, Ga., At- lanta, second Atlanta, Griswoldville,
336706
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
Ga., Savannah, Ga., and Bentonville, N. C.
From exposure, Mr. Terry became subject to rheumatism's terrible rav- ages, and was confined in a hospital at Memphis, and two weeks in the field hospital at Marietta. But he pre- ferred to be with his comrades, and followed his regiment on crutches, or with the aid of a cane, from January, 1863, to the close of the war, in 1865. He obtained a furlough in 1864 and returned home for a visit, where he recovered his health enough that he was able to discard the crutches and use a cane. He then returned to his regiment to which he was deeply at- tached.
He took part in the grand review held in Washington, D. C., on June 15,
1865, was discharged from service, and returned to his family, who were then living on the farm near Stines- ville. In 1866 he attended a theolo- gical institute at Chicago for two months, one month at Clayton, Hen- dricks county, and one month at Terre Haute, Ind., in further preparation for the ministery. He also studied in private with several theological pro- fessors. After leaving the army the Rev. George W. Terry devoted his whole time and life to his ministerial duties in the Baptist communion. He served as Moderator for fourteen years in his association, and preached more than 5,300 sermons in twenty years. He was a Mason, and a Demo- crat. A large number of descendants live in Monroe county now.
HARMONY MOVEMENT PLAYED PART IN PIONEER LIFE OF PERRY TOWNSHIP-RELIG- IOUS SETTLEMENT
Blue Springs Community Lived Only Short Time, But Seeds Were Sown Which Have Grown in Advancement of Better Education and Morals of Later Generations.
Van Buren township Monroe county, Indiana, has probably had as interest- ing career and active religious life as any community within the state's bounds during its early history.
Since the earlist settlement of the township, a large portion of the citiz-
ens have been connected with various religious enterprises.
About 1830 a class of Christ Church was organized, and for a time met in the house of Joseph Berry, who was one of the leading members.
This class was made up from resi-
dents of Van Buren and Indian Creek townships, and Robert Hamilton, Joseph Berry, John Porch, John Good- night, Dudley C. Smith, John Givens, John Bunger and their families were active workers in the organization. A log church was erected about 1834 and served for many years.
In the early thirties, the Metho- dist established a class in the south- western part of Van Buren township, and the leading members were, Lewis Hartman, David Carpenter, Dennison Whaley, E. W. Tarkington, Malden Baker, Jacob Baker, William Higgins, Lewis L. Allen, Jesse Targinton, Sam- uel Day, George G. Walker and fami- lies.
This class built a church near San- fords at an early date, and has en- dured through many years. In 1850 Lewis Dale was the pastor.
United Baptist Organize.
Early in the forties, the vicinity of Sanford saw another religious de- nomination represented in the organi- zation of a class of United Baptists, among the earliest members being the families of John Griffith, Jesse Goss, James Steele, Henry Flood, William Sparks, Abe May and W. H. Treadway -the last four families also belonged to the Baptist Church in Richland township, Monroe county. The old Baptist church in Richland township drew a strong membership from Van
Buren township, while many citizens of the northeastern part of the town- ship joined churches in Bloomington.
The Union Meeting-House, as it was called, which was situated on section
First Baptist Church.
First M. E. Church.
United Presbyterian Church.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
36, Van Buren township, had a large membership in four townships of Mon- roe county, Van Buren, Perry, Clear Creek and Indian Creek townships being well represented.
Religious Sentiment United.
An educational and religious com- munity was located at what is known as "Harmony," situated northeast of Stanford, in Van Buren township, and was the earliest union of religious sentiment in the county. Members of and orthodox Christian organization were eligible to membership. This was not a local enterprise but grew out of the nation-wide "Com- munity" theory which arose through- out the United Staes from 1820 to 1860.
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