USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 61
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The presidents of the association have been James M. Morgan. F. E. Glidden. S. S. Boots and the present incumbent. V. L. Early, with continuous service since September 2. 1890. Nelson Bradley held the office of treasurer from the organization until January 12. 1909: John .\. Rhue, treasurer from January 12, 1909, to April 3. 1911, and Charles Barr, the present incumbent, from April 3. 1911.
Charles M. Alexander was elected secretary at the time of organization,
JOHN F. MITCHELL AND WIFE
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and served one year. He was succeeded by W. O Bragg, who served until September, 1880, and since that time John Corcoran, the present secretary, has discharged the duties of that officc.
PUBLISHING HOUSES.
Greenfield at present has three publishing houses, the oldest of which is
WM. MITCHELL PRINTING CO.
William Mitchell, the founder of the printing company, came to Green- field in 1856. He first became identified with the Greenfield Sentinel, and was one of the men who launched the Hancock Democrat in 1859. Other men of the company were. Noble Warrum, David S. Gooding, William R. West and George Y. Atkinson .. David S. Gooding was editor-in-chief for several years and William Mitchell, local editor. So much of Gooding's time was given to politics that before the close of the Civil War. William Mitchell bought the plant. During the war the Democrat championed the cause of the "War Democrats," and gave its undivided support to the Union cause. In fact, it became the local organ of the Union party. Its policy appears weekly in bold letters across its front page: "The Union-the Constitution- the Rights of the People."
The first home of the Democrat was in the east wing of the first court house on the public square, described in the chapter on "County Buildings." . Soon after the Civil War, William Mitchell moved the establishment to the second floor of the Banks' block, No. 15 West Main street. The paper was published here until it was moved into its present home on South State street. 1 1881.
In 1876 John F. Mitchell, the oldest son of William Mitchell, was taken in as a partner and assumed full control of the establishment. At this time the firm began doing business under the name of the Win. Mitchell Printing Company. In 1890, after the death of his father, John F. Mitchell bought the interest of all other Mitchell heirs, and since that time has been the sole owner of the plant. He took his son. John F. Mitchell, Jr., into the manage- ment of the business in 1907. It was the wish of William Mitchell that the business he had founded should remain as a living monument to him. This wish has been respected, and all business is still transacted in the name of Wm. Mitchell Printing Company.
The growth of business made more floor space necessary, and in 1901 an addition was constructed on the south, much larger than the original plant.
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
In 1906, the old Methodist church was purchased, a bindery installed, and the engine house, immediately west of the church, constructed.
The printery has lived through many phases of history. During the Civil War the United States government seized the plant under the right of eminent domain to print the names of men in Indiana subject to draft. The columns of the Democrat of that time are filled, too, with interesting speeches and tracts. Later, James Whitcomb Riley, the Hoosier poet, found things of interest in the shop, and here some of his earliest poems were printed. The old Washington hand press which was brought overland in the fifties has long been replaced by the most modern machinery. The Wm. Mitchell Print- ing Company operates one of the largest printing establishments and book manufacturing plants in the state. They draw their business from coast to coast, manufacturing books for some of the largest business houses in the country. They have their own gas well and generate electric power for their entire plant by two large gas engines. They have, aside from their own power plant, their own electric light, gas and waterworks. The plant is novel from its mechanical standpoint. It contains the best of American and European machinery for printing and binding books. The book presses are equipped with automatic feeders, and feeders are also installed on their folding machines. Their battery of linotype and type-casting machines is complete in every respect. . All old-type machines were thrown out and new machines installed at the first of the present year. The bindery is one of the most complete institutions in the West for binding books in large editions. Books of all kinds are made, from the full leather de luxe hand-tooled book to the. smallest leaflet.
THE D. 11. GOBLE PRINTING COMP.L.NY.
In January, 1881, Aaron Pope, superintendent of the Hancock county schools, and Capt. Lee O. Harris, a teacher in the schools and one of Indiana's best-known writers, established the Home and School Visitor, designed for use in the schools of Hancock county as supplemental reading. . \ few months after the appearance of this publication, Prof. Pope died and his interests were purchased by the late David H. Goble. Later, Mr. Harris retired from the partnership, and Mr. Goble assumed complete control. Mr. Harris, how- ever. retained his editorial connection with the paper to the time of his death. December 23. 1909.
