USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > History of Hendricks County, Indiana, together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 10
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He had seen much of life and was ready with practical sugges- tions whenever he was consulted upon any of the perplexities which
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
vex student life, with advice whenever told of the plans more hope- ful ones had fixed for their future. All those qualities which en- deared him to his friends welded him, with chains hard to be severed, to his immediate kindred, and above all to those of his little house- hold. Frank in his social intercourse; fair in his business transac- tions, and just; faithful in the discharge of his duties, -this is the character-a memory sweet to his brothers and sisters,-the herit- age, he leaves this prosperous institution, -the gem that in woman- hood little Effie will prize more than accumulated wealth, a talisman that will make warm hearts warmer toward the living wife.
JAIL AND POOR FARM.
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The jail and sheriff's residence is also a building worthy of the. county and its inhabitants. In its construction the comfort and health of those who were to be confined there were considered, and the best arrangement consistent with the safety of the prison- ers was made for both. All prison reformers who have inspected this jail are constrained to compliment the humanity of its designs. The cost of this building was about $30,000.
The county asylum is situated on a farm of eighty acres, one mile east of Danville. It is also a large and substantially built edifice, of sufficient size to accommodate all the destitute poor of the county with a home, which in its beauty of location and attractive improvements and surroundings and substantial comforts is cer- tainly sufficient to mitigate in a very great degree the bitter lot of those who are obliged, on account of the misfortunes that have gathered around them, to seek an asylum beneathtits hospitable roof. This building and the farm upon which it is situated cost the county over $40,000, and is an enduring monument to the benevolence of the people who prompted its erection and willingly met the cost.
INDIANA REFORM SCHOOL FOR BOYS.
The law providing for the establishment of this important insti- tution was approved March S, 1867, and, soon after, the present site was selected, than which a more beautiful and appropriate one could scarcely be found. Situated on a beautiful upland nearly a mile southwest of the village of Plainfield, and fourteen miles west of the State capital, on probably the best watered tract of land in the State, amidst a quiet, orderly, intelligent community, the school enjoys many privileges deuied other public institutions.
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY. 451
Work on the first buildings was at once commenced, and Frank B. Ainsworth was regularly installed as Superintendent Oct. 31, 1867. On the 1st of January, 1868, they were ready to admit inmates, but the first boy was not admitted till Jan. 26. He was from Hendricks County.
Mr. Ainsworth remained in charge of the institution more than eight years, and was succeeded April 5, 1876, by James O'Brien. He was followed, April, 1880, by Thomas J. Charlton, under whose efficient and prudent management the school has continued to steadily improve. The present officers are as follows: Board of Control, L. A. Barnett, Danville, President; Lewis Jordan, Indian- apolis, and H. N. Helms, Carlisle; Superintendent, T. J. Char]- ton; Matron, Mrs. Alice R. Charlton; Chaplain, John G. Blake, Indianapolis; Physician, Amos Carter, Plainfield; Consulting Phy- sician, T. E. Evans, Plainfield.
The eighteenth annual report for the year ending Oct. 31, 1884, shows the total number admitted since the opening of the school to be 2,057; number received during the year, 395; number of inmates at close of year, 437; released on "ticket of leave," 182; "ticket of leave" boys returned, forty-four; homes procured for boys, thirty-eight.
This is not a prison but a charitable institution-a reform school, in the full sense of the word, for those whose home influences have been unfortunate, and who are in danger of becoming hardened criminals. Every boy is in school one-half of each day, except during the warm summer months, when only the primary grades are in session. The farm consists of 225 aeres, but so much of it is waste land along the creek and taken up by buildings and play grounds, that only 145 acres are used for cultivation and pasture. The inmates are divided into twelve families, of about thirty-five boys each. A family is in charge of an officer called "house- father," who is responsible for the discipline and condition of his family.
The present number of boys from Hendricks County is thirty. The institution contains three distinct departments-the schools,. the manual labor department and the family instruction. The schools are conducted on the halt-day system, the boys who work in the forenoon attending school in the afternoon, and those who attend school in the forenoon engaging in some kind of labor during the afternoon. All schools are graded like public schools. That the school is doing its work well is a thoroughly proven
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
fact. Nearly 1,500 boys have passed through the institution and are now out in the world. Over ninety per cent. out of that num- ber are leading honest and honorable lives.
