History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 34

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 34
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 34

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).

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXII.

WRIGHT TOWNSHIP-FORMATION AND ORGANIZATION-SETTLEMENT BY PER- MANENT RESIDENTS-WILD ANIMALS-SAD DEATH OF RICHARD WRIGHT -KILLING OF A PANTHER-SCRAPS OF INFORMATION-JASONVILLE- POLITICAL HISTORY-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

W HEN the county of Greene was organized, in 1821, the territory was divided into four townships, one of them being Highland, which comprised the present townships of Highland, Jefferson, Smith and Wright. In May, 1828, all west of the river was constituted Smith Township, and soon afterward Eel River and Jefferson Townships were created out of Smith. In January, 1838, Wright Township was created, and then ex- tended two miles farther east than at present, but some time later was reduced to its present limits. Thus it was successively a part of High- land and Smith. The names of the early township officers will be found in the chapters on the townships of Smith and Highland. At the time of the creation of Wright, in 1838, elections were ordered held at the house of Samuel Wills. Richard Wright, after whom the township was named, was appointed Inspector of Elections.

THE PIONEERS.

It is conceded that the first settlement in this township was made by John Lewis and his son-in-law, Isaac Taylor, about the year 1818. Old Mr. Lewis built a log cabin within about a mile of Jasonville and south of the residence of James Gibson. For some time the cabin had no door nor window other than blankets hung up to keep out the cold. The same year, or probably early in 1819, Robert Birch came in and erected a rude round log cabin near the James White property. David Ingram arrived soon afterward, and located at the Barnes Spring. Within the next few years, there came in for settlement the families of Benjamin Fry, James Heims, James Frazier, Samuel Wilks, Rev. Richard Wright, Peter Wright, William Wright, Alexander Poe, Mr. Cantrell, Joab Wich- ter, Isom Farris, James Maloy, Edward Coombs and others. By the year 1825, there were about twenty families scattered over the township.

But few portions of the county possess a better soil or are better adapted for the abode of man than Wright Township. Several portions are hilly and have too much clay in the soil, while other portions, ure gently undulating and afford the best slopes for drainage, and nere-the soil cannot be exhausted if the proper rotation of crops is followed. There are other portions which lie low and level, and these are mostly too wet for profitable cultivation, but these tracts are being drained, and

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when this is fully accomplished the richness of the soil will astonish the natives.

WILD ANIMALS.

This township was one of the most famous in the county in early years for its wild game. There was no species of wild animal common to this latitude that could not be found there at the proper season, and this con- tinued to be true even to a later date, when other neighboring localities were almost destitute of game. As it was, the township was often vis- ited by hunters from abroad, who remained a week or more, killing large numbers of deer and a limited number of bears, foxes, wolves, pan- thers, etc. Rev. Alexander Poe, a very worthy man, was a noted deer hunter. He lived in the township early, and was a member of the Chris- tian Church. It is said he could kill more deer and catch more fish than any other resident of the township. During the winter of 1834, him- self and boys went over to the lake east of Lone Tree and caught through the ice many wagon loads of big fish. He killed as high as six deer in one day, and during one of the early winters killed more than eighty of these animals. This sport furnished pastime for his labors in his Mas- ter's cause. He was famed as a bee hunter, and always had a supply of wild honey in his house. One tree he found contained more than three barrels of honey, some of which was so old that it had become candied. One day, himself and an old darkey named Canaan Goen went out hunt- ing, and while walking along through the woods saw a very large mother bear and three cubs, about one-fourth grown, playing among the bushes. The negro got the first shot at the old bear, but his hand shook so that he did but little damage, as far as appearances were concerned at least, for the bear ran rapidly off in the woods, leaving her young ones to their fate. The latter, all three ran up a scrubby oak near by, and while Mr. Poe stood at the foot, the negro climbed the tree to shake or drive them down. He succeeded in shaking all three down, one of which was killed by the fall. The other two were taken home by Mr. Poe, and became great pets and a nuisance generally. After they were a little larger, they were annoying to the women on washing day and at all other times. If a tub of water was left standing, they would souse themselves in it with - out ceremony or permission. A stand of bees could not be kept on the farm. They would knock it over, and, regardless of the attacks of the bees, would gorge themselves with the sweet substance. The red-oak thicket near Shepards was named Red Ruff by Thomas Puckett, a noted bear hunter, who once followed one of these animals to Terre Haute almost. This place-Red Ruff-for many years was a famous rendezvous for bears, wolves, deer, panthers and wild turkeys. They could be found there if anywhere in the township. The old White Oak Lick was a famous resort for deer in early years. Scaffolds were erected there, from which the animals were shot. The following account of an early death is by Baber:

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DEATH OF RICHARD WRIGHT.

