USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 14
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Since that time we have had rumors of the construction of a belt road to include a number of county seats in the counties adjoining Marion, but as yet this road has not passed the stage that was reached by all the others.
The only company that has ever succeeded in operating a line for the regular transportation of passengers north and south from Greenfield has been the Greenfield Auto Traction Company, incorporated July 11, 1910, and operated under the management of W. C. Welborn, an attorney of the Han- cock bar. This company operated an auto traction line between Greenfield and Maxwell, and for a time between Fountaintown and Pendleton. The line was discontinued in January, 1913.
THE GRANGE.
About 1870. or perhaps a little later. the Grange movement swept over Hancock county, and within two or three years twenty-one local lodges were organized. In March, 1874, representatives of the various Granges met at Greenfield and effected a county organization. The following officers were elected : President, B. F. Reeves, Warrington : vice-president. J. T. Dawson, Philadelphia ; secretary, I. A. Curry, Greenfield; treasurer, E. S. Bottsford, Philadelphia ; business agent, Alpheus Tyner, Morristown : gate keeper, Thomas Bentley, Greenfield: executive committee, Smith McCord. R. J. Moore, William Frost.
Arrangements were also made for the establishment of a Grange store at Greenfield, of which Alpheus Tyner was to have charge. At the meeting of the Hancock county council on the first Saturday of March, 1874, the following resolution was adopted in recommendation of Mr. Tyner: "Re- solved, that in the election of Alpheus Tyner as purchasing agent of the Pa- trons of Husbandry of Hancock county. we recommend him as a man of integ- rity and ability and entitled to your confidence and respect."
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GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
The following lodges were reported in April, 1874:
Blue River, John T. Coffin, master : B. B. Binford, secretary.
Eden, No. 469, E. B. Bragg, master ; B. T. Cooper, secretary.
Philadelphia, No. 386, John E. Dye, master ; T. J. Dawson, secretary. White Haven, No. 924, James Mitchell, master ; L. Bussell, secretary. Fortville, No. 528, J. S. Merrill, master ; Charles P. Thomas, secretary.
Sugar Creek, No. 892, James Wilkinson, master ; Weston Summerville, secretary.
Sugar Creek, No. 638, J. P. Murphy, master ; T. J. Wilson, secretary. Buck Creek, No. 509, I. S. Wright, master ; B. F. Millard, secretary. Cleveland, No. 343, G. W. Sample, master ; I. Murdon, secretary.
Warrington, No. 591, J. M. Bundy, master ; B. F. Reeves, secretary. McCordsville, No. 431. Elias McCord, master : John Bells, secretary. Palestine, No. 505, Urialı Low, master ; Edward Schreiber, secretary.
Milners Corners, No. 764, WV. G. Caldwell, master; William Mckinsey. secretary.
Cumberland, No. 1045, Abner Newland, master; Thomas Furgason, secretary.
Shiloh, No. 319, J. F. Hackleman, master ; Alpheus Tyner, secretary.
Brandywine, No. - , Harrison Wilkinson, master ; F. M. Clark, secre- tary.
Union, No. 1389, J. Q. White, master ; Andrew Williamson, secretary. Vernon, No. 1378, A. P. Hastings, master ; S. E. Collins, secretary.
Six Mile, No. 1629, Charles Fort, master ; Daniel Loudenback, secretary.
At this time the Grange of Hancock county had a membership of over one thousand and five hundred. The organization took an interest in gen- eral and economic matters, such as the development of farms, the beautifying of the county, the school system. taxation and, finally, politics.
At a regular meeting of the county council at the Grange hall in Green- field, on April 4, 1874, the advisability of nominating a county ticket was considered. It was at this meeting, too, that the council expressed its dis- approval of the frequent changes in the use of text books and adopted a resolution in relation thereto. Other matters were presented, but there was a special interest in this meeting, because the question as to whether the Grange should enter the political arena was to be determined. The notice that the advisability of nominating a county ticket was to be considered, in itself brought a large attendance. Soon after the meeting opened, Mr. Furry, of Sugar Creek township, offered the following resolution :
"Resolved. that a committee of five be appointed by the chair who shall,
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
without delay, issue an address, accompanied by a call for a mass convention of those ACTUALLY engaged in agricultural pursuits ( not to nominate a ticket ), but for a free consultation on all matters of interest to them. Such convention may organize and perform all rules necessary to a nominating convention at a future day."
