USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 57
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An ordinance that created more excitement probably than any other. was the famous hog ordinance, adopted on April o. 1866. This ordinance was adopted to restrain hogs of the age of two months and upwards from running at large within the corporate limits of the town, unless such hog or hogs should "be by ring or rings in or through the nose, or by some other means effectually prevented from rooting." The ordinance provided that all hogs running at large should be taken up by the marshal and confined in a pen, the owner to pay a forfeiture of one dollar to the corporation for every hog so taken np. etc.
Hogs and cattle were running at large in the town and country, and this ordinance at once aroused bitter opposition. On December 19, 1867, the mat-
OLD RILEY HOME, GREENFIELD
OLD WALPOLE HOME, GREENFIELD
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ter was discussed in the Hancock Democrat, from which the following is taken: "Several of the porkers were arrested and placed in the stray pen. from whence a majority were redeemed by their unfortunate owners; but three were sold at auction by the marshal to pay the expenses. Relief was sought from the trustees but they repealed the old ordinance and passed a new one preventing hogs from running at large at all. There was no consolation in this sort of action and a petition was resorted to, setting forth the advan- tages of hogs running at large by those favoring this idea. The petition, we understand, is signed by about 160 voters and householders and asks the repeal of the present ordinance and the readoption and enforcement of the old one."
The petition mentioned above seems to have been ineffective, and the marshal was kept busy, much to the annoyance of the owners of the hogs. The matter was generally discussed in the newspapers, and the following is taken from the issue of January 23, 1868: "The marshal is enforcing the hog ordinance and has his pen about full. Among the lot are quite a num- ber belonging to country gentlemen, one or two of them residing nearly two miles from town. Are they violators of the ordinance, and should they be mulcted the same as the town gentleman, who is presumed to know the law on the subject ? Will some of the strenuous advocates of this ordinance answer the question? How long will it take to lose the respect and trade of our country neighbors if they are thus fleeced of their hard earned money when they have the right to let their hogs run at large and have no intention of being in contempt of the town ordinance? A hog will follow a corn wagon and pick up shattered grains and is thus tolled into town."
From all that appears in the newspapers of that day it seems that the hog ordinance was enforced, and gradually the hogs disappeared from the streets of Greenfield.
Several ordinances were passed in 1867 to grade and gravel streets and sidewalks, especially State street and Main street.
At the close of the Civil War Greenfield was still a town. A number of buildings, however, had been constructed that are still well remembered. On the northeast corner of State and Main streets stood a two-story hotel, known as the Dunbar corner. A part of this building now stands on the west side of South State street just north of the railroad, and is owned by John F. Eagan : the remaining portion of the building now stands on the northwest corner of Grant and Spring streets. Just east of the Dunbar corner stood a one- story frame building which contained J. B. Chappiu's marble works and June Hunt's oyster bay. Next stood a little one-story dwelling, the home of Ilum-
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phrey Offutt, where the Thayer block now stands. These buildings stood just across the street north of the public square. On the northeast corner of East and Main streets stood the Nathan Crawford home. From this point there was a rather sharp declivity on both sides of the street to the branch. On the north side of the street was a tanyard, extending to the branch.
At this point the roadway had been graded, possibly sixteen or eighteen feet higher than the sidewalks. The branch, which is now known as the Pott's ditch, was spanned by one of the substantial stone arches that were put in when the National road was constructed. At the east side of the branch a hill arose: at the top of this hill. on the north side of the road, was the res- idence of Charles Burk. The brick residence just east of the branch now stands on about the same spot. There was then a vacant space to a point now midway between Spring and Swope streets, where stood the residences of A. T. Hart and A. K. Branham, both of which had been built on the back part of lots on an elevation, the front of the lots being too low for building purposes. These properties were located on either side of the street about where the M. C. Quigley and Gordon residences now stand.
The next property was the William Sebastian home; it stood on a high hill just west of Swope street. To reach it from Main street one had to climb some forty or fifty steps made of hewed logs, the steps reaching from one end of the property to the other. The vacant ground between the Burk and Branham properties described above was used for stage coaches and early settlers going West. It was one of the well known stopping points between Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio. This vacant space was located about where the Carey Walton property now stands.