THE HENDRICKS COUNTY OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY
was organized in 1872 at Green Valley Farm, with William D. Truster as President and M. G. Parker, Secretary. Ten annual re-unions have been held, on the third Saturday in June. No attempts have yet been made to collect early history, and the meetings are entirely social in character. Speeches and addresses are made by pioneers, and orations have been made by Gov. O. P. Morton and ex-Senator Joseph E. McDonald. Marion and Putnam counties are frequently represented at these gatherings, which sometimes include S, 000 to 10,000 people. The last meeting at Danville was in 1SS3; it was thinly attended on account of rainy weather. In 1884 the society was re-organized at Green Valley Farm, ten miles south of Danville, and there the re-union of 1885 was held in August.
. AGRICULTURAL.
Following are a few statistics of the more important crops, taken from the Fifth Annual Report of the Bureau of Statistics of Indi- ana.
Wheat .- Of this cereal there were planted in 1883 a total of 39,397 acres, and in the year previous +4,284 acres, or nearly equal to two full townships of land. The yield was 445,042 bushels in 1883; 782,431 bushels in 1882; 444,272 bushels in 1881; 521,SS3 bushels in 1SS0; and 553,506 bushels in 1879.
Corn .- In 1883 there were planted +1,638 acres to corn, and in 1882 there were 45,676 acres. The yield in 1883 was 1,308,205 bushels; 1,600,968 bushels in 1882; 847,073 bushels in 1SS1; 1,259- 687 bushels in 1880; and 2,016,351 bushels in 1879.
Oats .- An acreage of 3,374 produced in 1883, 117, 855 bushels against a yield the previous year of 126,988 bushels.
Potatoes .- In 1883, 785 acres produced 85, 460 bushels ; while in 1882 the yield was 63,975 bushel's.
Timothy .-- The acreage il. 1883 was 18,391; yield, 36,309 tons ; yield in 1882, 18,496 tons.
Clover .- Acreage in 1883, 12,321 ; crop in 1883, 25,401 tons ; in 1882, 11,104 tons.
Maple Molasses .- Gallons in 1882, 5,726 ; in 1883, 7,883.
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
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Maple Sugar .- Pounds in 1882, 1,175 ; in 1883, 812.
Sorghum Molasses .- Gallons in 1882, 11,140 ; in 1883, 9,471. Sorghum Sugar .- Pounds in 1882, 230.
Tile Drain .- Rods reported in 1SS3, 336,388, against 318, 428 rods in 1882.
Cider .- In 1882, 5,292 gallons were made.
Vinegar .- In 1883, 739 gallons of this condiment were man- ufactured.
Milk .- In 1883, the number of gallons reported were 1,831, 838, against 1,656,740 gallons in 1882.
Becs and Honey .- In 1883 the stands of bees reported were 718 in number as compared with 499 in 1882. The product of honey was 4,777 and 7,875 pounds in the respective years. .
Butter .- In 1883 there were made 433,686 pounds, the prod- uet of the previous year being 365,718 pounds.
Eggs .- In 1883, dozens, 186, 162; previous year, 259,713 dozens.
Wool .- The wool-elip of 1882 reached 91,182 pounds ; that of 1883, 91,963 pounds.
Horses .- In 1SS3, the number of horses reported was 6,934, against 7,439 in 1882.
Mules .- In 1883, 811; in 1882, 605.
Cattle .- In 1883, 18,295; in 1882, 19,820.
Hogs .- Number of stoek hogs in 1883, was 32,495; 1882, 24, 983; number of fatted hogs, 1883, 25,208; 1882, 39,594; weight of fatted hogs in 1883 was 6,797,360 pounds.
Sheep .- In 1883, 20,085; in 1882, 20,431; lambs in 1883, 7,838; in 1882, 10,267.
Poultry .- In 1883 there were reported 149 geese, 97 ducks, 33 guineas, 10,916 dozens of chickens and 547 dozens of turkeys.
Apple Trees .- In 1882, of bearing age, 83,380; non-bearing age, 159,396; in 1833, bearing, 54,223; non-bearing, 32,089.
· Peach Trees .- Bearing age, in 1882, 9,545; non-bearing age, 8,986; in 1883, bearing, 7,156; non-bearing, 7,700.
Pear Trees .- In 1882, bearing age, 3,467; non bearing, 3,883; in 1883, bearing, 3,010; non-bearing, 2,964.
Plum Trees .- In 1882, bearing age, 647; non-bearing, 1,032; in 1883, bearing, 570; non-bearing, 1,031.