Old Uncle Richard Wright was a Justice of the Peace and a good citizen in his neighborhood, and passed from this world to the next by a very strange accidental gunshot through his head, while he was well and hearty, and was at work in his blacksmith shop. Harden Walker, his step-son, had been out hunting, and had shot a squirrel, and in reloading his gun the gun got choked, and the boy came to the shop to get his old step-father to fix the gun, or to get the bullet down. After trying many ways to move the bullet down, the old man took the gun barrel out of the stock, unbreeched her, poured water in the gun barrel, and laid the barrel across the fire, and while it was heating, so as to make the water fry, old Uncle Richard put down his ear to the gun, where he had taken out the breech pin, the gun went off, the bullet entering the old man's ear, and killing him instantly, in the presence of several persons. We will give our opinion of that sad accident: When the boy shot at the squir- rel, the gun flashed, or did not fire, and left the bullet in the gun barrel, up a foot or two from the breech, and when the boy poured down the powder, it lodged on the first bullet, and then he put down the other bul- let on top of the powder, thus leaving two bullets in the gun, and a charge of powder between the bulleta.

KILLING OF A PANTHER.

In 1822, George Jamison went one night to the deer lick near David Larr's, to watch for deer which were in the habit of going there at day- break to drink of the brackish water. He concealed himself in a dense growth of tall weeds and grass, held his gun in readiness and quietly waited for the approach of daylight and deer. At last, gray streaks of dawn appeared in the East, and finally near objects could be distinctly Been. At last the hunter saw the grass move from side to side about twelve yards from him, and saw from the motion that some animal, not a deer, was coming directly toward him. He thought it must be a wolf, or possibly a bear, that had come to the lick for the same purpose that he had, and he quickly, but noiselessly, cocked his gun to shoot it, should he get a chance. At last, while looking intently at the spot where the weeds were waving, he was astonished and frightened to see the ears and head of a panther appear. The animal did not see him, and although his hand was none of the steadiest, he raised his rifle to his eye, took quick, careful aim, and pulled the trigger. A wild scream rang out on the morning air almost simultaneously with the report of the gun, and the fierce animal sprang high in the air and fell dead on the ground, within a few feet of the hunter. It was one of the largest of its kind, and measured eleven feet from tip to tip. Its claws were three inches in length. Had the hunter missed the beast it would have gone hard with ·him.

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SCRAPE OF INTEREST.

In early years, game was so abundant that the professional hunters were numbered by the hundreds. As a necessary result, numerous gun- smiths were to be found scattered over the county-one in each neighbor- hood. Mr. McBride was one of them, and made considerable money from his services and skill in this particular. Blacksmiths were in the country then more than now-they had to be, for there were no towns to speak of. They made many of the axes used by the early settlers, and made cow bells, butcher knives, hatcheta, plows-that is of the latter they would make the shears, while the mold-board was made usually by the farmer himself out of some tough piece of wood. At the time of the first settlement, small grain was reaped with a sickle, the cradle not having yet made its appearance: corn was hoed-there being no double- shovel plows then-and all articles of wearing apparel were made, with few exceptions, wholly at home. Considerable cotton was raised and taken to the little cotton- gins established here and there to have the seed , taken out and the fibers torn fine and loose, ready for carding by the women. It was then spun, woven into cloth and made into gar- ments-all by the pioneer mothers, and all by hand, under slow processes. It was usually for winter wear, spun with an equal quantity of woolen threads, and was then called " linsey-woolsey," and was often beautiful- ly colored with roots, bark or leaves from the woods. The old settlers saw pleasant days, though times were hard and comforts "few and far between." A store was started by the Bledsoes at an early day, where groceries, dry goods and notions could be obtained.

JASONVILLE.