Just east of what is now Swope street stood the Morris Lineback prop- erty. This was the last house within the corporate limits. The next house on the north side of the National road was just east of Brandywine creek, which was then spanned by a covered bridge. The house stood about a quar- ter of a mile north of the bridge and was the home of Irvin Hunt, the first colored man in Greenfield. At this house was located one of the best springs known in the community for a number of years. Just a little east of Brandy- wine creek, on the north side of the National road, was the home of Gen. John T. Milroy who then had one of the showy residences between Columbus and Indianapolis.
Coming into town from the east the first house on the south side of the road was the McGann residence, which was known for many years as "the haunted house," and was made famous by Riley. Next was the residence of John T. Sebastian, which stood just across the street from the home of Will-
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iam Sebastian above described. The ground on which it stood, however was much lower than the William Sebastian home. A couple of small houses then stood on the south side of the street about half way between Spring and Swope. The next was the large two-story frame building occupied by Dr. Jacob Hall and Capt. R. A. Riley ; it stood on the southeast corner of East and Main streets. On the southeast corner of this lot was an old barn. It was perhaps here that Riley was first inspired to go on the stage. It was in this barn that he and his boyhood friends gave circus performances. It is said that there was always something doing when Riley announced his date for a circus. He was ably assisted by George A. Carr, later mayor of Green- field : "Eck" Skinner, Will Hammel, Will Salla, Jesse Millikin, and others.
Going south on State street after leaving the Gooding corner was the Lloyd Offutt property north of the railroad and immediately south of the William Mitchell Printing Company. South of the railroad stood the old Methodist Episcopal church: below the church was the property of Sarilla Destribue, and still below that, the Cruey property. Coming north on the east side of South State street the first property was the Samuel Heavenridge home, just north of what is now Cemetery street. Then come the properties of William Mitchell, John T. Barrett and S. A. Wray, the latter being just across the street from the Mitchell printing plant, where Dr. Wilson now resides.
There were very few residences on North State street. On the west side of the street, near the present east entrance of the Masonic Temple, was a foot bridge leading to the south line of what is now the blacksmith shop of Mor- ford & Son. This bridge was over marshy ground and spanned a branch that crossed the street, passing along what is now known as the Rottman building. Next was the Ilenry Newby property. The street was then vacant as far as Walnut street.
The McGruder property stood on the southwest corner of what is now Walnut and State streets. Next was the home of Thomas Snow, which stood a short distance north of what is Walnut street and was reached by board walks built high off the ground. Returning south on the east side of the street stood, first, the Rardin property, of some eight or nine rooms, which faced State street : the wood house stood between the street and the front of the house. It stood about halfway between North street and the branch. Humphrey Offutt had another property on what is now the southeast corner of State and North streets; between this and Main street Thomas Osborn owned a stable, which stood about where the Rottman building now stands.
On the north side of Main street, just west of Pennsylvania, stood the
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Patterson hat-makers' building. Next in order were the Dr. Howard resi- dence, the Lot Edwards property, the Riley property, the one-story cottage of Thomas Carr, where Lee C. Thayer now lives; the home of William Lind- sey, made famous by Riley : the one-story home of John W. Ryon: Cart- wright's wagon works and James Mahan's home. On the south side of West Main street, at the west. stood the Ferd Keefer property, where James Rader Boyd now has a handsome residence. To the east stood the little residence of Rev. Monfort. Next the half frame house on the southeast corner of what is now Main and Mechanic streets, where Dr. Bruner has his office. To the cast of the Monfort residence stood the L. W. Gooding property, the Gwynn property and the James Carr property.
It is interesting to observe that in those early days, when timber was yet abundant, that the town marshal found it necessary to give the following notice by publication and posting :
"NOTICE.
"Notice is hereby given to all persons obstructing the streets of alleys within the corporation of the town of Greenfield. Hancock county, Indiana. with wood, saw-logs, lumber, or other material, that such obstruction must be removed within ten days from the date hereof, or the guilty parties will be duly prosecuted.
"December 14. 1865.
HENRY NEWBY, Marshal."
