USA > Indiana > Greene County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 76
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 76
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VARIOUS MATTERS.
There is no railroad at present in the township, but there is a pros- pect of one at no distant day, as steps are already being taken to secure the passage through this section of the Indianapolis, Eel River & Vin- cennes road. The completion of this road will mark an era in Jefferson. of no small importance, as it will furnish an outlet for the immense beds of coal that underlie the surface in all sections of the township. There are. notwithstanding the fact that there is, comparatively, no outlet for the product, five mines opened, two of which are being worked, one of which is leased and operated by George Sage, and the other by George Sult.
There are in the township fourteen good schoolhouses, all of brick, with an attendance of about 500 pupils. In the matter of churches, there & 3, outside of Pleasantville, four: one of the Baptist denomination, at Indian Prairie, of brick, with Rev. W. Wood as pastor; one Meth- odist Episcopal, at Mount Moriah, of log, with Rev. Dayton Harvey as pastor; one Christian, at Shiloh, of brick, and one Christian, at Bethany, frame, with Rev. Price as pastor.
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There are two saw mills in the township, one one mile west of Pleas, antville, owned by B. Sisson, and one three miles southwest of same- point, owned by J. S. Anderson and Theophilus Cox."
The population of the township is about 2,000, and casts a vote of about 400. The Trustees at the first organization were, as well as can be remembered, Jackson Hinkle and Eli Woodward. The present officers are: Trustee, Jeremiah Daugherty; Justice of the Peace, Reuben Gil- more; Constable, Charles H. Lucas. W. P. O'Haver is Notary Public.
PLEASANTVILLE.
In 1862, the erection of a steam mill was begun on the site where how stands the only town or village in the township-Pleasantville. The onilding of this mill was started by John Martin, who before finishing the same sold it to P. M. O'Haver, S. J. Bedwell and J. L. Smith, but the two latter gentlemen afterward sold their interests to P. M. O'Haver, who then completed the mill and put it in operation at a cost of over $7,000. Mr. O'Haver run it for several years, and finally disposed of it to three of his sons, who in turn afterward sold it to Underhill & Martin. The mill is at present in successful operation, has two run of buhrs, and does excellent work. It is, excepting the coal mines, the chief interest of the township.
BUSINESS INTERESTS,
About this mill, as a nucleus, in the spring of 1866, Mr. William P. ('Haver laid off the town of Pleasantville, the plat consisting of about forty acres, and naming the new town from the given name of his father- Pleasant O'Haver. The proprietor then built quite a number of houses, and started the first store, since which time the place has improved con- siderably, it now having a large and growing trade. The following com- prise the business interests: General stores, O'Haver & Booker, Moore & Howard, S. J. Bedwell; drug stores, C. J. O'Haver, Allen Booker; har- ness, J. Timerman, S. M. Howard & Bro .; shoe shops, N. Timerman; undertaker and dealer in furniture, George Baker; wagon shop, J. L. Douthitt; two blacksmith shops; brickyard, W. P. O'Haver; bricklayers, T. N. and Joseph McClung; carpenters and builders, J. O. Birdsall, W. L. Berry, J. H. Jackson; physicians and surgeons, James McDowell, W. A. Fleming, L. C. McDowell, T. B. Mayfield; Postmaster, W. P. O'Haver.
There are two good schools in the town having an attendance of about ninety pupils. Teachers, J. Shannon Ogg and Albert Ogg.
PRESENT CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church society has a neat frame building and a parsonage, with a membership of over 300; Rev. Dayton Harvey, pastor. Local ministers, Rev. W. P. O'Haver, L. R. Edmonds, J. W. Hinkle. The church also has a flourishing Sunday school, with an at- tendance of about 150 pupils. J. W. Hinkle is Superintendent.
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The Baptist Church society has a very fine church edifice, and the denomination is in quite a flourishing condition. They have a member- ship of over ninety persons. Rev. W. Wood is pastor in charge. They have also a Sunday school of about forty scholars. A. Wood is the Superintendent.
The Presbyterian Church society has a very neat edifice, in which they have stated services, Rev. J. P. Fox officiating as pastor. Member- ship about thirty persons ..
