USA > Indiana > Madison County > Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana: A Detailed History of the. > Part 18
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In the early history of the agricultural associations, one of the leading features of their exhibitions was a contest be- tween lady equestrians for prizes, and many of the best horse women in the country gave exhibitions in the ring. At the fair held at Anderson in September, 1857, one of these exhib :- tions took place in which it is announced that the premiums to lady equestrians were awarded as follows :
" First premium to Miss Samantha Suman ; second premium to Mrs. Samantha May." The Miss Suman referred to was the daughter of a farmer living near Chesterfield, and a sister of Dr. William Suman, now residing in Anderson, and the Mrs. May; the wife of Major May, and mother of Isaac Elmer May.
In the issue of September 18, 1857, the editor announces that " Yankee Robinson, the famous showman, will give an exhibition in Anderson, being one of the most extensive shows in the business, consisting of four separate shows in four separate tents, all for one price of admission, consisting of a jungle of animals from the forests, Indian curiosities, and a splendid band of negro minstrels. Yankee Robinson will also appear in person in the presentation of the god Momus, in
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witnessing whose peculiar characteristics. Laughter holds her sides, and old wrinkles are driven away. Dilly Fay. the best clown in the world, is also one of the leading features of this grand exhibition."
On the 25th day of December, we find an account de- scribing a " scrapping " match as follows : " Some excite- ment was caused on Sabbath morning by the arrest of a Mr. Gresh, who has lately come to this place and set up a 'one. eyed' grocery. He was arrested upon the affidavit of John W. Thornton, who testified that on the previous evening the defendant assaulted him with a butcher knife, because he had peaceably entered defendant's grocery to ask him for a small debt. The defendant was fined two dollars and the cost of the suit. This defendant has lately come here from Newcastle where he rendered himself obnoxious to the citizens by keep- ing a doggery or tippling saloon. We hope that the town authorities will keep a strict watch over hisgrocery, and if he is found attempting to keep such a house here, that they will make him answer promptly for his violations of the law to the known wishes of the citizens."
In the issue of January 1, 1858. James W. Cook. editor of the Standard, bids farewell to his readers, and Charles I. Barker announces to the world in an ably written salutatory that he is the editor and proprietor of that journal.
In 1858, when Anderson was a village without any Opera House or other place of amusement, those who lived here fur- nished amusement for themselves by forming different kinds of societies, debating schools, spelling classes and other means of entertainment, which were highly enjoyable to those per- ticipating therein. as well as to the many spectators who at- tended them. In the Anderson Standard of February 5th of that year, we find a notice of the Anderson Lyceum and its speakers. as follows :
" This institute is becoming more and more noticeable and deeply interesting each week. It numbers among its members prominent gentlemen of all political creeds, who live in the village or its vicinity. It has under consideration and discussion the . Kansas Question. growing out of the Presi- dent's message and Mr. Douglas' remarks with regard to it. The question being, on resolution, submitted by Dr. Townsend Ryan for the purpose of infusing life into the Lyceum, which was thought to be lacking. We are unable to state the ques- tion in its precise dictum ; indeed, it is not so much now our
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design to introduce the question as it is to mention the per- sonages who participated in this discussion. First, and doubt- less the most conspicuous among the debators, stands Dr. Ryan, though standing almost alone, taking for argument's sake the President's side of the proposition, and fortifying the stand he has taken by a formidable array of proof. The Doc- tor comes up to his full stature and gives his opponents no little trouble. He comes down like Ajax did upon his ene- mies, and rushes furiously onward to the fray.
" Next in the arena appears I. N. Terwilliger, the man of books and memory. He stands forth the embodiment of a walking library. He has read everything, knows everything, and is thus enabled to use many facts and arguments in sup- port of his position. He is a speaker far above mediocrity, has a splendid voice and an excellent command of language. He hurls his lance like one of the brave knights of old.
"Next comes the young Hector of the list, Thomas N. Stil- well, young in years but old in the forum. He pitches in with great impetuosity, scarcely drawing his breath at a period, dashes on with terrible rapidity, apparently determined to carry off the orator's prize more by storm than by strength. He is, however. a young, untried man of great future prom- ise, and by strict discipline may still improve his style of ora- tory.
