History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 32

Author: Goodspeed Bros. & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 901

USA > Indiana > Greene County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 32
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 32

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).

OTHER EARLY INDUSTRIES.

An early mill of the township was started by John Purcell a short distance west of the central part of the township .. It was a genuine old corn cracker with horse power, and was a curiosity in its way. A heavy roller was so arranged that it crushed the corn on a broad base from which the meal was brushed into a box or bag. It was started at an early day and was the first improvement over the old way of crushing the grain by hand with mortar and pestle. Its period of existence was brief and uneventful. Abraham Garrett, at an early day, probably about 1833, built a long shed on his farm and put in the necessary machinery, and commenced carding wool. Settlers would take their wool to him and after it had been carded would return for it, take it home, and spin and weave it into cloth. He operated the mill for several years. The old mill on Black Creek was built quite early and ran for many years with many changes in the ownership. The name of the builder could not be learned. A large dam, with an excellent natural mill site, fur- nished water-power second to no other place in the county. Just above

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the dam the country was as level as a floor, and over all this, now called the " Goose Pond," a head of water was obtained to operate a dozen mills. The entire country above could be kept under water, and was. After a year or two, this was such a breeder of malaria that complaint arose, but the dam was not removed, as it was too valuable. Finally, in the night it was cut, but was repaired soon afterward. Everybody had the chills in that neighborhood. At length the dam was destroyed one night, and the timbers of the mill were so injured that the owners commenced legal pro- ceedings against the transgressors. The matter went to the Supreme Court, with just what result cannot be stated. The dam and mill were soon afterward permanently abandoned. One or two other short-lived mills were operated in early years. It is said that one or two small dis- tilleries were conducted for a few years in the decades of the thirties and forties. Nothing but a limited quantity of corn whisky was manufact. urod.

HUNTING INCIDENTS.

Benjamin Stafford says that one morning he stood in his father's cabin and counted over thirty deer passing in one herd. This was very unus- ual, as they usually went in very small herds. They were very numerous, and could be shot at almost any hour of the day. William Harrison was one day hunting in the township when, in passing near the border of the Goose Pond, he saw a bear out to one side in the woods. It seemed to be coming toward him, so he concealed himself behind a clump of bushes, and after priming his rifle awaited the approach of bruin. At last the ani- mal came shambling along to within easy rifle shot, when he took careful aim, fired, and stretched it dead on the ground with a bullet through its head. He skinned it, and went to the house and got a team of horses with which it was loaded on the sled with skids with the help of some of the Stafford boys. It weighed when dressed over 400 pounds. Its flesh was eaten by nearly all the neighbors. On another occasion, Josiah Johnson was hunting in the vicinity of the Goose Pond, with two dogs, which soon were heard at bay out in the woods, barking at something they had treed. Mr. Johnson surmised by their angry and rapid howls that they had en- countered an animal of more than usual size and ferocity. He accord- ingly hurried out to see what they had found. He reached the spot and saw a moderate sized bear in a large oak tree, to which it had climbed after ascending a smaller oak which stood against the large one. The animal stood on a high branch composedly eyeing the raging dogs below. With- out deliberating very long, Mr. Johnson brought the bear to the ground with a bullet. It was seized by the dogs, but, after a few spasmodic kicks and gasps, it became motionless. Mason Pitts was a hunter of courage and experience. It is said he claimed to have killed more panthers than any other resident of Sullivan County (the western part of Greene County was part of Sullivan before 1821). He had an eye ;

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like a hawk; was easy and graceful of movement; possessed great strength, courage and endurance, and was a. dead shot off-hand with his rifle. He was a blacksmith, and when not hunting was working the most of his time at his trade. One day, in passing across an open space on his way to a neighbor's, returning something he had borrowed, he saw a heap of grass and leaves, and going noiselessly up to the spot, kicked the leaves away and hallooed at the top of his voice. Instantly, two large panthers sprang. ont and bounded off like cats into the marshy tract of land and were soon out of sight and sound. He had no gun, but came back after- ward with gun and dogs, but could not find the "painters," as he called them. It is said he shot one from a tree in the southern part of the township on another occasion. Old man Carrico is said to have killed three or four bears in the marsh near his house. One he wounded, and as it came at him with open mouth he was compelled to use his knife to prevent being " hugged " to death. The Stafford boys-Benjamin and Azmabeth-in a very early day, with the aid of dogs, caught on Black Creek four otters, an animal that was very rare even at that time.

