History of Henry County, Indiana, Part 36

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 996

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Third, we may mention Dr. John Needham, of New Castle. He read under Dr. Weeks. After graduating settled in New Castle, his home, where he has had an extensive practice, and filled the chair of Therapeutics and Materia Medica in the Physio-Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio.

There are a great many others that received a part or all of their medical education at Mechanicsburg, outside of the college before they graduated, but on account of space we will speak of some of these briefly: First, Dr. J. M. Thurston, now of Hagers- town, Ind. He studied for a while at Mechanicsburg. After graduating he entered partnership with J. A. Stafford, Millville, this county. After residing here a year he moved to Hagerstown, where he has a very large practice, and is considered a prominent physician of the State. Second, A. W. Fisher, who resided for a while at Mechanicsburg, but now is located in Indianapolis. Third, Dr. Reasoner, of Southern Illinois: Fourth, Dr. A. S. Huston, Pendleton, Ind. Fifth, Dr. M. W. Ricks, Muncie, Ind. Sixth, Dr. Reed, Mechanicsburg. Seventh, Dr: C. B. Pendleton, of the same place, and others we are not able to give any correct account of at present.

While Dr. Weeks was carrying on the good work in the north part of the county, Dr. D. H. Stafford, who has been practicing for a long time, was carrying on the work in the south part of the

396

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

county. He has sent out several students. Among some of these, First, Dr. J. A. Stafford, his son, who lives at Millville, this county, and has a very large practice. Second, Dr. T. B. Hammer, Charlottsville, Ind., and others. The Doctor is a regu- lar attendant at the meetings of the Physio-Medical organizations, and is always ready to explain our system of medicine to those that want to know but don't understand its principles. But when you want to talk medicine, call on Dr. R. A. Smith and his wife, who are prominent physicians-the latter being the only lady physician of the Physio-Medical system in the county. They have a large practice, and have sent ont a great many students, among some of these, First, Dr. J. T. Engleth, formerly of Honey Creek, this county. Second, L. F. Polk, Raymond, Neb.

If we were only able to give a correct history of all the Physio- Medical physicians we would gladly do so. We will make a brief mention of some of these. One Dr. Paxton practiced at Greens- boro some forty years ago; after him a Dr. Harper; after he left there was a Dr. Coffin, who did not live long after he commenced to practice at Greensboro. Dr. J. S. Byers, Noblesville, Ind., formerly practiced at Greensboro, and a part of the time while residing there he was in partnership with Dr. R. A. Smith.

We will now briefly mention the Physio-Medical physicians who who are now practicing in this county: Drs. Jos. Weeks, J. W. Moore and C. B. Pendleton. Dr. J. W. Moore studied medicine under Dr. J. Needham, New Castle. After graduating he prac- ticed most of the time in partnership with his preceptor, until the summer of 1880, when he removed to Mechanicsburg, to continue in the practice of medicine. Dr. D. H. Stafford lives on his farm in Franklin Township; Dr. J. Needham, New Castle; Drs. R. A. and M. J. Smith, Greensboro; Dr. R. H. Homer, Knightstown-Dr. H. formerly practiced at Greensboro; Dr. J. A. Stafford, Millville; Dr. J. Wayman, New Castle; Dr. J. P. Julian, Maple Valley; Dr. W. A. Bryson, Rogersville, and Dr. J. H. James, Middletown.

HENRY COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.

The Henry County Bible Society was probably organized as early as 1840. Its object was to put Bibles into the families of the poor. Hon. Jehu T. Elliott served as its President a number of years, and other prominent citizens were among its members. For some years it accomplished considerable good work, but lat- terly it has not been in active operation. An auxiliary branch has

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

been established at Spiceland which is quite efficient. Diligent inquiry has failed to bring to light the early records of Henry County Society, hence this brief notice.

HENRY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Fairs have been held at New Castle since about 1851. The name of the original organization was the Henry County Agricult- ural Society. This society having become involved, another or- ganization styled the Henry County Joint Stock Agricultural Society was formed on the 12th of October, 1867. The shares, placed at $25 each, were quite largely taken up. The following officers were chosen: Thomas Wilhoit, President; Charles L. Hood, Vice-President; Elisha Clift, Secretary ; Joshua Holland, Treasurer; Executive Committee, Robert Cooper, John R. Millikan, Jonathan K. Bond, Levi Leaky and Andrew J. Holliday.

A committee was appointed by the society to confer with the owners of the grounds relative to a transfer of the grounds to the society. This committee reported that the grounds would be trans- ferred on payment of their cost, interest and taxes up to Jan. 1, 1868, amounting to about $2,000. This was unanimously agreed to and the transfer was made.