"Just south of the speaker's chair rises a young man with keen, gray eyes, broad forehead, and ruddy complexion, the colleague of Dr. Ryan. His style of speaking is liberal and open, yet forcible. It is somewhat steady and evidently smacks of the midnight oil. James M. Dickson, next took the floor. He is a son of the Emerald Isle, yet speaks the English language well. He makes a good appearance upon the floor and has a stentorian voice, but like some other debators, lacks availability. He falls into line with the Douglas wing and handles that side of the question with much force and candor.
"Then follows Neal C. Mccullough. He is at times on both sides, or, perhaps, rather opposed to both. He consumed a good part of his half hour in reading from a very compen- dious volume, a number of extracts bearing upon the 'Kansas question.' He talked fluently, whether to or from the ques- tion, and shows conclusively that he is familiar with the ques- tion. We conclude that he would be more at home in a
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banking operation than in the discussion of the 'Kansas question.'
" Thomas W. Cook also made a short speech, but owing to his ill health he left the main points of the question untouched. The expression of his countenance indicated and impressed the beholder that, although willing, he was unable to do his best at this time.
"The last named gentleman was followed by Milton S. Robinson, who made a very powerful address. Mr. Robinson has been a public speaker all his life, at the bar and on the stump for several years, though he is yet a young man on the sunny side of the meridian of life. He has the faculty of drawing from a vocabulary such a concatenation of epithets as will make his opponents writhe under the castigation. He is striding on to fame and a brilliant future awaits him."
Nearly every person alluded to as having taken part in the debates of this organization became, later on in life, emi- nent as lawyers, doctors, teachers, business men and poli- ticians. Townsend Ryan, James M. Dickson and M. S. Robinson became men of great influence in political circles, and held high and honorable positions.
On December 11, 1857, we find a notice of an inquest held over the body of an unknown person found dead near Chesterfield, as follows :
" The undersigned, coroner of Madison county, hereby certifies that an inquest was held before me at the town of Chesterfield, in said county, on the 26th day of November, 1857, over the dead body of a man, whose name is supposed to be James Wright, but whether that be the true name is unknown. That said deceased was about sixty-five years of age ; that he had a scar on the top part of his left thigh and a large wound on his head. He was dressed in a black suit of clothes, satin vest and gray mixed pants. He is supposed to have come to his death by exposure to the inclemency of the weather. [Signed. ] J. J. LONGENECKER,
" Coroner of Madison Co."
On the 16th of April, 1858, we find the same officer giv- ing notice of an inquest in Adams township, as follows :
"Notice is hereby given that I have this day held an in- quest over the dead body of Thomas Shelton, there lying and found dead, said deceased being about fifty-nine years of age, a resident of Adams township; that he came to his death by 'taking a fit' and falling into the branch. and then and there
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strangling to death. He had on his person $5.50 and no other valuables."
We find an announcement in the same issue of a fatal accident near Pendleton, as follows :
"We learn that a little son of Jehu Shuman, who lives about three miles northwest of Pendleton, while sitting on the fence, a limb fell from a tree under which he was sit- ting, hitting him on the head and killing him instantly. He was six years of age."
In the issue of April 23, 1858, we find the following obituary :
"Died in Anderson, on the 18th instant, after a lingering illness, Hannah M., wife of Alfred Makepeace, aged 48 years. Deceased was one of the oldest inhabitants of Anderson, having lived here since her marriage, about thirty years ago. At the time she came to Anderson the court house square was a forest and there were but few buildings in the town. She and her husband therefore shared the privations, the toils and troubles incident to the settling of a new country, and have, as a reward for an industrious life, accumulated much of this world's goods. She was the mother of a large family of chil- dren, to whom she had endeared herself by her many remarka- ble qualities, who have now to mourn her irreparable loss." The lady here spoken of was the mother of Captain A. I. Makepeace.
