USA > Indiana > Henry County > History of Henry County, Indiana > Part 22
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FEMALE PRISON AND REFORMATORY.
The prison reform agitation which in this State attained telling proportions in 1869, caused a Legislative measure to be brought forward, which would have a tendency to ameliorate the condition of female convicts. Gov. Baker recommended it to the General Assembly, and the members of that body showed their appreciation of the Governor's philanthropic desire by conferring upon the bill the authority of a statute; and further, appropriated $50,000 to aid in carrying out the objects of the act. The main provisions con- tained in the bill may be set forth in the following extracts from the proclamation of the Governor:
" Whenever said institution shall have been proclaimed to be open for the reception of girls in the reformatory department thereof, it shall be lawful for said Board of Managers to receive them into their care and management, and the said reformatory department, girls under the age of 15 years who may be committed to their custody, in either of the following modes, to-wit:
"1. When committed by any judge of a Circuit or Common Pleas Court, either in term time or in vacation, on complaint and due proof by the parent or guardian that by reason of her incorrig- ible or vicious conduct she has rendered her control beyond the power of such parent or guardian, and made it manifestly requisite
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
that from regard to the future welfare of such infant, and for the protection of society, she should be placed under such guardianship.
"2. When such infant has been committed by such judge, as aforesaid, upon complaint by any citizen, and due proof of such complaint that such infant is a proper subject of the guardianship of such institution in consequence of her vagrancy or incorrigible or vicious conduct, and that from the moral depravity or other- wise of her parent or guardian in whose custody she may be, such parent or guardian is incapable or unwilling to exercise the proper care or discipline over such incorrigible or vicious infant.
"3. When such infant has been committed by such judge as aforesaid, on complaint and due proof thereof by the township trustee of the township where such infant resides, that such infant is destitute of a suitable home and of adequate means of obtaining an honest living, or that she is in danger of being brought up to lead an idle and immoral life."
In addition to these articles of the bill, a formal section of instruction to the wardens of State prisons was embodied in the act, causing such wardens to report the number of all the female convicts under their charge and prepare to have them transferred to the female reformatory immediately after it was declared to be ready for their reception. After the passage of the act the Governor appointed a Board of Managers, and these gentlemen, securing the services of Isaac Hodgson, caused him to draft a plan of the proposed institution, and further, on his recommendation, asked the people for an appropriation of another $50,000, which the Legislature granted in February, 1873. The work of construc- tion was then entered upon and carried out so steadily, that on the 6th of September, 1873, the building was declared ready for the reception of its future inmates. Gov. Baker lost no time in proclaiming this fact, and October 4 he caused the wardens of the State prisons to be instructed to transfer all the female convicts in their custody to the new institution which may be said to rest on the advanced intelligence of the age. It is now called the " Indiana Reformatory Institution for Women and Girls."
This building is located immediately north of the deaf and dumb asylum, near the arsenal, at Indianapolis. It is a three- story brick structure in the French style, and shows a frontage of 174 feet, comprising a main building, with lateral and transverse wings. In front of the central portion is the residence of the superintendent and his associate reformatory officers, while in the
243
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
rear is the engine house, with all the ways and means for heating the buildings. Enlargements, additions and improvements are still in progress. There is also a school and library in the main building, which are sources of vast good.
October 31, 1879, there were 66 convicts in the " penal" depart- ment and 147 in the " girls' reformatory " department. The "ticket-of-leave " system has been adopted, with entire satisfaction, and the conduct of the institution appears to be up with the times.
INDIANA HOUSE OF REFUGE.
In 1867 the Legislature appropriated $50,000 to aid in the formation of an institution to be entitled a house for the correction and reformation of juvenile defenders, and vested with full powers in a Board of Control, the members of which were to be appointed by the Governor, and with the advice and consent of the Senate. This Board assembled at the Governor's house at Indianapolis, April 3, 1867, and elected Charles F. Coffin, as president, and visited Chicago, so that a visit to the reform school there might lead to a fuller knowledge and guide their future proceedings. The House of Refuge at Cincinnati, and the Ohio State Reform school were also visited with this design; and after full consider- ation of the varied governments of these institutions, the Board resolved to adopt the method known as the " family " system, which divides the inmates into fraternal bodies, or small classes, each class having a separate house, house father and family offices, -all under the control of a general superintendent. The system being adopted, the question of a suitable location next presented itself, and proximity to a large city being considered rather detrimental to the welfare of such an institution, Gov. Baker selected the site three-fourths of a mile south of Plainfield, and about fourteen miles from Indianapolis, which, in view of its eligibility and convenience, was fully concurred in by the Board of Control. Therefore, a farm of 225 acres, claiming a fertile soil and a most picturesque situation, and possessing streams of running water, was purchased, and on a plateau in its center a site for the proposed house of refuge was fixed.