In connection with these churches and their influence on society, there are some significant facts, which not only redound to the honor of these humble houses of the Lord, but to the cause of religion in general. Since the organization of that little band of five persons into a Methodist society in the year 1819, and that little Sunday school of 1830, the town- ship has turned out fourteen ministers of the Gospel, one of whom, Rev. Isaac Owen, was one of the founders of De Pauw University, and who also became a famous divine on the Pacific Coast; another, A. P. For- Bythe, served a term in the United States Congress; several others be- came well known ministers in different sections of the country. From this same community have emanated twenty physicians and 130 common school teachers. This result, when the paucity of population is taken into consideration, is extremely creditable to Jefferson Township.
SOCIETIES.
In the matter of secret and benevolent societies, the township has been at the front. Some years ago, when the Patrons of Husbandry were in full blast, a flourishing grange was located in Pleasantville. They had a fine store in successful operation, having built a commodious building for that purpose and for the holding of their grange meetings, but after a time the experiment, like all undertakings where people enter businesses for which they have had no training, the co-operative store was given up, and the grange is now numbered among the things that were.
In January, 1873, a charter was received from the Grand Lodge of Indiana, I. O. O. F., for the organization of Pleasantville Lodge, No. 408, which was duly instituted. The following are the present chief offi- cers: W: A. Rooksbury, N. G .; J. T. Howard, V. G .; J. G. Jackson, Secretary; James M. Howard, Financial Secretary. The lodge numbers about forty members.
In 1879, in answer to petition, the Grand Encampment of the State issued a charter and Pleasantville Encampment, No. 148, was organized. The present officers are: William Underhill, C. P .; W. P. O'Haver, H. P .; S. A. Maxwell, S. W .; J. M. Howard, J. W .; T. B. O'Haver, Scribe; S. M. Howard, F. S .; W. A. Harbin, Treasurer. The membership is twenty.
Pleasantville Lodge, No. 7, I. O. G. T., is in quite a flourishing con-
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dition. The following are the officers: W. P. O'Haver, W. C. T .; Callie Loudon, W. V. T .; Hattie Edmonds, Secretary; S. E. Paxton, A. S .; Charles Berry, Treasurer; W. L. Berry, L. D .; James Harvey, Chaplain; Ambrose Corbin, Marshal; Alma Lester, D. M .; Clara Wilson, R. S. C. T .; Laura Terhune, L. S. C. T.
CHAPTER XVI.
BY MISS S. E. M'KINNEY.
TURMAN TOWNSHIP-THE FIRST SETTLERS-NATIVITY-FIRST BIRTH-THE DEATH OF CLARK-BEARS AND BEES-ROLLINGS AND RAISINGS-AMUSE- MENTS-LIVE STOCK AND GRAIN-MILLING-GRAYSVILLE-THE SCHOOLS -ENFORCING A TREAT-THE CHURCHES-REVIVALS-CEMETERIES- MURRIL THE ROBBER-STATISTICS, ETC.
TURMAN TOWNSHIP lies in the western part of Sullivan County. It is bounded on the north by Fairbanks Township, on the east by Hamilton Township, on the south by Gill Township, and on the west by the Wabash River. It is traversed by Turman Creek, a shallow stream usually, but becoming quite a river in times of high water. Turman Township contains some small prairies, but for the most part was origi- nally a forest. There are according to the census 2,040 inhabitants.
THE FIRST SETTLERS.
It is not known positively when the township was laid out. It took its name, from its earliest settler, who came to this portion of country in 1806. His name was Benjamin Turman. He located on the land which now is the fine farm owned by James Mann. This first settler did not long remain alone, but was followed by others who sought homes in the new country. Among the oldest settlers may be mentioned Gray, Jewell, Cushman, Rundell and Davis. The country was found to be for the most part densely wooded, requiring much labor to reduce it to a tillable state. However, the unwieldy timber possessed many advantages for the new- comer. It furnished him building material, afforded him fuel, supplied his hogs with food, contained abundance of game, and protected him from the rigors of winter. The daily experience of these pioneers must naturally have been very monotonous. For several years it was a strug- gle between the Indians and white men as to who held the better right to the land. Spring and summer were spent sowing, tending, and gath- ' ering crops, and making what improvements that were possible. Fall and winter were devoted to providing fuel, caring for stock, hunting and visiting. Women's work was hard in those early days. A portion of
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their work consisted in spinning and weaving. All the cloth required for the clothing was made at home. Then the busy housewife cut the garments from the home-made cloth, and proceeded to do the sewing with her fingers. The clothing then worn was of the coarsest, most durable quality, and each garment was made after the plainest pattern.
