USA > Indiana > Madison County > Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana: A Detailed History of the. > Part 53
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BURNING OF THE EAGLE CHAIR FACTORY.
At the corner of Eleventh and Meridian streets in Ander- son, once stood one of the largest of Anderson's industries. It was known as the Eagle Chair factory, and employed a large force of hands. Its products went through the length and breadth of the land., It was established in 1868 by Hollo- way & Jackson, who began the manufacture of bent wood for chairs. The business was carried on by them until 1871, when a stock company was organized composed of Elisha B. Hollo. way, Enoch M. Jackson, David W. Swank, Minor Barrett, Isaac D). Bosworth, and others for the manufacture of chairs and other articles of furniture. The most approved style of machinery was purchased, and the factory was equipped in first-class style. From 50 to 75 people were employed, and a very extensive business was transacted.
After the concern had run for two years under the man- agement of the above named gentlemen, several of the stock- holders disposed of their interests to Alfred Walker who event- ually became the sole proprietor.
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On the 6th of May, 1880, the sound of the whistle of this busy hive of industry announced to the sleeping citizens, that the place was on fire. The people at once hastened to the scene, as was usual in those days, with buckets and other ap- pliances for extinguishing fires, but with little effect, in this instance, as the building was filled with dry, combustible mate- rial, and it was but a little while until all the interior of the structure together with its contents was devoured by the rag- ing flames, leaving nothing to tell where this thriving factory had once stood. The residence of M. A. Bosworth which occupied the site where the home of E. E. Newton at present stands, was also ignited by the flames, and burned to the ground. The large three-story brick building in which John- son, Cates & Canaday are now conducting a furniture busi- ness which was then run as a planing mill, sash and blind factory by Bosworth & Bro., also took fire at several times, but was, by heroic work on the part of the men, saved from destruction. The old church building occupying the ground immediately north was also on fire, but was saved from destruction by the courage of a man of the name of James Stilly, who, at great peril to himself, crawled up the steep roof, to a height of about fifty feet, and threw his coat over where it had ignited, and thus put out the incipient flames. This daring act of Stilly's was applauded by loud shouts of approval from the people below. Hereceived their thanks and was properly rewarded for his brave act by Mr. John W. Pence, the owner of the building.
The ground on which the Eagle Chair Factory stood sub- sequently passed into the hands of IIester & Sons who con- verted it into a barrel, stave and heading factory, which they operated for a considerable time.
The fire was supposed to have been the work of an incen- diary, and two persons who were seen loitering about the rail- road depots were placed under arrest, one of whom gave his name as William Wilson of Ogle, Illinois. The name of the other individual has passed out of the recollection of the writer. Wilson was a Norwegian by birth, and claimed to be a printer by trade. He gave a good account of his where- abouts at the time of the fire, and also stated what his business in the city was. There being no positive evidence against him, he was released from custody.
The building and its contents were insured to the amount of $4.500, but this sum was insufficient to cover the loss.
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BURNING OF ROTH'S JEWELRY STORE.
On the night of December 26, 1885, about half past 12 o'clock, an alarm of fire was given when it was discovered that the extensive jewelry store, owned by William Roth, which occupied the building where Daniels' drug store is now situated, on the corner of Ninth and Main streets, was on fire. All efforts to stay the devouring flames were unsuccessful and in a short time the building with its contents was destroyed. The hook and ladder company did good service, and the wind being favorable, this was the only building destroyed on that side of the square. The roofs of the adjoining buildings were covered with men who were kept constantly dashing water on the flames and thus allayed the fears of many who felt that the entire square would be burned.
The fire was of mysterious origin and it was thought by many to have been the work of an incendiary, but there was no proof of the fact. Among the heavy losers were : William Roth on his stock of jewelry ; Captain A. I. Makepeace, and Jesse L. Henry, who owned the building ; Mrs. Wentworth, who had a millinery store in the adjoining building, also lost quite heavily.
THE MERIDIAN GLASS FACTORY BURNED.
On Saturday night September 19, 1896, at about the hour of 10 o'clock, the alarm of fire was given, and in a few moments it was heralded throughout the city that the Meridian street plant of the Pennsylvania Glass Company was on fire. The department was soon on hand, but there was so much combustible material in the building that such a thing as sub- duing the flames was impossible, and the structure and contents were destroyed, entailing a loss of $40,000. The company carried on the plant and stock, nearly the same amount of in- surance, so the loss was mainly on the insurance companies, aside from the time lost in replacing the buildings, and equip- ing them ready for use.