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST.

The first entries of land were made as follows: Allen Reeves, on Section 35, in October, 1816; Isaac Hubble, on Sections 7 and 18, in August, 1817; Mason Pitts, on Section 6, in September, 1817; Joseph Dixon, on Section 25, in October, 1817; Charles Scantland, on Section 36, in October, 1817; John Hinkle, on Section 7, in 1818; Abraham Miller; on Section 29, in 1818; John Smith, on Section 30, in 1818; John Ham- ilton, on Section 30, in 1818; Joseph Hackley, on Section 32, in 1818; James Walker, on Section 6, in November, 1818; Abraham Garret, on Section 19, in 1818; Peter Hays, on Section 24, in 1819; Benjamin Stafford, Sr., on Section 24, in January, 1819; Simon Hagerman, on Section 13, in 1819, and Joseph Kirkpatrick, on Section 86, in 1821. Some of these men did not reside in the township. Carrico raised the first crop in the township. William Miller, an old crippled Kentuckian, who came to the township with Hagerman, was the first one to die. It is said that one of the Hubbles was the first born. The first marriage was that of John Reeves and Jane Carrico. The ceremony was per- formed by Squire Black, of Carlisle, at the log cabin of old Mr. Carrico. The families living within a few miles of the place were invited to wit- ness the wedding and eat of the supper prepared at the old fire-place of the cabin. The fare is said to have been wild turkey, potatoes, corn bread and beans, seasoned with fat pork. That was good enough for an historian.

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

The first school in the township was taught in the western part, in a small log cabin that had been built for a residence by some settler and

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abandoned. It had no floor but dirt, and no window but an insignificant opening, over which not even glazed paper was fastened. It was usually left open, serving to admit light and air. A large fire-place was the most interesting feature of the dismal little room, as its cheerful light and heat filled the place with ruddy glow. The teacher is said to have been one of the Hinkles, of Jefferson Township, Sullivan County. It is prob- able that not more than one or two terms were taught in this house, though after this the neighborhood was not without a school. Another early school was taught in the southern part, a few years later, by a man named Harvey. About the same time, Mr. Cartwright and a Mr. Ander- son taught schools near Marco. In 1830, there were only three well- established schools in the township, but in 1846 there were five, and a sixth one taught occasionally. . Frame houses were not built for schools until in the fifties, when the new school law came into effect. Now the township is well supplied with school privileges.

The old Baptist Church on Black Creek was famous in its day. It was organized about the year 1835, although meetings had been held in the neighborhood at private residences and schoolhouses for a number of years previously. Bartlett Goodman was one of the leading members. The Brewers, the Purcells, Davises, Andersons, Collins, Coombs and others were among the first members. On the 22d of March, 1844, Benjamin Stafford deeded to Bartlett Goodman, Peter Cornus and E. Veach, "Trustees of the house of the Lord, at Black Creek, to be and remain free for all denominations of Christians to worship, except on the fourth Sunday and Saturday preceding, and shall then be exclusively free for the denomination commonly called Baptist," about one acre of land, on Section 25, upon which to build a church. "Should two or more appointments come on the same day, the oldest shall have the pref- erence." A log church was built soon after this, the contractors being John and Benjamin Stafford, Jr., who undertook to put up the building for about $60. The lumber for the floor, door-casings, doors, etc., was obtained at the old Fellows Saw Mill at Mineral City. This old congrega- tion lived and flourished many years. It is said that Aquilla Moss organized the class. Bartlett Goodman succeeded him as minister, and then came two men named Wilson, both of whom were prominent miristers, and organized and served classes in all parts of the county. Another class was organized in the southwestern part, and a church was built which is yet standing. The class is prosperous Schoolhouses have been used for religious as well as educational purposes.

MARCO VILLAGE.

This is the only town ever within the limits of the township, except Old Marco. It owes its origin to Indianapolis & Vincennes Railroad. It was laid out in May, 1869, on the northeast quarter of the northeast

