USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 43
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Just about the time of the Civil War, David Moss, of Noblesville, had a large practice in this court. Martin M. Ray, of Shelbyville, Walter March. of Muncie, and John L. Ketcham, father of William Ketcham, of Indiana, were also quite frequently in court.
Following the Civil War Adams L. Ogg opened a law office in Green- field, but practically all of his time was given to the prosecution of pension claims of the soldiers. He was very successful in the work, and procured more pensions for his comrades, likely, than were procured by any other attor- ney at the bar. He also procured some of the largest pensions that were awarded to the soldiers of this county.
Within a few years after the Civil War Augustus W. Hongh, Charles G. Offutt, Hamilton J. Dunbar and James A. New entered the profession. Dunbar and New were both men of exceptional ability, but both died com- paratively young. Charles G. Offutt became one of the best known attor- neys at the bar. He was tall and portly, had a good presence. a strong per- sonality, a clear, fine voice, and was gifted with a rare quality of eloquence. It was said by opposing counsel that in the trial of a cause he was able to dis- cern quickly any weakness in his adversary's case, and the strong points in his own; that he was able to seize upon these things and throw them in such a light before juries that it always made him a formidable opponent. . As a young lawyer Mr. Offutt counselled with Judge Buckles on important mat- ters. For several years his card in the local papers announced that Judge Buckles would be associated with him in the trial of all important causes.
Ephraim Marsh. William Ward Cook, William II. Martin and R. . 1. Black entered the practice during the seventies. Marsh & Cook formed a partnership soon after Mr. Marsh's retirement from the clerk's office. Their talents were complementary. Mr. Marsh was an exceedingly close and dili- gent student of the law, while Mr. Cook was preeminently a trial lawyer. For several years immediately following the gas boom in the county they probably transacted a larger volume of legal business than has ever been transacted by any firm in the same length of time in Greenfield. After the death of Mr. Marsh, Mr. Cook remained as the last of the older trial lawyers. He had fought many a legal battle, and everybody knew him to be the peer of any advocate who entered the forum of justice. For several years he
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THE HANCOCK COUNTY BAR.
remained in the practice honored and respected practically as the dean of the Hancock bar. R. A. Black and Charles G. Offutt were partners for many years before Mr. Offutt was elected to the bench. William IL. Martin and Mr. Offutt were partners for several years after Mr. Offutt's service on the bench.
Following are the attorneys engaged in the practice as shown by the bar docket, September term, 1915: Edward F. Quigley, *John F. Wig- gins, *\. C. VanDuyn. * Robert Williamson, *Charles H. Cook, *John B. Hinchman, *Robert F. Reeves, *S. A. Wray. * Omer S. Jackson, *Sammel J. Offutt. * William A. Hughes, H. Seger Slifer, *John F. Eagan. Herbert M. Kelley. * Edward Eikman, *Elden A. Robb. * Edwin T. Glascock. * Charles L. Tindall, John Lockridge, *James FF. Reed *W. R. Hough, *Vinton .1. Smith, William P. Bidgood, Chalmer Schlosser, Chauncey W. Duncan. C. W. Morrison, Ora Myers. * Robert L. Mason, Louis A. Browne, *Jonas P. Walker. * Earl Sample. * William A. Hough. Jesse Sanford, Sylvester Meek. *George T. Tindall, John M. Hall, *Charles Downing. * Elmer T. Swope, *George J. Richman, R. I. Marsh, *Paul F. Binford, *William E. Bussell, Moses C. Wood.
*Resident and engaged in the practice.
SIDE LIGIITS.
Our lawyers are not all limited in their accomplishments to being able practitioners at the bar. Judge Sample, who is now on the bench, is versed in literature only less, possibly, than he is in the law. The Judge is familiar with the poets from antiquity to the present, and can quote their fines by hours to the delight of listeners.
William A. Hough is an inimitable reader. He can read Riley better than anybody-unless, perhaps, it is Riley himself. Will does not have to depend upon borrowed verses either. In a leisure hour he will write his own lines-and by the way, his songs of years ago were sold in editions.
Robert Williamson has been a Sunday school teacher at the Presbyterian Sunday school for a number of years. He is original as a Bible student, and has an exegetical manuscript, which he may at some time publish in book form. The Bible is an interesting hook to Robert, and in his unique way he speaks with authority on its message.
