USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Indiana, from its earliest settlement by the "pale face," in 1818, down to 1882 > Part 14
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The present officers are: George W. Dove, W. M. : W. S. Fries, S. W. ; Lee O. Harris, J. W. ; Nelson Brad- ley, Treasurer ; S. E. Duncan, Secretary ; Ephraim Marsh, S. D. : M. F. Williams, J. D. ; Benjamin Price, Tyler ; William F. Pratt, Steward ; Joseph Baldwin, Steward. The present trustees are Ephraim Marsh, F. E. Glidden, and S. W. Barnett.
From the date of organization to the present this lodge has initiated two hundred and three members. The mem- bership at this date is about seventy. The lodge is in
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
good working order, out of debt, and owns desirable prop- erty worth $6,000. It has expended for charitable pur- purposes $2,000. Their regular communications occur on Tuesday evenings on or previous to the full moon of each month.
I. O. O. F., No. 135.
Greenfield Lodge, No. 135, I. O. O. F. was instituted July 26, 1853. The lodge was organized in the old court- house ; afterwards removed to the third story of the Walker block ; from there to the county seminary, where, for several years, the lodge prospered ; but preferring a more central location, the trustees sold the seminary and took a lease on a new hall in Howard's block. In the course of time the increase of membership, added to the desire on the part of many to have a hall of their own, caused the lodge to instruct their trustees to contract with William C. Burdett for a third story on his new brick in which to hold its meetings. Since 1876 the lodge has occupied its own spacious hall, which is conveniently arranged, neatly fur- nished, and affords a pleasant retreat for its large mem- bership.
The following officers conducted the instituting cere- monies in the organization of the lodge, viz .: Theodore P. Haughey, Deputy Grand Master; Past Grand Cam- eron, G. W. ; Fred. Bragg, Grand Secretary ; A. Cotton, Grand Treasurer ; W. N. Lumis, G. M.
The following were the charter members: N. P. Howard, George Armstrong, M. W. Hamilton, Simon Thomas, and John R. Boston.
The following members were initiated on the first even- ing, viz. ; Robert A. Barr, M. G. Falconbury, Benjamin Deem, Eli Ballenger, James H. Leary, Benjamin Miller, John D. Barnett, and Chelton Banks.
The first election of officers resulted as follows, to-wit : George Armstrong, N. G. ; N. P. Howard, V. G. ; John D. Barnett, Secretary ; Jonathan Dunbar, Treasurer.
This lodge had received up to the first of January,
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1877, $10,122.75. The lodge is out of debt, in good working order, with money in the treasury.
This lodge has been called on to mourn the loss of twenty-one members, to-wit: Robert A. Barr, W. R. Barrett, Benjamin Deem, Henry R. Hanna, Jacob Drake, W. E. Hart, William Wilkins, John D. Barnett, John Osborn, Ezra Fountain, Willard Low, Jonathan Dunbar, B. W. Cooper, Joseph Conner, Nathan Crawford, Enoch Leachman, Henry A. Swope, John H. Bentley, Henry R. Clayton, Frederick Hammel, and John D. Barr.
The present officers are as follows: T. J. Bodkins, Noble Grand ; A. J. Herron, Vice Grand ; W. T. Snider, Recording Secretary, C. T. Cochran, Permanent Secre- tary ; H. J. Williams, Treasurer. Encampment officers- M. L. Paullus, Chief Patriarch ; Q. D. Hughes, High Priest ; I. C. Rardin, Junior Warden ; James A. Flippo, Senior Warden ; W. T. Snider, Scribe ; N. P. Howard. Treasurer.
EUREKA LODGE, No. 20, K. OF P.
was instituted February 29, 1872. The following were the first officers and charter members, viz. : R. E. Barnett, V. P .; W. S. Wood, W. C .; H. J. Williams, V. C. : Ephrpaim Marsh, R. S .; J. A. New, F. S. ; E. Geary, B. ; E. P. Thayer, G. ; S. W. Barnett, I. S. ; W. F. Pratt, O. S. ; Joseph Baldwin, Milton Peden, G. W. Dove, J. J. Pratt, A. P. Williams, Q. D. Hughes, J. D. Vannyes. John W. Ryon, B. L. Gant, Calvin Sowder, Jackson Wills, and Marion Forgey.
