USA > Indiana > Greene County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 12
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
In 1871, Uriah Coulson, John S. Bays, John H. Buskirk, Mr. Ayde- lotte, W. D. Bynum, George W. Buff and Frank Wilson were admitted to practice. John S. Bays was born in Greene County, and is a son of William S. Bays, who was a leading citizen of the county. He com. menced the practice at Worthington; afterward moved to Bloomfield and formed a partnership with James R. Baxter. In 1882, he formed a partnership with Lucian Shaw, with whom he practiced until the latter part of 1883, when they left a large practice and moved to California.
THE CARIS LAND SUITS.
In 1821, Simon Caris, Sr., entered several tracts of land in Greene County, and soon after some of his children occupied a part of the lands. The lands were finally abandoned, and they were sold for taxes and other parties took possession of them.
In 1872, more than fifty years after the entry, Simon Caris, Jr., and ninety other heirs of Simon Caris, Sr., living in several different States, commenced several actions for the recovery of these lands. They suo- couded in recovering all except eighty acres.
During this year, 1872, Willis G. Neff, Benjamin F. East, Ephraim Mosier, Benjamin Henderson, W. F. Gallimore and S. M. MoGregor, were admitted to practice. At the October election, 1872, O. O. Mation was elected Prosecuting Attorney. Harry Burnes, Judge of the Common Pleas Court; Samuel M. McGregor, District Attorney; and F. M. Dugger, Sheriff. Mr. Dagger appointed Thomas Lamb his Deputy at his first term of office, and at each succeeding term while he was in office. In 1873, the county in which C. C. Matson resided, being legislated out of the circuit that Greene County was a part of, at a special election in Oo- tober A. M. Cunning was elected Prosecuting Attorney. The January term, 1873, was the last term of the Common Pleas Court, the same having been abolished by the Legislature. F. O. Wadsworth and A. M. Cunning were admitted to practice this year.
In 1874, and following years, there were four terms of the Circuit Court each year. William M. Franklin continued as Judge, and A. M. Cunning, Prosecuting Attorney. William Wines, Emerson Short and Samuel W. Axtell were admitted to practice. At the October election
Digitized by Google
112
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
this year, A. M. Cunning was re-elected Prosecuting Attorney. David S. Whitaker re-elected Clerk, and F. M. Dugger was re-elected Sheriff, it being his fourth term. The Clerk and Sheriff continued to avail them- selves of the services of their efficient deputies. In 1875, J. S. Dean, P. H. Blue, W. S. Shirley, William Eckels, William H. Burke and Hi- ram Teter were admitted to practice.
THE HARDIN MURDER CASE.
At the March term of this year, the grand jury returned an indict- ment against John Huey, charging him with the murder of Elihu Har. din, on the 30th day of December, 1874, by shooting him with a gun. A. M. Cunning, John D. Alexander and H. W. Letsinger prosecuted the case, and E. E. Rose and Emerson Short appeared as attorneys for the defense. The alleged murder occurred at Lyons, and grew out of an old quarrel, both parties being under the influence of intoxicating liquor. The defendant was not arrested for several years, he having fled the county, and was not tried until the January term, 1877. The case was tried with ability on both sides, and the jury failed to agree, and were discharged. The Prosecuting Attorney then entered a nolle as to the charge of murder, and the defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and was sentenced to the State's Prison for twenty years.
In 1876, Elijah Moss, H. W. Letsinger and W. Waggoner were ad- mitted to practice. At the October election this year, John C. Robinson was elected Judge for six years; Samuel O. Pickens was elected Prosecut- ing Attorney, and Daniel M. Bynum was elected Sheriff. Mr. Bynum had been the Deputy of Henry S. Slinkard while he was Sheriff. Mr. Bynum appointed J. H. B. O'Neall and Joseph J. Sexson as his Deputies.