In the issue of June 3, 1858, we find the account of a suicide near New Columbus, of which the editor says : "We learn that on Sunday morning last Josephus Poindexter, who lived about four miles south of Columbus, in this county, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. He cut a gash on each side of his throat and left the front of his neck untouched. The fatal deed was committed but a short distance from his residence. He was found a short while after, but life was extinct. Ile was a worthy and respectable citizen, and left a wife and large family of grown children. The cause of this act is supposed to have been financial embarrassment."
In the same number of this paper we find the professional card of Dr. George F. Chittenden, as follows :
" George F. Chittenden has located at Chesterfield, Madi- son county, where he offers his professional services to the citizens of the surrounding country. Particular attention
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will be given to surgery. Respectfully refers to J. S. Bobb, M. D., and T. Parvin, of Indianapolis."
Dr. George F. Chittenden, at this time was a young physician, having come to Madison county from near Vevay, Indiana, on the Ohio river. He practiced but a short time in Chesterfield, when he attracted the attention of Dr. John Hunt. of Anderson, who was one of the leading physicians in the county in his day, and who was so much taken with young Chittenden, that he offered him a partnership in a large and lucrative business, which he accepted and then removed to Anderson in that year. Since that time he has been a resident of this place, and is one of the most successful phy- scians and surgeons in the county.
In the issue of July 3. 1858, we find the notice of the drowning of a person by the name of Patrick Coffey, as fol- lows :
"A man by the name of Coffey was drowned in White river, near the Cincinnati & Chicago railroad depot, on Saturday last. He was bathing, and, not being acquainted with the river, he got into a deep hole and sank. Before he could be rescued, his life was extinct. He was sent to New- castle, where his home was, for burial."
On October 14, 1858, we find in the Standard the an- nouncement of a fatal accident : " On Saturday last, while some little children were at play with fire on the streets of Anderson, the dress of a little daughter of James Battreall caught fire, and before her clothes could be removed she was so badly burned that she died on Sunday about one o'clock. She was about four years of age."
This little child was the daughter of James Battreall, a prominent citizen of Anderson, who is yet living in this place and is well and favorably known to the community.
In the issue of December 23, 1858, appears the announce- ment of the sudden death of S. S. Templin, who was a promi- ment citizen and merchant of Anderson, and whose widow lately died in this place. " On Sunday evening last, about five o'clock, S. S. Templin was found dead in his store. IIe had left his house about two o'clock to get some paper for the purpose of doing some writing, and, not returning as soon as expected, his little girl was sent to look for him. She called, but received no answer, and returning informed her mother that he was not in the store, and stated that the door was un- locked. The mother then went and called him, but received
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no answer. She then locked the door. After waiting awhile Mrs. Templin, becoming alarmed, went and unlocked the door, passed behind the counter, and there found her husband cold in death. She then gave the alarm to the neighbors, who hastened to the place and found the body in such a position as to warrant the belief that death was the work of an instant.
" Mr. Templin was one of the most enterprising citizens and merchants of Anderson. His death will be seriously felt by the community, but more especially by the wife and fam- ily of little children. He was a man about forty years of age."
In the issue of November 18, 1858, an account is given of the meeting of a " moot legislature " at the court house, in which many prominent citizens took part : " Mr. Samuel W. Hill was appointed to prepare a message to the House, which took place on Monday evening, November 8. After reading the journal Mr. Hill introduced and read his message, from which we take a few extracts :
" Conformably to my constitutional duty to impart to you information touching the condition of the state, and to recom- mend measures deemed expeditious and fitting, I do so now. Three words express all that makes a state prosperous-agri- culture, commerce and morality. The mechanical arts, the industrial pursuits, will, or generally are, connected with or depending on these. Our commercial prosperity depends upon transportation and currency. The Wabash and Erie canal and the Wabash and White rivers all have been our means of transit. The alarming increase of incendiarism and railroad obstruction is doubtless attributable in part to the wholesale frauds of corporations. A railroad is built, the funds fail, the officers pay themselves and ring the bell ; the hands who in wet, heat and cold built the road are left to ' whistle ' for their pay. You are recommended to take unusual steps with re- gard to the moneyed situation of Indiana, so as to prohibit all banks of issue, permitting only those of loan and deposit.