The next movement was to decide upon a plan, which ultimately met the approval of the Governor. It favored the erection of one principal building, one house for a reading-room and hospital, two large mechanical shops and eight family houses. January 1, 1868,
244
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
three family houses and work-shop were completed; in 1869 the main building, and one additional family house were added; but previous to this, in August, 1867, a Mr. Frank P. Ainsworth and his wife were appointed by the Board, superintendent and matron respectively, and temporary quarters placed at their disposal. In 1869 they of course removed to the new building. This is 64 by 128 feet, and three stories high. In its basement are kitchen, laundry and vegetable cellar. The first floor is devoted to offices, visitors' room, house father and family dining-room and store- rooms. The general superintendent's private apartments, private offices and five dormitories for officers occupy the second floor; while the third floor is given up to the assistant superintendent's apartment, library, chapel and hospital.
The family houses are similar in style, forming rectangular build- ings 36 by 58 feet. The basement of each contains a furnace room, a store-room and a large wash-room, which is converted into a play-room during inclement weather. On the first floor of each of these buildings are two rooms for the house father and his family, and a school-room, which is also convertible into a sitting- room for the boys. On the third floor is a family dormitory, a clothes-room and a room for the " elder brother," who ranks next to the house father. And since the reception of the first boy, from Hendricks county, January 23, 1868, the house plan has proved equally convenient, even as the management has proved efficient.
Other buildings have since been erected.
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three family houses and work-shop were completed; in 1869 the main building, and one additional family house were added; but previous to this, in August, 1867, a Mr. Frank P. Ainsworth and his wife were appointed by the Board, superintendent and matron respectively, and temporary quarters placed at their disposal. In 1869 they of course removed to the new building. This is 64 by 128 feet, and three stories high. In its basement are kitchen, laundry and vegetable cellar. The first floor is devoted to offices, visitors' room, house father and family dining-room and store- rooms. The general superintendent's private apartments, private offices and five dormitories for officers occupy the second floor; while the third floor is given up to the assistant superintendent's apartment, library, chapel and hospital.
The family houses are similar in style, forming rectangular build- ings 36 by 58 feet. The basement of each contains a furnace room, a store-room and a large wash-room, which is converted into a play-room during inclement weather. On the first floor of each of these buildings are two rooms for the house father and his family, and a school-room, which is also convertible into a sitting- room for the boys. On the third floor is a family dormitory, a clothes-room and a room for the " elder brother," who ranks next to the house father. And since the reception of the first boy, from Hendricks county, January 23, 1868, the house plan has proved equally convenient, even as the management has proved efficient.
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22
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY AND DESCRIPTIVE.
THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL HISTORY .- THE SCOPE OF THIS WORK. - GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF HENRY COUNTY .- TOPOGRAPHY .- WA- TER-COURSES AND SPRINGS .- RESOURCES OF THE COUNTY .- SOIL, CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS .- STATE OF AGRICULTURE .- RAILROAD FACILITIES .- GEOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE COUNTY .- ANCIENT WORKS .- RELICS OF PREHISTORIC PEOPLE.
All history is essentially local. No record of events, however important, can make a vivid or lasting impression upon a reader's mind if the locality of the occurrences is not given due prominence. By association the scenes of great events become sanctified and endeared in the hearts of a people. Who, for instance, can gaze unmoved upon the house which was the home or the birthplace of an illustrious man? Who can give expression to his emotions as he stands upon the ground where some decisive struggle for liberty took place?
Even the most prosaic places, even the simplest of every day occurrences, are somtimes elevated beyond their natural condition, becoming illustrious and important on account of the memories which surround them. And even within the narrow limits of a county, events, perhaps of little moment in themselves, are con- stantly transpiring, which growing venerable through age become invested with peculiar interest and are rightfully worthy of perpet- ual remembrance. A small community has its place in history as well as a large one. Every intelligent and public-spirited citizen feels a degree of pride in the achievements, the industrial growth, the religious, social, and intellectual progress of his county.
Thus it is that in almost every section of the Union efforts are now being made to perpetuate local history. No cause is more worthy of popular attention. Centuries hence, when a history of
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246
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
the American people shall be written, the historian will gather his data largely from the facts which are now being collected and put in preservable form. But the greatest importance of local history lies in the interest which we may expect posterity to entertain for it. The work of the pioneers-humble in its details yet magnificent in its results; the first rudely built church or school-house; the founding of a village; the inception of an industry; each mark an epoch in the history of any locality. The nationality of and charac- teristics of the early settlers; their lives, adventures and hardships; the part performed by them in civil, judicial or military affairs- all these are topics in which their descendants can never cease to have an interest.
