USA > Indiana > Madison County > Historical sketches and reminiscences of Madison county, Indiana : a detailed history of the early events of the pioneer settlement of the county, and many of the happenings of recent years, as well as a complete history of each township, to which is added numerous incidents of a pleasant nature, in the way of reminiscences, and laughable occurrences > Part 29
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The land is gradually level except along Pipe Creek, where it is undulating. This is the largest stream in the township, and flows from the north-east to the south-west, having Mud and Lily creeks on the north, and Little Pipe creek on the south as tributaries.
Previous to the year 1831, there was not a white man within the territory which comprises the township. Some- time during that year, however, Micajah Chamness and George Marsh, from North Carolina, settled near the present site of Alexandria, on Section 19. the west half of which, together with the east half of the north-east quarter of Section 24, the former entered for a home. This was the first entry of land in the township. A year later James M. Annon and Morgan James settled in the township. the first named on Section 23, near the mouth of Mud creek, and the latter on Little Pipe creek, south of where Alexandria is now situated. From 1833 to 1835, James Tomlinson, from Ohio; Stephen Norris, Thornberry Moffitt, Jesse Vermillion, from Lawrence county,
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
Ohio; David L. Pickard, from Maine; Stephen and John Marsh, Peter Edwards and Stephen Fenimore, settled in the township. Among others who settled in the township about this time, or soon after, were John Brunt, Peter Cassell, Evan Ellis, Lorenzo Carver, Baxter Davis, Elijah Williamson, John Cree, Joseph Hall, Jacob Price, John Chitwood and Hildria Lee. These hardy pioneers went to work with a will, clear- ing up farms for themselves and families, meeting with trials, surmounting difficulties and performing labors that their de- scendants, many of whom are honored citizens and men of affairs in the township, would, if similarly situated, regard as impossible of accomplishment.
The first saw-mill and " corn cracker" in the township was built by James M. James, in 1834, on Pipe creek, one mile south-west of the present site of Alexandria. The mat- ter is somewhat obscure, but it is claimed that a " corn cracker " was built even earlier than this, about a mile north- east of Alexandria, on Pipe creek. This stream at that time abounded in fish, and the early pioneers often fished at this mill of nights, with the wolves howling around them.
The first roads laid out in the township were the Indi- anapolis & Fort Wayne and the Shelbyville & Fort Wayne, over which the mails were carried at an early day. They were cut out in 1830 and formed a junction near the north line of the township.
David L. Pickard was the first postmaster at Alexandria .. He was succeeded by Nathan E. Tomlinson. Mr. Pickard. was elected Justice of the Peace at the first election held in. the township. The election was held at the house of Micajah Chamness in April, 1836. It was about this time that William Conner and John D. Stephenson, of Noblesville, having rea- son to believe that the Indiana Central Canal would be con- structed through the township, purchased the land where the city of Alexandria is now situated of Micajah Chamness. The purchase was made by Colonel N. Berry, who surveyed the land for the purchasers and at once proceeded to erect a log house on what is now the south-east corner of Berry and Clinton streets. A stock of general merchandise was placed in this building by Colonel Berry as agent of Conner & Ste- phenson, and thus the first store in the township was estab- lished. Many of the Colonel's customers came a long distance to trade with him, and articles were sold mostly in exchange 53
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for coon skins, tan bark and other commodities. A large business was done in this line,
The furs of wild animals were bought by the agents of American and European fur companies, and traders from every section of the country came to purchase them and ship them to New York. Coon skins brought from fifty to seventy- five cents each, and the choicest of them were occasionally sold for one dollar. Ginseng, in large quantities, was brought in and sold at from fifteen to twenty cents per pound. It was likewise shipped East and was largely used in compounding medicines. Colonel Berry, after remaining in Alexandria six months, turned his stock over to David Pickard, who car- ried on the business as his successor for several years. The next store-keeper to locate here was a man by the name of Burner, who arrived in 1839, and who carried on a large busi- ness. In the same year Nathan E. Tomlinson came to the vil- lage from Yorktown and took charge of a stock of goods. He afterwards became proprietor of the store and continuously did business until a very short time before his death a few years ago. Mr. Tomlinson was one of the best known merchants in Madison county and was a very prominent citizen, socially and politically. He was a stanch Republican and took an active part in that party's welfare. He was. the father of Mrs. Jesse Forkner, of Anderson, and also of Mark Tomlin- ·son, lately deceased.
