Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana: A Detailed History of the., Part 36

Author: Forkner, John L. (John La Rue), 1844-1926
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Anderson, Ind. : Forkner
Number of Pages: 1055

USA > Indiana > Madison County > Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana: A Detailed History of the. > Part 36

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.

THE FIRST DRUG STORE IN ANDERSON.

In the early settlement of Madison county such a thing as a drug store was not dreamed of. People who wanted a little "Spirits Frumenti " or a little quinine with which to fight the chills usually went to the corner grocery, where a general stock of drugs, groceries, whisky, turpentine, boots and shoes, and quinine were kept on sale. The physicians of the county knew nothing whatever of the practice of writing pre- scriptions for sick patients. Every physician had a large pair of saddle bags, filled with long-necked bottles in which they carried their specifics for the cure of all ailments, being com- posed principally of a bottle of calomel, a bottle of quinine, and a lance with which to bleed. In those days, the doctors used these remedies for nearly every ill to which human flesh is heir.

The pioneers of Madison county, like the settlers in all new countries, lived, suffered and died under the treatment of these medicine men until the enlightenment of science caused them to throw aside the lance, and to abandon the use of calo- mel for purging and salivating.

One day in 1838, a tall, handsome, young physician made his appearance in the quiet village of Anderson. He not only engaged in the practice of medicine, but opened the first drug store in the place in 1843. This was no less a personage than Dr. J. W. Westerfield, who died here in 1895. Dr. Wester- field originally located at Moonsville.

He was the sole dispenser of drugs and medicines for about three years when Atticus Siddall, in the spring of 1846, purchased the store and became Westerfield's successor. Sid- call, continued the business alone for eleven years, in the rmeantime suffering greatly from a big fire which in the fall of 1 851 wiped out the entire south side of the public square.

In 1857 the elder Siddall associated his son, P. F. Sid- dall, in business with himself as an equal partner under the irm name of Siddall & Son. In the following year Siddall, en for, died, and Dr. Westerfield became his successor and the a r tner of P. F. Siddall, the style of the firm being Sid- all & Westerfield. The business was continued until the ea x 1860, when Dr. Westerfield retired from the firm, giving " a - to A. A. Siddall, and the name of the firm was changed > Siddall & Bro. A. A. Siddall remained in the business but short time when he sold out to Dr. Westerfield, who con-

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.

tinued in the firm until the year 1868, when the business was sold to Dr. J. F. Brandon. This was not only the oldest drug store in Anderson, but remained the longest of any in the same place, it being located for over twenty years in the room now occupied by the Cassel Bros., on the east side of the pub- lic square.

Several eminent physicians of Madison county were at different times interested in this old drug store. Besides Drs. Westerfield, William A. Hunt, E. H. Menefee, late of Alexan- dria, and G. N. Hillogoss, there were many others whose names the writer does not now recall, who were at times be- hind the prescription counter, dealing out medicine in this temple of pharmacy.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

REMINISCENCES AND PERSONAL SKETCHES.

JUDGE HERVEY CRAVEN AND THE PROFESSIONAL JURYMEN.

Prior to the year 1875 it was a custom in this, as well as other counties throughout Indiana, for men to hang around the court house during a term of court to get on the jury. The professional juryman was an occupation that many followed for a living. They did not pretend to do anything else, their pay was two dollars and a half per day and meals furnished while on duty. This custom became so prevalent that the Legislature took the matter in hand and passed a law prohib- iting any person from setting on a jury more than once in a year. This had a tendency to cause professional jurors to look out for some other job.

The Hon. Harvey Craven was then judge. The first day of court after the taking effect of the new law, the court room was crowded with the old-time professionals who did not know of this new act. Craven surveyed the premises, taking a glimpse over the house, and calling the sheriff to his desk. whispered to him to fill the jury box up with as many of the professionals as he could get in when the jury was called. In a few moments the judge called court.

" Mr. Sheriff, you will please call the regular panel jury and supply the vacancies from the bystanders."

The order was complied with. Six or seven of the panel answered, and the balance was supplied. Court went on in its usual way until noon, the jury sitting in the box all the while with nothing to do. The old-timers sat like " Patience on a monument." They thought they were fixed for a five weeks' term.' They had hung their hats and coats up on the hooks around the court house and were ready to delve into the mysteries of any case that might come before them.