In the following pages, it has been the writer's aim to treat upon the subjects above mentioned; also to embody an account of such events in the county's history as seemed worthy of record; to trace the growth of industries, wealth and population; in short, to pre- sent, in a fair and impartial manner, a History of Henry County and its Inhabitants. In order to preserve the names and the mem- ory of the heroic pioneers, and with a view toward giving honor to whom honor is due, considerable space has been given to biographi- cal matter, in which will be found much that is interesting and valuable.
DESCRIPTIVE.
Henry County is situated in the eastern portion of Indiana, about midway between the northern and southern limits of the State. Its eastern boundary is about twenty-three miles distant from the Ohio State line. The county contains about 390 square miles, or 249,600 acres. Randolph and Wayne counties lie on the east; Fayette and Rush, on the south; Hancock and Madison, on the west; and Delaware on the north.
The surface of the county is generally undulating, though por- tions are nearly level. The land is watered by numerous streams which flow toward all points of the compass, but eventually mingle with the waters of the Wabash and Ohio rivers. The largest stream is Blue River, which, rising in the northeastern part of the county, flows in a southwestern direction through the central por- tion. The other principal water-courses are Duck Creek, Flatrock Creek, Sugar Creek, Stony Creek and Fall Creek, each of which has many branches within the county. But little land in the vicinity of the streams is so broken as to be untillable. Springs and
247
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
streamlets are abundant, furnishing a good supply of water to agriculturists and stock-raisers.
The soil is deep, rich and productive. There are certain areas of swampy ground, which when redeemed become the best of farm- ing lands. The climate is salubrious and agreeable. All cereals of this latitude, as well as grasses and vegetables, flourish. Fruit can be grown profitably and of excellent quality. The native woods are walnut, maple, poplar, oak and other common varieties.
The chief wealth of the county is in its agriculture; though, as will be seen hereafter, there are manufacturing enterprises of no mean importance in which much capital is invested. In all the essentials of scientific and profitable agriculture, the farmers of Henry County are fully "up with the times." Industrious, intelli- gent and progressive, they have discarded methods which experi- ence had proved to be useless, and adopted instead the ways of the thrifty agriculturist. In excellence of farms, buildings, machinery and improvements, few rural communities can surpass Henry County. Nor should we neglect to mention the fine stock, upon which our farmers pride themselves, and with good reason-for no department of farm business has received greater attention than this, in recent years, or been attended with more satisfactory results.
Five lines of railroad enter the county, four of them reaching the county seat, and some of them touching almost every town- ship. Hundreds of miles of excellent turnpike connect the farm- ing districts with the county seat, the railroad stations and the thrifty towns and villages of the county. Thus the farmer finds a convenient and ready market for his produce and secures the best prices. The rapid increase of agricultural wealth shows that these advantages are duly appreciated. Indeed it is an indisputable fact that farmers, stock-raisers, fruit-growers and horticulturists can get as liberal returns for capital invested here as anywhere in the State of Indiana.
GEOLOGICAL FEATURES.
Rocks in situ are rarely found in the county, but along Blue River there are some outcrops. The bed-rock formation is that of the Upper Silurian system. Evidences of glacial action are found in the bowlders scattered about over the county; in the beds of sand, gravel and clay, generally unstratified, which cover the bed- rock. In the vicinity of New Castle there are found occasional
248
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
small showings of conglomerate, with impressions of leaves of indigenous trees. The generally unhomogeneous character of the soil tells of the mighty forces of nature once active here during the Drift period. The Silurian rocks were among the earliest forma- tions. What, then, has become of the Devonian, Carboniferous, and other formations, which once rested above them? Gone- swept away, or crushed and pulverized, by the potent energy of immense glaciers, in a period of unknown duration !
The outcrop of the bed-rock of the county, already mentioned, is in Spiceland Township. This is a grayish or light-colored lim e stone, suitable for building purposes, or for the manufacture of lime. Here quarries were opened by the Government when the National road was building, and they have been worked occasion- ally, by private individuals, up to the present time. There are numerous gravel-beds in the county, of almost inexhaustible extent.
ANCIENT WORKS.
Like many portions of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, Henry County still retains the marks of the handiwork of a prehistoric people. Spear-heads and arrow-heads of flint; hatchets, hammers and other implements of stone, have been found in considerable numbers. But the most interesting relics are the mounds and earthworks, which, even yet, are not totally obliterated by the plowshare.
On the Hudelson farm (once the Alan Shepherd farm) there are several well-defined mounds, which may have been either burial places or military works, or possibly they served in both capacities. They are generally surrounded by embankments, on the inside of which appears to have been a ditch. Some of them enclose about half an acre of ground. They appear to have been circular, quadrangular, and sometimes irregular in outline, though the walls have been so nearly destroyed that their form cannot be traced accurately. Similar works are to be found in other parts of the county. All undoubtedly were formed long ages before the white man disturbed the Indian from his peaceful pos- session of the soil; and probably all, or many, of these works were fashioned by that race whose origin and existence is veiled in mystery-namely, the Mound-Builders.