The first tavern-keeper was David Pickard, who kept a house in a log building, weatherboarded on the outside. It was standing a few years ago, when it was torn down by the hand of progress to give way to a more stately edifice. The price for entertainment for man and beast was sixty cents per day in the currency of the realm, and the proprietor for a long time did a prosperous business.
The first school teacher was a man by the name of John Brunt, who opened a school in the year 1837. with twelve pu- pils. The studies pursued were the primary branches, such as reading, spelling, and exercises in penmanship with a goose- quill pen. On Friday, the last day of the school week, spell- ing matches were in vogue, and the pupil- would choose sides for the contests in the afternoon. Mr. Brunt was a brother of Thomas Brunt and an uncle to A. J. Brunt, spoken of in an- other place in this volume. The next school teacher in the village was a Mr. Richard Edwards, who resided here and taught school for a term of one year.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
The first physician to locate in the town was Dr. Spence, who arrived a year or two after the first settlement of the town. He built the first brick house in the village, which stood one square west of what is now Harrison street. He did quite a flourishing business in the few years he remained here and finally removed to Fairmount, where he died in 1845. His immediate successor was Dr. D. C. Westerfield, who sub- sequently moved to the State of Iowa. The number of ills which a country doctor, at that time, had to contend with were very great, but the principal ones were fever and ague. These. have long since disappeared with the draining of the surface water by the many large ditches throughout the county.
A NOTABLE CIRCUMSTANCE.
Among the notable circumstances in the early history of Alexandria was the disappearance of a man by the name of Branch, and the general belief in the community for a long time was that he had been murdered by one of the prominent residents of the place. The occurrence took place at the time the "spirit rappings" were introduced into the county. Branch, after staying around Alexandria for some time, had started for Ft. Wayne with the intention of purchasing some land and was never seen alive again. No particulars could ever be ascertained in relation to him. Some one started the report that he had been murdered by a well-known citizen and that his body had been thrown into a small stream four miles east of the village. The gentleman asserted his innocence at all times but was regarded with suspicion. He offered suf- ficient proof from Ft. Wayne that Branch had taken sick and died there, and all suspicion was quieted for a time until these " spirit meetings " began to have some believers.
Among those who believed in this doctrine in the com- munity was a young man by the name of Ward McNeer, who was a person of rather unsavory reputation. He gave him- self out as a spiritual medium and through him, it is said, the spirit of Branch appeared and stated that he had been murdered and that his remains were thrown into the stream aforesaid. The excitement was now again at fever heat and the people flocked to the stream with shovels and spades to dig up the remains. The crowd was headed by McNeer. They found a fur cap with a hole in it and after prolonged search some bones were taken out from beneath a small tree near by. The chances of the suspected man now grew very
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
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slim and talk of lynching him was indulged in. At last, how- ever, the cooler heads in the crowd began to investigate and the bones were found to be those of an animal while the cap perhaps had been placed there by design. Soon the people sus- pected that the whole thing was a " set up job" and McNeer and his followers fell into very bad odor.
The first lawyer who established himself in Alexandria was Peter H. Lemon. This was in 1842, and he remained there for about one year. Mr. Lemon was subsequently elected Clerk of the Madison County Courts, and served a term of four years, after which he removed to Indianapolis, where he died a few years ago.
The first blacksmith shop in the township was started by Joseph Fenimore at Alexandria in 1839. Mr. Fenimore was a clever workman and continued at his vocation for many years.
The first flouring and saw-mill was built in 1850 by J. E. Smith. The ground upon which this mill stood is now occu- pied by the immense flouring mills owned and operated by S. E. Young. This property was owned and operated as a dis- tillery in 1868 by W. H. Daniels. At a point on the creek, just below the mill, was a small distillery at an early day that was operated by Yadkin Williams, and it is still remembered by the old-timers of the locality, one of whom is Mr. Nathan O'Bryant, that the " plant " was run at its full capacity day and night at times in order to supply customers with whisky. It is said that on one occasion Elijah Deadman went to the distillery with his jug to get it filled with liquor, and that the distiller took the receptacle and marked the number " 37" on the bottom of it with a piece of chalk, indicating that there were thirty-six other jugs to be filled before Mr. Deadman could be supplied. It is hardly necessary to observe that the whisky manufactured at this little still was not of the " sure- shot " kind, except in cases of ague.