In 1877, Wesley Coffey, William S. Greene, Edwin L. Webber, Charles G. MeCord, Daniel A. Sherwood, Aquilla Jones, Robert G. Evans and John C. Briggs were admitted. Mr. Webber never entered regularly into the practice in Indiana, although he resided at Worthington a few years. William S. Greene located in Bloomfield in 1882, but moved . West in 1883.
In 1878, William L. Cavins, Thomas H. Chapman, W. A. Massie and George W. Osbon were admitted to practice. Thomas H. Chapman was a law student, and never entered into the practice. He was a close student, and gave his whole time and energy to study. Had he lived, he would have become very learned in the law. It was predicted of him while he was a student that he would make an Abe Lincoln of a lawyer, but the hopes of his boyhood years were closed by an early and un -. timely death.
At the October election, 1878, S. O. Pickens was re-elected Proseout- ing Attorney; John F. Slinkard Clerk, and D. M. Bynum re-elected Sheriff A. J. Whitaker was continued as Deputy Clerk for the first six
Digitized by Google
113
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
months, and T. T. Pringle was also appointed Deputy. After the retire- ment of Mr. Whitaker, George Calvert was also appointed a Deputy Clerk and continued during Mr. Slinkard's term of office. Mr. Bynum continued his Deputies. In 1882, Mr. T. T. Pringle was appointed Mas- ter Commissioner, and discharged the duties with great skill and ability, but voluntarily retired from the office to enter the store of T. D. Huff, as clerk.
In 1879, George P. Stone was admitted to practice. In 1880, Ed- win C. Hartsell, James H. Hanna, Gilbert Hendren, William B. MoKee . and H. J. Hostetter were admitted to practice. At the October election this year, John D. Alexander was elected Prosecuting Attorney and Joseph J. Sezson was elected Sheriff. Mr. Sexson continued J. H. B. O'Neall as Deputy Sheriff. This year another local member of the bar was called away by death. William H. Burke died on the 30th day of November, 1880. He had been living in the county only a little over three years, but had endeared himself to the members of the bar and the people by his uniform courtesy and upright conduct.
In 1881, Joseph Phillips, John Downey, Arnold J. Padgett, John W. Ogden, John R. East, Theodore Pringle and John Wilhelm were ad- mitted to practice. The Legislature that met in 1881 changed the law in regard to the manner of selecting juries, and required the appoint- inent by the Judge of two Jury Commissioners, one from each of the two political parties that polled the largest vote in the county. At the June term, 1881, Judge Robinson appointed John O. Burbank and Daniel M. Bynum. At the November term, 1872, Mr. Bynum retired from the position, and Daniel B. Hatfield was appointed to fill the vacancy.
. In the year 1882, it seems that no attorneys were admitted to practice in Greene County. At the October election this year, A. M. Cunning' was elected Judge; J. D. Alexander was re-elected Prosecuting Attorney; Henry Gastineau elected Clerk; and Evan A. Bonham, Sheriff. Mr. Gastineau continued George Calvert as a Deputy, but he soon went into the Treasurer's office as Deputy. George B. Leavitt was appointed a Deputy, but he preferred the duties of his farm and soon retired. George R. Weatherwax, the efficient Deputy Clerk of D. S. Whitaker, discharged the duties of Deputy for awhile, but his health failed him and he re- tired. Finally, D. S. Whitaker and Horace V. Fields became the per- manent Deputies of Mr. Gastineau. Evan A. Bonham appointed as his principal Deputy, Thomas Maddux, who brought with him considerable experience in that office. The Legislature of 1882 changed the circuit so as to make a circuit of Sullivan and Greene Counties! At the first term of court after the change was made, the Bloomfield bar, in a body, made a charge on Sullivan, and were received with "the pomp and cir- camstance" of great hospitality, and entertained and banqueted with
Digitized by Google
114
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
great eclat by the Sullivan bar during their entire visit. The Sullivan bar in return came in a body at the opening of the first term in Greene County, and in like manner were entertained by the Bloomfield bar.