The following is also a directory of the principal business men at Green- field during the latter sixties and about 1870, as shown by the advertising columns of the local papers: Dr. Lot Edwards, druggist; J. B. Chappius, marble works; Frank H. Weaver, jeweler; G. W. Dailey. "Star" photogra- pher : James L. Dennis, auctioneer : Freeman 11. Crawford, druggist : Walker & Edwards, dry goods : Branham & Barnett, stoves and tinware: W. C. Bur- dett, dry goods: P. Guymon, livery: James Mahan, harness-maker; Frank Hafner, boot and shoe-maker; \. E. Teal, watch-maker: W. F. Pratt, dry goods; N. R. Smith, dry goods; Banks & Wilson, agricultural implements ; E. W. Patton, dry goods : Bradley & Boots, groceries; J. B. Hinchman, furni- ture : W. S. Wood, implements ; L. D. Roark, dentist; Williams & Vansiekle. carriage manufacturers: Chapman & Barnett, stoves and tinware; Hart & Thayer, groceries; A. T. Hart & Company, general store ; Barnett & Kane, general store: Morris Pierson & Company, woolen mills: S. S. Chandler. proprietor of Guymon House : James M. Morgan, harness-maker.
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GREENFIELD A CITV.
The town was incorporated as a city in 1876. The vote on the city charter was taken on May 8 of that year. The result of the election showed that 342 votes had been cast : of these. 270 were cast in favor of adopting the city charter, and 72 votes were cast against it.
The first meeting of the city council was held on June 2, 1876. There were present, Thomas 11. Branham, mayor; Monzo Ford, clerk ; James . I. Flippo, treasurer; and John L. Fry, Samuel W. Barnett, Frank Rosenberger. George H. Alford, W. G. Smith and Frank E. Glidden, councilmen.
Following is a list of the mayors, clerks and treasurers who have served Greenfield since its incorporation as a city :
Mayors-Thomas 11. Branham, 1876-81: William J. Sparks, 1881-85: Ambrose J. Herron, 1885-04: George W. Duncan, 1894-98; John F. Eagan, 1808-1902 : George A. Carr, 1002-06; John B. Hinchman, 1900-10; Ora Myers, 1910-14: Jonathan Q. Johnson, 1914.
City Clerk-Alonzo Ford. 1870-77 : James W. Wilson, 1877-70: William J. Sparks, 1879-81 ; Eugene C. Boyden, 1881-83: Hamlin L. Strickland. 1883-85 : Jonathan Q. Johnson, 1885-92: Harry G. Strickland, 1892-94; Will- iain R. Mckown, 1894-98; John G. Mannon, 1898-99; William R. Mckown, 1899-1902: Robert E. Martin. 1902-04: Oscar O. Bever, 1904.
City Treasurer-James A. Flippo, 1876-94: William G. Smith, 1894-98; Isaiah A. Curry, 1898-1902: Cassius M. Curry, 1902-06: David Walsh, 1906- 10: David H. Ellis, 1910.
With the incorporation of the town of Greenfield as a city Legan a gen- eral system of improvements, which has made the city what it is today. In that year more general street improvements began. Pennsylvania street was the first to be improved and for many years it remained one of the best streets in the city It was built by the late John R. Johnson. Brick sidewalks were constructed and later a composition was used in the construction of several sidewalks. During the last quarter of a century practically all of the side- walks in the city have been constructed of cement, there being now but few pieces of brick sidewalk left.
BRICK STREETS.
The first streets were paved with brick in 1807. The following state- ment will show the dates at which these streets were paved: Howard alley. 1897. by H. B. Thayer: Whiskey alley, 1897, by W. S. Fries; Main street. from Pennsylvania street to Pott's ditch; also South State street, South East
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street and South street. 1868, by C. M. Kirkpatrick: Depot street. 189. C. M. Kirkpatrick ; North East street, from Main street to South street. 1890. by C. M. Kirkpatrick : State street, from Main street to North street, 1899, by C. M. Kirkpatrick; West Main street, from Pennsylvania street to Broadway street, 1901, by Daniel Foley; Pennsylvania street, from South street to Depot street. 1901. by C. M. Kirkpatrick: Mount street, from Main street to North street, 1909. by Elam J. Jeffries.
CITY LIGHTS.
.At a meeting of the town council on April 12, 1875, nineteen street lamps were ordered placed along the principal streets, and also at the railroad cross- ings. These were the old-fashioned oil lamps placed on posts. They were continued in use until 1886, when a committee appointed by the city council made a favorable report on lighting the city with electricity. A petition. which had been generally signed by the citizens, asking for such light, was also placed on file in the office of the city clerk. Nothing further was done with the matter at that time.