OTHER ENTERPRISES AND INDUSTRIES.
The first person to open a saloon was Ryburn Haskett, situated on the lot now occupied by Charles Gipe's residence, on Harrison street.
In 1345 William Calloway established a large dry goods store on the lot now occupied by the Johnson & McMahan block, situated on the corner of Washington and Harrison streets.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
In 1847 William T. Scott located here with a general store. Mr. Scott's store was situated on the corner of Harri- son and Berry streets, on the lot now occupied by R. H. Han- nah's residence.
In 1850 Wolfe & Sherman located here a fanning mill factory (entirely without subsidy ) on the lot now occupied by Dr. Runyan's residence. In 1856 they erected a frame busi- ness room on the lot now occupied by the Alexandria Na- tional Bank.
The old landmarks are almost obliterated, except a part of the building now occupied by the Gas Belt News, built.by J. P. Scott, in 1859, on the lot now occupied by Allison's shoe store, and the old frame building on Washington street, east of the Johnson & McMahan block.
Alexandria made very slow progress from 1850 to 1857, having about 300 inhabitants. In 1875 the two railroads were put through here, giving the town quite a boom. The popu- lation increased wonderfully within the next few years.
ALEXANDRIA INCORPORATED AS A TOWN.
In the summer of 1876, Alexandria was incorporated and the following officers elected : E. B. Chamness, N. E. Tom- linson and Gideon Keifer, Trustees ; Seth B. Henshaw, Treas- urer ; J. M. Tomlinson, Clerk ; Marion Tuttle, Marshal. Mr. - Chamness had the honor of writing the first ordinance for the young corporation.
NIAGARA LIME STONE DISCOVERED. 3
In 1885, Simon Richardson discovered the Niagara lime stone quarry, one and one-half miles west of town in the bed of Pipe creek, on the land owned by William Carver. Then there was no doubt that Alexandria possessed greater natural advantages than any town in the State. Mr. Richardson being a poor man had not the means with which to develop the quarry and Mr. Carver seemingly having no faith in the pro- ductiveness of his land, let the quarry lay idle for some time.
L. C. Nicoson, an experienced quarryman, of Anderson. appreciating the fine quality of the stone, leased the land from Mr. Carver and bought the land adjoining it. He immediately put in all the machinery necessary for quarrying stone, devel- oping the quarry and manifesting one of Alexandria's natural advantages. Mr. Nicoson still owns and operates the quarry with a force of fifty men.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
Later, R. Free & Son opened a quarry on their land far- ther up the creek, near the Big Four Railroad bridge, now in- side the city limits. In 1889 N. Booth bought R. Free's interest in the quarry, he and S. Free running the business un - der the firm name of Free & Booth. Four years later Mr. Booth bought S. Free's interest and now owns and operates the quarry. This quarry is equally as productive as Mr. Nic- oson's, and now employs about the same number of men. This made brick and boulder foundations and corner " chunks " a thing of the past. The Niagara lime stone far surpasses, for building purposes, any stone in the State. This was an enterprise, as well as a natural advantage, that the cit- izens of Alexandria could well feel proud of.
The first newspaper in Alexandria was published in 1877, called the Alexandria Bec, edited by Joseph Fenimore.
In 1885 T. A. French came to Alexandria with the deter- mination of running a successful newspaper. The first issue of Judge French's paper came out with the Alexandria Times at the top of the first page, in large black letters. The citi- zens hailed this paper with delight, and whispered, " Alexan- dria will boom now, sure."
The next and greatest natural advantage was natural gas. This great discovery was made on March 27, 1887, in well No. 1, of the Alexandria Mining and Exploring Company, lo- cated near the the terminus of East Washington street. The discovery of this wonderful fuel created greater excitement among the villagers than the discovery of gold created among the people of the West. Not only were the people of Alex- andria excited, but the people of the adjoining counties also. They came by thousands to see "the wonder of the nine- teenth century." Not knowing the depth of the Trenton rock, they were afraid to go very deep for fear of reaching salt water, consequently this well was small, flowing about two million cubic feet per day. Later, the same company drilled well No. 2, on West Washington street, which was thought at that time to be a very strong well, flowing 6,000,- 000 cubic feet per day.