At the June term, 1883, George W. Buff appeared as Judge of the court.
This year, another member of the bar was called away by death. Ed- win R. Hartsell died in the month of October, 1883. He was a young man just entering into the practice of his chosen profession. Among the older people he was kind and courteous. Among the young, who were his associates, he was genial, talented, and a great favorite. In the bright morn of life, when the future was decked with sparkling hopes and golden tints, he was suddenly called from one bar to a Bar where Judge and Advocate never err.
During the year, William A. Hultz, William H. Burke, Jr., Charles E. Barrett, John T. Beazley, James A. Eaton, John T. Hays, Arthur A. Holmes, Augustus L. Mason, John T. Wolf, F. P. Jarrell, Jeese F. Ra- per, T. H. Palmer, J. E. Shipman, F. L. Buskirk, W. R. Cullep, William W. Moffitt, Theodore Menges.
At this writing, Judge Buff and the officers last elected and their ef- ficient deputies, with the assistance of the clever and efficient Court Bail- iff, Henry T. Skinner, and the attorneys and an occasional jury, the court is run. It holds four terms a year, and usually five weeks per term.
The members of the bar now residing in the county are A. G. Cavins, E. H. C. Cavins, E. E. Rose, Emerson Short, Robert R. Taylor, John D. Alexander, H. W. Letsinger, W. L. Cavins, G. P. Stout, Theodore Men- ges, W. C. Moffit, S. W. Axtell, J. R. Baxter, W. F. Gallimore, Freder- ick Buskirk, J. R. Isenhower, Joseph Phillips, W. D. Ellis, A. S. Helms, George Stone, S. D. Alexander, T. Edwards, Jesse Raper, F. P. Jarrell, G. H. Hendren, Elijah Moss, R. O. Hilburn, H. C. Owen, J. M. Boord.
-
-Digitized by
1
--
1
115
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE COUNTY MILITIA-THE ANNUAL MUSTERS-SOLDIERS OF THE MEXICAN WAR-ROUSSEAU'S COMPANY-ROLL OF HONOR-PUBLIC SENTIMENT AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE REBELLION-OPENING SCENES OF THE WAR- FIRST WAR MEETING AT WORTHINGTON-THE MEETING AT BLOOMFIELD -THE FIRST VOLUNTEERS- FORMATION OF COMPANIES- FIRST ORGAN- IZATION FOR THE WAR-CHEAT MOUNTAIN CAMPAIGN-INCIDENTS FROM THE FIELD-JUNCTION WITH THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC-THE VET- ERANS-PERSONAL RECORD AND ROLL OF HONOR.
F AROM the time of the first settlement in Greene County to the great rebellion of 1861-65, with the single exception of the brief but brilliant campaign in the land of the Montezumas, nothing had trans- pired to disturb the peaceful pursuits of social life and the steady ob- servance of civil liberty and law. Mothers and maidens had never felt the anguish of separation from loved ones at the stern call of a nation at war. Children had grown to manhood without ever seeing a soldier in military dress, and their loving hearts knew nothing of the sad, wild, glorious things which go to make up war, save what they had read, or what they had been told by their grandfathers, who had been with Harrison and Jackson, and perhaps with Washington. The old militia system which had been so efficient and popular during the Indian wars on the frontier and directly after the close of the war of 1812-15, had loosened its hold upon the public mind during a protracted period of profound peace. Prior to the war with Mexico, a more or less nominal organiza- tion was effected and carried on in Greene County, and quarterly mus- ters were enjoyed by large and motley crowds more intent on frolic and roystering than improvement in military discipline. The cities and the larger towns of the State were the only places where strict military ob- servance was appreciated, and where discipline attained a proficiency nearly equal to that which pervailed in the regular army. An early law of the Territory and afterward of the State, provided for the enrollment of all able-bodied militia, and the formation of regiments in the various counties. Such an organization was early effected in Greene County. It is said that Levi Fellows was the first militia Colonel; another was Thomas Warnick-both being very early and very popular.