In 1903. the publishing business, which had been carried on under the name of Mr. Goble, was incorporated under the name of The D. H. Goble Printing Company, Mr. Goble occupying the office of president to the time
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WILLIAM MITCHELL. Deceased
MRS. WILLIAM MITCHELL, Deceased
JOHN F. MITHELL, JR.
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GREENFIELD.
of his death, September 30, 1905. This corporation is purely a family affair, the stock being owned by the children of the founder, namely, Mrs. Millic Trees, Mrs. John Irwin, James N. Goble and Isaac A. Goble, of Greenfield. Indiana, and Mrs. Luther Poland, of Indianapolis. Its present officers are Isaac A. Goble, president ; Millie A. Trees, vice-president ; James N. Goble. secretary-treasurer.
Back in the early eighties, the sons of Mr. Goble took an active interest in the printing business. The little paper, a small four-page affair, was lifted from the local field and carried to every quarter of the state and its dimen- sions have grown to that of an up-to-date magazine, which is used in the district schools of Indiana.
In the early days of this concern, the publishers began, in a small way, making legal blanks for township trustees. By persistent work, and ly mak- ing of their goods a little better than the ordinary, their trade has been extended until they are now possibly the largest manufacturers in the state of records for townships and schools, and theirs is a standard of quality.
SPENCER PUBLISHING COMPANY.
The Daily Reporter was established April 27, 1908, by Newton R. Spencer, ably assisted by Mrs. Spencer. The office was in the east room of the Ramsey building, on the south side of East Main street, just west of the alley leading south to Meek street. The basement of the building was used for a press room, and the ground floor for a composing room and office. The composition was hand set, the foree including three compositors. A1 old-style oscillating Campbell press, purchased from Dale J. Crittenberger, of Anderson, subsequently auditor of state, was installed. This press was out of the office of the Anderson Democrat. It was a curio to the employees of the Reporter office, but it gave a very neat print. The entire equipment of the Reporter office, when established, did not cost to exceed one thousand dollars. The advance circulation was only three hundred. The Reporter was a six-column folio. It contained very few advertisements, for the reason that the business men of Greenfield did not feel friendly towards its estab- lishment. They pointed out that two daily papers, the Star and Tribune, and four weeklies, the Democrat, Republican, Herald and Globe, were being pub- lislied in the city, and that only one or two of them indicated any degree of success. The founder of the Reporter, however, eager to break into the game in Greenfield, was not discouraged by any of these obstacles. He endured privations and practiced the most rigid economy, living largely upon unjustified hope of success for months before he had sufficient money to
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pay the current expenses of the paper. During these many months he saw the small reserve bank account gradually grow smaller, and he even wondered if it would hold out until the enterprise was self-supporting. Within ten months from the time of establishing the Reporter, the management pur- chased the subscription list of the Evening Star from the Greenfield Printing and Publishing Company, and merged it into the Reporter. The publication of the Greenfield Herald and Greenfield Globe was suspended at the same time. and the printing plant in which they had been printed was removed to Cumberland, Indiana. On February 21, 1910, Newton R. Spencer, having previously purchased the Evening Tribune and Weekly Republican of Walter S. Montgomery, took charge of the papers and the plant, merged the Tribune with the Reporter, and has since that time published the Daily Reporter and the Weekly Republican. For one year they were published on North East street in the Dudding and Moore block. On March 24, 1911, a fire damaged the machinery and composing room of the printing plant, and its location was changed to the Acme building, at the corner of South Pennsylvania and Railroad streets, where a new Mergenthaler linotype was installed on May 1. 1911. In the fall of 1913, a lot was purchased on East Main street and the erection of the present modern newspaper building was begun. It was com- pleted in 1914. and was occupied on July I of that year. The new building is substantially built and conveniently arranged for the newspaper business. It has been very favorably commented upon by newspaper men from different parts of the state. Mrs. Spencer has been connected constantly with the office since the establishment of the Reporter, as has also the son, Dale, who began as a newsboy and has worked in all of the mechanical departments. including the linotype. Marshall Winslow, the city editor, has been with the papers for many years. He was connected with the Tribune and Republican when those papers were sold by W. S. Montgomery, and he is familiar with every phase of the business. The Spencer Publishing Company was incor- porated in 1913.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY, ( 1916).