J. H. White submitted the following as an amendment to the above resolution : "That the committee take into consideration the propriety of calling such convention, and report at the next regular meeting of this council."
The amendment, however, was not entirely satisfactory to a number, and William Lewis, of Jackson township, submitted the following as a sub- stitute :
"Resolved, that this council instruct each Grange to elect one delegate for cach twenty members or fraction thereof, to meet at the court house in Greenfield, three weeks from today at 10 o'clock a. m., to make their nom- inating ticket."
The voting began, in the course of which Mr. Lewis's substitute was first lost. Then Mr. White's amendment was lost, and finally the original resolution was defeated. This left the matter of a county ticket undecided. The council adjourned, to meet again on April 18. 1874. Nothing was done at the second meeting, and the matter does not seem to have come up again until at a special meeting of the county council held at Greenfield on July 18, 1874. At this meeting George Furry introduced the following resolution :
"Believing the time has fully come when the agricultural and industrial interests of the county (judging from the past) cannot reasonably expect redress and protection from either of the present existing parties : therefore,
"Resolved, by the Hancock County Council, Patrons of Husbandry, this July 18. 1874, that there be an election called of the agricultural and in- dustrial classes in the several townships in said county, on the last Saturday in July, between the hours of one and four o'clock P. M., for the purpose of electing delegates to a county convention-one delegate for each one hundred votes polled at the last general election, and one for each fractional part thereof: said delegates to meet in the town of Greenfield in said county on the first Saturday in August next, at one o'clock A. M., then and there to procced to nominate a county ticket of competent, faithful. temperate and honest men, irrespective of their connection with any political, religious or social order-men who will unflinchingly stand by in sympathy with the in- dustrial interests of the county, strictly adhering to the principles which should
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GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
characterize every patron ; that the nomination should seek the man and the man be nominated."
The report of the vote of the council on this resolution was as follows: Yeas-T. E. Bentley, R. P. Andis, William Lewis, Aaron Foster, .\. J. Lee, A. L. Ogg, Burd Lacy, J. S. Merrill, George Furry, George L. Judkins, L. D. Milburn, E. T. Chandler, Aquilla Grist. Nays-1. A. Curry, T. J. Daw- son, Smith McCord, William Frost, T. B. Miller, J. H. White. R. J. Moore, James Finnell, John E. Dye.
George L. Judkins moved to reconsider the vote adopting this resolu- tion. His motion was seconded. and entertained by the president, who sub- mitted it to the council, whereupon there was a bolt from the room to prevent its passage. Capt. Adams L. Ogg asked for a call of the house, which, after being made, showed that a quorum was lacking. The council then adjourned, to meet in regular session on the first Saturday in August. 1874. Under the rules of the council the motion to reconsider stood for action at the next regular meeting.
Two days later, on July 20, 1874, printed hand bills were scattered broadcast over the county, of which the following is a copy :
"TAKE NOTICE
"The Hancock County Council, Patrons of Husbandry, have called upon the voters of the agricultural and industrial classes generally. to assemble at their respective townships on Saturday, July 25. 1874. to organize an inde- pendent party, and to name there all things calculated to release us from the burdens of extravagant and bad government.
"MANY VOTERS."
Pursuant to the above notice, a number of men assembled at the court house, on July 25, but the convention lacked unity and coherence. The lead- ers in the convention seemed to be Capt. Adams L. Ogg, George Furry and Thomas E. Bentley. Although the motion had carried on July 18, 1874. in favor of an independent county ticket, it caused much dissatisfaction in the Grange. On August 29, another reform or independent convention was held at Greenfield, at which both a county central committee was appointed and a county ticket nominated. The names of the committeemen as well as of the candidates have been set out in the chapter on politics.
The following resolutions which stood as its platform give a good idea of the reforms advocated :
"Resolved, that the man receiving the nomination for representative in said convention shall unhesitatingly pledge himself to a speedy repeal of the
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
late salary grab of the last Legislature, and pledge himself, so far as he may be able, to reduce to a fair and reasonable basis, the salaries and fees of all state, county and school officers, to abolish the office of county school superin- tendent and many other offices that are useless burdens to the people.