Quince Trees .- In 1882, bearing, 183; non-bearing, 243; in 1883, bearing, 211; non-bearing, 296.
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
Cherry Trees .- In 1882, bearing, 6,927; non-bearing, 3,265; in 1883, bearing, 4,902; non-bearing, 2,937.
Siberian Crabs .- In 1882, bearing, 417; non-bearing, 552; in 1883, bearing, 753; non-bearing, 611.
Grape Vines .- In 1882, bearing, 8,292; non-bearing; 3,755; in 1883, bearing, 5,678; non-bearing, 2,714.
Blue and other Wild Grasses .- Acres in 1882, 52,332; in 1883, 46,184.
Unused Plow Land .- Acres in 1882, 4,489; in 1883, 3,117.
Timber Land .- Acres in 1882, 70,384; in 1883, 66, 855.
THE HENDRICKS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
was organized in 1852, and bought grounds three acres in extent, a mile west of Danville, for fair purposes. Many changes were made, and additions to the grounds were purchased from time to time. Fairs were held annually until 1881, when the society having previously become involved in debt, it was totally unable to pay its premiums, and the property was sold. The grounds are now owned by the noted horseman, B. T. Buford.
THE PLAINFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
was organized a number of years ago, and has held a number of exhibitions. After the death of the county society, new life was attempted to be given this Plainfield organization by naming it the ·
PLAINFIELD HORTICULTURAL AND HENDRICKS COUNTY AGRICULT- URAL SOCIETY.
A fair was held at Plainfield in the fall of 1884, which was financially not successful. Daniel Cox is President of the long- named organization.
THE HENDRICKS COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
As the objects for which the Hendricks County Medical Society was organized have been fully set forth in its Preamble, Consti- tution, By-Laws and Code cf Ethics, at its organization, further comment will be unnecessary. The medical gentlemen whose names are appended to this Constitution met in Danville, on the 29th day of April, 1854, and organized the Hendricks County Medical Society, by electing the following officers:
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
"President, Henry G. Todd, M. D .; Vice-President, Wilson Lockhart, M. D .; Secretary, J. Joel Wright, M. D .; Correspond- ing Secretary, Leroy H. Kennedy, M. D .; Treasurer, Henry Cox, M. D .; Censors, Thomas B. Harvey, M. D., Bradley Barthol- omew, M. D., Henry H. Moore, M. D."
Following this was the adoption of their Constitution and By- Laws.
PREAMBLE. -
" We, the undersigned practitioners of medicine and surgery in the county of Hendricks, and vicinity, for the purpose of promoting harmony and good fellowship, and of elevating the cause of medical and the collateral sciences, associate ourselves under the following
CONSTITUTION.
"ART. 1. This association shall be denominated the Hendricks County Medieal Society.
"ART. 2. The officers of this society shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and three Censors, all of whom shall be elected by ballot, annually, and each officer shall serve until his successor is duly installed into office.
"ART. 3. Any regular and reputable practitioner of medicine may become a member of this society, by signing this Constitu- tion, paying into the treasury wo dollars, and complying with such other regulations as may be hereafter provided by law.
"ART. 4. Any distinguished literary gentleman may become an honorary member of this society, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting; provided that notice to that effect had been given at any previous meeting of the society.
"ART. 5. The society shall have power to form a library and a cabinet of specimens, in the various departments of natural science, and pathologieal specimens and illustrations, both from the donations of individuals and other societies, and by levying taxes and fines, agreeable to the regulations which may be here- after provided by law.
"ART. 6. This society may opea a correspondence with similar associations in this State and such others as it may from time to time direct.
"ART. 7. This society shall meet at such times and places and engage in such deliberations as may from time to time be agreed
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
upon, and may enact By-Laws for its government, not inconsistent with this Constitution.
"ART. S. The society may admit honorary members upon com- pliance of the applicant with the same forms as are prescribed for the admission of bona fide members, except that no initiatory fee shall be required. He shall not be permitted to vote, nor shall he participate in any of the proceedings, except by express permission of the society.
"ART. 9. One-third of all the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; but on all subjects in- volving the rights, interests or standing of any member, a majority of all the members shall be present. .
"ART. 10. This Constitution may be amended at any stated meeting of the society, by a vote of two-thirds of the meinbers present; provided, the amendment has been proposed, in writing, at a previous meeting.