Following is a directory of the principal business men of Greenfield not elsewhere enumerated :
Department Stores-J. W. Cooper & Company, A. H. Rottman, Star Store ( Simon Koin, proprietor), Charles Williams & Company and J. Ward Walker Company.
Groceries-Fred Havens, John Morrison. C. Bert Orr, Rock & Son, H. G. Strickland, Star Store, C. E. Vaugh and Earl Walsh.
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Druggists-Early Drug Company. W. P. Johnson and H. Il. Zike. News Dealers-Walter Myers, William M. Lewis.
Hardware-Chandler & Newhouse and Pickett & Sons.
Dentists-R. I. Bell. B. S. Binford, R. M. Calloway, J. D. Hughes, E. B. Howard and J. H. Posten.
Insurance, Loans and Real Estate-Paul Binford. A. C. Van Duyn. Charles Barr. D. B. Cooper & Son, Lester T. Ellis, W. I. Garriott, E. E. Gant, William A. Hughes. V. L. Patton, A. N. Steel, Wood Brothers and Ora Myers.
Jewelry, Etc .- Carl Rock and Beggs & Kyle.
Bakeries-George Furry, William S. King & Son and P. T. Lahr.
Blacksmiths-Marshall MeBane, James Moran and Morford & Son.
Draymen-H. G. Amick, T. H. Eaton, S. P. Green, Jeffries Brothers and W. E. Smith.
Garages-Harry Hendricks, Orr Brothers, C. E. Kinder & Son, O. H. Monger & Son, Clarence Waddell and Wood Brothers.
Hotels-Columbia Hotel and Grand Hotel ..
Lumber and Building Supplies-A. P. Conklin Lumber Company and Greenfield Lumber and Ice Company.
Merchant Tailors-George P. Justus and W. W. McCole.
Meat Dealers-H. B. Bolt, Walter Fisk. E. S. Fort. E. L. Gorman, Star Store and Fred Rihm.
Photographers-J. 1. Butler and A. E. Pierson.
Plumbers-Standard Heating & Plumbing Company, Grant E. Gorman and Floyd Spangler.
Restaurants-John Bohm, Court House Restaurant and City Restaurant.
Wood and Coal -. A. P. Conklin Lumber Company, Greenfield Ice and Fuel Company, Greenfield Lumber and Ice Company, Gray Brothers, Green- field Milling Company and New Milling Company.
Undertakers-H. Eshelman, Frank R. Lynam, .A. H. Rottman and Pasco Brothers.
Elevators-Greenfield Milling Company and New Milling Company.
Ice and Fuel-Greenfield Ice and Fuel Company and Gray Brothers.
Florists-Jacob Forest and L. H. Haney.
Furniture-A. H. Rottman. J. W. Cooper & Company, J. Ward Walker Company.
TAXPAYERS.
Following is a list of the citizens of Greenfield who paid taxes in sums exceeding one hundred dollars in 1915:
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIAN.A.