Just before adjourning time at noon Judge Craven said : " Mr. Sheriff. will you please hand me the acts of the last Legislature?" Taking the book he deliberately turned through

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.

it until he came to the act in point. He read it very slowly, emphasizing where it said that a person should only be eligi- ble to sit on a jury one term in any one year. Turning, facing the jury, he said :

" Gentlemen of the jury, you have heard the reading of the law. I do not know what the object of the Legislature was in passing such an act, unless it was for the purpose of

Thank

THE OLD COURT HOUSE.

disposing of infernal dead beats that lay around the !court houses throughout the State of Indiana for the purpose of get- ting on the jury. I do not know that any of the: present jury are of this class ; I hope they are not; but we will have you sworn to answer questions. Swear the jury, Mr. Clerk."

By this time great drops of sweat were rolling off some of the jury. As the proper questions were propounded to them they took their hats and coats from the hooks and dropped

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.

out one at a time until the jury-box was cleaned out. This stopped the professional juryman business in Madison county. It is one of the best laws on our statute books.

F. T. LUSE AND HIS MAGIC LANTERN.

Among the many good fellows who have lived in Madison county, none will be longer remembered than Fleming T. Luse. He came here in the fall of 1866, and purchased the Anderson Standard, and published it for several years, and afterwards served as deputy treasurer of the county, in the capacity of tax collector. He removed from here to Crawfordsville, Ind., where he is now living, and is the editor and publisher of the Review of that city.

During Mr. Luse's residence in this county, one winter he, in company with Clem Chappel, embarked in the show business. They purchased a magic lantern, and traveled through the country districts giving exhibitions in the school houses. They did a thriving business, and had some very rich experience as well. One of the funny incidents in connection with their show business, was at one of their exhibitions at Strawtown, in Hamilton county. They had stopped there on Saturday night to " Sunday over," and concluded that it would be a capital idea to approach the trustees of the village church, and propose to give a show on Sunday night for the benefit of the church. They accordingly visited those dignitaries, and made such a proposal, which was promptly accepted. It was given out by the minister at the Sunday morning services that an exhibition would be given in the evening, assuring the con. gregation that it would be strictly moral, and that the church would receive half the proceeds, and urged a large turn-out.

When the time arrived for the show to begin the house was packed to suffocation, and everything was going off as smoothly as it could be wished for. The canvas was stretched across the front of the pulpit, and the lantern was in the rear, entrusted to the care of Chappel, who was to manipulate the machine, and place the pictures in proper position, while Luse stood out in full view of the audience and delivered a lecture upon each picture as it passed in sight.

All went on in perfect harmony, and the patrons were more than pleased with the performance, when a little mistake came near spoiling the whole business. Mr. Luse, was in a very sedate and solemn manner, describing a passing picture on the canvas, about as follows : "Ladies and gentlemen : The 27

418 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.

picture before you now represents the miracle of our Saviour walking upon the water. The beautiful body of water you see is supposed to be the sea of Galilee, which the artist has por- trayed in a most excellent and natural manner." At this point Luse noticed the small boys in the front row were tittering and laughing, and some of the old deacons wore a very broad smile on their faces; and many of the good old sisters had their handkerchiefs stuffed in their mouths ; when he turned his face to the canvass, and forgetting for the moment where he was, or the solemnity of the occasion, he exclaimed, " Hell- fire! Clem, you have got this picture upside down."

This put the young bloods in a roar of laughter, and shocked the deacons of the church to such an extent that it nearly broke up the show. But after an apology by Luse it proceeded until all of the pictures were viewed by the audience, and all went home happy and satisfied.

ADDRESSES A SOUTH AMERICAN AUDIENCE.