At the time gas was discovered Alexandria was a village of 800 inhabitants. It was a very beautiful little place, hav- ing the best streets of any town in the county. Being well located, it attracted a great many prospectors.
Among the first to locate here was a brick manufacturer, a Mr. Davis, of Indianapolis, who located north of the city.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
Mr. E. C. Ward now owns and operates the factory built by Mr. Davis, employing about fifteen men. The second indus- try was a window glass factory, located by Harper & Cruzen, now owned and operated by Herr, Free & Miller, under the firm name of the Alexandria Window Glass Company, employing seventy-two men.
The third industry was the Lippincott Chimney Works, located on West Washington street. This factory is one of the largest in the Gas Belt, employing about 650 men.
The fourth industry was the Indiana Brick Works, located south of the city, employing fifty men.
The fifth industry was the DePauw Plate Glass Works, one of the largest in America, now known as the American Plate Glass, employing about 300 men, situated west of the Lippincott works.
The sixth industry was the DePauw Window Glass Works, situated east of the city. This factory was the first tank fac- tory built in the Gas Belt and employs about 300 men.
The seventh industry was the Kelly Axe Manufacturing Company, located north of the city, manufacturing the Perfect axe, of which W. C. Kelly, President of the company, is the patentee. This axe is conceded by all to be the best made in the world. The factory employs 400 men and is kept con- stantly in operation filling the orders received from all parts of the globe.
The last, but by no means the least, is the Union Steel Co.'s plant, located south of the city. It is one of the largest and finest in the world, employing 1,600 to 2,000 men.
Besides these industries there are a number of smaller fac- tories among which are the Artificial Ice Plant and the Nov- elty Works.
THE OPERA HOUSE.
During the year 1890, C. F. Heritage, Albert Gordon, R. H. Hannah and S. E. Young erected the handsome and com- modious Opera House on the south-east corner of Harrison and Church streets at a cost of $25,000. This building is an orna- ment to the city and will stand as a monument to the enter- prise and public spirit of its owners and builders.
ALEXANDRIA BANKS - NATIONAL BANK.
Of the many financial institutions in the county-and it is a matter worthy. of note that Madison county has more of them than any other county in the State - the banks of Alex-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
andria stand second to none in the confidence of the business world. The first bank established at Alexandria was organ- ized by Dr. Braxton Baker, years before it was ever thought that the village would become one of the busiest little cities in the country. It was a private institution and was known as the Alexandria Bank. In 1892 this bank was reorganized under the National banking laws, and has since been doing business under the name of the Alexandria National Bank. The capital stock of the bank is $50.000. It is safe and relia- ble, and its career has been eminently successful. The officers of the bank are, S. E. Young, President ; R. H. Hannah, vice- President; S. G. Phillips, Cashier, and John H. Heritage Assistant Cashier.
COMMERCIAL BANK.
This institution was organized March 1, 1890, and by prudent management, practical methods and strict attention to legitimate banking business, is now held in high favor by the business public. It has ample capital with which to meet all demands that are made upon it, and enjoys the reputation of being financially solid. It is a co-partnership bank and its stockholders have large holdings in lands and other valuable property. The officers of the institution are, B. T. Calloway, President ; H. C. Calloway, Vice-President ; S. Free, Cashier, and Miss A. E. Condo, Assistant Cashier.
ALEXANDRIA INCORPORATED AS A CITY ..
In 1893 the town of Alexandria was incorporated as a city. The following is a list of the first and subsequent offi- cers : John E. Sherman, Mayor ; L. J. Hernly, Clerk ; E. C. Robinson, Treasurer ; W. W. Fenimore, Marshal ; Council- men, First Ward, C. F. Heritage and John Reese; Second Ward, Joseph Brannum and Henry Herr ; Third Ward, T. W. Mullen and Peter Hartman. The following officers were elected in 1894: John Shannon, Mayor ; C. C. Robinson, Treasurer ; J. F. Brenaman, vice Robinson, resigned ; John W. Wallingford, Clerk ; ( J. M. Tomlinson, vice Wallingford, resigned ; ) T. M. Houston, Marshal ; Councilmen, First Ward, C. F. Heritage and L. F. Pierce ; Second Ward, Joseph Bran - num and Henry Herr; Third Ward, T. W. Mullen and S. E. Rhinehart. The present city officials are John Shannon, Mayor; Jesse E. Beeson, City Judge; Joseph M. Tomlinson, Clerk ; James F. Brenaman, Treasurer ; T. M. Houston, Mar-
V
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
shal ; Councilmen, First Ward, L. F. Pierce and S. Michaels ; Second Ward, Joseph Brannum and John Marrs ; Third Ward, T. W. Mullen and W. F. Edwards.