Nancy Adams, $139.60: Luman Banks ( estate ), $291.49; Jerome Black, $870.91 : Ione Black, $185.09; James R. Boyd, $671.58; John H. Binford (estate). $511.37; Nathan C. Binford, $140.37; Charles Barr, $289.35; Laura Banker Bennett, $112.64; Mary L. Bruner, $346.49; J. Bridges and wife. $107.54: Horace G. Beckner, $157.45; Edward L. Bennett, $101.31; Benton L. Barrett, $399.00; Barrett Elevator Company, $199.52 ; Margaret E. Brown, $121.52; Andrew J. Banks (estate) $218.12; Isaac H. Barnes, $126.04: Harvey D. Barrett, $107.46; Mrs. J. H. Brooks, $117.74; Myrtle H. Beckner, $149.71; A. R. Brown (estate), $365.35: Jessie F. Brand, (estate), $133.25; George H. Cooper, $1,106.84; Allie E. Cook, $103.58; Melissa Cooper ( estate), $177.27 ; Julia Carter, $242.66; Lisha Bussell Clift, $110.52; Alfred P. Conklin, $715.52; Citizens' Bank, $1, 189.45; Capital State Bank, $1.318.78; Emma E. Chappell, $263.84: Christian F. Collyer. $183.41 ; Philander Collyer, $146.57; Martha Cupp, $164.05; George W. Duncan (estate), $102.44; John H. Duncan, $187.64; W. C. Dudding and wife. $135.28: Charles Downing. $130.19; George W. Daenzer and wife, $350.17: Charles S. Duncan, $108.39; Vincent Early, $248.19; Arthur K. Ellis, $117.44; Early Drug Company, $106.12 ; James Flippo, $115.47 ; Henry Fry, $171.35; Frank V. Felt, $202.40; Jacob Forest, $100.46; Edgar L. Fritch, $193.97; Herbert E. Fink, $168.88; Vard H. Finnell, $115.83; Milo Gibbs and wife. $170.20; Greenfield Banking Company, $1.484.62; Elvira Gooding, $114.33; Lemuel and Mary Gooding. $149.99; Ches- teen W. Gant, $104.71; Elmer E. Gant, $253.93; Ozora Belle Gant, $569.19; Cerena T. Grose, $151.46; Charles M. Gibbs. $185.80; Malinda Goble (heirs), $243.38: Pearl and Paul Gibbs, SI10.37 ; Mrs. L. B. Griffin, $104.15; John H. Groff. $158.18: Greenfield Ice and Fuel Company, $154.48; Greenfield Building and Loan Association, $100.47; Pearl Gibbs ( administratrix). $105.27 : Oscar Heller. $219.16; Eli Hagans, $115.86: William A. Hughes, $110.95; Edward B. Howard, $150.27 ; Frank S. Hammel, $121.97; John M. Hinchman, $164.99; Emezena Hinchman, $588.43: William R. Hough, $204.89; William A. Hough, $306.71 ; J. W. Harrell, $153.26; John F. Holland, $110.37; Fred T. Havens. $205.56; Elijah A. Henby. $132.55 : Theophilus Hargrove, $125.57 : Level L. Jeffries. $263.02 : Uriah H. Jeffries (estate), $161.32 ; James Edwin Janney. $198.10; Emma J. Justice, $200.81 ; William A. Justice, $131.03; Charles E. Kinder. $297.88; Simon Koin. $419.23; George W. Lacy, $443.04: Henry C. Long (estate). $322.63 ; Mary J. Lynam, $264.38; John S. Loehr. ȘI 16.88: Nettie E. Larrabee, $139.40; J. M. and F. C. Larimore, $458.05; Francis Moore. $203.29: Oliver P. Moore, $141.50: John F. Mitchell, $477.42;
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GREENFIELD.
Robert L. Mason. $279.32: George W. Moorehead, $298.67 ; Elwood Morris, $252.89; Marion G. Mullendore, $108.21 ; Robert L. Mason and wife, $149.99; Thomas McClarnon, $170.69; James E. Mccullough, $136.40; William R. McGraw. $259.60; Blanche B. MeNew, $451.33: Andrew J. New, $475.60; Thomas H. New, $697.60; Martin L. Newhouse, $201.98; A. L. New and wife, $621.19; Charles G. Offutt ( heirs), $228.29: Clarella A. Orr, $159.30; John S. Orr, $157.19: Jermina E. Pratt, $230.30; Isaac B. Pickett, $128.76; Samuel N. Patterson, $138.67 ; A. C. Pilkenton, $289.39; M. C. Quigley, $286.96; George T. Randall (estate), $762.47; William H. H. Rock (estate), $118.86; George W. Reed, $118.86; John H. Rottman. $101.88; Rachel A. Rabb, $129.20; Marshall T. Smith, $227.60; William G. Scott (estate)', $274.51; William Stewart and wife, $106. 12; Mrs. 11. 1. Strickland, $271.97; Henry Snow, $308.26; Thomas H. Selman, $135.19; Josephine Selman, $676.42; Hannah E. Sparks (estate), $331.61; Roxie Thomas Sample, $185.67 ; George W. Souder, $232.32: Matilda 1. Stoner, $135.28; Samuel Steele, $330.09; Matilda Sparks, $312.17; William E. Stewart, $101.88: William A. Service, $176.72; Lee C. Thayer, $976.16; Permelia A. Thayer, $818.15; Julia A. Thomas, $124.99: Greenfield Lumber Company, $601.94; Elbert L. Tyner, $196.39; Home Brewing Company, $124.52 ; the New Milling Company, $207.15; Edgar A. Toms, $254.06; the A. T. Gidley Company, $269.13; A. C. Van Duyn ( administrator estate Win- field Enright), $152.82; J. Ward Walker (estate), $243.60; James R. Walker, $106.41; Jonas P. Walker, $106.51 ; Albert White, $115.18: Edwin Weaver, $101.88; Charles Williams, $248.01: J. Ward Walker Company, $646.09 : Cora D. Williams, $270.74; Alva Woods and wife, $105.39.