This lodge was organized and held forth till 1880 in the three-story brick on the corner of Main and State streets, when they removed to Furry's block, on West Main street, where they have a commodious room conveniently arranged.
The present officers are: S. W. Barnett, P. C .; Lee Sullivan, C. C. ; W. W. Butts, V. C. ; H. Snow, Prelate ; E. Geary, K. of R. and S. : Charles Cammack, M. of L. ; John S. Huntsinger. M. of C. : L. Morford, M.
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
of A .: A. Everett, O. G. : Thomas Bodkins. I. G. The membership at this date is twenty-eight.
GREENFIELD LODGE, No. 184, I. O. G. T.
was organized on the 27th day of February, 1879, with the following officers installed for the first quarter: W. C. T., F. E. Glidden ; W. V. T., Kate Applegate ; W. C., George W. Duncan ; W. S., James J. Walsh ; W. A. S., William J. Barrett ; W. T., Samuel E. Duncan ; W. M., William J. Sparks ; W. D. M., Clara New; W. I. G., Annie Wright ; W. O. G., John Wright; R. H. S., Miss Mattie Hall ; L. H. S. Lenna Banks ; P. W. C. T., John W. Jones : first representative to the Grand Lodge, John A. Dobbins ; last representative, Mrs. J. F. Rhoades.
The present corps of officers are: W. C. T., John A. Dobbins ; W. P. C. T., George W. Duncan : W. V. T., Miss Annie Williams ; W. S., William W. Ragan ; W. F. S., William W. Matthews ; W. T., Noah W. Carr ; W. M., John Maithre; I. S. G., Samuel C. Hutton ; R. H. S., Mrs. J. F. Rhoades ; L. H. S., Mrs. W. K. Williams ; W. C., W. K. Williams ; Trustees, John A. Dobbins, J. F. Rhoades and Thomas E. Johnson.
The lodge organized with forty-nine members, and the average attendance for each year since its organization has been forty-five. The lodge meets on Monday evening of each week. Lodge hall, third story, over Walker's store, in the city of Greenfield, Indiana. The first Good Templars lodge of Greenfield was organized about the year 1869, by Sister Jackson, of Jeffersonville, and known as the Good Templars of Greenfield, No. 194. Among the first members of this lodge were L. E. Rumrill, J. A. Dobbins, G. W. Duncan, J. A. New, Mrs. Anna Offutt, Mrs. Lou Scott, Miss Hattie Havens, S. M. Shumway, S. M. Walker, and G. W. Dove. The lodge met and organized over Randall's store, and continued in success- ful operation for a time, and finally declined and surren- dered her charter.
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THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
of Greenfield was organized July 30, 1855. The plans for the organization of this church were conceived and com- pleted in the house where R. P. Brown now lives. Dr. B. F. Duncan and John Wilson were watching by the bed- side of a sick friend, near the hour of midnight, when the idea was conceived and arrangements were made. Among those who petitioned the Indianapolis Presbytery for this church were Mrs. T. D. Walpole, Dr. B. F. Duncan, John Foster, Captain J. R. Bracken, John A. Richey, Alexander Crocket, and Gen. John _Milroy. The request was granted, and the committee to organize consisted of the following eminent divines, viz. : David Monfort, David Stephenson, and Colonel James Blake. The com- mittee, on the date aforesaid, met in the old M. E. church, on south State street, and perfected an organization, and received the following members into full communion, viz. : Gen. John Milroy, Dr. B. F. Duncan, John A. Richey, Alexander and Elizabeth Crocket, Mrs. Martha Meek, Hugh Gambrel and wife, John Foster and wife, Misses Nancy P. and Mary J. Crocket, Ellen Sturk, Miss Isabel Clency, and Samuel and Mary Creveston. Of the four- teen who petitioned for this church, only three are living, to-wit: Mrs. T. D. Walpole, Mrs. J. T. Lineback, and Mrs. J. C. Meek. And only two are living of the seven- teen who united with the church at its organization, viz : Mrs. J. T. Lineback and Mrs. J. C. Meek.