The establishment was originally the property of the American Glass Company, which came to Anderson in 1889, from Martin's Ferry, Ohio. This company failed in business in 1891, and the factory was sold to the Pennsylvania Glass Company, which has operated it since. It is one of the best factories in the county, having given employment to a large number of men, and runs the year round. It is a cooperative company. nearly all of the operatives being stockholders.
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The officers at the time of the fire were Thos. J. McMahan, president ; John L. Forkner, vice-president ; John Schies, sec- retary and treasurer, and Flery Toms, manager.
The plant when first established manufactured fancy dec- orated ware, lamps and lamp flues, but the business from some cause did not prosper, and the company went to the wall. After the Pennsylvania Company acquired the property, it was converted into a bottle factory, and manufactured all kinds of glass specialties. The fruit jar season is a profitable time for this establishment, and it enjoys a large trade in this line. In connection with the plant was also a mould shop, where all of the moulds for this and many other factories were made. It was one of the severest losses to Anderson while the factory remained idle, and many employes, as well as merchants and business men, felt it very keenly. This factory has been re- built in a substantial manner.
DESTRUCTION OF A HANDLE FACTORY.
On the morning of September 26, 1884, a disastrous fire visited Anderson at about 2 o'clock, consuming the Handle Factory owned by Charles T. Doxey & Company, situated on Meridian street south of the Bee Line Railroad, with all its machinery and stock. The origin of the fire was a mystery but was supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. It was first discovered in the northeast corner of the building upon the second floor in the part used for storing handles, and remote from the engine room. Work had been suspended at the factory during the week previous, in order to make repairs, and no fire had been built in the boiler-room and there was no possible means of the fire originating from the furnace. Part of the walls of the building fell in and the remaining portion stood in a toppiing condition until they were torn down. There was stored in the building at the time 9,000 dozen handles ready for shipment. Mr. HI. E. McCandliss, present street commissioner in Anderson, was manager of the factory and a large stockholder therein. The loss was supposed to be in the neighborhood of $15,000, covered by $9,000 insur- ance. After this disastrous fire the building was never rebuilt nor was the business resumed by the company.
BURNING OF THE " BANNER STORE."
On the morning of December 24, 1896, at the hour of 6 o'clock, the Leob-Brunt building on Meridian street, be-
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tween Ninth and Tenth, in the city of. Anderson, was dis- covered to be on fire. The flames were issuing from the base- ment and in a few minutes the whole structure was enveloped in flames. The efforts of the fire department proved futile, and all attempts to save the building and its contents were with- out avail. The building was occupied by "The Banner Store," owned by Messrs. Rawlings, Haynes & Co., and by Maag & Son, shoe dealers.
The building was insured in the sum of $14,000, and the stocks were covered by $30,000. The loss was much more than the insurance on the stock of Rawlings, Haynes & Co., while Maag's stock was thought to be fully covered. This was the third time this building was destroyed by fire. The first time in 1884, when it was known as the Doxey Opera House, when it was. burned without any insurance, the loss being nearly $80,000. It was again burned in 1893, when it was known as the Doxey Music Hall, being covered by insur- ance. An account of these conflagrations last named are given elsewhere.
The community displayed its sympathy without stint for the unfortunate victims of this fire, and assisted in every man- ner in trying to help them in their distress.
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CHAPTER LXIII.
REMINISCENCES, AMUSING AND OTHERWISE.
SAM PENCE'S LOTTERY.
Samuel Pence, who is at this time, a familiar figure upon the streets of Anderson, gave a grand gift distribution and lottery in Anderson at Union Hall on the 24th of December, 1866.
Mr. Pence had for many years been engaged in the livery business, having his stables on South Main street on the ground now occupied by the Bronnenberg block. Becoming tired of the business, and wishing to dispose of his stock to the best advantage, Mr. Pence devised a lottery scheme as the best means of procuring a good price for the same. He ac- cordingly advertised largely throughout the country by means of the newspapers and hand-bills of his grand drawing and distribution of prizes.