STREET FAIR.
In the spring of 1809 the business men of Greenfield considered the advisability of holding a street fair during the summer. They held a meeting on March Io and selected the following officers: John Eagan. president ; Harry Strickland, secretary; J. W. Walker, treasurer, and Col. E. P. Thayer. superintendent. An executive committee was later appointed, composed of H. G. Strickland, William C. Dudding, C. E. Kinder and John Barr. Ar- rangements were made and during the summer a street fair was conducted, during which, booths were erected and displays made of the different business lines and the industries of Greenfield and vicinity. People from all parts of the county attended and, in addition to the enlightenment offered by the industrial and business displays, they were entertained by the usual number and variety of side-shows, merry-go-rounds, etc.
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HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA.
FIRE DEPARTMENT HORSE SHOW.
For several years horse shows were given at Greenfield under the auspices of the Greenfield fire department. The first was given in 1909. They were then repeated every year, including 1914. A feature of the event in I911 was an industrial parade. The parade consisted of automobiles. wagons and carriage floats, horsemen and footmen. The floats exhibited different lines of business and the industries of Greenfield and community. The parade was led by the Greenfield band and was over one-half mile in length. The city was illuminated and the occasion was enlivened with a display of fireworks, etc. AAt each horse show the streets were filled with stalls, tents, merry-go-rounds, "ocean waves," Ferris wheels and side shows. Sack races, pie-eating contests, etc., were also held for the entertainment of the public.
CHAUTAUQUAS.
Through the efforts of the ladies' clubs of the city, a Chautauqua was promoted in 1905, under the management of Rev. Harry Hill, of Indian- apolis. The Chautauqua was held on the grounds at the West school building and was repeated in 1906. The programs included the best of music. oratory and dramatic art. Financially, however, the ventures were not very successful and the movement was abandoned after the second year.
During the winter of 1912-13, representatives of the Co-operative Chau- tauqua Association of Bloomington, Illinois, including J. L. Loehr, canvassed the city and vicinity for subscriptions for the purpose of promoting another Chautanqua. The effort was successful and during the past three years. 1913. 1914 and 1915, Chautauquas have been held at the old fair grounds north of the city. The best talent available has been on the platform, including the famous Innes band, of New York City, and Booker T. Washington, in 1914, and Helen Keller in 1915.
The board of directors of the Chautauqua have also considered other matters relating to the welfare of Greenfieldl. On several occasions, the value of a gymnasium has been discussed, and plans for raising funds foi the construction of such a building have been considered.
TROOP ONE, BOY SCOUTS.
Troop One. Boy Scouts of America. at Greenfield, was organized in the spring of 1911 by Rev. J. B. Williamson, and was the outcome of a boys' organization in the Presbyterian church. Under the instruction of Reverend
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GREENFIELD.