The following are the ministers who have served this church from the date of its organization to the present. with the date of appointment and time served :
Appointed. Served.
Rev. David Monfort. IS55 . 3 years.
Rev. William Sickles. IS59 I year.
Rev. I. T. Iddings IS60
2 years. Rev. M. H. Shockley 1862 If years.
Rev. Abbottt IS65 6 months.
Rev. Isaac W. Monfort IS66 4 years.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Rev. Eben Muse IS71 .6 months.
Rev. John Dixon. IS72 4 months.
Rev. J. B. Logan
IS73 10 months.
Rev. C. T. White IS74
2 years.
Rev. J. B. Lowery. IS77 I year.
Rev. L. L. Larimore
IS7S 2 years.
Rev. Jameison .
ISSO 5 months.
Rev. J. H. Hawk ISSO 13 months.
The founder and first minister of this church, Rev. David Monfort, was a remarkable man, of great spiritual- ity, positive in character, and beloved by all who knew him. He is said not to have been a profound preacher, but a volumnious talker, tender-hearted, sympathetic, of good executive ability, and a fine judge of human nature. He received into the church one hundred and twelve mem- bers. He is still remembered as the founder of a day school, that was conducted in the Masonic hall for eight years. At this date the public schools of Indiana were in their infancy, and of little force ; but this school, under the management of Monfort, assumed a high standard in point of education.
The total number of members received into the com- munion of the Presbyterian church of Greenfield from the date of its organization, in 1855, to the present was about four hundred. Present membership, one hundred. The church worshiped in the Masonic hall for thirteen years, and has worshiped in the present building for fourteen years. Their building is a handsome, substantial brick. 44x76 feet, and a gallery capable of seating one hundred and twenty-five adults. The whole church will seat six hundred persons. It was dedicated on the 27th of Decem- ber, 1868, by Rev. Robert Sloss, assisted by Dr. Monfort. of Cincinnati. Cost of building, $10,500. At the close of the services on the day of dedication, there were sub- scribed $3,097 to complete the building. The present pastor is Rev. J. II. Hawk, the last, but by no means the least, of the shepherds of the flock. Mr. Hawk is an
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extempore speaker, a good conversationalist, and has suc- ceeded in adding a goodly number to the church.
There is in connection with this church one of the best Sunday-schools in the county. It was organized cotem- porary with the church, starting out with fourteen adults and children all told. Rev. David Monfort was the first superintendent, Dr. B. F. Duncan assistant, and Joseph Mathers secretary. In 1857 Robert Hall, recently of Cam- bridge City, was elected superintendent, and Dr. E. I. Judkins secretary. In 1861 Dr. R. E. Barnett was elected superintendent, and the secretary's book shows that on the same day $106 were raised to pay the prizes due the school-a very respectable sum to raise in a Sunday-school more than twenty years ago simply for prizes. Dr. Bar- nett continued to serve in this capacity for sixteen consecu- tive years, with credit to himself and honor to the school. Q. D. Hughes served as secretary for fourteen years con- stant and faithful. The infant class of this school is under the efficient instruction and oversight of Miss Sue Wilson, assistant postmaster, who has had charge of the babies for more than a dozen years. Her class swarms semi-annu- ally, sending off new colonies to be directed by others. This school has enjoyed nearly fourteen hundred Sabbaths, or about four years of Sunday-school instruction. H. B. Wilson, our present postmaster, has been an efficient and faithful bible school teacher a greater portion of that time. In 1864, the school had enrolled one hundred and fifty-six scholars, and the growth has been steady to the present date. R. E. Barnett is now superintendent and George Wilson secretary.
GREENFIELD METHODISM.
The early history of Methodism in Greenfield and vicinity can only be given in an incomplete and fragment- ary form. The first class known was organized in a cabin which stood near the present residence of Wesley Addison.