On the night when the drawing took place a brass band was in attendance, and hundreds of people crowded into the place to witness the event. The drawing was conducted to the satisfaction of all, and but few complaints were heard. It was an honest affair. There were no blanks given out; each and every ticket drew a prize of some kind. On this occa- sion many were present who lived eight and ten miles in the country. They waited anxiously and hoped for their number to be drawn, and when at last the affair was over the disap- pointment expressed on the countenances of some was amus- ing to behold. Many had invested as high as ten, twenty and thirty dollars drawing minor prizes, while others who had in- vested only the sum of one dollar drew some of the most valu- able prizes. Nearly all the tickets advertised were sold, and brought quite a handsome sum to Mr. Pence for his property.
From the list of prizes drawn upon that occasion we give the following : One horse, "Pete ;" one horse, " Bill ;" one horse, "Sam ;" one mare, " Kit ;" one mare, " Jane;" one mare, " Sis ;" one mare, " Betty ;" one buggy, one double set of harness, one bed and bedstead, one single sleigh, one sad-
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dle, one cutting box, one buffalo robe, one hog, one sow and pigs, one lever watch, one bureau, one iron kettle, one break- fast table, one bar of soap, one Colt's revolver, one milch cow. Besides the above articles, there were about 300 num- bers each of which drew a one-dollar greenback. It was advertised that every ticket holder would be presented with a picture, which turned out to be the likeness of Abraham Lin- coln, which was engraved upon the back of the ticket.
Some laughable incidents occurred during the drawing. The writer, who was one of the anxious spectators expecting to draw a fortune, was the recipient of a bar of Shultz's Star soap, while Nolly Walden, a colored barber who sat at his side, drew a fine horse. A lady who sat a few feet in front of him drew a sow and pigs, and a minister of the gospel who resided a short distance in the country, drew a cutting box. One man drew a grain cradle, and Enoch M. Jackson, a prom- inent citizen of Anderson, drew an iron kettle.
Mr. Pence is yet living in Anderson, where he has a host of friends.
DR. ABSALOM PARRIS.
Dr. Absalom Parris was an old-timer, who died near An- derson about 1875. Ile was a doctor of divinity as well as a doctor of medicine. He practiced medicine during the week and preached in the country churches on Sunday. While he was not a thoroughly educated man, he had a fair knowledge of things in general. He had an excellent flow of language, and could preach and pray in a way that would make the hair stand on end, and perfectly amaze his hearers.
He would grow eloquent in prayer, and use some language that was really beautiful. The writer will always remember hearing him wind up a prayer in the Presbyterian church in Anderson. He prayed that when he was to be removed from this " mundane sphere, that he might be wafted forth on angel wings, and conveyed to that beautiful and shining shore, where sickness, sorrow and death never dwell, and be per- mitted to rest his head on the bosom of the beloved Jesus, and breathe his soul out sweetly there."
He was one of the politest old gentlemen in the country, and always in a good humor. He was a sterling Democrat, always taking stock for his party in the campaigns as they came around. In his practice of medicine he had some few remedies that he prescribed in nearly every case. His head-
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quarters were at Henderson's drug store. The Hendersons used to think a great deal of him, and made much over him when he went into their store, always welcoming him with an " eye-opener " behind the prescription case. You could hear him smack his lips clear across the room as he would re- mark, " Bub, that is excellent, excellent."
One of his favorite remedies was " hydrastis canadensis." He always called Charley Henderson " Bub." After being seated at the stove, properly warmed and "tuned up," he would turn to Charley, rubbing his hands, and say : " Bub, have you any of the hydrastis canadensis, known among we medical men as the Golden Seal -among the commonality of the peo- ple as yaller root? "
Charley always had some of his favorite prescription ready for him at a moment's notice. Dr. Parris was one of those old- school fellows whom you don't meet in the present day. He could be religious, and at the same time mix in the pool of politics, take a light drink with the boys and then leave it alone. In fact, a good drink of old rye made him, if anything, more religious. He could give expression to his scriptural views with more vigor and use language not to be found any- where in the dictionary, when he was keyed up.
He lived west of the city for many years, and died in 1875, leaving a memory behind him that will remain green as long as the old-timers around Anderson survive. He also had a brother, William P'arris, who was a doctor, and who figured quite extensively in these parts about that time. William was said to be better up in the medical profession than Absa- lom, but as a preacher and exhorter he could not "touch him," neither could anyone else. Absalom Parris stood without a rival in that line.