A. B. Kline, once cashier of the First National Bank of Anderson, was one of the boys, and was prominent in society as well as politics ; a fast friend of Colonel Stilwell, who was at one time sole proprietor of Anderson, and run it with a brass band. Stilwell was prominent with the administra- tion of Andrew Johnson, and " swung around the circle with him." In return Johnson appointed him minister to Vene- zuela. Kline was, of course, made Secretary of Legation. While there the government of that country was in a state of turmoil and civil war. The troops at the capital had had a battle with some of the rebellious subjects and were victori- ous. A banquet was given the officers by the head of the government, and all of the foreign ministers and their staffs were invited, among whom were Stilwell and Kline. Wine flowed freely and a good time was had. Speeches were made congratulating the army on the great victory. At last it came Kline's time to speak. He mounted the table and said : " You can talk about your wars and warriors in this country, but they don't amount to a last year's bird nest when com- pared to the army of my country. Why, during the late Re- bellion in the United States there were more men killed every morning before breakfast in Camp Morton by the accidental discharge of fire-arms than there is killed in this country in a year. I can take a company of Indiana soldiers and clean out your entire army in less than twenty-four hours."

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.

This was as far as he got. A grand rush was made for the speaker, but through the heroic efforts of Stilwell and his friends present, Kline was saved from the angry mob. It was necessary to at once send him home under the protection of the American flag to save him from bodily injury.

ONE OF MADISON COUNTY'S JOLLY SHERIFFS.

William Nelson, who filled the office of Sheriff of Madison county from 1864 to 1866, is worthy of mention. William did not make as much money out of the office as many before and since his time, but no man ever had as much fun out of it as he did. He didn't care how the weather was, so the wind didn't blow. He had but little of the cares of office upon his mind, leaving the complications of the matter to his deputies.

Thomas J. Stephens was his principal deputy, who was assisted by Enoch M. Roach, Robert Titherington and numer- ous others. Mr. Nelson was a great billiard player ; he spent much of his time in John Hizer's billiard parlors on South Main street, playing with his friends. He was a great fellow to sing when playing billiards. He would start in, in the morning, and play until night without stopping. He had a favorite song he used to sing while in a game :

"This baby had a daddy; oh, It sat right on its daddy's knee," etc.

He was continually singing this song, or humming it, from the time the game commenced until it ended, He and " Daddy " Titherington went to Perkinsville, once, to arrest some fellow. On their return they stopped along the road, under a shade tree, to take a quiet game of seven-up, the prisoner joining in the game. The players soon tired of their sport, and the Sheriff and deputy dropped off to sleep, and the prisoner made his escape and it is supposed that he is still at large. :

Nelson was at one time Justice of the Peace in Richland township, before he was Sheriff. . A case was to be tried be- fore him - the lawyers from Anderson drove out to his place. The case was called, but he could not find his docket. After studying a minute, he said : " No, I think I remember now ; them cussed " youngons' had it down in the orchard playing with it yesterday."

He went down in the orchard, found his docket and the . trial proceeded. . Mr. Nelson was one of the kindest hearted of . men -too good to his friends for his own good, but he

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never regretted being a good fellow ; it was his nature and he enjoyed it.

He removed from here to Jasper county, Indiana, when his time as Sheriff had expired, but now lives in Iowa, where he is engaged in farming. He was in Anderson a short time ago, looking hale and hearty, and although over sixty years of age, looked much younger. The good and happy days when " Uncle Bill " was Sheriff of Madison county will long be remembered by many of the old-timers; for instance, " Daddy" Titherington, Thomas J. Stephens and James Shawhan. There is a time in the existence of all men when they eat their " white bread." " Daddy " Titherington ate his when " Uncle Bill" was Sheriff - he never had such times before, nor since.

OLIVER P. STONE AND W. S. BEARD.

Oliver P. Stone, who died a few years ago, was one of the old land-marks of Anderson. He came here in an early day, engaged in school teaching, studied law and practiced his profession for several years. He reared an intelligent and very respectable family, taking great pains and spending money freely that they might be properly educated. He ac- cumulated quite a large real estate interest in and around An- derson, which, if his estate now covered would be worth to them one hundred thousand dollars. Unfortunately it was sold by his administrator just before the boom-before gas was known to exist-at a very low price. He owned the block of lots now known as Lincoln Terrace, besides the block where W. A. Kittinger's palatial home stands and a large tract of land near where the tile works are situated.