In the following spring the first natural gas well was drilled in the city. after which, of course, the city was lighted with gas lights for several years.
At a meeting of the council in May. 1892, the subject of electric lights was again presented and a verbal contract was made with Irwin & Company. of Crawfordsville. Ind., to light the city. Thirty-five street lights were agreed upon at that time. On June 1, 1802. the council instructed the mayor to contract with Irwin & Company for thirty-five street arc electric lights when Irwin & Company should have submitted a bond for $1o.oco with approved security, etc. The bond was submitted and the contract with Irwin & Company was entered into by the city. On November 30. 1892, the Green- field Electric Light & Power Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $30,000, and with Charles G. Offutt, Orfila C. Irwin and Robert S. Thomp- son as directors. This corporation took over the contract of Irwin & Com- pany with the city and continued to provide the city with light for a period of two years, or a little more. On November 22, 1894, Irwin brought a suit in the Hancock circuit court against the Greenfield Electric Light & Power Company asking that a receiver be appointed for the concern.
On February 12, 1895. Charles L. Henry purchased the stock, or at least a greater portion of the stock, of the company and became its owner. Under his management the company continued to furnish light for the city at a stipulated price per year. For the year ending January 1, 1897, the street lighting cost the city $3.850. On November 17. 1898, an ordinance was
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adopted providing that the mayor and clerk be "authorized and directed to execute to said Greenfield Electric Light & Power Company nineteen obliga- tions for the rental, maturing at the end of each quarter." The terms of the lease referred to in this ordinance provided that the city pay to the company a rental of $1.000 per quarter, except the last quarter, for which a smaller amount was stipulated. By virtue of this contract the city also had an option to purchase the plant, with all poles, wires, etc., at any time before the term ination of the lease, for the sum of $16,000; all rentals that had been paid under the lease to be considered as part payment on the purchase price. Before the contract expired the city purchased the plant, and has operated it since that time. The cluster lights in the business section of the city were installed by the business men in December, 1911. The city maintains them.
FIRE DEPARTMENT AND CITY BUILDING.
On March 20, 1880, the citizens of the city of Greenfield met at the court house to organize a hook and ladder wagon brigade for protection against fire. Following were the members: E. P. Thayer. R. A. Black, Harry Hunt. Thomas Selman. N. P. Howard, Jr., H. C. Rummell, Marcellus Walker. Thomas Randall, E. B. Howard, Joseph Serrill, R. Boyd, James Wilson, C. T. Cochran, Andrew Tague. S. W. Barnett, A. L. Fitz. S. E. Duncan, James Farmer, J. W. Selman, Thomas Carr, William Snider, Eugene Glidden, Sam- uel Spangler, John T. Tindall. J. A. Flippo. Joseph Pauley. Fred Beecher, O. P. Moore, William Cook, William Webb and Joseph Baldwin.
.\ wagon with ladders was purchased, which the fireman pulled by hand. After the waterworks plant had been installed, a hose wagon was purchased. This wagon was kept at Kinder's livery barn until the erection of the present city building on North street, in 1895. In December, 1894, a fire department was also organized, composed of the following men : William HJ. Cosby, chief. Company No. I. E. B. Howard, assistant chief ; Clinton Parker. Allen Cooper and J. E. Hatfield, nozzlemen : Company No. 2, Austin Boots, assistant chief ; Charles W. Huston, Edward Watson and Arlington Ross, nozzlemen; Com- pany No. 3. W. A. Hughes, assistant chief : John R. Abbott, William Tolen and George H. Gant. nozzlemen : volunteers and assistants, Taylor Morford. John Walsh. John H. Brown, Emery Scott, E. J. Jeffries and Ben Porter.
The fire department also adopted the following resolutions: "Resolved. that we recommend to the city council the following : First, that they pur- chase a mocking-bird whistle to put at the pumping station. Second, that they purchase for the use of this department, one dozen rubber hats and coats."
The city council complied with the recommendations of the department
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and purchased a mocking-bird whistle. It was adjusted and was to le sounded at twelve o'clock. p. m., on December 31. 1894. Many people sat up to hear the strange whistle. They waited patiently, but only a very few, who lived in the immediate vicinity of the pumping station, heard it. Some said it sounded like a small dog barking or howling ; others said it made a noise like the wind blowing through the whiskers of a councilman. The mocking-bird whistle was unsatisfactory and it was removed from the pumping station.