1
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CHAPTER II.
THE PIONEER SETTLERS.
EXTINCTION OF THE INDIAN TITLE TO LAND SOUTH OF THE WABASH. -
FIRST SETTLEMENT OF HENRY COUNTY, 1819 .- FIRST LAND SALES IN THE COUNTY .- EARLY SETTLEMENT CONFINED TO THREE NEIGH- BORHOODS. - THE QUAKERS AND THEIR CHARACTER .- FIRST SET- TLERS IN EACH TOWNSHIP .- PIONEER LIFE AND CUSTOMS .- PION- EER RE-UNIONS. - SEMI - CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, 1871. - ADDRESSES, POEM AND REMINISCENCES.
Throughout the long series of wars against the Indians of the Northwestern Territory and of the Territory of Indiana, the power- ful tribe holding sway upon the Wabash managed to retain pos- session of the lands now included within the limits of Henry and the adjacent counties on the north and west. In October, 1818, Governor Jennings, Governor Cass and Judge Parke, com- missioners acting under authority of the United States Govern- ment, negotiated a treaty at St. Mary's, by which the Indians ceded all the lands south of the Wabash, except some small reser- vations. It was also stipulated that the Indians should vacate the ceded lands within three years.
As a result of this treaty, a large territory of fertile land, which to-day forms some of the wealthiest districts in the State of Indi- ana, became accessible to white settlers. A law of Congress had forbidden, up to this time, any person to privately purchase or to occupy any portion of the Indian lands. Of course this law was not so rigidly enforced as to be absolutely prohibitory, and transi- tory squatters occupied some portion of the Indians' domain. Some of these may have resided within the present limits of this county, but of them we have no account. The actual settlement of Henry County began in 1819. A few had visited this part of the county the previous year, looking out sites with a view to settlement. The settlers who came in 1819 were obliged to wait two or three years before they could obtain titles to their land.
The work of surveying began soon after the treaty was con- cluded, but no sale of land was made within the limits of Henry
249
.
250
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
County until August, 1821, when the territory lying south of a line,-the line between townships 17 and 18, of the original survey, in other words, the line of the Congressional townships so num- bered,-running across the county from east to west along the north- ern line of Henry and Liberty townships, was thrown upon the market, under an act of Congress bearing the date April 24, 1820. The rest of the land in Henry County was not offered for sale until the next year. The land office for this district was at that time located at Brookville, Franklin County, whither persons wishing to make entries of land repaired, an entire neighborhood going together on some occasions.
David Butler, of Dudley Township, bought the first tract of land sold by the Government in this county. The record of this trans- action is dated Aug. 8, 1821. Three days later two more entries were made-one by Josiah Morris, of Dudley Township, and the other by Samuel Furguson, of Wayne Township. Before the close of the year 1821, 137 persons had entered tracts of land within that portion of the county now included in Dudley, Franklin, Spiceland, Wayne, Liberty, Henry and Greensboro townships, and the southern half of Harrison. The names of these purchasers will be found in the township histories which follow and which include more details regarding the settlement of the county than it is possible to give in this chapter.
The pioneers were generally thrifty, energetic, courageous and poor. Some may have been attracted to the new country by a de- sire for adventure, but by far the greater number came for the sole purpose of securing a home. The grand old forests, abounding in game, the fertility of the soil, and the rapidly increasing wealth of the older portions of the then infant State of Indiana, all combined to invite immigration to this region.
There were three principal neighborhoods, or centers of popula- tion, in the county at first, which may be regarded as the nuclei of all the succeeding settlements. These were the " Harvey neigh- borhood," extending from the site of New Castle northward; the Blue River settlement, or the " Heaton neighborhood," beginning at Knightstown and extending up the river on both sides two or three miles; and the "Leavell neighborhood," which included the eastern part of Dudley and the southeast part of Liberty Township. In 1821-'2, at the time the county was organized, settlements were almost exclusively confined to these neighborhoods.
Among the early settlers there were several neighborhoods peo-
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
pled almost exclusively by members of the Society of Friends. Generally they were leading citizens, contributing by their industry and good habits to the material wealth of the county and ad- vancing every good work by precept and example. The " Quaker" churches of the county were among the first organized, and, in many communities, their influence is still predominant. Peaceable, orderly and benevolent, the Quaker citizens have ever been pros- perous and respected.
The first settlers came from the States of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky, principally, though in their number were to be found a few Irishmen, and now and then a native of Germany.
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