" If it is right to buy and sell a gallon of whisky to drink, why is it wrong to sell a gill for the same purpose. Why not leave all those who can control their appetite in this respect to their own will and judgment, and moral religious influence?"
On motion of Dr. Townsend Ryan, the message was laid upon the table for the present, and one hundred copies were ordered to be printed for the use of the members.
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Many prominent citizens of Anderson took part in the proceedings of this body, among whom were Colonel Milton S. Robinson, John Davis, Esquire, Samuel B. Maddox, R. N. Williams and many others whose names do not now occur.
A. B. Kline was elected clerk of the House and signed the minutes of the meeting. The message presented by Mr. Hill was at a subsequent meeting taken up and discussed by sections, and literally torn to pieces. Many warm debates took place on the floor of the House resulting sometimes almost in personal encounters. These meetings were very enjoyable to all those who took part in them.
POURING OUT LIQUORS.
- On the 25th of December, 1858, occurred one of the most exciting episodes in Anderson's early history. There had been considerable agitation upon the temperance question, and the citizens were pretty generally stirred up in reference t hereto ; several parties were selling liquor in the corporation without a license, even the drug stores being almost as open in their traffic in liquors as the doggeries. The people had become much excited in reference to the matter, and on the day above alluded to it almost culminated in a riot. Two young men, both sons of prominent citizens. became intoxicated, which fact precipitated a raid upon the liquor dealing places. The Standard of December 30th, speaking of the feeling On this subject. says :
"On last Saturday night, a lawless mob visited our liquor sellers, broke into their apartments, or gained admission by Other means, rolled their whiskey into the street, and knocked in the heads of the barrels. We have probably particularized Sufficiently, as all those who have seen men and boys excited, will have as accurate an idea of the demonstration as we can give. We have no sympathy with liquor selling, we are no apologists for its evils. If we want it for any purpose, we buy it and use it as our judgment may dictate or our physician prescribe. We are in favor of wholesome laws governing the traffic, and will submit to such as are made and enforced, but will never sanction a mob or the lawless acts of irresponsible men and boys. Calamities might have come from the acts of Saturday night.
" In another part of the paper we publish the proceedings of a meeting to justify the conduct of the mob, and in this meeting no idea of a dissenting voice is conveyed. We were 14
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not there, but are creditably informed there were those in attendance who desired to place that meeting on the side of law and order, and spoke to that effect, but every effort was crushed out by the clamor of the crowd. To convey an idea of what some of our citizens desire, we publish a preamble and set of resolutions introduced by Mr. James M. Dickson, as follows : Whereas, a necessity seemed to exist in the minds of many, on Saturday night. the 25th inst., for the destruc- tion of all the intoxicating drink in the town of Anderson, and whereas we are under the impression that the means resorted to for the destruction of the property of our citizens is contrary to law and good order, and we hope no such sup- posed necessity will ever again exist for the violation of law. The editor further says: ' These resolutions breathe more of the spirit of law and order than characterizes the resolutions that were reported and adopted, notwithstanding the fact that as good temperance men as there are in the town were opposed to the acts of the mob. Dr. Townsend Ryan, James M. Dickson, S. W. Hill, T. W. Cook and others were opposed to mobocracy, but the proceedings of the meeting would con- vey the impression that they spoke in favor of the resolutions.'"
The meeting that was held at the court house on the 27th of December, referred to by the editor in the foregoing article, was presided over by William Crim ; Ralph N. Clark and T. P. Kennard, acted as secretaries. This meeting was held pursuant to notice given to the citizens of Anderson to take into consideration some means for the prohibition of the sale of intoxicating liquors, and to call out an expression of opinion of the citizens in relation to the movements of the mob on the 25th instant.