NATIVITY OF THE PIONEERS, FIRST BIRTH, DEATH, ETC.
The people who here became neighbors and followers of like pur- suits were from several different States. Virginia, New York, Kentucky and North Carolina were represented. The first birth was that of a child named Calvin Norman. The first marriage was that of Miss Sherman to Mr. Fitzhugh. They were obliged to go to Vincennes, a distance of some fifty miles, to procure the necessary license. The first death was that of a man named Clark, a soldier.
THE ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF CLARK.
One day Clark left the fort, to fetch a pail of water from the spring a short distance away. One of Clark's comrades fired toward him to frighten him, and make him think the Indians were near. The bullet intended for a joke, proved the death of poor Clark.
BEARS AND BEE TREES.
Bears, deer, wolves and smaller game abounded. Some of these animals proved dangerous, and troublesome in the extreme. Often there would be organized hunts, continuing for several days, and were partici- pated in by several persons. One man relates how his premises were sub- ject to the depredations of bears. So he determined to rid himself of the bear, or bears, as the case might be. Accordingly, be obtained the assistance of several of his neighbors. With the assistance of several dogs, they followed the bear's tracks to a huge hollow tree, where it seemed he had concealed himself. Proposals were made to burn the tree, also to cut it down. Finally it was decided to fell it. It was done, and within were found four bears-two large ones and two half-grown ones. Bee trees were plentiful, and the man who found one deemed himself lucky; and took every ounce of honey from the helpless winged colony that had hoarded the store. The largest day's hunt resulted in killing ten deer, three bears, and cutting ten bee trees.
LOG ROLLINGS, AMUSEMENTS, ETC.
When a farmer wished to convert a piece of woods into a field, he felled the trees and then invited his neighbors to the rolling. The logs were rolled into huge piles and brush was piled upon them, and then all were set on fire. Although it required hard work to clear the ground in this manner, such occasions were scenes of a great deal of mirth and
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jollity; and many were the feats of strength exhibited for the amazement of the crowd. When a man wished to build a house or barn, he prepared the timbers, had them drawn to the proper place, and then invited his neighbors to the raising, as it was called. At both raisings and rollings, it was customary to furnish plenty of good whisky. The women's part at these gatherings was to do the cooking.
Stoves were unknown, and all cooking was done by a large fire-place. In these days the delicious corn pone flourished, and many other old- fashioned dishes that may be remembered. The women likewise had their days for inviting in their neighbors to help them quilt or pick wool. After the apple trees grew, there were apple parings to attend. These were usually followed by a dance. Dancing was a favorite pastime with the young. The singing school was organized at a very early day and was quite popular. These classes held their meetings at the schoolhouses. The women sang tenor as well as soprano. Time passed on, the heavy forests were cleared away, and in their stead were flourishing farms and substantial dwelling houses. Rollings and rais- ings gave place to more modern methods of improvements. This section was adapted particularly to agriculture, and from necessity its earliest settlers were farmers, and have been pursuing that same manner of life ever since. Commodious farmhouses have taken the places of the early cabins, and the rude farming implements of half a century ago are re- placed by machinery of every kind that can facilitate labor. Fifty years ago, the only object of the farmer was to supply his own immediate needs, there being no markets.
LIVE STOCK AND GRAIN.
Corn and hogs were the principal objects of attention. Occasionally, a few acres of wheat, and a few head of horses and cattle. Later, how- ever, large crops of wheat have been raised, and thousands of bushels have been shipped yearly. Also a great deal of live stock has been raised and shipped to other portions of the country. There still remain traces of the old Indian trail that ran along the edge of the bluff, until it reached Turman Creek, and then divided into two branches.
THE OLD STAGE COACH.
The stage coach began to run in 1825, and was expected to arrive once a week. The stage line lay between Terre Haute and Vincennes. In 1830, the mail coach was started upon this route, and proposed to bring two mails per week. Often, however, the coach would be delayed for days on account of high water and bad roads. North of where Grays- ville now stands was the first tavern, kept by a man named Davis, and was also kept by his widow. White men made this their lodging place while in their search for homes in the new country. The tavern was also frequently visited by bands of peaceable Indians, who were on their way o Vincennes to receive pay for their lands bought by the Government
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THE EARLY MILLS.