Samuel J. Offutt is a violinist, but not of the ragtime, hoe-down type. Sam's violin is resonant with the strains of the masters and he plays them in a manner to please the most fastidious.
James F. Reed is a lover of Burns and recites his verses as only a mas-
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIA.V.A.
ter of Scotch dialect can recite them. For the enjoyment of his perfect rendering of the lines of the Scottish bard, the bar probably owes a little debt of gratitude to the MeDougals of Brandywine township. Whatever in human life is touched upon in conversation, Jim can always illustrate the point to the delight of his fellows with a few lines from Burns.
Others of the brethren entertain no aspirations toward poetry or music. but they enjoy a day off for a hunt, or a week or two for a fishing trip. When they return they spin out yarns of the catch that uphold in a substantial manner the traditions of the profession.
CHAPTER XIL.
THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.
Among the very early physicians of the county who took an active inter- est in affairs was Dr. J. W. Hervey. He was an able, eloquent speaker, and a prolific writer. For a quarter of a century after the Civil War the columns of the Hancock Democrat contained articles from his pen, in which he re- counted his experiences and gave his recollections of those early days.
The best history of the early practice of medicine in Hancock county is found in his articles. The following excerpts have been selected from the statement which he wrote for Mr. Binford in 1882. Referring to the early history of the county, Dr. Hervey says :
"The practice of medicine then was a work of some magnitude. We were compelled to ride on horseback through the woods, along paths blazed out on the sides of trees, sometimes twelve miles. I have often lost my way. and had to ride for miles before I came to a house to ask where I was. I was called one stormy night to visit a family in what was called the Big Deadening.' in Vernon township. The messenger had a huge torch and rode before. Our path was for miles through 'slashes,' as then called. The forest was wild and gloomy. Before we reached the place the torch gave out. and we had to hunt a hickory tree, from which we got back to renew our light. We heard the wolves howl occasionally. When we reached the house we found the door fastened, and the woman whom I was called to see was in bed with two newly-born babe twins. She was badly frightened. She said the wolves had run the dog's against the door. The door was nothing but shaved clapboards hung on hinges. She thought the wolves smelt the corpse. for one of the babes was dead. She had heard it said that wolves would fight des- perately for a dead body. There were no neighbors for some distance, and no one there to go for anyone.
"Sometime after that I was belated on my return home from the Fall Crock settlement. It had been raining all day, and was very muddy. Mly horse gave out, and I had to stop at John Robles, where I got my supper. He saddled one of his horses for me to ride till I returned. It was dark when I started, and nothing but a path to travel until I struck what was called the Greenfield and Allisonville road. Mr. Robb assured me that Old Sam,' as he called the horse, would keep the path. 1 had gone Int a few
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HANCOCK COUNTY. INDLIV.A.
miles before 'Old Sam' was out of the path, and stopped to eat grass. I got down and tried to feel for the path. Failing to find it I mounted and deter- mined to make the horse go some place. He soon went under a grapevine and lifted me out of the saddle and set me wrong end up in the spice brush. I was, however, able for another trial. I then commenced to halloo in the hopes that I might find some house. I soon heard wolves, not very far dis- tant from me. I thought. I had often heard it said that wolves could smell assafoetida any distance, and that they would fight for it. I had to carry that article with me, for it was out of the question to dispense with a remedy so popular at that time. Everything used as medicine was furnished by the doctors. I was considerably frightened, but I soon heard someone answer me and saw a torch coming. It was common for persons to get lost in the woods at that time. When I reached the man's house I found I had lost my pill sacks, and this necessitated me to wait till morning, as most of my essential outfit was in them. Though of but small value would the pill bags be at this time, the loss of that utility would have been sufficiently ample at that time to have compelled me to suspend operations for some days.