For a time the Joint Stock Society appeared to be prosperous; but at length it, like its predecessor, succumbed to the inevitable. Its property, encumbered by debts amounting to $2,900, was sold off at sheriff's sale, passing into the hands of the present society, which has paid all obligations and is now out of debt.

The present association, styled the Henry County Agricultural Society, was formed Oct. 18, 1879. Thirty persons, each holding a share of $100, were the corporators, viz .: E. H. Peed, Lon Rodgers A. J. Chambers, W. W. Shelly, J. R. Peed, D. W. Kinsey, W. W. Cotteral, Samuel Arnold, J. P. Nicholson, Elisha Clift, T. B. Loer, J. C. Hudelson, C. C. Colburn, Thomas Mullen, Elias Nay, A. J. Berry, Merritt Nicholson, John Rea, H. L. Powell, Thomas B. Millikan, M. R. Millikan, R. M. Nixon, Francis Johnson, Water- man Clift, Jehu Stanley, W. F. Boor, D. G. Wilkinson, Joel Wilkinson, Alanson Wilkinson and David Millikan.

The first officers of the present society, elected in November, 1879, were as follows: John R. Peed, President; A. J. Berry, Vice- President; D. W. Kinsey, Treasurer; R. M. Nixon, Secretary; Di- rectors, J. P. Nicholson, Lon Rodgers, W. W. Cotteral, D. G. Wilkinson and H. L. Powell. J. R. Peed served two years as

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

President, and was succeeded by E. H. Peed for one year. The officers for 1884 are: John R. Peed, President; Josiah P. Nicholson, Vice-President; W. W. Cotteral, Secretary; and D. W. Kinsey, Treasurer. The society seems to be established on a permanent basis and apparently there is no reason why it should not prosper. It owns fifteen acres of ground upon which there are fair improve- ments and a half mile track. Its annual exhibitions have been very successful.

UNION AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

The Union Agricultural Fair, for the counties of Henry, Han- cock and Rush, was established in 1851, with headquarters at Knightstown. Among the principal organizers were: S. W. Furga- son, Solomon McCain and Nathan H. Ballenger, of Henry County. Grounds were rented, buildings erected, and the first fair was held at Knightstown in 1852. Since that time a successful exhibi- tion has been held annually. There was at first no regularly organized association. It was customary to elect a board of six directors, two from each county, the presidency being held successively by each county. A constitution was adopted in 1858. I. W. Stuart was then President, and Gordon Ballard, Secretary. The latter was re-elected each year until 1883, when he declined to serve longer.

In the beginning premiums were paid in silverware of a cheap order. The exhibitions were good from the first, and interest in them has increased year by year. On the 1st of April, 1883, the association was re-organized as the Union Agricultural Associ- ation. It is a joint stock company, in which shares are $10 each. Two hundred and seven shares have been taken. The officers of the society for 1883-'4 are: W. L. Walker, of Rush County, Presi- dent; J. W. Walker, Hancock, Vice-President; J. S. Patterson, Henry, Treasurer; T. B. Deem, Henry, Secretary. Directors: Charles H. Fort, Samuel Hill, J. A. McDaniel, Hancock; Robert Cooper, T. B. Wilkinson, T. C. Phelps, Henry; T. A. Jones, Jesse L. Phelps, George W. Hall, Rush.

THE HENRY, MADISON AND DELAWARE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The above society was organized in 1870, with a capital stock of $6,000. It at once purchased twenty acres of ground near Middle- town, and has since made first-class improvements upon it. A good amphitheatre, vegetable and floral halls, 150 stalls for stock,

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

and the best half-mile race-track in Eastern Indiana has been constructed.

The first officers elected were: N. R. Elliott, President; Jackson Wisehart, Vice-President; W. J. Hillegoss, Secretary; D. J. Yount, Treasurer, and D. M. Strickler, Superintendent. N. R. Elliott served as President of the association twelve years, Thomas Wilhoit one year, and I. N. Chenoweth is elected for the present year. The present board of officers consists of I. N. Chenoweth, President; A. S. Miller, Treasurer; E. L. Elliott, Secretary, and John Davis, Superintendent.

Owing to losses by fire in 1880 and 1882, the society is in debt about $600. During its existence the association has always paid in full all premiums offered. The annual fairs have always been held during the month of August. They have been uniformly well attended and successful.