THE MUSTERS.
The musters took place several times a year at the county seat, or perhaps at other central points, and were always attended by large crowds. Men were privileged from arrest on " Training Days, " except,
Digitized by Google
116
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
perhaps, for crime, and met more for fun and fight and to drink and sport than for improvement in the art of making war. They would often strip to the waist, fight furiously until one was " whipped," and then quietly resume peaceful and neighborly relations. This was done to see which was the better man. Our fathers were great boasters, but they were also great fighters -- splendid specimens of physical development and manhood-which may possibly be regarded as some excuse for boasting. It is said that J. W. Wines was one of the first Majors, and Peter Ingersoll, Burch, Richey and Buskirk early Captains. A little later, Joseph Storm became Colonel, and still later Samuel R. Cavins, who had fought with Gen. Jackson behind the cotton bales at New Or- leans, also served as Colonel of the county militia. These old men and others were known as " Colonel " as long as they lived. One of the Dix- sons was an early Major. For the first ten or fifteen years after the coun- ty organization, the musters were quite well attended by men with rifles and shot-guns, and considerable interest was manifested in discipline and the principles and strategy of war. But after that period, the inter- est slowly relaxed; canes, umbrellas and sticks were substituted in the place of guns, notwithstanding the expostulation of the officers, and finally the musters themselves were almost or altogether transformed into popular sporting occasions. From time to time the system was re- vived by legislative enactment, but was unpopular, as it was thought to be unnecessary.
GREENE COUNTY IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
The war with Mexico in 1846-47, roused the militia everywhere into activity. Under the act of Congress, approved May 13, 1846, the Presi- dent of the United States called for volunteers, three regiments to be raised in Indiana Within two weeks afterward, Lovel H. Rousseau, then a prominent lawyer of Greene County, was commissioned to raise a company, which he promptly did, securing men from all portions of the county. He was assisted by Col. Samuel R. Cavins, Col. Levi Fellows, Col. Samuel Bough, Maj. Andrew Humphreys, Adam Stropes and others, and on the 8th of June, 1846, the company was received and was mus- tered into the Second Regiment of Indiana (Foot) Volunteers on the 22d of June.
It should be noticed that Rousseau's company, E, upon leaving the county for the war, gathered by fragments at Owensburg, where they were presented a beautiful silk flag by the ladies of that town and Springfield. Capt. Rousseau replied in fitting words to the presentation speech. From Owensburg, the company went in squads in wagons and on horseback to New Albany, where the Second Regiment rendezvoused. Upon the return of the company, a public reception was given them at the court house in Bloomfield, Hugh Livingston and Samuel R. Cavins
1
Digitized by Google
--
117
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
delivering the welcoming addresses, which were replied to by Rousseau, Stropes and others of the company. Afterward, a barbecue was held in honor of the company in Jones' Woods, near Bloomfield, where a huge ox was roasted, and where Rousseau and other members of the company detailed the experiences of the campaign. The following is a complete list of the members of the company as they were mustered into the service June 22, 1846, with, so far as can be learned, an account of what became of them:
PERSONAL RECORD.