"About 1845, at a camp meeting near Cumberland, in the eastern part of Marion county, a child was taken with a fit, and its mother made so much noise that divine services were suspended for a time. Dr. Berry, who after- wards became president of Asbury University, was preaching. As soon as he found out what was the matter he told the congregation to take their seats and not crowd the child, but give it plenty of fresh air. wet its head with cold water, and send for a doctor : that there was no danger. I was at that time but little acquainted, and but few on the ground suspected me of any pretentions to being a doctor. Someone, however, hunted me up, and. phicking me to one side, asked me if I could bleed, and whether or not I had any lancets with me. I happened to have a nice spring lancet in my pocket. 1 told him I thought I could bleed, and he asked me to follow him. When I arrived at the tent it was crowded desperately, and near the door, on a temporary bed, was the patient. On one side of it stood a large man with a huge walking stick about four feet long and as thick as a small handspike. Before him was a pair of old-fashioned saddle-bags, which contained some- thing near a half bushel of roots and herbs, together with other implements essential to the practice. On the other side of the little sufferer stood another man, something over six feet high, with a blue jeans suit on. Neither of the gentlemen were arrayed in very fastidious costumes. Over the shoulder of this gentleman hung a pair of pill wallets of something more in accordance with the custom of the nineteenth century, and would not hold
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THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.
over one peck of goods. He had the arm of the little girl bandaged, and was prodding away with an old rusty and dull thumb lancet, attempting to bleed the child, but had about given up the idea when I was sent for. The man who hunted me up stepped forward and fixing his eyes on me, said : "There is Dr. Hervey; maybe he can bleed." At this all eyes were turned toward me. and I could distinctly hear the whispers through the crowd, "He is nothing but a boy": "He don't look much like a doctor," and other sim- ilar remarks, most of which were true, for I was but a young man, and looked younger than I was. The theory of the doctors was that the patient had too much blood in the head, and that bleeding was the only remedy. The big doctors had not much faith in me. but asked me if I could bleed the child. They did not ask for my opinion in the case, or what treatment I would recommend, or intimate that they had any more use for me. 1. however, bled the child and asked the doctors if it would not be well to keep cold cloths to the head, which they had ordered removed for fear of producing a chill. The child got better, and I got better acquainted with the big doctors, and found them to be big-hearted as well as large in body. One of them was Dr. Carpenter, of Cumberland, a good Christian gentleman, but whose facil- ities for education were poor. He was a very useful man, and when his patients died he often preached their funerals. He was a Baptist minister. and Dr. William Moore, of the same village, and a partner, was a Universalian preacher. Bleeding was common then in most diseases, and many persons were bled regularly at stated times. I know several men who kept lancets. 1 man that could bleed was considered necessary in every settlement. The houses of these men were thronged every Sunday by persons, some of whom would come miles to be bled. The other big doctor was called MeLain. 1 think, and he lived in or near New Palestine.
"On page seventy-four of the proceedings of the Indiana Medical Society for 1874, in a report on the medical history of the state, by Thad. M. Stevens, M. 1) .. I find the following items connected with the transactions of medical men in the western part of Hancock county, which I will quote :
"In 1846, the congestive fever, as it was called. made its appearance. Many died: indeed, most of them in the hands of some physicians. Dr. Moore, of Cumberland, contended that blood letting and after that calomel to ptyalism, was the proper treatment. A meeting of physicians was called to consult upon a plan of treatment, at which it was agreed to use larger doses of quinine. Into this practice all finally fell, and the disease became much less formidable. The only drawback to the use of this drug was the price and the scarcity of money. It run up at one time to six dollars an
HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
ounce. Dr. Hervey bought up a dozen fat cattle, drove them to Indianapolis, and sold them at seven dollars and fifty cents per head. and invested the money in quinine.'