CHAPTER IX.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

THE FIRST ROADS LAID OUT. - STATE ROADS. - THE NATIONAL ROAD .- TURNPIKES .- GROWTH OF THE TURNPIKE SYSTEM .- THE FIRST RAILROAD ENTERS THE COUNTY AT KNIGHTSTOWN .- THE NEW CASTLE AND RICHMOND RAILROAD. - OTHER RAILROADS, EARLY AND LATE .- NUMBER OF MILES OF RAILROAD IN THE COUNTY.

A noted writer has asserted that the three greatest indications of a people's prosperity are: 1. The state of the roads; 2. The State of agriculture; 3. The methods of transportation. That the citi- zens of Henry County have not been slow in making improvements in each of these three great essentials is proved by their early attention to them, as well as the condition of roads, agriculture and transportation facilities to-day. In all these great and impor- tant features, few communities are more fortunate than the people of Henry County.

EARLY ROADS.

On the 20th of August, 1822, the commissioners met at the house of Joseph Hobson, and ordered-

"That Moses Finch, Jr., and Nathan Pearson be appointed to view a road to commence at: the town of New Castle, and run- ning thence the nearest and best way to John Baker's; and from thence an east course until it strikes the east line of said Baker's land; and from thence running on the said line south unto the southeast corner of said Baker's land; and from thence the nearest and best way to David Thompson's, on Simon's Creek; from thence the nearest and best way to Shock's Mill, on Wayne County line."

The same date Abraham Harvey, Asahel Woodward and John Dorrah were appointed to view a road-

"To commence at the town of New Castle, and from thence on the nearest and best way to Abraham Heaton's mills; and from thence to the county line, where sections 33 and 34 corner, in town- ship 16, range 9, on the line dividing 15 and 16."

The same date:

"Ordered, That Thomas Ray and Daniel Heaton be appointed to

(400)

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

view a road, commencing on the line dividing ranges 12 and 11, and running thence on the section line dividing 24 and 5; thence on the said line, or as near the said line as the ground will admit of, so as to intersect the road leading from the town of New Castle to Shock's Mill in Wayne County."

The fourth and last order of the above date is as follows:

"Be it ordered that William Shannon, Asahel Woodward and Abi- jah Cain be appointed to view a road commencing at the town of New Castle,and from thence the nearest and best way to Alan Shep- herd's; and from thence the nearest and best way to Drury Wales'; and from thence the nearest and best way to the county line,in a di- rection to intersect the State road at Mr. Luse's, on White River."

In pursuance of an act of the Legislature, passed Jan. 24, 1824, a road was laid out in 1825, by commissioners appointed by the State Government, from Vernon, Jennings County, to Greens- burg, Decatur County; thence to Rushville, Rush County; "thence north to the northern boundary of Rush County, in the direction of Fort Wayne; thence north 20 degrees east; thence north 6 degrees west to 14 miles; thence north 10 degrees east 65 chains; thence 95 chains; 21 miles north, through New Castle," etc.

In the fall of 1826 a State road was opened from Liberty, Union County, to Centreville, Wayne County, thence to New Castle. The commissioners appointed by the Legislature to locate it were Matthew Foster, William Shannon and George Cornelius. The road afterward became the Hagerstown and New Castle turnpike.

In 1827 the National road was located through the southern part of Henry County, giving quite an impetus to business in the townships through which it passed, and resulting in the speedy growth of several villages.

Other roads than those already mentioned were located from time to time, at the discretion of the county commissioners. They were, however, scarcely ever in good repair, and at certain seasons became well-nigh impassable. Yet the county had no better roads until the era of turnpike building began.

The first step in the direction of improving the roads in this county was probably made in 1844. In that year the Cambridge, New Castle and Muncie Turnpike Company was organized and incorporated. The route of the road was from Cambridge City via New Lisbon and New Castle to Muncie. About the same time a company received a charter to build a turnpike from New Castle to Anderson. In 1846 stock in the Hagerstown and New Castle turnpike was advertised for sale.

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

Although these schemes came to naught, the discussion of them served to awaken the people to the importance of improvements. thereby rendering future ventures successful.

TURNPIKES. *

In 1852 an act was passed by the General Assembly authorizing the construction of plank, macadamized and gravel roads. This law conferred extensive powers upon turnpike companies, and a number of good turnpikes were built, agreeable to its provisions, connecting all parts of the country with the county seat.