This little village was laid out by W. B. Squire and Jason Rogers, in the year 1858, and . was named in honor of the latter-Jasonville Thirteen lots were laid out at the crossroads. Capt. W. B. Squire lived there early, as did Jason Rogers, the two proprietors. Mr. Rogers opened the first store before the town was laid out, and Mr. Squire soon engaged in the same occupation. Rogers had had his store, for a number of years previously, a short distance east of town. Mr. Squire was the first physician and William Cobill the second. Rogers conducted his store several years, and Squire continued until before his enlistment in the army. James Sappington was another early merchant, and Mr. Neal came in a little later. Warrick & Bonham were prominent merchants. About the time the town was founded, Wilson Culbertson erected the grist mill that stood some distance west. After running a few years, it was abandoned or removed. The town has had a population of nearly 200, and is a good business point.

POLITICAL RECORD.

Wright Township, except once, has always been Democratic. In 1844,

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wben Polk & Dallas ran for the Presidency against Clay and Frelinghuy- sen, the electors of the former received 83 votes while those of the latter only received 11. The majority then was amply sufficient for all practi- cal purposes. Again in 1848, the Cass and Butler electors received 65 votes, and the Taylor and Fillmore electors 17 votes-the majority still sufficient, though somewhat decreased. In 1852, the Democratic electors received 71, and the Whig electors 40. In 1856, the vote stood: Demo- cratic, 93; Republican, 21; American, 20. In 1860, the result was: Doug- las and Johnson, 97; Lincoln and Hamlin, 71; Breckenridge and Lane, 19; Bell and Everett, 0. In 1864, the Democratic vote was 153, and the Re- publican 44. In 1868, Democratic, 140; Republican, 126. This was getting more interesting for the Republicans. A change of 8 votes would have given them the majority. In 1872, the vote stood: Demo- cratic, or Liberal Republican, 120; Republican, 133. This was the first victory for the opposition. In 1876, the majority went back, the vote being Democratic, 172; Republican, 160; Independent, 7. At the last Presidential election, the result was: Democratic, 166; Republican, 150; Independent, 9.

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

It is thought that the first school in the township was taught about the year 1823 or 1824, by one of the Wrights, or as some say by Poe. The house was of round logs, was about 16x18 feet, and had been built by a settler for his residence, but was abandoned by the removal from the township of the family. It had a large fire-place, and had a square hole in the opposite end of the building, which was used as a window. Greased paper was the window.pane. About twenty scholars attended this school, a few coming from Sullivan County. Not more than one or two terms were taught in this house. About 1826, there were three schools in the township -- one in the southwestern part, one near the center, and one in the northern part. But in neither of these places had a real school- house been built, if reports are correct. All were in rude buildings temporarily used for the purpose. In 1846, there were four or five school- houses, and in 1856 seven or eight.

One. of the leading religious organizations in early years was founded by Rev. Richard Wright, after whom the township derives its name. The congregation was organized either at his cabin or at that of Samuel Wilks, and was of the Christian denomination. The families of these two men belonged, also that of Rev. Alexander Poe, these two ministers being the early pastors of the class. The Shraykes, the Coombs and others also belonged. Another early class was that of the Baptists in the south- western part, the church being on the township line. A sketch of this church will be found in the chapter on Stockton Township. The Bled- 80es and Wrights were always consistent and prominent members. David Bledsoe gave the land for the church on Section 5, Stockton Township.

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The Methodist Episcopal class at Jasonville was organized in the for- ties. The leading members just before the war were Lewis Letsinger, John O'Donald, W. B. Squire, James Gibeon, Wesley Edmundson, Mr. Warrick, the Crabtrees and others, and their families. The church cost about $1,000. Rev. Walters was pastor about the time the church was built. The Christian Church in the southern part, and the Baptist Church near it, are old, but not the oldest. The Piggs, Bonhams, Culbertsons are prominent church members near there. The Methodist class in the west- ern part is quite strong. As a whole the township is well supplied with religious privileges.

CHAPTER XXIII.

GRANT TOWNSHIP-ORIGIN OF THE NAME-FORMATION-IMPORTANT EARLY EVENTS-DAVID OSBORN AND THE BEAR-WOLF. TRAPS-SWITZ CITY- ITS IMPORTANCE AS A RAILROAD CENTER-SURVEY OF THE LOTS-THE MERCHANTS-SECRET SOCIETIES-THE TEACHERS OF THE TOWNSHIP- THE GRADED SCHOOL-ORGANIZATION OF RELIGIOUS CLASSES.