ANDERSON'S MONUMENTAL LIAR.
Among the other great things Madison county has pro- duced in its time, is a number of very handsome, well-trained and well-developed prevaricators. It is not supposed that there is now, or that there ever was a man in Madison county who would willfully lie to hurt a fellow-man, or even to en- hance his own interests, but for your spinning yarns and big story telling, she has had some " hummers."
There was at one time, many years ago, perhaps as far back as 1850, a man who lived here by the name of Blodgett, who was a blacksmith. He had his shop on the lot where
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Charles T. Doxey's residence now stands, where he used to do work for the farmers, shoeing their horses, setting their wagon-tires and " upsetting " their axes, etc. When not at work he put in the time chaffering and giving the farmers and his customers in general big talks and large snake stories. James Mohan tells of a story that Blodgett related to him once when he was a boy.
He was sent to Blodgett's shop for some repair work. While he was waiting for his job, Blodgett told him about a barefooted fellow stepping on a piece of hot iron. He said :
"I was cutting some bars for the purpose of making horse shoes, when a big, gawky fellow from the backwoods came in barefooted ; he had gone barefooted so long that his heels where perfectly calloused. I had just cut off a piece of a bar of iron, which fell on the dirt floor and the fellow, with out seeing it, stepped on it with his heel. He stood there for several minutes without moving. I watched him closely, but said nothing. Finally the grease began to run out on the floor ; a terrible smoke and smell arose ; at last I said, 'Stranger, do you know you are standing on that hot iron and likely to get burnt?' About this time the heat began to penetrate the ball of his foot. IIe made a leap straight up in the air, com- ing down with a whoop like an Indian. I dropped my work and went to him, catching him. around the waist as he again started to jump up in the air. I carried him to the 'slack ' tub and soused him in, feet foremost. Such a sizzing and fry- ing you never heard ! The steam filled the shop so full that nothing could be seen. The horses that I was shoeing became frightened and stampeded, tearing every thing before them. His foot was so hot that the water in the tub was entirely ab- sorbed before it was cooled off. By holding him in the water so long it entirely drew the fire out. When I let him out, he sauntered out in town as if nothing had happened, not even thanking me for my aid in his troubles. It took me all after- noon to hunt up the horses that had run out of the shop dur- ing the excitement."
James Mohan, James Battreall, Robert Titherington and several other old-timers vouch for the above, not for the truth of it, but that Blodgett really related it as a fact.
THE WAY A SHOWMAN TOOK A SHERIFF'S BREATH.
In 1870, O'Brien's menagerie gave an exhibition in Ander- son. It was one of the largest aggregations of living won-
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ders ever produced in this part of the country. During their stay they got into trouble with John A. Harrison about the ground upon which they showed. A general fight ensued in which Harrison got badly worsted. He had the show party arrested and fined for assault and battery. An execution was at once issued and placed in Thomas J. Fleming's hands, as Deputy Sheriff, for collection. He repaired to the show grounds and inquired for Mr. O'Brien, the proprietor, who immediately came to the front, and in a very genteel manner listened to the reading of the writ; after which Mr. Fleming demanded payment. ()'Brien explained that he had had a very hard season and was scarce of cash, but would turn out property until the Sheriff was satisfied. This was all he could ask. They entered the tent and walked around in front of a large cage of hyenas.
Mr. O'Brien called one of the attendants and said : "Jim, open that cage door and let this gentleman have those two hyenas. Open up that next cage of Bengal tigers and-"
" Hold on, hold on," said Tom, "d-n your tigers and hyenas. I don't want them."
" But do I not have a right to turn out such property as I choose to satisfy your execution?"
"Yes, but I believe if I was in your place I would ap- peal this case to the Circuit Court. I think you can defeat it. I'll go on your bond if you will take an appeal," said Fleming, all the time keeping an eye on the cages for fear the animals would get out.
O'Brien went up town and appealed the case. It was carried up to the Supreme Court, where it hung along for years. Finally it was decided in O'Brien's favor. After that time you could not hire Tom Fleming to tackle a showman with a legal process of any kind.
HOW THE BOYS " WORKED" AN OLD MAN.