By an act of the Assembly in 1865 the county commissioners were authorized to organize turnpike companies, under certain provisions; also to levy taxes for the construction of a road, and to provide for making the same free. "By this law only the land within three-fourths of a mile of the proposed route was affected; and upon the report of a commission to survey and estimate the cost of construction, the auditor was required to enter a tax upon said lands according to its value, as shown by the books in his office, and without reference to the benefits to be derived from the same, one-third to be collected annually, and in the same manner as other taxes; and it might happen that lands the most remote would be most heavily taxed. This law, however, was but an experiment, and but little attempt was made to work under it." The following companies were organized under this act: Blounts- ville and Circleville; Blountsville and Morristown; Flatrock and Bentonville; Fairview and Lewisville. The first named were soon abandoned. It is believed that only one road was begun and completed under the law of 1865.

The act of 1867 was an improvement upon the act of 1865. This authorized the assessment of all lands situated within half a mile of the turnpike, when the subscription for a road amounts to at least $800 per mile, and is not large enough to complete the route. The assessments were to be made by three disinterested property- holders, who were also to estimate the benefits likely to accrue to each tract of land. A number of roads were projected under this law, and the tax placed upon the duplicate of 1867, along with the State and county taxes. Some dissatisfaction resulted, and to decide the matter a test case was brought before Judge Buckles of the Circuit Court. He decided that the assessments were ille-

* The facts relating to turnpikes are here given substantially as they appear in " Henry County, Past and Present."

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

gally made, because, among other reasons, the lands had not been viewed as required, nor had all land within the prescribed limits been listed.

This decision caused the assessments on other roads to be con- sidered illegal, and the several companies did not make much effort to have the tax collected. The county commissioners, however, were petitioned to have the assessments made again and according to law. The Blue River turnpike, of Prairie Township, was an exception. About $3,000 of the first installment had been paid in, and was considered sufficient; therefore the second and third installments were not placed upon the duplicate.

Out of a total tax of $27,221.93, the sum of $16,074.04 was paid in in 1867 on turnpike assessments declared illegal. No part of the gravel road tax collected during 1867 was paid over to the officers of the several companies, but remained a part of the balance in the treasury, June 1, 1868.

All the roads of 1867, with the exception above noted, were assessed again in 1868. At first assessments were placed on the same duplicates with other taxes; but in 1868 the auditor of the State ordered them to be placed on separate duplicates. A tabu- lar statement, which may prove interesting, is given below:

UNDER THE LAW OF 1865.

MILES.

TAX LEVIED.

Blountsville and Morristown

214

$4,687.27

Flatrock and Bentonville.

11,478.91

Fairview and Lewisville.

112

2,790.33

UNDER THE LAW OF 1867.

Beech Grove Union.

212

4,312.99

Duck Creek and Southern.

2,622.12

Flatrock Valley ..

8,172.13

Greensboro and New Castle Junction.

4,228.37

Franklin Junction ...

5,046.54

Flatrock and Simon's Creek.

512

9,417.38

Northern Junction.

714

13,332.57

Hillsboro and Franklin.

8,317.09

Northwestern ..

13,324.05

New Castle and Flatrock.

10,723.67

New Castle and Muncie.

414

5,397.86

Union and Blue River

2,243.61

Southern.

8,453.88

Sugar Creek.

723.12

Sulphur Springs and Cadiz.

534

8,215.38

Sulphur Springs and Western.

412

7,197.43

Knightstown and Middletown.

16,100 04

Northwestern Extension.

314

6,458.46

Middletown and Daleville.

11/

1,277.67

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

ON DUPLICATE OF 1869, UNDER LAW OF 1869.

MILES. TAX LEVIED.

Dunreith Gravel Road.

13%

$ 635.43

Middletown and Range Line.

23%

3,153.68

Blountsville and Smithfield

1,052.00

Blountsville .. .

434

6,075.50

Blountsville and Windsor.

114

1,507.00

Prairie, G. E., and Franklin.

11,574.00

Blountsville and Millville Extension.

612

9,072.00

Blountsville Extension.

412

6,629.50

DUPLICATE OF 1870, LAW OF 1869.

Rush and Henry Co. Road.

5,965.68

Old State Road.

412

5,354.00

The above tables refer only to such turnpikes as were built under the so-called Gravel Road Laws. Other gravel roads in the county in 1871 are shown in the following table. The list has been some- what extended since that date, but there is no source of informa- tion which will give the precise data. It is also proper to state that in some districts the plan of grading and graveling a small portion of the common roads each year has been adopted with good results. On the whole, no county in the State is better supplied with good roads and turnpikes than the county of Henry.

TURNPIKES

not included in the preceding lists:

MILES.

Henry County Turnpike (Nat'l Road).

Knightstown and Warrington.

Knightstown and Greensboro.

Ogden and Rushville.

Independent Turnpike. .

New Castle and Spiceland.

