History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions, Part 13

Author: Richman, George J
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Federal publishing co., inc.
Number of Pages: 1272

USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 13

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

women walked four miles and did not grumble. Six yards would then make a nice dress, and they would wear it from six to twelve months. Now it takes fifteen yards [William Sears: "Some take twenty-five." Laughter], and they don't wear it five months. The first winter I could fell timber in my yard. Our chairs were three-legged stools: the table, a bench with four legs. Comparing the times then with now. it is calculated to bring up feel- ings that young people can never experience."

BY JOHN P. BANKS, OF BRANDYWINE :

"In our younger days we would always say 'Ladies and Gentlemen,' but on the present it is more fitting to say 'Fathers and Mothers.' You have just heard two ministers tell a little of their experiences. A preacher one-half century ago, if worth anything when he commenced, became poorer and poorer-one evidence of his sincerity. The people grew wiser and better. The old pioneer preachers, when worn out, found themselves without land or other possessions, would fill their jacket pockets with pills, or go to mending shoes to keep gaunt want and privations from their door. I was born in old Virginia, at the time when it owned this territory. Moved to White- water valley and went into the block-house with my parents, six miles north of Connersville. After peace was restored, we settled and soon afterward I married and went to Rush county. That county was wealthy. I only had forty acres and, having ambition, I wanted more, so moved on. When I came here, one-half century ago. Robert Milroy was superintendent of the National road, and was building the stone bridge, now standing in Green- field. Speaking of roads, I want to say a word about gravel roads. We old settlers cleared the way for the roads, helped build them, and today, when we came to this meeting, were compelled to pay toll. It looks like poverty, to hear that the officers instructed their gate-keepers to remain at home and collect full toll. It is a disgrace. Shame on such deeds! The women de- serve praise for their heroism in the early settlement of the country. I have seen mothers, aunts and sisters, from dark to daylight with gun in hand and the trigger cocked, keeping away the wolf and Indians. The old ladies have borne the heat and work for the present. They were faithful. true and heroic."

BY NOBLE WARRUM, OF JACKSON :

"In the year 1840, I was appointed collector of the revenue of Hancock county, known now as treasurer. But this duty was not then performed as it is now. The citizens of the county did not then call at the office and pay

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GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.

their taxes ; in fact, we had no office, therefore. I was obliged to travel through the county from house to house and receive and receipt, wherever I could find a taxpayer. Many receipts have I filled on stumps and log-heaps, and ( droll as it may seem to you) I have received mink and coon skins in payment for taxes. I well recollect on one occasion being over in Vernon township near where McCordsville now stands, at one Wm. McCords, of whom I made a collection and late in the evening I started for my old friend, William Cald- well ( who was the first justice of the peace that ever was in Vernon township ). But dark overtaking me, I let my horse have his own way. He guided me to what was then known as the 'Big Deadening', where I found a cabin occu- pied by a family by the name of Jones, and by the way, Mr. Jones was a very clever gentleman, although they had just moved in and were unprepared to receive and accommodate, yet he received me in a very kind and hospitable manner. But the will was there. God bless him and his wife for their treat- ment. The needy shared alike with the wealthy. In those times all loved one another : but now, when pride creeps in, love creeps out.

"These old settlers came here not to plunder nor to get rich in a month or a year, but to make an honest living, just as God intended they should. by the sweat of their brow. And many times their sole sustenance was johnny- cake and venison, being entirely destitute of salt. And this venison, in pre- paring it for what was termed jerk, was cut in thin slices, and, by having thin sticks inserted, were placed over our fires in our log-cobins, where it hung until perfectly dry : when prepared in this way-kept from moisture-it would keep for almost any length of time. And occasionally we would kill a fat bear and then we could afford to shorten our johnny-cake, and if we were lucky enough to raise any pumpkins, we stewed them and made what was known as 'pumpkin pone,' and on such occasions the neighbors generally re- ceived a cordial invitation.