Lovel H. Rousseau, Captain in the Mexican war and Brigadier Gen- eral and Major General in the rebellion; Adam Stropes, First Lieuten- ant, dead, had fought the Creek Indians at Horseshoe Bend during the war of 1812, where he was shot through the breast and left for dead on the battle field; David Erwin, living in Knox County, Mo .; Henry Roach, Sr., died about 1855; Giles Williams, died at Camp Belknap, Tex., in 1846; McHenry Dozier, killed at Buena Vista February 23, 1847; J. L. Stropes, living in Greene County; John Vanscoit, discharged with the measles, living at Bloomfield: Zachariah Danforth died about 1870; Richard C. Bray, residence unknown; John Sexton, died in Missouri; Samuel Anderson, died in Illinois in 1882; James H. Hall, died about 1873. Privates-James Akins, died of measles February 24, 1847; Will- iam Akins, killed at Buena Vista; Thomas J. Anderson, died about 1850; J. W. Ashford moved to Texas; William Bee, residence unknown; Will- iam Bland, moved to Iowa, and served in the rebellion; William Bough, living in Greene County, served in the rebellion, was Captain of Com- pany C, Twenty-first Regiment; James Buzan, dead; Solomon Burcham, died in 1880; John Burcham, moved to Illinois, dead; Noah Cox, living in Du Bois County; Daniel W. Cox, living in Greene County; M. A. Cooper, dead; T. J. Ducast, dead; Solomon Dixson, living in Greone County; J. G. B. Dillon, killed at Buena Vista; Jonathan Elswick died in 1848; Washington Elliott, died at Camp Belknap in 1846; John Evans, died at Camp Belknap in 1846; A. J. Franks, died about 1848; Jacob Fulk, died at Camp Belknap in 1846; Littleton Goad, died about 1871; Henry Goad, living in Greene County; Charles H. Gardner, residence unknown; Peter C. Graves died in 1865; Seth Halbert, residence un- known; William Holtsclaw, living in Greene County, Ind .; Jordan Holtsclaw, died in 1852; Fielding L. Hatfield, died in 1854; Oras Handy, residence unknown; Benjamin Holtsclaw, living in Greene County; Bar- ton Hartley, residence unknown; Samuel Hooey, moved to Illinois; Eph raim Jackson, moved to Kansas; Andrew Johnson, died in 1881; Masun James, moved to Iowa; Isaac Kelley, served in the rebellion, dead; G. W. Kelshaw, served in the rebellion, died in 1869; Willoughby Lewis, served in the confederate army, killed at Pea Ridge; Abraham Simmons, resi- dence unknown; W. J. Mathis died soon after the war; John Miller,
Digitized by Google
118
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
died about 1873; John Mowery, died about 1879; Thomas McIntire, served in the rebellion, died in 1870; James McIntire, died about 1873; John Michael, killed at Worthington in 1848; Nehemiah Melton, moved to Kansas; L. B. Moore, residence unknown; John S. Moore, moved to Cedar County, Iowa; Levi Nicholson, living near Scotland, Greene County; J. E. Owens, served in the rebellion from Iowa; Simpson Osborn, living in Greene County; All. Osborn, died at Camp Belknap in 1846; Albert G. Osborn, died at Camp Belknap in 1846; James Parker, dead; John Padgett, died while serving in the rebellion; John Russell, died at Saltillo, Mex., 1847; James Roe, living near Worthington; John Roach, promoted Sergeant and Lieutenant, living at last accounts; Henry Roach, Jr., served in the rebellion, was First Lieutenant in the Forty-third Regiment, living in Greene County; Peter Rader, dead; Thomas Rader, dead; John Rickabough, moved West; Samuel Riddle, dead; William Reubottom moved to Texas; Greenville D. Shelton, died at Camp Belknap, Tez., 1846; Zachariah Sims, served in the rebellion, was Second Lieuten- ant and Captain, living in Martin County; Joshua Scott, served in the re- bellion, died in the city hospital in Indianapolis in 1865; G. W. Scott, died in 1854; Elisha Sholts, dead; Albert Stalcup, dead; M. A. Shelton, moved to Missouri; Robert Smith, dead; Ambrose Storms, dead; William Scobee, residence unknown; William Thomas, moved to California; Har- din Walker, dead; Wilson Wolf, dead; Nelson Woodsworth, moved West; Joseph W. Young, dead.
PUBLIC SENTIMENT IN 1860-61.