HENRY G. TODD, RISDON C.MOORE, J. JOEL WRIGHT,
D. J. DEPEW, HENRY H. MOORE, LEROY H. KENNEDY,
J. A. COMINGOR, THOMAS P. SELLEE, THOMAS B. HARVEY,
DAVID TODD, WILSON LOCKHART, HENRY Cox,
B. BARTHOLOMEW, W. F. HARVEY."
"BY-LAWS. "ACT I.
"Duties of Oficers. "ARTICLE L.
"The President shall preside at all meetings of the society, preserve order, and see that its deliberations are conducted accord- ing to the rules and regulations governing deliberative bodies, except so far as they may be otherwise provided for in the Con- stitution and By-Laws. He shall have power to call special meetings of the society at his discretion, or upon the written request of three members. He shall sign certificates of member- ship, and those of discharge; also, the warrants authorized to be drawn upon the Treasurer; all the official instruments and pro- ceedings of the society. Ile shall deliver an inaugural address on entering upon the duties of his office, and a valedictory at the ex- piration of the same, and shall perform such other duties as are prescribed in the Constitution and By-Laws of the society.
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"ARTICLE II.
" The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, perform the ordinary duties assigned to that office, and shall deliver a written address the second meeting after his election.
"ARTICLE III.
" The Recording Secretary shall keep a fair and legible record of the proceedings of the society; a list of the members' names, with a specification of such as fail to pay their taxes and fines; preserve all papers belonging to the society, subject at all times to the in- spection of the members, and perform all other duties belonging to the office.
"ARTICLE IV.
" The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the society under its direction, and make a report of such. matters as he may deem proper.
"ARTICLE V. * .
"The Treasnrer shall collect all dnes of the society, and pay npon presentation the orders regularly drawn on him by the Presi- dent and Secretary. He shall keep a full account of all moneys received and disbursed, and make satisfactory reports thereof at least annually, and oftener if requested by the society. Upon the expiration of his term of office, he shall exhibit to the parties appointed to receive them, an account of the receipts and dis- bursements of his term, accompanied by vouchers when practi- cable, and hand over to his successor in office all moneys, books, papers, or other property held and received by virtue of his office. He shall provide a suitable place for the society to hold its sessions, and fuel, light, stationery and other necessary con- veniences therein.
"ARTICLE VI.
"The Censors shall examine applicants for membership, and if, in their opinion, such applicants are worthy to be admitted, they shall report accordingly. No person shall be admitted to an ex- amination until he produces satisfactory evidence to the Censors that he sustains a good moral character, and has studied medicine . and surgery with some regularly authorized practitioner at least three years previous to his application, unless he be a graduate of some college or university. -
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
"ARTICLE VII.
" It shall be the duty of the Secretary to give notice in the county paper of the time and place of holding each meeting at least two consecutive weeks next preceding the time of holding such meeting, together with the names of those persons from whom addresses or dissertations may be expected."
"ACT II. "Duties of Members. "ARTICLE I.
"Every member of this society shall pay an annual tax of at least one dollar; and any member who shall neglect to pay the same, or any fine that may be levied agreeable to the provisions of this act, three months after having been notified by the Seere- tary or Treasurer of such delinqueney, shall forfeit his member- ·ship nor shall he enjoy any immunities belonging to the society, until all arrearages be paid.
"ARTICLE II.
"The regular meetings of the society shall be held on the Third Tuesday of the months of January, April, July and October, unless otherwise ordered at a previous meeting of the society, the April meeting being the annual meeting.
"ARTICLE III.
"The President shall appoint at every meeting at least one person to write and deliver a dissertation at the next meeting, and no person shall be required to write sneh dissertation unless he be notified of his appointment by the Secretary two months previo:is to the time at which it is to be delivered, and shall accept such appointment.
"ARTICLE IV.
" At any regular meeting of this society every member shall have the privilege of reporting such cases (that have come under his own observation) as he may deem important.
"ARTICLE V.
" It shall be the duty of each member of this society to keep a faithful record of each important ease of disease which he treats, noting the age, sex and condition of the patient; the cause, when
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
obvious; the type, symptoms, treatment, duration and termina- tion of the disease; and, when practicable, the post-mortem appear- ances. The material facts of which record he shall embody in an intelligible form, and present it to the society at the first stated meeting in each year. 1
"ARTICLE VI.
" Alladdresses, dissertations, or reports, delivered or read before the society, shall be written in a neat, legible hand, on good paper, and shall be the property of the society, to dispose of as it may think proper.