In the happy days of the old court house the boys around there used to have a great deal of fun. There was no formal- ity in the mingling of men of those times. The court house was the center of gravity. When the country people came to town, as soon as their trading was done they went over to the court house to visit the officers awhile and exchange sto- ries with them. In those days the jury was generally selected from among the farmers in the country. It was like the meet- ing of a small legislature, and was looked forward to with
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great anxiety, especially the winter terms. In the long even- ings the jury generally congregated about some of the county offices, where they told jokes, sang songs, ate apples, cracked hickorynuts, drank cider, and enjoyed themselves until late bed time. One occurrence of those good old days comes to mind. During a term of the circuit court an old man from near the Tipton county line came into court, asking a divorce from his wife. He stayed around, waiting for his time to come, for several days. He wanted his divorce so badly that he was nearly "frozen." He was not the most intelligent human being in the world, and did not know much about courts and their modes of procedure. Isaac Forrest was on the jury that term. He noticed the old man staying around, and finally inquired of him what he wanted. The old man related his "tale of woe." Ike told him that if he would come up to the court house that night he would get his case tried. The old man was delighted and was on hand at the appointed hour. In the meantime, Ike had informed the boys, who were all promptly assembled at the court house after sup- per. Some one of the jurymen was selected to act as attorney for the plaintiff. Forrest presided as Judge. The case was tried, which took until nearly midnight. The evidence was voluminous and of a rich character. The old man charged adultery as his cause of action. His testimony was given at full length, in his own way, whereupon "Judge" Forrest took him through a severe cross-examination. It was one of the funniest proceedings that ever transpired in the old court house. " Judge " Forrest finally granted the old man a de- cree of divorce, with the provision that he should never marry again and should at once leave the country. The decree did not exactly suit him, so the next morning he tackled Judge Craven about it and wanted it amended. Craven did not understand it. After awhile it leaked out. Judge Craven was hot about it, and came very nearly bringing the boys over the coals. The old man had an actual case pending in court, and thought he was really divorced. A side lecture from Judge Craven taught the boys that it was not just the thing to " monkey " with cases on the court docket in sham trials.
THOMAS J. FLEMING AND THE COLORED PREACHER.
Along about 1869, or '70, Thomas J. Fleming was deputy clerk of the court of Madison county. He was one of the clev-
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erest men in the world, but about that time he was exceed- ingly so, from the fact that he was a candidate for clerk, which caused him to get in his best licks. During this time a negro preacher came along, and engaged the court house to hold " meetin'" in, there being no colored church here at that time. The sheriff, Mr. James H. Snell, rather objected, as he did not want to be detained to look after the house and close it up at night after services. Fleming had an eye to getting the colored vote, so he volunteered to act as sexton. The hour ar- rived for services. Fleming rang the bell that adorned the cupola of the old temple of justice. The deacons, and brothers and sisters, and dusky maidens of all sizes came to church. The preacher was one of the old-fashioned, hard-shell Baptists -a regular " Hepsidam" orator, whose voice could be heard for a mile distant. Fleming concluded that he would kill two birds with one stone ; while the meeting was going on he was behind his desk making up court records. There was but one lamp in the house, which was one of those large-sized coal oil burners. It was arranged on one corner of the judge's stand, where it served to give light to the preacher, and also to Flem- ing at his work. A familiar hymn was sung and "meetin'" broke loose in earnest. The preacher took a text from away back, where it took " monstrous" hard "preechin'" to sift it down. He preached and preached at the top of his voice, till he got his hearers all shaken up. He swayed back and forth, ripped around, and pawed the air with his fists, winding up his sermon by saying : " My beloved bredern, I'se cum all de way down from Randof county, ah, I'se left my wife as a widder and my childun as offens, ah! to preach de gospel to a lost and ruined congreation, ah!" Making a mis-lick at this point, he struck the lamp with his fist and upset it, spilling the oil over the desk and clerk's books, leaving the audience in total darkness. Fleming flew around like a chicken with its head cut off until he got matters straightened up. The sisters screamed and the deacons raved like animals. At last, quiet was restored, and the minister wound up his sermon in the dark by saying : " My bredern. as I said afo', I'se preachin for de good ob de soul, and not for money : but if any ob de bredern have any ole close to spah, I wouldn't mind takin' a few of 'em." After singing the doxology the meeting was dis- missed. This was the last colored meeting held in the old court house.
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