The Presidential campaign in Greene County during the autumn of 1860 was of the most enthusiastic character. Almost every township had its company or companies of " Wide Awakes " and " Hickory Clubs," and scarcely a night passed without public speaking and noisy and deter- mined demonstration. Torch light processions and vociferous cheering disturbed the drowsy air of night. The county had never before been so thoroughly organized for political purposes. When the returns were all in and Lincoln's name was on every tongue, and when the Southern States, one after another, began to enact ordinances of secession, and even the air seemed rife with treason and bewilderment, all wiser heads saw that the conflict which had so long been ominously pending had come. The slavery question must be settled either to the satisfaction of the North or the South; no evasion would answer. No interference with slavery as to its abolishment was at first considered. The question which engrossed the public mind was whether the States had the right under the Constitution to peaceably leave the Union. Many persons in the county believed they had that right-Democrats and Republicans. Still others thought the reverse. Some were for immediate war to preserve the Union. Abolitionists declared that the time to abolish slavery had
Digitized by Google
119
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
come. Others declared that the administration had no right to levy war upon the seceding States. Some thought the North right; others the South, and still others were in doubt, the latter, perhaps, being greater in number. Perhaps very few at that period thought of commencing and prosecuting war for the purpose of exterminating slavery. Men did not fully know their own minds. A revolution in thought on the subject of States' rights, secession, slavery, etc., was ensuing, and the public mind was buffeted around by every breeze of sentiment or fancy or even folly. Here and there arose some clear intellect above its cotemporaries and looked down with the impartial eye of a philosopher upon the trne and ominous state of affairs. To such minds all hearts turned anxiously for relief. When Mr. Lincoln took the reins of Government, speedy relief from public gloom and embarrassment was expected; but as time slipped away and effective action was masked by broad generalizations, and the course of the administration was clouded with apparent doubt and hesitan- cy, many of the best Union men lost heart. The friends of disunion looked upon the hesitancy as a practical acknowledgment that the Government could see no way under the Constitution to a settlement of existing dif- ferences. But when the blow at last fell upon Fort Sumter and all pacific overtures from the administration, even to an avowal that no established institution of the South should be interfered with, were haughtily rejected, the mask of peace was thrown aside, and the call to arms sent a thrill of joy and hope to thousands of loyal hearts. In view of the darkness which enveloped the country at subsequent stages of the war, when it seemed certain that masses in the North would compel a cessation of hostilities and permit the Southern States to go out of the Union, the transcendent wisdom of Mr. Lincoln in throwing upon the South the responsibility of commencing the war, even in the face of the must abundant promises, undoubtedly saved the country from hopeless disruption.
OPENING SCENES OF THE REBELLION.
The news of the fall of Fort Sumter was received at Worthington about 10 o'clock at night, April 16 (Tuesday), 1861, and created great excitement. Late as it was, a flag-pole was erected, a bonfire kindled near it, and the stars and stripes were run up amid the cheers of the assembled citizens. The next day crowds of country people came to the town to learn details. The loyalty of Worthington was pronounced. The National banner was hung from almost every public building and private residence, and all business pursuits were abandoned. An attempt was made to raise a volunteer company, and a number of names was se- cured. A public meeting was called for the evening of April 18, to take into consideration the state of the country, and devise what was best to be done. . This meeting was postponed until the Saturday night, April
Digitized by Google
120
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
20. The Worthington Gazette of the 18th, edited by Isaac N. Morrison said:
" There is to be no party nor politics about this meeting. The paltry differences among our citizens about matters of politics ought to be for- gotten now. There are no live issues between our people except Seces- sion and Union. Let every citizen of Point Commerce and Worthington turn out. Come up workingmen, farmers, mechanics, merchants, preach- ers, doctors, lawyers and loafers. Come out all classes and manifest your devotion for the Union, and the constituted government of the land. Let there be a grand rally of all persons now to testify their approbation of the Government under which they have grown up and prospered, and their determination that no traitorous hands shall break it down. The time and place of the meeting will be the firing of the canon."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.