"Resolved, that, in view of the fact that the county officers elected this year are by law liable to receive the salaries and iees as prescribed by the present law, therefore the said convention shall not tender to any man the nomination for either of the county offices, who will not pledge himself that if elected to any office he will faithfully perform the duty of such office for the following named reduced salary :
"Clerk $1,200.00
Treasurer
1,200.00
Auditor
1,200.00
Sheriff
1,200.00
Recorder (for each decd)
1.00
County Commissioners, per day
3.00
Trustees, per day
2.00
County Assessor, per day
2.00
Members of the Legislature, per day
5.00
"Resolved, that in case the above named officers should be elected by said independent convention, they shall faithfully collect all fees subject to the several offices under the present law, and all such money over and above the above named salaries shall be given in charge of the county commission- ers as a county fund, subject to their disposal for the actual benefit of the county.
"Resolved, that we favor the election of a district prosecutor, who has the ability within himself to conduct the interests of the state in criminal courts without employing assistance, except in very extreme and complicated cases, and then only a reasonable and stated fec."
Up to this time, the Grange had flourished in the county. Farmers took a general interest in it, and good seems to have been accomplished. Its advent into politics, however, was its undoing. The ties of party were stronger than the ties of the order, and within the next year or two it lost rapidly in numbers and influence. Within three or four years it became practically extinct. We hear of it again on January 9, 1879, when the following notice was inserted in the local papers, showing that an effort had been made to revive it, and that new officers had been elected and installed :
"The Grange has been in a feeble condition for some time past, and has
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GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
only been meeting occasionally. It has been rejuvenated and the members have resolved to hold regular meetings. With this purpose the following officers have been elected and installed for the ensuing year: Worshipful master, David S. Gooding; overseer, Alfred Potts; secretary. William Fries ; assistant steward. H. C. Willett; chaplain, E. R. Gant; secretary, R. D. Cooper ; gate keeper, A. Little ; treasurer, Hiram Rhue ; trustees, R. D. Cooper, W. Collyer and J. W. Comstock, and committee on relief. William Sears, A. Little and Eli R. Gant."
A good social spirit was fostered among the members of the Grange. Picnics and other gatherings were held from time to time, of which we have at least one detailed report. This is a "write up" in the Hancock Democrat of a county picnic, held on June 20, 1874. Each lodge was invited to "come clad in regalia and bring full baskets." The Democrat may not have looked with favor upon the entrance of the Grange into politics. Such a step at least could not be helpful to the Democracy of the county, but following is the report of the picnic :
"By far the largest number of people, men, women and children, we have seen in Greenfield for many a day was on the occasion of the Grangers' picnic on Saturday last. The people came in early from all parts of the county, and at 10 o'clock a procession was formed by Capt. A. L. Ogg and numerous assistants, and marched (headed by the Greenfield Cornet Band) to O'Don- nell's beautiful grove, west of town, to enjoy together, in a good old-fashioned . way, a festive day, free from the cares and strifes of life, to hear enumerated their many and grievous wrongs, and the best manner of their redress; to listen to eloquent dissertations of best means of freeing labor from the bond- age of capital. and to have demonstrated to them the great advantage the manu- facturer has over the consumer. The procession was a fine display of the bone and sinew, nearly every Grange in the county being represented, all wear- ing the modest regalia of the order, while above them waved their banners, bearing appropriate mottoes, such as 'We have no litigation in the Grange,' 'Love, friendship and charity,' 'We oppose the salary grab,' 'We buy direct from manufacturers,' 'We are opposed to monopoly,' and 'United we stand.'
"Appropriate addresses were made by Messrs. Crouch, of Indianapolis ; Pendleton, of Johnson county, and James, of Grant county.
"The meeting was in all respects a grand success, and the horny-handed sons of toil are entitled to great credit for the very orderly and gentlemanly manner in which they conducted themselves during the entire day. All their baskets were well filled with the substantials of life, and all left well satisfied with the day's pleasure."
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
FARMERS MUTUAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATION.
During the latter eighties this movement swept over the state, and lodges were organized in all parts of the county. Meetings were usually held in the school houses, and the farmers of the community "joined." The "joining" seems to have been the most of it. Its purpose and organization were similar to the Grange, but very little seems to have been accomplished by the order. The initiation of new members afforded much amusement. Stories are still extant of what "happened" on those occasions. The mere mention of the " F. M. B. A.'s" always brings a smile to the faces of those who were familiar with its mysteries.