"And now, as regards the old pioneer mothers, who were willing to make their living by the sweat of their brow. I have seen these old mothers, after spinning nearly all day, sit down, as they said, 'to rest', and take their needle and thread in hand and make a calico dress before bedtime, a plain calico dress : they needed none of that artificial beauty. You saw none of those whalebones nor bumps. Grecian-benders, nor humps-but their bodies were the most beautiful of God's creation. And the young men of that day found them just as attractive and as interesting as the young men of today consider the young ladies of the present age, and were just as anxious to place their arms around them, or steal a kiss from their ruby lips ; but I can't help saying,

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

God bless the ladies for their good, in all ages, and dressed in any kind of a garb."

A roster was made of the oldest people present with the number of years each had been in the county or state. The following list is taken from the report made at the time to the local papers: Ruth Hudson, born 1795, in county over fifty years ; Matilda Catt, in county fifty-two years : Elihu Coffin, in state fifty-two years; Benjamin Reeves, in county sixty years; William Bridges, in county fifty years ; John B.'Banks, in county fifty-one years ; David Caudell, in county thirty-six years; Benjamin Price, in county forty-eight years ; George Baxter, in county thirty-six years ; John R. Couden. in county forty years ; Benjamin McNamee, in county forty-seven years; Mrs. Berilla Cooper, in county forty-six years ; George McConnell, in state fifty-six years ; Lewis Jackson, in county forty years : Rolman and Nelson Johns, in Brown township fifty-three years; Thompson Allen, in Brown township fifty-three years ; Washington Duncan, in county sixty years : Henry Duncan, in state fifty-one years; Clarissa Duncan, born in state 1808: Melinda Elsbury, in county fifty years ; Martha Roberts, in county forty-five years ; Sarah Stuart, in county forty-six years.

It was estimated that at least six thousand people were present on that day. A number of amusements were provided for the young as well as for the old. In fact. it seems that the amusements provided for the younger peo- ple proved distasteful to some of the older folks. We take the following from the report made to the Hancock Democrat : "We heard much comment. mostly unfavorable, on the allowing by the manager of the various gaming and dancing establishments on the ground. One old gentleman, who resides in the east part of town, on being met as he was leaving the grounds by a Democrat reporter, and asked why he was going away so soon, replied, rather angrily. that the 'devil was there', referring to the establishments."

Many relics were also exhibited, which served to remind the old settlers of the happy hours spent years ago. Among the exhibits were a flax hackle, a chair, a sickle, horn and a Bible. It was generally reported that many more relics would have been brought had it been understood that the relics were to be displayed.

On August 4, 1881, a second meeting was held. It was estimated that at least two hundred and fifty persons came on the train from the east, and that from six thousand to nine thousand persons were in attendance. A fea- ture of this meeting was a choir composed of the old folks, who sang "Auld Lang Syne," "Morality," "Eternity," etc. Among the relics were a flax hackle. hemp hook, a boiling pan, and the horns of a large buck killed many

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years ago. The local reporter stated in his paper that "stands and other places where money can be spent are more numerous than was ever seen at any county fair."

The third meeting at Greenfield was held on August 5, 1882, and ten thousand people were reported present. The old people again sang "Liberty," "Ohio," "Morality," etc., from the "Old Missouri Harmony." A few notes are taken from the local paper of that date :

"Ebenezer Scotton, of Buck Creek township, wore an old coat which was over sixty years old. It was embellished with large buttons.

"Jared C. Meek, of Eden, the first white child born in Greenfield, was frequently pointed out on the ground as a person with a remarkable history."

The following were the presidents of the old settlers' meetings during their most flourishing years: 1880. Nelson Bradley; 1881, Thomas Hawk; 1882, James Tyner ; 1883, R. A. Riley.

The old settlers' meetings continued to be held for several years. After the organization of the county fair, and the purchase of Boyd's grove by the fair association, a day was set apart at the fair as old settlers' day. It seems, however, that interest began to wane, and in a few years no further effort was made to continue the meetings.

RAILROADS, INTERURBANS, ETC.

The Knightstown & Shelbyville, railway was completed about 1848 and operated until about 1855. It crossed the southeast corner of Blue River township, following the south valley of Blue river. The old grades may still be seen at some places.

Prior to the construction of the Indiana Central railway, the Dayton coach made its weekly trips over the Centerville state road and, later. over the Na- tional road, between Indianapolis and Dayton. This was the first line estab- lished for the carrying of passengers.