Some of the earliest settlers of Greenfield were Meth-
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
odists, among whom may be named the families of Abram, Samuel and Moses Vangilder ; Major Stephens and Jere- miah Meek : and a little later James Parks, John Rardin. Jacob Tague, Dr. Lot Edwards, Richard Guymon, and others. The earliest settlers found the Methodist itinerant wending his way through the almost unbroken forest searching for the lost sheep of the House of Israel, carry- ing with him the Word of Life, at as early a date as 1828. As early as 1830 Greenfield became the headquarters of a circuit, with a large number of appointments scattered widely, which were supplied with preaching once in four weeks. Since that time frequent changes have occurred in the boundaries of the circuit as the population increased, and as the growth of the church demanded, until the spring of 1878, when Greenfield became a station. The names of all the pastors cannot be given prior to 1837. nor can the order of their pastorate since that time be given with certainty in every case.
The following are the names and date of service. as nearly as can be given : Rev. James Havens and Rev. Tarkington were the first preachers in charge : then Rev. Swang ; - - Bradley, in 1837; J. B. Burt. in 1838 : Frank Richmond and Charles Morrow, 1839 to 1840 : George Havens, in 1840; John L. Smith, in 1841 : J. S. Donaldson, in 1842 ; - - McNally, appointed in 1843. died during the year, and the year was completed by -
Manly : Joseph Barnick, in 1844 ; George W. Bowers, two years ; -
Beasly, two years ; J. W. Smith, one year : J. M. Mershon, one year ; Eli Rammel, one year; Frank Richmond, appointed in 1852, died during the year, and Elisha Earl, a well-known local preacher, was appointed to fill the vacancy; S. M. Campbell, one year; J. R. Davis, one year ; C. C. Cooper, died while in charge, and Elisha Earl completed the year ; J. S. McCarty, one and one-half years ; William Anderson, two years; Michael Black, one year ; John Hill, two years ; J. W. White, one year ; George W. Bowers, three years ; Charles Martin- dale, two years ; H. J. Lacy, three years ; George Havens,
F. +
BENJAMIN F. FREEMAN.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
three years ; L. R. Streeter, five months; I. G. Brown, seven months ; Y. B. Meredith, one year ; J. F. Rhoades is now completing his third year as pastor.
Among the class-leaders of the church are George W. Dove, Jonathan Tague, C. W. Gant, and O. M. Edwards. This office is about the same as that of deacons or elders in some other churches.
The society was without a house of worship for a long time ; but through courtesy of public officials, used a log school-house, on North State street, and the old log court- house, on the north-west corner of State and South streets, south of the Gooding corner, and afterwards in the first brick court-house. In 1841 a church was erected on the west side of South State street, south of and near the rail- road. This building is now occupied for a dwelling. The growth of the society and surrounding circumstances demanded better accommodation for religious worship, and accordingly, under the efficient leadership of Rev. George W. Bowers, the present structure was begun in the year 1866, and completed in 1867 and dedicated free of debt by the lamented Dr. T. M. Eddy. The building is a plain, comfortable brick, 40x72 feet. In 1878, the church was repaired and greatly improved in appearance, and provided with gas fixtures, which lights the large audi- ence-room completely. The work was done under the pastorate of Rev. Y. B. Meredith. The church has owned four parsonages. The first parsonage stood on East North street. The second one stood on the east side of State street, just north of the railroad. About twenty-three years ago the parsonage on West Main street, now owned by E. P. Thayer, was purchased, and sold in 1875. The present one is a large, substantial, handsome two-story building adjoining the church building. It was erected in 1876, under the direction of Nelson Bradley, J. Ward Walker and A. P. Williams, and is valued at $2,000. The value of the church and parsonage is estimated at $10,500. The membership of the church is about two hundred. More than sixty of this number have been
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CENTER TOWNSHIP.
added within the last two years under J. F. Rhoades' pastorate. Every department of the church is in fine working condition. The society has not been in debt for a number of years. There is a large and prosperous Sun- day-school attached, with an average attendance of about one hundred and fifty. Collection, from two to five dol- lars per Sabbath. Nelson Bradley superintendent and Eddie Thayer secretary.