G Y RANT TOWNSHIP is the youngest in the county, and was named in honor of the " Hero of Appomattox." It was originally a part of Rich- land Township when the latter extended westward to the Sullivan.County line, but in May, 1828, when old Dixon Township was created, it was, included, and so remained until Angust, 1829, when Fairplay and Black Creek Townships were created out of Dixon, thus abolishing the latter, and Grant was included within Black Creek, but the latter name was changed to Stockton in January, 1830, and Grant remained part and parcel of it until March, 1869, when the founding of the town of Swit City and other interests led the citizens to petition for the formation of a separate township, which was done by the County Board, and in honor of Gen. Ulyssus Simpson Grant, who had just taken the Presidential chair, was named Grant. It is the smallest subdivision of the county but one, and much of the surface is low and wet, though when drained, will, and does, furnish soil of the richest and most enduring fertility.

EARLY EVENTS.

One of the first settlers in this township was old Hiram Howard, who in his way was a noted man. He was prominent in county affairs. He first located near the old town of Fairplay, which he thought would be- come the county seat, but when he found this was not to be he moved over to what is now Grant Township. He was a Vermonter-was a live Yankee, who loved to be funny, and possessed all the enterprise and genius of invention ascribed to the "Downeasters." He built a black.

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smith shop, where he made everything from a poker to a plow. He made many steel traps for catching the various fur-bearing and larger animals, and sold them to all the old hunters and trappers for many miles around. Being a great bear hunter himself, he made one for his own use which weighed 110 pounds. The spring was very strong, and had to be set with lever power, and when it once snapped up on the limbs of & bear, or any other animal that roamed the woods, it would not let go until leverage was applied. He caught a number of wolves with it, placing it where those animals would have to pass to get the bait. He caught some eight or ten bears in that one trap. One of these animals weighed about 600 pounds. The trap had been securely fastened to a large log, yet so great was the strength of the bear, the log was dragged nearly a quarter of a mile, and was then stopped only by becoming fast against a tree. Here the bear was shot by Mr. Haywood. One of its paws was kept on exhibition in & store at Terre Haute for many years. Wolves were usually caught in wooden pens. An opening was left, and a trigger rigged so that when the wolf tugged at the bait a heavy log would fall, completely closing the opening, and effectually preventing the escape of the beast. It could then be killed at will. A creek in the township- Wolf Pen Branch-derived its name from the fact of its being a great resort for wolves, and the place where many were trapped in the manner described. David O. Harrah was another early settler, as was Noah Wagoner, David Osborn, Daniel Fields and many others. Later came the Germans, who soon constituted a great portion of the township's in- habitants.

BLACK BEARS.

The following is related of David Osborn, by Baber: He went one day to cut buckwheat in the edge of Wright Township, and on his way to work, just after daylight, while walking along, heard a hog squealing in the greatest distress off some distance in the woods. He hurried to where the sounds proceeded, and saw that a large bear had seized a hog and was busily engaged in tearing it to pieces with teeth and claws. Mr. Osborn ran up as near as he dared, and hissed and motioned at the bear to drive it froin the hog, and succeeded, but the animal made at him, and he ran for dear life, followed closely by the bear, and swung nimself into a small tree just as bruin arrived at the foot. The tree was not & tree- only a sapling-and the bear, by rearing up on his hind legs, could nip the feet of Mr. Osborn. This the animal immediately did, and the only objections the settler could make were to kick like & mule and shout like a frightened darkey, and break small branches from the tree and thrash the beast over the nose. After its first rage was over, the animal left, to the great relief of Mr. Osborn. His limbs were scratched, his cotton pants torn, and his shoes were ripped almost from his feet. His exploit was the talk of the neighborhood for a long time.

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8WITZ CITY.