On motion, a committee of five, consisting of Messrs. Kennard, Davis, Sansberry, Hazlett and Dickson, were ap- pointed to draft and present resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. After a few minutes deliberation, the committee reported a set of resolutions from which we extract the following :
Resolved, That we will present an unbroken front against the introduction of any more intoxicati. g drinks within our town or vicinity. That we, the citizens of Ander- son, pledge to those brave men who had the heart to conceive, and the nerve to execute those noble deeds, but at the same time we deprecate mobs and the principle thereof as a general sentiment, and only justify anything of the kind as a last
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resort. That there be appointed as this meeting a standing committee of five to ascertain from the agents of the differ- ent railroads the reception of any intoxicating liquors for sale at this place, which liquors shall be immediately reshipped or destroyed, and in case destruction becomes necessary, we will sustain said committee with our money and our property.
Dr. Ryan, being called for came forward and addressed the meeting, and was followed by Milton S. Robinson, Davis, Dickson, Sansberry, Hill, Cook and the Rev. J. F. McMul- len. after which, on motion, the resolutions were adopted without a dissenting voice. The minutes of this meeting were signed by William Crim, president, and R. N. Clark, secretary.
It will be seen from the editorial above quoted that there was considerable feeling in reference to this matter, and the officers of that meeting were severely censured for reporting that the resolutions were adopted without dissent. We find in the issue of June 6, 1859, several communications upon the subject, one of which is signed by James M. Dickson, and another by S. W. Hill, in which they denounce the meeting, and say that the resolutions were not adopted unanimously, but that there were several dissenting votes against them, and also state that several of the prominent citizens arose and spoke against the adoption of the resolutions.
Among the places visited where liquor was destroyed was the drug store occupied by Dr. J. P. Crampton. The store of Atticus Siddall was also visited and a small amount of liquor poured out.
The place kept by Thomas Croke, on South Main street, was also taken in charge and the liquors poured into the street. A man by the name of Corbett Jackson, who kept a place near the crossing of the Pan Handle and Bee Line Railways, was also a victim of the mob. This was the first crusade against the liquor traffic in Madison county, and caused an in- tense amount of bad feeling on both sides of the question, and it was many years before the animosity growing out of this affair subsided. This matter ended in Dr. J. P. Crampton Bringing suit against those in the mob. The suit was jointly sagainst all of them, and a change of venue was taken to Del- ¿aware county. Through the shrewdness of John Davis, the defendants' attorney, a compromise was made with one of the defendants, which had the effect to release all. So there ended
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the legal controversy. The compromise was thought at the time to be a very " slick " job.
In the issue of the Standard of August 8, 1867, we find the editor announces to the people that the enterprising citi- zens of the county are organizing turnpikes and ditch associa- tions, and that the county will in a short time become one of the finest in the State of Indiana. He says : "There are eight turnpikes now in progress in this county, a large por- tion of which are being built to Anderson. When all are completed, in connection with the hydraulic canal, Anderson may become the capital of Indiana, with the suburban villages of Muncie, New Castle and Kokomo dependent upon it for their base of supplies. There are nineteen organized ditch companies in this county at present. Madison county has for a long time been reputed to be made up of many swamps ; but after the work is completed which these companies propose to do, the people will have to move west into Howard county if they desire to purchase swamp lands."
Previous to this time there was but one gravel road lead- ing into Anderson, which was the Alexandria turnpike. The roads throughout a part of the county, from the first of March until the first of June, were nearly all impassable and the county was almost a wilderness of swamp lands. The turn- pikes and ditch companies were the initial steps towards mak- ing Madison county the garden spot of Indian ?.
In the issue of March 28, 1867, we find the announce- ment of the killing of a brakeman on the Chicago and Great Eastern Railroad, now known as the Pan Handle, as fol- lows : " On Monday evening last a brakeman was killed at the ' junction' by being run over by a train of cars. He was engaged at the time in making a coupling of a freight train and by some means his clothing caught on a piece of iron which prevented him from getting off of the track and he was dragged under the train which passed over his leg severing it from his body and he was otherwise terribly wounded. He lived about twelve hours after the accident. His body was taken to Cleveland where his wife and family resided. It is understood that his name was Gibson and that he had been em- ployed on the road only a short time."
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