MT. GILEAD CHURCH (BAPTIST).
On the 15th day of August, 1827, a few individuals of the Baptist faith met to discuss the propriety of adopting a constitution and establishing a place of worship, which resulted in a decision to extend a cordial invitation to John Caldwell and brethren, of Blue-river township, and Abram Smock and brethren, of Bethel church, to * come over into Macedonia " and lend a helping hand. Accord- ingly, on the 19th day of August there was a meeting at the house of Mr. Samuel Jackson, with the ministers and members aforesaid present ; and after preaching by Elders Smock and Caldwell, followed by an investigation of the faith of the prospective members, they were constituted into a church, to be named and known as Brandywine church. The following persons were received into mem- bership, and given the right hand of fellowship, viz. : Samuel and Rachel Jackson, Benjamin and Jane Spill- man, and James and Elizabeth Reeves. The church bore the name of Brandywine till the 2nd Saturday of August. 1838, at which time the members gave it the name of Mt. Gilead, by which it is known to this day.
The following have been moderators, viz. : Benjamin Spillman, Elders - McQuary, Thomas Martin, C. Hood, T. Martin, William Baker, David Caudel, Zion. G. S. Weaver, William H. Curtis : the last of whom is the moderator at this date.
This church is located four miles north-west of Green-
14
202
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
field, on the Noblesville road, on the west side, in a small grove. The building is an old frame, antique in style and void of paint.
CURRY'S CHAPEL (METHODIST EPISCOPAL).
is located about five miles north-east of Greenfield. Methodist meetings in this neighborhood were first held about 1830 ; but not till 1834 was there a permanent organ- ization, and meetings were held for a time at the private residences of Moses Vangilder, James Park, and others. till 1843, when a log meeting-house was erected near by where the present frame now stands. At that date, and until within the last few years, this charge belonged to the Greenfield circuit. In 1856, the old log was superseded by a neat frame, costing $1,300. It was dedicated by J. W. T. McMullen. The first pastor was Rev. Barwick. The first class-leader was William Martindale. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. HI. Woolpert. A Sunday-school is sus- tained during the summer season.
SUGAR CREEK M. E. CHURCH,
located five miles north-west of Greenfield, on the banks of Sugar Creek, was organized in the year 1838. Among the first members were James Gant, Jeremiah Gant, John Alexander, HI. Hunt, Robert Wilson, and Thomas Smith. In 1840 they erected a log church, prior to which time they had no regular place of meeting. In this log house they held forth and prospered till 1872, when they erected the present neat frame, at a cost of $1,000 .. Among the shepherds who have fed the flock at this point were John Burt, George Havens, John Millender, G. W. Bowers, and Emerson and Beasley. The first trustees were John Alexander, Hezekiah Hunt, and Robert Wilson. This charge is now attached to the Philadelphia circuit. The present minister is H. Woolpert.
·
CENTER TOWNSHIP.
MT. CARMEL M. E. CHURCH,
in the north-west corner of Center township, on the banks of Sugar Creek, was organized about 1838, in a log school-house near where the present house stands. Among the first members were Owen and Andrew Jarrett. Martha Swope, William and Polly Jones, John Alley, Riley Tay- lor, John and Nancy Lewis, Samuel Henry and wife, and Martha Chapman, wife of Hon. Joseph Chapman. This organization moved quietly along with reasonable success till 1850, when, under the ministration of Eli Rammel, a remarkable revival was had, in which over one hundred were added to the membership of the church. In 1853. the society had so grown in size and means that it decided on the building of a house, which resulted in the erection of the present frame, by Henry L. Moore, at a cost of $800, and is now attached to the Philadelphia circuit.