It is said the first saw mill was erected in 1830 at a cost of $500, and was owned by a man named Johnson. The first grist mills were small hand affairs owned by farmers. The next class of grist mills were run by horse power. A few years later, saw and grist mills were combined. Of late years, Mr. Harris did a good business with a mill of the last- named kind. At present, there are five saw mills in the township, rep- resenting a total value of $3.000. They do quite a thriving business, and are owned by D. J. Hadyn, A. D. Brown, Thomas Sinclair, John Eslinger and Joe Bell. A small corn mill is located a short distance north of Graysville. It is owned by Wesley Warner, and is capable of grinding fifty or sixty bushels of corn per day.
Being especially adapted to agriculture, factories, of course, did not flourish. In 1861, Joe Gray established a woolen factory west of Grays- ville a few miles. This factory was operated quite successfully for sev- eral years, but was abandoned in favor of shipping interests The peo- ple were called temperance people, yet they universally kept a good arti- cle of whisky about their houses. There were numerous copper stills in this vicinity which manufactured a very good article of the kind. These stills are things of the past, and are only spoken of as memories.
VILLAGE OF GRAYSVILLE.
Turman Township contains but one village. It was named Grays- ville in honor of its founder, Joo Gray. The village contains about 150 inhabitants. For several years, the growth of the village has been noth- ing. It is merely a collection of houses, never having been laid off. The present site of the town was owned originally by Gray, Brewer and John- son. The first building was a dwelling house and store combined, owned and controlled by Joe Gray, who brought the first lot of goods. The stock was general, ombracing anything a farmer might wish, and was worth several hundred dollars. Gray was succeeded by Marts, Stewart, Brewer, and Davis & Son. The last named firm is carrying on the dry goods business at present, and have invested a capital of some $4,000. The drug business is carried on by J. H. Bennett, and is worth $2,400. The stock of millinery goods owned by R. E. Julian is worth about $100. The first Postmaster was Joe Gray, who kept the office several years. The present Postmaster is Base Cushman, assisted by Miss Davis. The manufacturing interests of the village are represented by Yeager Bros., who manufacture a very excellent grade of wagons and buggies on special orders. The first physician was Dr. Curtis, who settled north of Grays- ville in 1819. For many years, he held a very extensive practice, which extended several miles around. In 1849, Dr. Harvey Weir moved to Graysville to engage in the practice of his profession. On leaving this point a few years later, he was followed by Dr. N. Weir, who for nearly
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twenty years practiced all about the surrounding country. Durham and Cushman are resident physicians, and report a good paying practice.
THE SCHOOLS.
The first schoolhouse was built on David Cushman's farm, and was constructed in the quickest, plainest way. The oldest remembered teachers were Seth Cushman, Rundell, Johnson and Hill. The early schoolhouses were built entirely by volunteer work and subscription. The windows usually held oiled paper in place of glass panes. The seats were slabs of wood, and a huge fire-place supplied heat for the school room. The early teachers were paid by subscription, with the privilege of boarding around. One dollar per month was charged for each pupil's tuition. However large or small the school, the pupils all studied aloud. Each pupil recited alone in his several studies; and also had the privilege of advancing as rapidly as he chose in any study. The books used were the Testament, English Reader, Pike's Arithmetic, Webster's Spelling-book, Kirkham's Grammar and writing. The school term was a short one, usually not more than three or four months during the year. As for methods, each teacher had his own individual ideas of how a school should be governed and instructed, and acted accordingly. Great emphasis was put upon memorizing, and it was not an unusual occur- rence for a pupil to commit his entire spelling lesson to memory. It is claimed that the old manner of instruction developed more originality than do most recent methods. Be that as it may, the good old way has departed with the old-time schoolmaster, who was the oracle of the neighborhood, and enforced his authority at school by the free and fre- quent application of the rod. Spelling schools have always been, a feat- ure of rural schools. Sometimes two neighboring schools would spell against each other. The contest would be very exciting, but the occa- sion was always full of interest and good nature. Sometimes a small scholar decided the day by happening to spell a word right at the right time.
A SCHOOLMASTER BULLIED.