"'In 1847 a singular epidemic of smallpox appeared in Buck Creek town- ship. Erysipelas, in the form of black tung, had been prevailing in the same locality. A healthy. stout man by the name of Snyder took the confluent variola. The whole surface swelled enormously. Dr. William Smith, who was a new brother in the profession at Cumberland, was called to see the case. who being somewhat puzzled at the disease. called Dr. Bobbs, of Cumber- land. and Dr. J. W. Hervey, of Hancock county, in consultation. Drs. Bobbs and Smith contended that the disease was of an active, inflammatory char- acter, and the only safety depended upon copious blood-letting. Dr. Hervey differed with them, opposed the bleeding, and left them to treat the case. They bled the man profusely, and he died. The neighbors flocked in to see him, and the result was smallpox was scattered all over the country. Dr. J. W. Hervey contended that the disease was some form of eruptive fever, mod- ified by erysipelas diathesis. That was before the disease had developed its true character. After that he contended that it was smallpox, modified by the influence named. A consultation was called at the house of Isaac Snyder. father of the first patient, over some new cases. Dr. John S. Bobbs. Dr. Bullard, of Indianapolis, and Dr. Brown, of Bethel. were called in. Drs. Bobby and Bullard agreed with Dr. Hervey. I think Dr. Brown did the same. The fact of the disease making its appearance without anyone knowing how. agitated the public mind to the highest pitch. As Dr. Hervey had been prom- inent in the treatment of the disease, and very successful, he having treated eighty-four cases, with but the loss of three grown persons and two children, it was in some way whispered through the neighborhood that he started the disease to get into business and gain notoriety. This theory was aimed to be made plausible by the fact that the Doctor had been in Cincinnati the winter before, and had told someone that he saw cases of smallpox in the hospital. It was also urged that he could not have been so well acquainted with the disease and have treated it so successfully if he had not made some special study and preparation. The rumor spread and gained force as it went out upon the breeze of popular rumor, until the whole coun- try was arrayed on one or the other side of the question. Someone who was ingenious in formulating theories, said the Doctor had brought a scab with him from Cincinnati, and started the disease with it. He had used tincture of iodine and nitrate of silver to prevent pitting in the face. One Miss Burris lost an eye, and was otherwise disfigured by the disease. pustules hav-
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THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.
ing formed in the eyes. Popular prejudice pointed this case out as a proper one to punish the Doctor with. He was sued for malpractice. The bad feeling was so intense against him that his counsel. Oliver II. Smith, advised him to take a change of venne to Shelby county. The damages were set at five thousand dollars. The depositions of eminent physicians were secured Ly the Doctor. Some of the best physicians in the state were subpoenaed. His defense was so fortified that before the time for the trial arrived the case was withdrawn. Dr. Hervey's character was vindicated, and he rose above the clouds that threatened him with ruin ; but it cost him much of his hard-earned means and cheated him out of three or four of the best years of his life.
".This case is a valuable illustration of what injury and wrong may be done a physician by those who are not sufficiently informed on such subjects. It also shows what a few enemies may do before the tribunal of uninformed popular public sentiment and popular prejudice.
"A SINGULAR CALL.
"\t a 4th of July celebration held in the woods, where Mt. Comfort now stands. I was engaged to make an oration. There was to be a big time -a barbecue. The day brought an immense crowd. Just before the time came for my part of the programme, I noticed someone coming with great speed, and a general stir among the people. I was informed that an acci- dent had happened at the crossing of Buck creek, and that I was wanted. The proceedings were delayed until my return. When I reached the scene of the accident a most amusing incident was before me, and instead of resort- ing to surgery and bandages, I was overcome with fun. A family with ser- eral small children had undertaken to visit the celebration in an ox-wagon. not very substantially rigged. In attempting to cross the bridge over Buck creek the oxen became frightened at a party of young men and women com- ing up behind at a pretty fair speed. The red ribbons were flying, and the skirted white dresses of the girls on horseback, flapping in the wind, together with the clatter of the horses' feet, was too much for the cattle to stand. They took fright, left the pole bridge, and landed the wagon, with its con- tents, upside down in the mud and mire. The oxen had just reached the shore, and the family had all been safely dug out of the mud. and were seated in a line on the edge of the bridge, covered so completely with mud that you could only see the eyes and the mouth. The man with coon-skin cap was making arrangements to wash them off in the creek, into which he had waded and was, when I arrived, waiting for the first one to be handed
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TIANCOCK COUNTY, INDLIN.A.
to him to take through the operation. Every child was bawling at the top of its ability to make a noise. . As none were hurt, no one who witnessed the incident could restrain a hearty laugh. They were assisted, however, and washed off, and reached the ground towards the close of the evening, and in time to get a full meal of meat and corn-pone, which were about all the catables spread on the occasion.
"One thing can be said to the praise of the physicians of Hancock county. They were mostly self-made men. and men of unusually good sense. But few men have been imported into Hancock county as physicians since the old stock took their place. But few counties in the state can boast of better doctors than Hancock county. I do not know one to whom I could not give the hand of fellowship. I do not know one who is my personal enemy, or one who has ever knowingly done me an unkind act.