ELECTRIC LIGHT AND WATER WORKS.
The city is lighted by electricity, has an excellent water works system, and a well-organized fire department, mention of which will be found elsewhere in this work. The Electric Light Company was organized in 1893.
CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND BENEVOLENT ORDERS.
Alexandria has seven Christian churches, or societies : The Methodist, Christian, Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopal, United Presbyterian and Catholic: . The Methodist society is the old- est in the city and township, having been organized at an early day. The society originally belonged to the Pendleton circuit and built the first church in Alexandria in 1845. The church is in a prosperous condition, having a large member- ship and practically out of debt.
The Christian church was organized in 1852, although evangelical work had been done in the township as far back as 1839 and 1840 by Elders Daniel Franklin, Drury Holt, William Trowbridge, B. Blount and others. Prominent among the membership of this church at the time of its organ- ization were Jacob Cassell, John McMahan, James Ellis, Joseph Fenimore. Elizabeth Fitch and Martha Cassell. The society erected a meeting-house at Alexandria in 1853, in which services were held until 1863, when it was abandoned, being considered insecure. The membership divided at this time, a part going to what is known as the Lilly Creek church and a part to the Vinson church. The church was organized at Alexandria, however, in November, 1875, by Elder Will- iam MeKensey, since which time it has steadily increased its membership.
The Presbyterian society was organized at a compara- _ tively recent date. The membership is small but zealous and the result is that the society has one of the cosiest little churches in the county.
The Baptist church was organized at Alexandria Decem- ber 23, 1895, and at present has no permanent home, the meet- ings being held in the Red Men's hall on Harrison street. The members are active and arrangements have been perfected that will insure them a place of worship.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
There has been an organized Baptist society in Monroe township since June, 1842, when a small number of that faith assembled at the house of Moses Maynard for the purpose of organizing a church. In 1844 the society built a log meet- ing-house on Section 32, in the south-east part of the town- ship. This house was removed in 1872, and on its site was erected a neat little frame building. This society is known as the Little Killbuck Old School Baptist Church. The first pastor was the Rev. William A. Thompson, one of the pioneer Baptist ministers of the State.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church was organized December, 1895, by Rev. Francis C. Woodard. The membership is few in numbers, but active, and the society is growing.
The United Presbyterians organized their church at Alexandria on May 4, 1893, and on the 1st of July, 1893, Rev. A. K. Straw took pastoral charge of the congregation. The work of the society is well organized and the outlook hope- ful.
The Catholics have a growing congregation, but as yet have no permanent place of worship. Services are held by Father Beagle, of Elwood, twice a month.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The city of Alexandria has four public school buildings for the accomodation of the 670 children of legal school age within its limits, that number being the enumeration for the present year. Of that number sixteen are colored, eleven males and five females. This year a corps of twenty-one teachers was employed, at the head of whom, as superintend- ent, is Vinton R. Busby, one of the most efficient educators in the State. The present school trustees are Thomas II. Jones, S. Free and H. C. Binkly.
Two of the four school buildings, the " Tomlinson " and " Clark," are deserving of special mention. These two structures when completed and furnished cost the citizens of Alexandria $40,000. They are of handsome design, very at- tractive and a credit to the city.
There are thirteen school buildings in the township ex- clusive of the towns, and a like number of teachers. The school enumeration this year for the township alone shows that there are 352 males and 307 females, making a total of 659 persons entitled to school privileges.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA.
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
There are five secret benevolent orders at Alexandria, viz : The F. and A. M. ; I. O. O. F. ; K. of P. ; I. O. R. M. and K. O. T. M. These societies were instituted in the above order, the Masons being the first to organize a lodge. Alex- andria Lodge No. 225, F. and A. M., was organized May 25, 1858, and the following officers installed : R. H. Hannah, W. M .; John Coburn, S. W .; T. J. Pickard, J. W. ; D. M. Scott, Treas. ; A. G. Tomlinson, Sec. ; G. Bohrer, S. D. ; Jos- eph Pugh, J. D. ; J. M. Zedeker, Tyler.
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