He was a very peculiar man in his make-up, stubborn and hard to convince in matters where it was necessary to bend his ideas. He would rather have a law suit in a settlement than settle it any other way. If he was at war with you about a matter it made no difference with him in his every day intercourse with you. He was always the polite gentleman when he met you on the street in or out of law. In fact it was often remarked that he was more genteel to one with whom he was contesting a case than he was with others.

He was at one time City Marshal. He was a small, spare man, and although courageous enough, he could not cope with the tough element that was numerous here at that time. When the boys wanted to have some fun on Saturday

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.

nights they would corral Marshal Stone and ther. proceed to " paint the town red."

While he was Marshal, old Billy Beard got on a spree. He was making things lively with his nasal-whanged " bazoo," talking loud and long. Stone admonished him to quiet down or he would take him in. Beard replied :

" You think you are d-d smart since you are Marshal of Anderson. I knew you, sir, when you were a common coun- try school teacher."

Stone drew his club and rapped Beard over the head, bringing him to the ground. Beard raised up and said :

"Thank you, sir, I suppose that is according to scripture. It says we shall bow down to wood and stone."

Beard was allowed to go hence on promise that he would behave himself.

Stone was entirely out of his sphere as Marshal ; the place did not fit him. Many of our best business men got their edu- cation from Mr. Stone. Capt. Myers, John W. Pence, D. F. Mustard and many others were pupils of his.

SKETCH OF COLONEL NINEVEH BERRY.

To the writers there is nothing so interesting as reminis- cences of olden times, and the lives of the early settlers of the wilderness. We believe that in this respect we do not differ from the general rule among readers of the public prints and books.

In the year 1880, the Democrat of this city indulged very freely in the publication of reminiscences of the lives of the pioneers of Madison county. In doing so it has perpetuated the memory of many persons and events which would have been otherwise forgotten.

Among others thus spoken of, and who is worthy of more than passing notice in our pages, is Colonel Nineveh Berry. Of him the article from which we quote states as follows : " The border incidents of half a century ago, are the most in- teresting of American history. The trials and perils of the early settlers, their great labor in opening a new country, their adventures on land and water are of absorbing interest. Every country has its pioneers who recite to us the thrilling adventures of border days. Our country was the scene of many an interesting event in those times. In many respects it was a favorable home for the Indians, while game such as

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deer, elk, bears and other animals abounded in forests once so numerous."

Colonel Nineveh Berry was born at Springvale, Clark county, Indiana, on the 20th of April, 1804. He lived in this State during the whole of his natural life, and just before his death it was claimed that he was the oldest living Hoosier in the State. The Colonel, with his father, John Berry, ar- rived in Anderson on the 4th of March, 1821. What mighty events in American history are to be found within the years

COLONEL NINEVEH BERRY.

he spent in this city! Two great wars, the Mexican and the war of the Rebellion arose and were terminated in his lifetime. The invention of the telegraph, the sewing machine, the threshing machine, the cotton gin and many others were all accomplished in his day. The traversing of this vast conti- nent by steam, and the opening up of immense tracts of land to civilization and to happy homes are all events which he lived to see brought about.

When Mr. Berry arrived at Anderson there were but two white men living in the place, Eli Harrison and George Clay-

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.

ton, who have long since passed over to the happy hunting grounds. There was then no public school, no streets ; only one road, running east and west, and a few .Indian trails run- ning north and south. A few unoccupied Indian cabins and an Indian graveyard, with numerous wooden crosses over the graves, extending along the bluff of the river, were the only signs that indicated anything like a settlement. The place had been known in Colonial history for half a century prior to this as Anderson's town.

For the first eight years of his life Colonel Berry lived in a house which had been abandoned by Chief Anderson. It was located on a hill directly south of the spot where Norton's brewery now stands. The rich bottom lands known as the Hazlett farm, on which the American Straw Board Company have recently erected their buildings, were entered of the gov- ernment by John Berry, the Colonel's father, at $1.25 per acre. They had been cultivated for years before by Indian squaws, and had been planted in corn. A post-office was established here and John Berry was appointed postmaster. The mail was carried between Anderson and Indianapolis on horseback, and then at a great risk to the carrier ; the roads were not as yet made, and hungry wolves were frequent along the route of passage. A mail route was established between Anderson and Winchester, and Britton Brasket was the car- rier. The postmaster frequently carried the entire mail in his hat, and on being asked by any one if there was any mail in the office for him, would remove his hat and make an exami- nation. The salary of the office for the first four years rated at fourteen dollars per annum. The first two years the set- tlers were compelled to purchase their corn of the Indians at Strawtown, and transport it to Anderson in small bark canoes.