"In writing this brief review of the profession in the county, if I have forgotten anyone or said anything about anyone that may be exceptionable. I ask pardon."
Following are also the characterizations of some of the carly physicians from the pen of Dr. Hervey, written at the same time :
"Dr. Duncan .- The first time I ever visited the office of Dr. Duncan he was so full of talk and big laugh that he spit all over me, not intentionally. for no better-hearted man lived than he; but he had such a peculiar way of pouring out his fun that he could not keep his mouth and lips from taking a very prominent part in the performance. Dr. Barnett, who is now yielding somewhat to the pressure of age, was then a student in his office, and a very industrious one at that. His long success in business is due, no doubt, to his earnest and intense studentship. Dr. Duncan was a good practitioner and lnd an extensive business. Had he received the advantages of modern usages be would have been a still more prominent member of the profession.
"Dr. Moore .- I do not remember the given name of the doctor here referred to. 1 was called to see him in his last sickness at his home in Green township. He was quite a large man, of cvery limited attainments, but a useful man in the community. He died of softening of the brain and paraly- sis. \ singular feature in his disease was that he could not reach any object with his hand. If he would undertake to place his hand upon an object he would invariably reach to another locality. He was much worried over his condition. He lamented his affliction very much. He appealed to me so piteously to devise some means for his relief that I shed tears in his presence. I think some of his family are living in the county, who might be able to give more of his history.
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THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.
"Dr. N. P. Howard is now among the oldest practitioners in the county. 1 do not remember how long it has been since he came to Greenfield, but he has always ranked among the best medical men of the country, and is per- haps the best operating surgeon in the county, and he has but few superiors in the state. Besides being a surgeon of ability, he is a whole-souled gentleman. who never violated any law of professional etiquette or honor.
"Dr. Lot Edwards is the first physician I ever knew in the county, and he had practiced in it several years before I came. He was one of the most wiry men I ever knew. His appearance would indicate that he could stand but little effort, yet he has done enough hard work in the practice of medi- cine to kill two or three ordinary men. He was identified with the first society of the county, and had as many warm friends as any man therein.
"Dr. E. I. Judkins read medicine in Greenfield, and was raised in the county. He grew old amidst the scenes of his early life, and gave the best of his energies to the practice of his profession. He is a successful, high- minded votary of the healing art, well posted, and has a large share of friends and patrons.
"Dr. A. G. Selman practiced medicine in Greenfield many years ago and took a prominent part in politics. He had at one time as large a practice as any man in the county.
"Dr. Cook practiced in Charlottesville thirty-five years ago, and was a very fine and successful practitioner. Dr. Stuart, of Fortville, was one of his students. Dr. Stuart and Dr. Troy must be nearly the same age, and must have commenced practice about the same time. 1 am told that Dr. Troy has always had quite a large business, and that Dr. Stuart. at Fort- ville, has had an extensive practice.
"Dr. Hiram Duncan came to Hancock county over thirty years ago. 1Ie commenced practice near Willett's Mill, but moved to a settlement north of Fortville, on Fall creek, in the edge of Hamilton county, before Fortville was laid out. When it was made a town he moved there, and practiced there alone for ten or twelve years. He is a well posted, though unassuming, man, and is one of the most careful practitioners I ever knew. He is now in Indianapolis.
"Dr. Paul Espy is another of the old physicians of the county. I think he commenced business at or near Philadelphia, but soon went to New Pales- tine. He could speak German fluently, and no better location could be found in the state for a man of his ability and social habits than New Palestine. The Doctor made good use of his facilities, energies and surroundings, and was one of the wealthiest men in the county. His tireless energy and his unceas-
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ing devotion to business, together with his good judgment and good manage- ment, placed him beyond want and in possession of innumerable friends. But few doctors succeed as well, pecuniarily, as Dr. Paul Espy."
It is only fair to say of Dr. Hervey himself, that after his early experi- ences in Hancock county, he went to Indianapolis, where he built up a large and lucrative practice. Fifty years ago he had a standing in his profession such as is enjoyed by Drs. Noble. Potter. Cook and a few others at this time.
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