Williamson, as the first scout master, the boys took several small camping trips and great enthusiasm was aroused. In 1913 Prof F. W. Bryant became scout master and through his efforts the organization flourished. Following Professor Bryant, Rev. C. H. Smith took the work and he, in turn, was followed by Rev. S. L. Cates. The organization has not only proven bene- ficial to the boys themselves, but also to the community as a whole. At the Chautauquas and other large gatherings, the boys have rendered valuable assistance to the management. The present scouts and subjects they major in are as follows: Almond Duncan, wireless ; Paul Goble, wireless; Herman Johnson, woodcraft ; James T. Larimore, first aid to the injured; Dale Spen- cer, first aid to the injured; Robert Mason, first aid ; Dale Morton, wood- craft: Charles Page, woodcraft ; William Duncan, wooderaft; Oakes Line- back, campcraft ; Corr Service, scoutcraft ; Kenneth Mason, campcraft.
MAIL DELIVERY.
City mail delivery was begun on January 2. 1902.
Ten rural free delivery routes have been established from the postoffice at Greenfield. The first four routes were established on October 1, 1900. Two routes were established on August 1, 1901, and the remaining four on September 1, 1905.
THE OLD GOODING TAVERN.
The most interesting of the historical structures which now stand along the old National road is the Gooding tavern, which stands on the southwest corner of State and Main streets in this city. The quaintness of its archi- tecture seems to breathe a spirit of pioneer days and recalls to the minds of the older men of our city many interesting traditions. In 1844, Henry Clay, nominee for the presidency for the third time, was traveling from Dayton to Indianapolis and remained at the Gooding inn for dinner. In 1843, Hon. R. M. Johnson, former vice-president of the United States, stopped for a day at the famous tavern. Another man, whose associations make the building of historical significance, was Hon. George W. Julian, candidate for the vice- presidency in 1852, and a member of Congress from this district for a num- ber of years. Mr. Julian when not in Washington lived at the Gooding tavern.
Joseph Chapman was the builder of the tavern. the north half of the building being completed in 1832 by him. Later the building was sold to James B. Hart, who kept the tavern for a time. He was a brother of the late Andrew T. Hart and the father of John F. Hart. of this city. Mr. Hart sold
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the tavern, together with some adjoining lots, to Asa Gooding, the father of the late Hon. David S., Lemuel and Miss Elvira Gooding. The father owned property in Shelby county, but, inspired by the advantages offered by the building on the National road, was anxious to buy land along this highway. He rode horseback from Richmond to Terre Haute and decided that Green- field was the best point between the two cities. The old building, owned then by James B. Hart, was the finest house on the National road between Dayton and Terre Haute. Mr. Gooding constructed the southern part of the building. For a number of years he kept the tavern and a little store, but, on account of ill health, he leased the tavern at two different times during his life. The first lessee was Louis Beeks, who operated the inn for three years. Later, William P. Rush, ex-sheriff of Hancock county, took charge of it. During this time Mr. Gooding moved his family into a house on South street, where he died in December, 1842.
For several years the widow of Asa Gooding successfully operated the tavern. After a time she rented the building to Taylor & Ellsworth, but at the end of a year Mrs. Gooding returned and remained in charge of the tavern until 1855. At that time Dr. N. P. Howard rented the inn for three years. After that time the building was never used as a tavern. Mrs. Gooding rented out the various rooms to individuals. George L. Knox, a well-known barber in this city, occupied the corner room for fifteen years.
THE OLD MASONIC HALL.
The old Masonic hall, as it is familiarly known to Greenfield people, was built by Hancock Lodge No. 101. Free and Accepted Masons. The corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies by Deputy Grand Master Elijah Newlin on August 14, 1854. The Masons occupied this building until the completion of the new temple on the corner of Main and State streets. The third floor was devoted to the order, but the second floor was used for many purposes. The Presbyterians used this part of the building as a church until 1867, when they moved into their new home, on South Pennsylvania street. The second floor was also used as a school and many men of this city went to school in the old hall. Perhaps the most famous of the pupils who were instructed here was the well-known Hoosier poet. James Whitcomb Riley, The earliest teacher that we were able to find was Daniel Monfort, who con- ducted a private school before the war. After him came a man by the name of Hall. Associated with these gentlemen was J. M. Stephenson. In 1863 the Rev. M. H. Shockley was in charge. When the war was over, Capt. Lee O. Harris, who lived in this city until his death in 1909, was elected super-
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