FARMERS' INSURANCE ASSOCIATION.
Foreign insurance companies had operated for many years in the county. But in the latter seventies there was a feeling current among people that they themselves could protect their property cheaper than it was protected by the old-line companies. On June 12. 1876, a number of farmers associated themselves together for this purpose. William Marsh was elected president of the company; B. F. Luse, vice-president ; Samuel B. Hill, secretary and treasurer. One director was also appointed from each township. On Novem- ber 4, 1878, this association was incorporated under the name of "Farmers' Insurance Association of Hancock County." Its object, as stated in the arti- cles of incorporation, was "to insure property, buildings and personal prop- erty in buildings, against loss or damage by fire or lightning." As to mem- bership in the company, the article of incorporation provided, "any person owning some property in Hancock county, by paying an initiation fee of five dollars, may become a lifetime member." subject to withdrawal or forfeiture. Money was to be raised by assessment after loss. The incorporators of the company were, Joseph Barrett, Elihu Coffin, Jr., William Fries, George Kin- der, Henry S. Wales, George W. Reeves, John F. Candell, Isaiah A. Curry, N. D. Coffin, James Parnell. Henry Loudenback, J. F. Coffin, John Hunt. Lewis C. Jessup, John R. Cowden, William Brooks, John H. White. John T. Duncan, Jacob Slifer, Wellington Collyer. Joseph L. Binford. Jonathan Jes- sup. Daniel R. Loudenback. Jesse Cook, Robert W. Davis, James H. Anderson, Richard Frost, John H. Hagans, Levi Jessup, T. E. Bentley, Samuel B. Hill, Charles H. Fort, B. F. Lnse.
Since the organization of the company, the following men have served as president : William Marsh, S. S. Boots, John H. White. Thomas Mints. William Elsbury.
William Elsbury has been president of the company since 1896. The fol-
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GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
lowing men have also acted as secretary and treasurer : Samuel B. Hill, who served until about 1886 or 1887. He was followed by John E. Dye, who served five or six years. Dr. Dye was followed by A. V. B. Sample, who served a year or two, until he was elected clerk of the Hancock circuit court. Mr. Sample was then followed by Mr. Dye, who served another year. Mr. Dye was followed by Benton L. Barrett, in 1896, who served until 1914. At present I. H. Day is secretary and treasurer of the company.
The books of the company have been destroyed a time or two and it is difficult to get exact historical information. The following table, however, made from the assessment sheets and notices sent to members at the dates ill- dicated, give a fair idea of the amount of business that the company has trans- acted during the past ten years :
Number of
Date
Losses and Claims Filed Members
March, 1906
$2,193.55
August, 1906
2.729.78.
1604
March, 1907
2,713.80
August, 1907
2.748.95
1612
August, 1908
2,554.04. 1621
August, 1909
1,051.57 1616
January, 1910
6.409.00
1583
August, 1910
3.775.05
1568
August, 191I
3.573.51 .
February, 1912
4,406.30.
March, 1913
2.567.16
1238
August. 1913
6.006.35
1210
August, 1914
2.022.18
1180
August. 1915
4,904.81
The report made by the secretary and treasurer on Saturday, October 9. 1915, showed the total receipts for the fiscal year ending October 7, 1915. $14,199.17 ; disbursemients, $5,541.31 ; balance on hands, $8,657.86. The present officers are : William Elsbury, president : R. B. Binford, vice-president : I. H. Day, secretary and treasurer.
DETECTIVE COMPANIES.
The first effort to organize a detective company in the county was made in the fall of 1876. On September 8, 1876, articles of incorporation for the "Police Association of Hancock and Shelby Counties." were filed with the .
( 11 )
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
board of commissioners of Hancock county. These articles had been drawn under an old law enacted in 1852. The board of commissioners refused to take any action on the articles for the reason that the law under which they were drawn had been repealed.
On January 30, 1877, other articles of incorporation were drawn, in which the corporation was named as "The Hancock and Shelby Police Force." These articles were drawn under a law enacted in 1865 and were recorded in the Miscellaneous Record in the office of the county recorder in Hancock county. The object of the association, as stated in the articles of incorpora- tion, was "the apprehension of horse thieves and other felons and for the mu- tual protection and indemnity against the acts of such horse thieves and other felons." The association was to continue for a term of two years. Its mem- bers were practically all from the southern part of Hancock and the northern part of Shelby counties.