On February 20, 1895, the council adopted a resolution favoring the con- struction of a city building, to be used for a council chamber and engine room. John H. Felt was employed as architect to prepare plans and speci- fications therefor. After due deliberation it was decided to locate the build- ing on the south side of North street, where it now stands. On March 25. 1895, bids were opened, and on April 3 the contract for the construction of the building was awarded to William 11. Power for $2.791. The building was constructed during the summer of 1895, and has since that time been used as an engine room and as a residence for the driver. Two or three years after the engine house was built a team was purchased by the city for the hose wagon and for several years "Old Tom" took the hook and ladder wagon to the fires. Five or six years ago another team was purchased for the hook and ladder wagon and old Tom was retired, after a service of many years in the department.
During the first ten years of the organization of the present fire depart- ment the wagon was driven by William H1. Cosby, James Warrick and Samuel Morgan. Since June 27, 1905. Fred Sitton has had charge of the engine house and has driven the hose wagon to the fires. Following are the names of the men who at this time compose the fire department of Greenfield : Fred Sitton, driver: James Moran, chief; assistants. Far! Q. Jackson, Robert C. Fair, William Sitton, Charles S. Duncan, John G. Young. James Walsh, Frank Hafner, Charles W. Huston, Johnson R. Abbott, Charles N. Eastes and Guy W. Richie. William Il. Cosby served as chief for two years. 1804-06. Ile was followed by William A. hughes, who served four years After this changes were made practically every year until recently. James Moran is now serving his third year as chief.
WATERWORKS.
During the winter of 1888-89 the city council had under consideration the construction of a waterworks plant. At a meeting on March 20, 1880, a resolution was adopted "that the plans, specifications, etc., of a system of waterworks, as prepared by Joseph H. Dennis of the city of Indianapolis, and
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now on file in the mayor's office of said city of Greenfield, be and the same is hereby in all things accepted and confirmed and adopted by the said com- mon council, as and for a system of waterworks for the said city of Green. field." The clerk was ordered to advertise for bids for the construction of the plant, which were received on August 19, 1880. After the bids had been received and before a contract had been entered into, dissatisfaction aro-c among the members of the council and the entire matter was rescinded.
Irwin & Company met the city council on January 10, 1893, and discussed with them the proposition of putting in a water plant for the city. At a March meeting of the council, in 1893. Irwin made a proposition to give the city a water supply system at a cost not to exceed $2.500, the city to be at no expense for fuel, engines, pumping station, pumps, etc. He agreed to give the city fifty or sixty hydrants located in all parts of the town so that property owners would be equally protected. The company was to be given a franchise and was to collect water rentals from private consumers, the prices to be so fixed as to meet their approval. The council was to have exclusive control over the system. Objections were made to this proposition and an argument was advanced that the city ought to own and operate its own water supply plant. In the end the proposition of Irwin & Company was rejected.
During the summer of 1893, however, an agitation was kept up for city ownership of a water plant. An election was ordered by the council to be held on September 12, 1893, to determine the matter. At this election 202 votes were cast in favor of city ownership and I14 against the city ownership of the waterworks.
Following this election, the council, at a meeting on October 25, 1893. accepted the proposition of Voorhees & Witmer, of Buffalo, N. Y., to make plans and specifications and superintend the construction of a water plant. The firm was to do all work and make all necessary plans for $1.200. Bids were received for the construction of the plant on March 21, 1894. and that of Snider & Williams, of Dayton, Ohio, for $23.875 was accepted. For this amount they were to construct the entire plant with everything complete. The contract was closed on March 22. Water was turned into the mains for the first time on August 14, 1894, and the plant was accepted. Since that date the city has supplied the residents with water.
SCHOOLS.
Four or five buildings seem to have been used for school purposes in Greenfield before the time of the Civil War. There is some conflict as to where the first buildings stood and the confusion occasioned thereby may
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make it appear that there were more buildings than were actually used. It seems pretty certain, however, that the first school in Greenfield was taught in a small log building that stood on the hill just south of the old cemetery. It was perhaps one-third of the way between the old and the new cemetery. This building was erected in 1820 and was used for school purposes about two years. The names of the teachers who taught here are now beyond recall.
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