"ARTICLE VII.
"The regular set addresses before the society shall be public, and when the subject admits, before a mixed andience, and shall be delivered in the forenoon session.
"ARTICLE VIII.
"Any member may invite such persons to attend the sessions and deliberations of the society as he may think proper, except in cases of private business, when none but members shall be present, except to give evidence.
"ARTICLE IX.
" It shall be the duty of each member of this society, upon re- moving beyond its bounds, to make the fact known to the society, and such persons shall thereafter be considered honorary members.
"ARTICLE X.
" It shall be the duty of each committee to examine, thoroughly, the particular subject given it in charge, and no report shall be received until it has been read and approved by a majority of such committee.
"ARTICLE XI.
"These By-Laws may be altered or amended, "at any regular meeting of the society, by a vote of two-thirds) of the members present; such proposed alteration or amendment always to be presented in writing."
At one of the regular meetings of the same year, the National Code of Ethics was also adopted by this society, as the following will show:
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
"NATIONAL CODE OF ETHICS.
· "ADOPTED BY THE " HENDRICKS COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
"CHAPTER I.
"OF THE DUTIES OF PHYSICIANS TO THEIR PATIENTS AND . OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF PATIENTS TO THEIR PHYSICIANS.
"ART. I .- Duties of Physicians to their Patients.
"SECTION 1 .- A physician should not only be ever ready to obey the calls of the siek, but his mind ought also to be imbued with the greatness of his mission, and the responsibility he habitually incurs in its discharge. Those obligations are the more deep and enduring, because there is no tribunal other than his own con- science to adjudge penalties for carelessness or neglect. Phy- sicians should, therefore, minister to the siek with due impressions of the importance of their office; reflecting that the ease, the health and the lives of those committed to their charge depend on their skill, attention and fidelity. They should study, also, in their deportment, so to unite tenderness with firmness, and con- descension with authority, as to inspire the minds of their patients with gratitude, respect and confidence.
"SEC. 2 .- Every case committed to the charge of a physician should be treated with attention, steadiness, and humanity. Reasonable indulgence should be granted to the mental imbecility and caprice of the sick. Secreey and delicacy, when required by peenliar circumstances, should be strictly observed, and the familiar and confidential intercourse. to which physicians are ad- mitted in their professional visits should be used with discretion and with the most scrupulous regard to fidelity and honor. The obligation of secreey extends beyond the period of professional services; none of the privacies of personal and domestic life, no infirmity of disposition, or flaw of character observed during pro- fessional attendance should ever be divulged by him except when he is imperatively required to do so. The force and necessity of this obligation are indeed so great that professional men have, under certain circumstances, been protected in their observance of secrecy by Courts of Justice.
"SEO. 3 .- Frequent visits to the sick are, in general, requisite, since they enable the physician to arrive at a more perfect knowl- edge of the disease, to meet promptly every change which may
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
occur, and also tend to preserve the confidence of the patient. But unnecessary visits are to be avoided, as they give useless anxiety to the patient, tend to diminish the authority of the phy- sician, and render him liable to be suspected of interested motives.
"SEC. 4 .- A physician should not be forward to make gloomy prognostications, because they savor of empiricism, by magnifying the importance of his services in the treatment of cure of the disease. But he should not fail, on proper occasions, to give to the friends of the patient timely notice of danger, when it really occurs; and even to the patient himself, if absolutely necessary. This office, however, is so peculiarly alarming when executed by him, that it ought to be declined whenever it can be assigned to any other person of sufficient judgment and delicacy. For, the physician should be the minister of hope and comfort to the sick; that, by such cordials to the drooping spirit, he may smooth the bed of death, revive expiring life, and counteract the depressing influence of those maladies which often disturb the tranquillity of the most resigned, in their last moments. The life of a sick person can be shortened not only by the acts, but also by the words or the manner of a physician. It is, therefore, a sacred duty to guard himself carefully in this respect, and to avoid all things which have a tendency to discourage the patient and to depress his spirits.
"SEC. 5 .- A physician ought not to abandon a patient because the case is deemed incurable; for his attendance may continue to be highly useful to the patient. and comforting to the relatives around him, even in the last period of a fatal malady, by alleviat- ing pain and other symptoms, and by.soothing mental anguish. To decline attendance under such circumstances would be sacrific- ing to fanciful delicacy and mistaken liberality that moral duty, which is independent of, and far superior to, all pecuniary con- sideration.
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