The Bee Line, now known as the branch of the Big Four, passing through McCordsville and Fortville, was constructed in 1850. In 1851 the Indiana Central railroad, now known as the Pennsylvania line, was constructed through this county. In 1867 work was begun on the "Junction" railway, now known as the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton. The work on this road was concluded in 1869. In ISSI the Indiana, Bloomington & Western was organized, but trains were not run over the road until the latter part of 1882 or early in 1883. In 1890. the branch of the Big Four running through Shirley was constructed.

Work on the first traction line was begun in the fall of 1899. The road

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

was completed in 1900 between Indianapolis and Greenfield. The first car ran out of Greenfield on June 13. 1900, and the road began carrying passengers regularly on June 17. 1900. At first the line had difficulty getting into the city of Indianapolis. All cars stopped at Central avenue, in Irvington, and passengers changed to the city cars. After a few months, however, arrange- ments were made by which the cars of the traction line ran into the city.

The Union Traction line, through Fortville, was completed so that cars began running between Fortville and Anderson in December, 1900.

The contract for the construction of the Indianapolis-Rushville line was let in 1901. As originally planned, the road was to be double tracked and was graded with this object in view. The company became financially embar- rassed, however, and the work was delayed. Finally one track was laid. The road went into a receiver's hands and the first cars were not run until Feb- ruary. 1906.

The Honey Bee line, or the Indianapolis, Newcastle & Eastern Traction Company, running through Maxwell, was begun in 1906. In 1907, work on the road was halted because of financial difficulties. The company's affairs went into a receiver's hands and the road was not completed for traffic for two or three years. Cars began running in June, 1909.

The Tidewater pipe line was laid across Brandywine and Blue River townships in 1910. Oil is carried through this line from the oil fields of Illinois to Jersey City. The line enters the county a short distance east of Finly, and pursues an easterly direction across the corner of the county. In 1915 a large pumping station was erected in Brandywine township, a half- mile north of Fountaintown.

During recent years the people of the county have had the advantage of traveling in every direction by railroad, while the trolley cars are passing over the traction lines in either direction at every hour.

Aside from the convenience of transportation thus offered, these cor- porations pay a large sum of money into the county treasury annually, as taxes. In fact, very few people have any idea of the amount of revenue de- rived from this source. Following are the amounts of taxes paid by these corporations in the year 1915:

Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway Company . . . . $21,652.02 Peoria & Eastern Railway Company ( through Maxwell ) . ... 9.608.12 Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan Railway Co. ( through Shirley ) 1,329.99 Cincinnati, Indianapolis & Western Railway Company ( through New Palestine ) 3.690.06

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GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.

Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago & St. Louis Railway Company

( through Fortville) 7.504.81

Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Traction Company ( through Greenfield) 4.958.69

Indianapolis, Newcastle & Eastern Traction Company 2,706.79

Indianapolis & Cincinnati Traction Company 1,046.26

Indiana Union Traction Company 1.597.40

Tidewater Pipe Company 708.70

Total

$54,952.84

PROPOSED RAILWAY.

There is no subject upon which so much has been said in the history of the county and so little done, as upon the subject of a railroad running north and south through the city of Greenfield. The agitation for a north and south line was begun about the time of the Civil War. or very soon thereafter, and has remained a subject of discussion at short intervals from that time to the present. The first agitation that caused people to believe that such a rail- way would actually be built was begun during the summer of 1871. The pro- posed line was the Columbus, Nashville & Greenfield Railway. The agitation waned with the summer and the project was soon forgotten.

The next railroad, and one that received a great deal more serious con- sideration, was the Chicago, Greenfield & Cincinnati railroad. At a special session of the board of county commissioners of Hancock county in 1889, peti- tions were presented by several townships in the county asking for appropria- tions by the townships of the amounts indicated below to aid in the construction of this railroad through the respective townships. The petitions also asked that elections be ordered by the board in the respective townships to give the voters an opportunity of determining whether the said amounts should be donated. On that day the board granted the prayers of the petitioners and elections were ordered in the following townships, to be held on November 16. 1889: Blue River, $15,000; Brandywine, $10,000; Center, $43.000 ; Green, $12,000; Vernon, $17,000.