GREENFIELD CORNET BAND
was organized in 1865, from a remnant of a band that .existed during the war, and prosperel till 1874, when it was reorganized and equipped, with considerable change in the membership. There having been no record kept of the organization, we are unable to give the names of the members, with any degree of certainty, during her carly ·existence. The following are the names of the present organization, viz. : Isaac R. Davis, Thomas Carr, John Davis, Charles Davis, Abijah Davis, Penn Bidgood, Gea- tano Ponti, Quinn Johnson, Frank Barr, and Charles Carter. The members are uniformed, and supplied with good instruments, at a cost of $250, and a band wagon worth $600.
STEPHEN T. DICKERSON.
The subject of this sketch was born October 27, 1830. one mile east of Fountaintown, Shelby county, Indiana. where he remained with his father on the old homestead
1
STEPHEN T. DICKERSON.
7
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CENTER TOWNSHIP.
till the date of his marriage with Nancy Wiggins, of Han- cock county, in the twenty-second year of his age.
Mr. D. engaged in the stock trade at the age of eighteen with George Roberts. Their first speculation was in sheep, purchased north of Greenfield, of Harlan Reeves and others in that neighborhood, at fifty cents per head for the choice of the flock. His next trade was with Hugh Woos- ter, of Greenfield, of whom he purchased fifteen large, choice steers, at $15 each. When they were turned out of the large woods pasture, on the farm now owned by John T. Lineback, to drive to town, they bounded off through the woods and brush and over the logs at such a rate that Mr. D. got completely lost, and came on to Greenfield to await results. In the course of an hour Mr. Wooster put in an appearance with the cattle, telling Dickerson that he was not worth a " continental copper to drive stock, or he could get through the brush fast enough to keep up with an old man like him. Mr. D. has been in the stock trade in Hancock county for thirty-three years, and has probably bought and sold more stock than any other man in the county ; and we may add, has always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his customers and the public generally. He also filled the office of trustee of Center township for two consecutive terms, during which he took great interest in the schools. and encouraged both pupil and teacher by frequent visits.
Mr. D. is a liberal. public-spirited man, and has taken great interest in organizing pike companies, and encour- aging the citizens of the county to construct good gravel roads, to which he has always been a liberal subscriber. It was through his management that the Greenfield and New Palestine gravel road was completed, which was probably the most difficult road of the kind ever made in the county, owing to the distance to which the gravel had to be hauled, being on an average of more than two miles. Mr. D. also organized the Center and Brandywine Pike Company, and was one of its most liberal subscribers.
He was one of the first children born on Brandywine.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY!
and, consequently, has seen a good deal of pioneer life. He says that the first apple that he ever saw growing was in the orchard of James Smith, about five miles south of Greenfield. He recollects the first frame house, sawed boards and painting, in the neighborhood. It was on the farm of Robert P. Brown, built by the late Jacob Fogle- song. When Mr. D. first saw Greenfield, there were but two houses south of Main street ; one, he thinks, was Mr. Offutt's and the other was near where Mr. Paullus' new residence now stands. The first public gathering which he recollects attending was "muster," on " muster day," at James Goodwin's residence, now owned by John Richey, of Brandywine township. He attended school on Hominy Ridge, and was one of the boys that helped to carry Jack- son Porter on a rail to Brandywine before he would " come down" with the cider, apples and ginger-bread. Mr. D. says he well recollects when there were more still-houses in Brandywine township, Hancock county, and Van Buren township, Shelby county, than there were school-houses ; and that it was a very common thing for the neighbors to send to the still-houses for beer, and use it in the place of milk to drink. But notwithstanding the evils of that day, the young folks had their sport and amusement of many kinds. In the fall and winter seasons there would be a wood-chopping and quilting in the neighborhood about once a week, and a dance at night. Then there were the apple bees, pumpkin peelings, flax pullings, and corn- huskings-all sources of amusement. When the Mt. Lebanon church was organized, a great number of the young joined, and held out faithful for a season ; but when the time for parties arrived, no small number would per- sist in dancing, greatly against the rules laid down by old Fathers Muth and Havens, the clerical advisers of that time. Mr. D. well remembers seeing one young fellow arraigned before one of the old fathers, charged with the sin of dancing. His reply to which not being satisfactory. he was told that it would not be tolerated. "Then," said the youngster, "take my name off the church book. I
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