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quarter of Section 25, Township 6 north, Range 7 west, and at first com- prised 100 lots. The proprietors were W. M. Franklin, Calvin Fletcher, Jr., and John T. Marsh. At this time and before for a number of years, there was upon the town site a log house occupied by Henry Coker. The next building was erected by the railroad men for a boarding house, and is now the residence of Mr. Marsh. Immediately after this, William Courtney finished a house that had been commenced by some one else. It is now used as a saloon. Marsh built an early house, which is now used as a hotel by the Widow Sims. John Brewer built an early one and put in a stock of drugs .. Marsh had started his store before. The depot was erected early. Benjamin Fry had lived down by the mill before the town was founded. Four or five small buildings were put up early to rent. J. O. Burton came in with a stock of goods, and Dr. Hungate started a saloon. This was a few years after the town started. In 1874, Franklin P. Jarrell opened a store of general merchandise, since which time he has been engaged actively in the business, with a large stock and with excellent patronage for the little town. He has been admitted to the bar of the Greene County Courts, and is the legal monitor of the town. Other merchants have been Weaver & Ray, John Fitzgerald, James Lyons, Himes & Loper, Hendron & Son, P. S. Buskirk, Himes & Delay, John Gardner, Lyons & Hughes, Lyons & Louders. These men have had the leading business houses. Others have been in business. Paul Sharp is the present and was the first blacksmith. Dr. R. A. J. Benefiel was the first resident physician and Dr. Talbott was the second. Dr. Aydelotte was in for a short time. The present physician is J. T. Freeland. The Hunter Grist Mill and Saw Mill was built about 1874, and is the leading feature of the town. William and Frank Hanter were the builders and proprietors, and are so at present. The grist mill is fitted with the latest and best machinery, and furnishes first-class flour. The saw mill was attached later. There are three run of stones in the grist mill. An elevator has been erected by Dugger & Co. Marco is one of the best grain-shipping points of its size on the I. & V. Railroad. Martin & Stalcup had a saw mill in town for several years. The town has a population of about 150. Within two or three years after the town was laid out, the Township Trustee, Jacob Garret, built a small one-sto- ried frame schoolhouse at a cost of about $500. Among the first teachers were John Page, Gould Norris and Josie Norris. Before the erection of this house, the children went to the country schoolhouse southwest three- fourths of a mile. This tirst -house was used until the present fine two- storied brick was erected in 1879, at a cost, including the furnishing, of about $2,400. There are two fine rooms-one above and one below. Among the Principals in this building have been Cavins, Stamper, Men- ges and the present (January, 1884) teacher, Mr. Danielson, a graduate of the college of Baltimore, and an advanced student of the splendid

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educational institutions of Germany, of which country he is a native. The Methodists have a church in Marco. It was organized from the remnants of an old class that had been in the neighborhood for many years. Within a few years after the town was founded, the class built a church which cost about $1,300, and was paid for by all the neighbor- hood-Christians, Pagans and Agnostics. The class is weak and its mem- bership uncertain. Among the members may be named Mrs. Baker, Fred Meese, Dr. Benefiel, Mr. Winfield and others.

CHAPTER XX.

BY CHARLES L. GOODSPEED.

HIGHILAND TOWNSHIP-THE SURFACE AND SOIL-FIRST ELECTIONS AND OFFICERS-LIST OF PIONEERS-FIRST ORCHARD AND FIRST CHILD BORN- OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST-THE FIRST SCHOOL-OTHER TERMS TAUGHT-MILLING ENTERPRISES-PREACHERS, CHURCHES, ETC .- PETI- TION OF MRS. SMITH-PIONEER CUSTOMS-A MILITIA COMPANY-FIRST MARRIAGE-CHURCHES-AN APPALLING ACCIDENT.

P1 REVIOUS to the year 1817, there had been no settlement made by the whites within the present boundaries of what constitutes High- land Township. It had not yet felt the civilizing influence of the plow- share of progress, but instead was peopled by strolling bands of savages in search of wild game, which at that time existed in abundance and was to be had with but little trouble.

At the time of the organization of the county in 1821, Highland Town- ship was formed and comprised what is now Highland, Jefferson, Smith (with the exception of the part that extends over six miles south of the northern boundary) and Wright Townships. Another change was made in May, 1828, and this left Highland Township as it now is lying wholly in Township 8, Ranges 4 and 5.

The land along the river is exceedingly fertile and is well adapted for farming purposes, but the country grows more broken as it extends toward the interior, and from its many hills and high bluffs the town- ship derived its name.

ELECTION AND OFFICERS.