In all of the townships except Center and Blue River, the majority of the votes were cast against making the appropriation. The result of the election was as follows :

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

Blue River-

For the railroad IIO votes

Against the railroad 96 votes

Majority for railroad 14 votes

Brandywine-

Against the railroad 152 votes

For the railroad 29 votes

Majority against railroad 123 votes

Center-

For the railroad Soo votes

Against the railroad 176 votes

Majority for railroad 624 votes

Green-

Against the railroad 149 votes

For the railroad 80 votes

Majority against railroad 69 votes

Vernou-

Against the railroad .256 votes

For the railroad 226 votes

Majority against railroad 30 votes

The Chicago. Greenfield & Cincinnati Railroad Company was a corpora- tion organized under the laws of the state of Indiana. Its purpose was to build a railroad from Noblesville to Rushville, thus connecting with lines lead- ing to Chicago and Cincinnati. The proposed road was to cross the Pennsyl- vania line at Greenfield. and the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad at Fountaintown. Local people were interested in the project. Morgan Chan- dler was president and Charles Downing was secretary of the company. The special election, however, determined the fate of the railroad.

In September, 1897, the Greenfield & Maxwell Railroad Company was incorporated. The directors of the new company were, Ephraim Marsh, S. R. Wells, W. J. Alford (of Anderson), George Cooper, Jerome Black. J. H. Moulden, II. B. Thayer.

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GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.

The purpose of the company, as indicated by its name, was to build a railroad from Maxwell to Greenfield. On November 12, 1897, a petition, signed by ninety taxpayers of Center township, was filed with the county commissioners, praying for an election to be held in Center township to vote a subsidy of forty-seven thousand five hundred dollars to the Greenfield & Maxwell Railroad Company as an aid in the construction of the line. The board ordered an election to be held on January 18, 1898. This movement aroused a great deal of opposition in the township. The subsidy was asked for on the theory that the new railroad would have a tendency to lower freight rates and give greater accommodation to the traveling public of the county. The opposition to the road argued that these things were, from a practical stand- point, minor matters ; that the road was a private venture, and that the subsidy simply meant the payment of that much money into the hands of the promoters. In the election six hundred and nineteen votes were cast in favor of the appro- priation and nine hundred and twenty-one against it, thus defeating the move- ment by a majority of three hundred and two votes.

But the most interesting, by far, of all the proposed railways is the story of

BLACK DIAMOND.

The work of locating the Black Diamond system began on April 30, 1895. The road, as planned, was to extend from Port Royal, South Carolina, to Chicago. By the spring of 1898, it was reported by Albert E. Boone, general manager of the system, that the survey from Port Royal, South Carolina, to the city of Greenfield had been completed and paid for. A mass meeting of the citizens of Hancock county was called at the court house on May 11. 1898. The call was given by the general manager of the system, in which he informed the people that four routes had been suggested from Greenfield to Chicago. They were as follows :

Route I. Greenfield via Mohawk, Fortville, Noblesville.

Route 2. Greenfield, Maxwell, Ingalls, etc.

Route 3. Greenfield via Mohawk. Fortville, Tipton, etc.

Route 4. Greenfield via Philadelphia, Gem, Cumberland, Hunters, etc.

The route to be selected was to depend upon the interest manifested at the meeting to be held on May II. The name of the branch of the road going through Greenfield was to be the Indianapolis, Vevay & Tidewater railway. Colonel Boone gave notice that he himself would come to Green- field on May 10, for the purpose of meeting any delegations that might want any information concerning the proposed railway.

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

The mass meeting was held as advertised. A large number of the citi- zens of the county were present. Among those from a distance were, J. V. Carter, editor of V'evay Democrat ; Mayor J. R. Simpson, Paoli, Indiana : Col- onel Tutt, of Knoxville, and Albert E. Boone. general manager of the Black Diamond system. The promoters asked the citizens in the townships through which the proposed road was to run to appropriate seven thousand dollars to defray the expense of the preliminary survey. At the conclusion of the meet- ing Mayor Duncan was instructed to appoint a committee of the business men of Greenfield to consult with the citizens of the townships through which the proposed road was to pass, to get their views as to whether they were in favor of building the road and assisting in defraying the expenses of the sur- vey, profiles, etc.