From all that can be learned at this time, this association did not accom- plish very much. Within another decade, however, there was a general organ- ization of the county for the purpose as stated in the articles above.
Under the Voluntary Association act, the Buck Creek Township Horse Thief Detective Company was organized in 1888 and since that time the fol- lowing companies have been incorporated under this or later acts:
Name
Organized Mem- bers.
Buck Creek Township Horse Thief Detective Company . 1888 19
McCordsville Horse Thief Detective Company 1888. 90
Hancock Horse Thief Detective Company 1888. 300
Sugar Creek Horse Thief Detective Company I891
Brandywine Horse Thief Detective Company 1893 80
Eden Horse Thief Detective Company 1894
Fortville Horse Thief Detective Company
1897 225
Carrollton Horse Thief Detective Company
1898 45
Wilkinson Horse Thief Detective Company 1899 44
New Palestine Horse Thief Detective Company 1900 95
Milners Corner Horse Thief Detective Company I902
Willow Horse Thief Detective Company 1902 2I
Gem Horse Thief Detective Company
1908
I35
The purpose of all of these companies, as stated in the articles of associa- tion. is "to detect and apprehend horse thieves and other felons and for mutual protection and indemnity against the acts of such horse thieves and
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GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
felons." The earlier companies were incorporated for a period of fifty years, but later the law was changed and the companies organized since that time, or that have re-organized since that time, are now incorporated on a per- petual basis. The primary purpose of the organization of these companies is the apprehension of horse thieves and other felons. In this the companies have been very successful. All of the local companies are units in the state organization, and the combined efforts of all units have made the property which they seek to protect, practically safe. There are very few farmers or others in the county owning horses but who are members of the local horse thief detective companies.
NATURAL GAS.
Prior to the fall of 1886 gas had been found at Muncie, Noblesville and Tipton. This indicated the existence of an extensive field immediately to our north and naturally aroused discussion as to the probability of finding gas in Hancock county. Montgomery Marsh was one of the chief agitators wlio aroused interest in the gas question. An effort was made during the fall of 1886 to raise funds with which to drill a well. By January 1, 1887, eight hundred dollars had been subscribed. The Greenfield Gas and Oil Com- pany was incorporated and a contract was let for drilling the first well to M. H. Porter. The work began in April, 1887, under the immediate super- vision of a Mr. Yeagley, driller. As reported in the local papers, the first evi- dence of gas was found on Monday, April 28, 1887. Before reaching Tren- ton rock it burned to a height of twelve feet. Trenton rock was reached at a depth of nine hundred and eighty feet. After drilling into Trenton rock to a depth of four feet the flow of gas was so strong that it became difficult to get water down to mix with the broken rock to bring it up. It was let down in a pump and the drilling was continued to a depth of thirteen feet into Trenton rock, when, as reported in the local papers, "the dril! was raised up and the rope went spinning around at lightning speed, and then a great volume of gas and rock accompanied with a roaring noise came to the surface. The derrick was crowded with people and Driller Yeagley shouted. 'All go!'-and they did. They left the derrick by all possible means of escape, some of them bursting out through the boards one inch thick."
The work was a success. The well was a "gusher." It burned to a great height and the reflection of its light could be seen on the skies for a distance of twelve or fifteen miles in all directions from Greenfield. Of course. it created a great deal of excitement all over the county. It was mentioned in the newspapers of all the surrounding county seats. Although
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
it was m fact a great discovery for Greenfiekl. the whole affair was not without its humorous side. The following item appeared in the Shelbyville Times :
"Greenfield is like the boy with the penny and without pockets. It has a 'gusher' on its hands and does not know what to do with it."
To this the Hancock Democrat replied: "We regret exceedingly that we cannot return the compliment. The 'gusher' will be taken care of and the wishes of the citizens of Greenfield fully accommodated, and in addition we might loan our neighbor a sufficient amount of the wasted article to sup- ply the wants of his thrifty city."
Such items appeared frequently in the local papers and added spice to the good fortunes of the people in different communities. But the first well at Greenfield was not only an object of interest to local people. Special excur- sions were run over the Pennsylvania line and people came in numbers to see it.
The log of this well showed the following strata of earth through the first seven hundred and thirty-five feet, as reported in the local papers :
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