The first election for old Highland Township was held in May, 1821, at the house of Alexander Craig, and was so ordered by the County Com - missioners, with John Sanders as Inspector. For some reason unknown, only three Justices of the Peace were elected, while the remainder of the ticket was appointed by the Commissioners, as follows: For Overseers of the Poor, Thomas Smith and Evan Owen; Superintendent of the Six-

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teenth Section, J. L. Buskirk; Fence Viewers, Caleb Jessup, Jonathan Lindley and A. Mounts; Constable, John Jessup. John Sanders, as In- spector, held another election in 1822, for Highland Township and al- though it is not stated anything concerning the wire pulling, political log-rolling and hard-cider drinking, the election was peaceable and re- sulted as follows: Jonathan Lindley, Superintendent of Roads east of the river; Ephraim Owen, Assessor; Hugh Prebble, Constable; Thomas Kelshaw, Superintendent of Section 16; Evan Owen, Thomas Stalcup and Alexander Watson, Fence Viewers. After Highland Township had assumed its present boundaries, elections for various years were held at the house of Jonathan Lindley.

CATALOGUE OF PIONEERS.

Prominent among the early pioneers of the township were Isaac Stal- cup, John H. Owen, Evan Owen, Ephraim Owen. John L. Buskirk, Col. Jack Stokely, James Jackson, Timothy Jessup, Robert Baber, John Kel- ley, William J., Jacob and Moore McIntosh, Samuel Kelshaw, Thomas Osborn, Edward and Richard Buckner, David Deem, Rev. Samuel Med- dley, Dr. Simon Snyder, Jonathan Quackenbush, William Bland, Bailey Mccutcheon, John Hunter, John Cloud, Jesse Martin, Charles Beasley and old Mr. Baber. Perhaps no family became so well known as were the Stalcups, not only because they were among the first settlers, but because they became interested in the township's development, and five generations of the family have resided within its borders.

Isaac Stalcup was, perhaps, the first settler in the township, his loca- tion being on Section 26, near where his grandson, William B. H., now resides. He was a North Carolinian by birth, was married to Catharine Osborn, shortly after which he moved to Tennessee, and from there re- moved to what is now Highland Township, Greene County, Ind., in 1817. He was a man of powerful physique, and was well adapted to endure the hardships and inconveniences of pioneer life. He and wife evidently be- lieved in following the teachings of the Bible so far as multiplying and replenishing the earth were concerned, for they both lived to ripe old ages and became the parents of twenty-one children, many of the de- scendants of whom yet reside in the county. The same year of Mr. Stal- cup's settlement, John H. Owen and Evan Owen located in the township, the former on what is known as the old Armstead Owen place, and the latter not a great ways distant. Both were natives of North Carolina, but emigrated to Lost River in Indiana Territory in 1814, and three years later removed to Highland Township. Evan Owen brought with him from his native State apple and peach seeds, and, planting these, grew the first orchard in the township, some of the trees outliving their propagator many years. He and wife-formerly Priscilla Sanders-were parents of twelve children, Mrs. Charlotte Jessup, who lives near Worthington,

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being one of the survivors. John H Owen and wife (Susanna Elrod) were the parents of four sons and ore daughter, the second son being John G. Owen, born August 8, 1818, the first white child in Greene County. John G. became a prominent man in the public affairs of the township, and at one time served as County Commissioner. He died April 19, 1876, leaving a widow and family. His oldest son, Thomas C., lives near the birthplace of his father, and owns one of the best river bottom farms in the township. James Stalcup, son of Isaac, the first settler, lo- cated first in Greene County within the present site of Worthington in 1818, but three years later moved across the river and located where Henry Booze now lives. He erected a cabin, and being on the main trav- eled road from Terre Haute, his home was the stopping place for travel - ers, and his undoubtedly was the first tavern in the neighborhood. He was a blacksmith by trade, and used to make azes, plows, grubbing hoes, etc., for the surrounding community.

OTHER INTERESTING EVENTS.

Alex Plummer burned brick for Mr. Stalcap on this place in 1830, and the same year erected the first brick house in the township. Years ago, the old house was torn down, and a few of the bricks of which it was composed were used in the fine brick dwelling of Henry Booze. Mr. Stalcup built another brick house near his father's old place, and after some time John H. Dixson erected his, which is yet standing. As we look around us now and see the many advantages we have in the way of schools, churches, dwellings, mills, etc., we can scarcely imagine how it was that our forefathers lived and progressed.

THE FIRST SCHOOL.