In the trial, conviction and execution at Pendleton, of Sawyer and Bridge for murder of Indians, a full account of which is given elsewhere in this book, Colonel Berry assisted as an inside guard over the prisoners during their execution. One of the prisoners, a youth of seventeen years, it will be remembered, was pardoned by the Governor in person, only a moment or two before the fatal noose was to be drawn. The terrified young man upon hearing the words of the Governor fell in a swoon. He was caught in the arms of Colonel Berry, who described the scene and its effect upon the spectators as thrilling and exciting in the extreme.

424 HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.

The first office ever held by Colonel Berry was that of County Surveyor to which he was appointed in 1831. He held this position at different periods for twenty years. In his labors he had to make many rough journeys through the country.

The streams of White river and Killbuck at this early date abounded in fine fish of a variety known as bass, and others. In an hour's labor with a spear, it was not an uncom- mon thing for one man to supply a dozen families with this excellent food. The deer were also very numerous, and were often killed within half a mile of the public square, and also along the river west of the town.

In 1833, Colonel Berry was married to Hannah Pugh, with whom he lived until the year 1875, when she died. He became the father of six children, of whom but one now survives, Mrs. E. Howland, of Indianapolis.

In 1888 he was elected County Recorder, and held the office for four years. In May, 1847, he sought new adventure, and joined an Indiana regiment for the Mexican war, and served with it until the close of that conflict. He became the commissary of the regiment, and in fourteen months returned to Anderson with $5,000 in gold and silver, and warrants for 160 acres of land.

The Colonel was very free hearted, and could not refuse a neighbor or friend any accommodation asked by him, which led him into the habit of going security, so that within a few years after his return from Mexico he had by this means lost his fortune. In one single year he thus paid out over $4,500 for other people's debts, and for which he stood responsible.

A prominent event in early times was "muster day." There was then a law compelling all male persons between the ages of twenty-one and forty-five years to appear at cer- tain parades and be drilled in the manual of arms. There were battalion, regimental and company drills, and they gen- erally drew out large crowds to witness them, and created as much interest as a county fair does at the present day. Among the prominent members of the militia in this county were Joseph Howard, William Craycraft, John Allen, William Roach, John Kindle and Colonel Berry, who received the title of Colonel from the fact of his belonging to the militia, and this title stuck to him during his life.

In 1856, he was elected County Treasurer, and was re- elected two years thereafter. The office was worth then about

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twelve hundred dollars per annum. He was subsequently a candidate for the office of County Clerk, but was defeated by James Hazlett. After this he never held any official position, but became engaged in the business of running a small grocery store, on the north side of the public square.

In 1849, the Colonel became a member of the Masonic fraternity. The lodge then held its meetings in the second story of the old court house. He became an enthusiast in Masonry, and took more than ordinary interest in the welfare of the order. He held its teachings in the same light that a Christian does the Bible, and often said that a true Mason was just as sure to reach heaven as a true Christian.

In politics, the Colonel was an ardent and intense Demo- crat, and was always ready to argue his side of the question, yet he was always shown respect by his political opponents, to whom he never gave offence in any of his discussions. He was a ready talker, and enjoyed a good joke upon himself as much as upon any other person. Although a man of strong prejudices, he possessed more than a usual number of good traits. He lived long enough to see Anderson grow from a small settlement to a city of more than six thousand people, -and one of the most beautiful county seats in the State. He beheld the wilderness opened up, and gazed upon highways, turnpikes, business houses, and elegant homes where once the forests bowed beneath the storm.

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Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana: A Detailed History of the., Part 36

Author: Forkner, John L. (John La Rue), 1844-1926 Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Anderson, Ind. : Forkner Number of Pages: 1055

Author: Forkner, John L. (John La Rue), 1844-1926
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Anderson, Ind. : Forkner
Number of Pages: 1055