This village is one of late origin, dating its commencement to the establishment of the railroad. . At that time, about 1868-69, Henry and Allen Conduitt erected a long frame building in which they placed a general stock of merchandise, valued at $5,000. About the same time, W. W. Dowell erected a boarding house. Both these establishments were commenced then to secure the trade of the railroad men mainly. Dr. Jesse Hanna was another early resident. He built a small office. The Taylor Brothers opened the second store, and C. A. Meacham soon came in with drugs. Switz & Walters opened a general store with a large stock in 1874. Ed Foster succeeded Taylor Brothers, and in 1878 John Switz bought out Foster. H. & H. Switz opened their saloon in 1879. Hunt & Pegg started in business about this time. John Switz erected the Odd Fellows building for a store room and dwelling attached, and put in a general stock of goods. Milendorff, Martin and Hartzell have had res- taurants. Hervey & Riley opened a general store in 1881, and Spencer & Grace put up the brick store. Henry Fry was the first blacksmith. Wesley Hale started the first saw mill, and J. M. Hunter the second. The former bad a small grist mill, which was operated by the same motor as the saw mill. James P. Terhune had a livery stable of four or five horses, which is now owned by Samuel Harrell with three horses. The grain elevator was built by Hughes East; Dugger & Neal are the present owners. The town has a present population of about 200.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Beehunter Lodge, No. 507, Odd Fellows, now at Switz City, was or- ganized at Linton, the first officers being: J. F. Wood, N. G .; J. P. Mc- Intosh, V. G .; D. A. Sherwood, Secretary; W. F. Cornelius, P. Secre- tary; H. Ramacher, Treasurer; B. F. Kertchner, Warden; H. Blair, Conductor. The charter members were Wood, Fleming, Blair, Kertch- ner, Ramacher, McIntosh, Cornelius, Sherwood and Watson. The lodge was organized at Linton in 1875, and removed to Switz City in 1879, at which time the " Odd Fellows Building " was built. The first officers at Switz were: J. M. Martin, N. G .; A. Hall, V. G .; W. B. Spencer, Secre- tary; J. Mortz, Per. Secretary; A. H. Shoplow, Treasurer; G. W. Kenard, Warden. The present officers are: G. W. Ellis, N. G .; H. S. Terhune, V. G .; C. J. Sinclair, Secretary; Robert Kirkum, Per. Secretary; Patrick Dundon, Treasurer; W. M. Hale, Warden; Joseph Mullane, Conductor. The present membership of the lodge is twenty-two. The lodge owns the upper story of the building in which is their hall, and have property worth about $1,000. Switz City was laid out in February, 1869, by Hughes East, on the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 22, and the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 23, Township 7 north, Range 6 west. A total of 192 lots was laid out, and the town was named in honor of the prominent German living there-John Switz.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

THE TEACHERS.

The first school in the township was taught in dwellings, but the facts in detail cannot be given. Several terms were taught in various portions, and it is said that Hiram Howard was one of the early teachers. It is quite certain that one of the Wines was among the first teachers. An Irishman named Patterson (probably not the historical "Billy " that was " struck ") also taught very early in the township. The first real school- house was erected in the northwest corner, but was a cheap affair and was used only about three years, if that long. A hewed-log structure-a much more substantial building, erected in the same neighborhood-took its place. School was taught in the Wagoner neighborhood as early as 1826, and a few years later a log schoolhouse was built. In 1835, there were three or four schoolhouses in the township, all well attended and doing well, and all being subscription schools. At this time, the terri- tory was a part of Stockton Township. A small brick schoolhouse was built in Switz City, in 1873, by Fred Hinebrook, who made the brick and took the contract. One of the first teachers in this house was James Drennon.

THE GRADED SCHOOL.

The present house was built in 1883, by Thomas Williams, contractor, and cost $2,385. It is a fine two-storied brick, with two commodious rooms-one above and one below, and is a credit to the township. The first teacher in this building-winter of 1883-84-was Prof. Poindexter, a young man of fine ability and excellent promise.

RELIGIOUS CLASSES.

The earliest settlers belonged to churches at Linton and vicinity. D. O. Harrah belonged to the Methodist Church there, and later others be. longed to Methodist and other classes in Fairplay Township. The Methodist Church at Harrah's was built about twelve years ago; among the membership were the Terhunes (very prominent people), the Har- rahs, Dr. Morgan, of Wright Township (one of the county's best citi- zens), the Sharps, the Jameses, the Smiths, the Hofferdeitz, the Duncans and others belonged about the time the church was built, ard afterward came the Barnses, the Andersons, the Bohleys, the Letsingers, the Mod- rells, the Sherwoods, et al. The Winters Church was built about the same time the Harrah Church was, or perhaps a little earlier. The Win- ters, the Hinebrooks, the Nowltings, the Jacksons, the Gastineaus, the Fields the Humphreys and others. A small class of Methodists has been lately organized at Switz City by the Shoptaws, Wakefields, Lundys, Meachams, Mrs. Bump and others. A Sunday school was organized 1883-84, Mr. East, Superintendent.

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History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 34

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

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