It was customary in early times to call upon the teacher to treat; and if he refused, to compel him to do so. The treat usually consisted of whisky, apples and nuts. On one occasion, the teacher, named' Johnson, was asked to treat and refused to do so. The large boys, thinking to compel him to comply with their request, took him and plunged him into a deep spring, and held him under the water awhile. Upon bringing him to the surface the boys were horrified to find their teacher dead as they supposed. With sume difficulty he was resuscitated, and sent and obtained two gallons of whisky as a treat for the boys. One young man, named Johnson, drank so much of the treat that he almost died from alcoholic poison.
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In 1856, the township was districted into twelve divisions. The public school was quite limited for several years, and could not meet all the demands made upon it. But free schools took the place of subscription schools, and schoolhouses, though rough. were comfortable, and the teach- er's wages were sure, although very small. Improvement has gone on until not a poor schoolhouse remains. There are commodious, comforta- ble houses supplied with all necessary appliances. The school books have gone through all shades of improvement until now it is a matter of wonder how a child can help learning. The teacher of the present is usually a well-disciplined person, who understands his business most thoroughly. The modern school government is something to be admired. . Everything is done in a regular way, and studies are pursued in a syste- matic manner. Turman Township has as good schools and as well drilled teachers as can be found in the county. The teachers' wages average $40 per month. The present teachers are S. Birlingmire, Mattie Higbee, G. W .. Nowlin, Joe Birlingmire. Florence Turman, F. C. Boone, Stella Thomas, Maggie Hereford, Jobn Weir, William Hunt, Joe Bragdon and Lucretia Baker; Thomas Colyer is Trustee.
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
The first religious meeting was held by Jacob Turman, a Methodist minister. He was located on the Vincennes Circuit, and came on a preach- ing tour to the old fort in 1812. It is told that the Indians had stolen up to the fort, and were ready to make an attack upon the unsuspecting people within; when the Indians nearest the wall heard Minister Tur- man at prayer. "Hark!" said they, " The Great Spirit is within, " and they left the fort in peace. Such is the pleasing story told and believed by many.
In 1817, a Presbyterian minister named Balch removed to these set- tlements, and preached all through the surrounding country. In com- mon with other early settlers, he was obliged to encounter all sorts of perils and dangers. A minister's salary in those days was a meal or a night's lodging. Rev. Balch continued to reside with these people until he died. He was buried in the old Turman Graveyard, where his remains lay until 1880, when they were removed to the Presbyterian Graveyard north of. Graysville .. The Methodist denomination was the first to hold revivals, and to introduce camp-meetings and to organize churches. It bas therefore been by far the strongest church found here. They built temporary houses of worship at different places, and finally in 1857 built their present house of worship at a cost of $1, 200. Since that time, the ministers of that denomination began to receive salary. The salary the Graysville Circuit has paid is about $700 per year. In 1872, the Meth- odist denomination built the Mount Tabor Church at a cost of $1, 500, and
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in the same year the same sect erected Providence Church at a cost of $1,200.
REVIVALS.
Many important revivals have taken place at these different churches. The most noted revival was that of 1864, at the Grayaville Church. It was conducted by Rev. Heavenridge, assisted by his brother ministera, also by those from other denominations. Nearly one hundred persons were converted at this meeting. The interest was widespread, and wag- ons full of people came every day for weeks and from miles distant. There has been quite a succession of pastors over this circuit. Among them have been Buck, Julian, Heavenridge, Wood, Cornelius, and the present pastor, Rev. Hawes. The Presbyterian denomination had two different houses of worship; but both houses having fallen into disuse, and old members having died, the rest of the church removed its mem- bership to Sullivan. In 1871, the members of Graysville concluded to form another church, and did so, and built their present house of worship at a cost of $1,575. Rev. Mateer was first pastor over the last organiza- tion. He was followed by Rev. Fox, who was succeeded by Rev. Mateer, the present pastor. The organizing members of the last church were George Carrithers, C. R. Wallace, W. A. Shields, John Shields, Jane Carrithers, E. H. Wallace, Nancy Johnson, Nancy Gray, M. M. Shields, M. T. Shields, S. E. Brown, C. A. Carrithers and M. J. Carrithers. The present membership is about twenty-five. Of the Universalist Church, it is worthy of mention that while there is no permanent church, there are some members and believers in that denomination, and have had frequent services for several years.
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