Samuel Dority held school in the first schoolhouse built in Highland Township. This was on the old John Cloud place, near where Peter Resner now lives, and the wages paid was on the old subscription plan, amounting to $13 per month, while the teacher boarded around with the scholars. The building was made of round logs, without floor, clap- board roof, stick-and-mud chimney for the old-fashioned fire-place, and lighted by one window, with a greased paper for a window pane. The seats were made of split logs very roughly hewn, having enough splin- ters to stick those who were unruly enough to slide along the bench to gossip with their neighbors; and their desks were of puncheon, placed on two pegs in the wall for their support. Among the pupils of this in- stitution were Bice and Anderson Cloud, John and Andy Hunter, Wash and Jack Baber, Riley and Bluford Graves, Darrel Long, Edmond and Celia Martin, Lucinda and Mary Hunter, and Mourning and Kissie Bland. Other early pedagogues in the township were John S. Owen, George R. H. Moore (who afterward became prominent in the political

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affairs of the county), and S. R. Tincher. The second named taught on the farm now owned by Simon Bland, in the old Bethlehem Log Church, and Samuel Tincher kept school in a log house on Israel Wilkie's farm.

MILLING ENTERPRISES.

Among the early mills, or " corn-crackers," were those of Dr. Snyder and Samuel Jewell. The one owned by the former was an old-fashioned tub mill, located on Musquito Branch. It had a capacity of about three bushels per day, one-eighth being taken for toll, and from Dr. Snyder's hands it passed into the possession of George Walker, and finally into decay. Mr. Jewell's mill was operated by horse-power, and those com- ing to mill had to hitch a horse to the sweep and grind their own grist. Charles Beasley had the first and second distilleries, and it was almost as universal at an early day for a settler to go there for whisky as to mill for meal. For the cures and ailments of the physical body, Dr. Simon Snyder was perhaps the first physician, but it might also be said that the ministrations of a few old women of the neighborhood were far more beneficial than the labors of Dr. Snyder, who, it is said, was a "faith doctor," and believed that he could cure at a distance as well as in the sick room-which, perhaps, was true-or, like the Australian boomerang, could accomplish its object as well where it wasn't as well as where it was.

EARLY MINISTERS, CHURCHES, ETC.

Among the pioneer preachers were Jerry Doty, Samuel Meddley, Abraham Kearns, James Burch, Thomas Oliphant, Abraham May and Richard Wright. They first held services in the houses of different set- tlers, but later in schoolhouses and log churches. Jacob Smith had a ferry across White River, a short distance below the mouth of Eel River, as early as 1829, and for many years this served the settlers on the east side of the river as a means of communication with Point Commerce, which was quite a widely known trading point during the early history of the county. After the death of Mr. Smith, his widow presented a peti- tion to the Board of Commissioners to continue the ferry, but owing to her sex.the petition was strongly contested. After a short struggle, Mrs. Smith's petition was granted, and thus was the first victory gained by women in Greene County toward equality of woman with man. There have been two and perhaps three post offices in Highland Township, one where Henry Booze now resides, kept by John White, and one on Sec- tion 24, by Evan Owen. It was a common occurrence for a family at that time to work hard the entire year, and the money derived from their labors only be sufficient to pay their taxes, defray postage, and purchase a very few of the necessaries of life. This was not because their taxes were high, or that they carried on a large correspondence, but it was be- cause money was scarce and very hard to get. Produce of all kinds

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brought a very low price, and usually had to be exchanged for goods. The postage on a letter then was 25 cents, and if the recipient did not have the necessary amount to liquidate this claim, he could not have the letter. Of course the young unmarried men, under such aggravating circumstances, did not write as often to their sweethearts as do those of to-day, neither did the young ladies write so many effusions to their " fellows" as they do now

PIONEER CUSTOMS.

While the men worked hard early and late in the fields, clearing, planting and harvesting, the women, when not aiding their fathers, hus- bands and brothers, worked equally as hard at the house, weaving, mend- ing, cooking and cleaning. They made their own wearing apparel, raised their own food, and in this way they found no particular need for money. To visit they would walk to their nearest neighbor, perhaps four or five miles distant, and return the same way, thinking no more concerning the distance they had to travel than the women of to-day who walk only a mile or less. Where is there a young man or young woman in the township now who would go barefoot to church as did their par- ents fifty years ago? Hunting was a favorite pastime for the early set- tlers, and it was no trouble whatever for a man to start out, and after being gone an hour or so return with a fine deer, six or eight turkeys, or some other equally as palatable game. Although bear and lynx wore oc- casionally seen, the writer of this chapter has been unable to learn that any were killed in Highland Township.

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History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 32

Author: Goodspeed Bros. & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 901

Author: Goodspeed Bros. & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 901