From this time, all of the local newspapers between Port Royal, South Carolina, and Chicago were filled with the doings of the promoter of the sys- tem. Items from one paper were copied in the others, so that the proposed work was continually before the people. News of what was being done at any point traveled along the entire line through the chain of county papers.

On August 25, 1898, a petition, signed by a number of taxpayers of Blue River township, was filed with the county commissioners, asking for an elec- tion to be held in Blue River township to vote an appropriation of $17,941.10 as an aid in the construction of the Indianapolis, Vevay & Tidewater rail- way. A similar petition was filed on the same day by citizens of Center township, asking for an appropriation of $76.426.

The board of county commissioners ordered an election in these town- ships on September 27. 1898. The following was the result of the election :

Blue River-

Against the appropriation 153 votes

For the appropriation 77 votes

Majority against the appropriation 76 votes

Center-

For the appropriation . 923 votes

Against the appropriation 511 votes

Majority for the appropriation 412 votes

These appropriations were to be made on condition that the road be fin- ished and that no part of the appropriation be due and payable until the line should be completely finished and trains operated thereon.

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GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.

The promoters seemed to be quite hopeful. as is indicated by the follow- ing letter written by Colonel Boone to the editor of the Greenfield Republican :

"Zanesville, Ohio, September 28, 1898.

"From the telegram to the Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio, I see the subsidy carried at Greenfield (Center township), but failed in Blue River township. I am deeply grateful, as well as satisfied. It guarantees for the Black Dia- mond a footing amongst a class of people that will protect the franchise from any and all attempts to secure unjust awards at court in case of litigation. I shall now prepare my plans to make Greenfield the pivot point of line to Vevay, to Chicago and to connect with an outer belt for Indianapolis.

"I cannot let this occasion pass without thanking you for the noble stand you took when the Black Diamond needed loyalty and support. You can assure your people that every pledge made in the petition will be carried out to the letter, and the shops shall be no small affair. They will be large enough for the business of two hundred and fifty-four miles of road-Vevay, via Greenfield, to Hammond, Indiana. We will take out a new charter in the name of the Chicago, Greenfield & Tidewater Railway Company, building from Greenfield (south of Pan-Handle) to Vevay, as the 'Ohio River divi- sion,' and from Greenfield ( north of Pan-Handle ) to Hammond, as the 'Lake Michigan division'.

"All the franchise south of Greenfield will be perfected in the name of the Indianapolis. Vevay & Tidewater, and same then transferred to the Chi- cago, Greenfield & Tidewater Railway Company. The change is made be- cause the road will not go to Indianapolis, and then, as we must build from Maxwell to Vevay to earn the subsidy, the change must necessarily be made.

"I enjoy the hope that I have made clear my appreciation. With kind regards to all friends of the Black Diamond cause in Hancock county, In- diana. I am with respect. ALBERT E. BOONE."

"P. S .- A debt of gratitude you will forever owe to Charles Tutt, of Knoxville. Tennessee, for his faithfulness to your city. I rejoice that the name of Tutt will never perish, for it will be amongst the files that the com- ing of the Black Diamond to Greenfield was due solely to the work of Charles Tutt and the friends he secured in your county. The first engine upon your line shall be called 'Colonel Tutt.' BOONE."

"N. B .- Whilst the name Vevay will be stricken out for the insertion of Greenfield, yet we will compensate Vevay by making a change of name of the Springfield. Ohio River & South Atlantic to that of Vincennes, Vevay & Tidewater. BOONE."

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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.

It did not become necessary, however, to take out a new charter in the name of the Chicago, Greenfield & Tidewater Railway Company, nor did it ever become necessary to change the name of any other branch of the system to compensate Vevay for the loss of her name in the line to Chicago. Though the promoters continued to give out information concerning the progress of the work at different points along the line, the optimism of the people of Hancock county received a rude shock when the following item was published in the local papers within less than a year after the appreciative letter of Colonel Boone had appeared in the same columns :

"J. V. Dill, liveryman of Greenfield, sold the effects of the Black Dia- mond railway to pay the expense of livery hire of the representatives of the Black Diamond system," etc.

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History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions, Part 13

Author: Richman, George J Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Indianapolis, Federal publishing co., inc. Number of Pages: 1272

Author: Richman, George J
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Federal publishing co., inc.
Number of Pages: 1272