Union Turnpike. .

Lewisville and Flatrock

Hopewell and Flatrock.

New Castle and Dublin

Northern and Branches.

New Castle and Cadiz

Cadiz and Western.

Greensboro and Cadiz.

Spiceland and Blue River

Spiceland and Greensboro

Mechanicsburg and Middletown.

Cadiz and Mechanicsburg

Sulphur Springs and Muncie.

Sulphur Springs and Summit.

21% 217 4

Greensboro and Western.

Greensboro and Grant City.

.. ..

1 212 10 4 3 6

14 7 3 5 3 316 412 5

405

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

RAILROADS.

The first railroad that reached Henry County was the Knights- town & Shelbyville, built between the towns named, and com- pleted in 1850. It was entirely a local enterprise. At this late day people would smile at the idea of connecting two villages, such as Knightstown and Shelbyville then were, by a railroad and look- ing to local traffic for its maintenance. The building of railroads was not a well-understood business then, and the making of a local road without through connections was enthusiastically undertaken, and what is still more wonderful, completed.

By act of the Legislature approved Jan. 19, 1846, the Knights- town & Shelbyville Railroad Company was incorporated. Its President and Directors were as follows: Robert Woods, S. Mc- Cain, W. M. Cary, John N. Robinson, and John H. Mc Guffin, of Henry County; R. J. Hubbard, William Mc Kee, John Addi- son, Sr., and H. B. Hill, of Rush County; John Wolf an dJohn Haskett, of Hancock County; and Jonathan Johnson and Stephen Ludlow, of Shelby County. The railroad failed after being oper- ated a few years and soon disappeared from off the earth forever.

In 1848 a company was formed and chartered under the name of the New Castle & Knightstown Railroad Company, for the purpose of extending the Knightstown & Shelbyville Road to New Castle. Bnt in the meantime, a railroad to Richmond was proposed and so earnestly pushed as to cause the abandonment of the New Castle and Knightstown enterprise.

The New Castle people were not much behind their neighbors of Knightstown in forwarding railroad building. In the Indiana Courier of March 20, 1847, appears the following notice of a meet- ing to be held at the date given:

' RAILROAD MEETING.

"Those of our citizens who desire to make New Castle a point in the contemplated railroad from Cincinnati in the State of Ohio to St. Louis in the State of Missouri are requested to meet at the court-house in this place on Saturday evening next, at early candle lighting, for the purpose of deliberating upon the subject. The superiority of railroads over all other channels of communication

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

is now too well established by the results of actual experience to need any commendation from us."

Signed by M. L. BUNDY,

SAM'L GRAHAM,

MILES MURPHY, S. T. POWELL,

J. A. Mc MEANS,

B. W. SCOTT,

JOEL REED, RALPH BERKSHIRE,

WILLIAM GROSE, RICHARD GOODWIN,

JOSHUA HOLLAND, A. J. CLAWSON,

G. W. WOODS,

J. H. MELLETT,

M. E. Mc MEANS, WM. D. SHEPHERD.

The "proposed railroad," however, never reached New Castle. The citizens therefore determined to have a railroad of their own. By act of the Legislature approved Feb. 16, 1848, John Powell, Ja- cob Elliott, Elijah Stout, Robert Boyd and Moses Robertson, of Henry County; and Mark E. Reeves, James Scott, John H. Hulton and John Gillespie, of Wayne County, were constituted a body cor- porate under the name, "The New Castle & Richmond Railroad Company;" capital stock, $250,000; shares, $50 each.

Books of subscription for the purpose of raising funds for the prosecution of the road were opened in the fall of 1848. The road was built wholly by local capital, the citizens of Henry County aiding to construct it from] New Castle to the county line, and Wayne County people completing it to Richmond. The railroad was completed in the latter part of the year 1853, and the first loco- motive reached New Castle on Christmas day of that year. Hon. Jehu T. Elliott became President of the road soon after the com- pany was formed, and acted in that capacity several years. His administration gave universal satisfaction. The New Castle & Richmond Road, extended from time to time, eventually became a through line and was run under the name of the Cincinnati & Chicago Air Line, afterward the Chicago & Great Eastern. In 1867 it became one of the Pennsylvania Company's lines, by con- solidation. Though generally styled the " Pan-Handle," its offi- cial designation is now the Chicago, St. Louis & Pittsburg Railroad.

While the above road was building, another was in progress, through the southern part of the county. This was the Indiana Central Railroad, completed as far as Indianapolis in 1853. It is now part of the main line-the Chicago, St. Louis &Pittsburg Railroad, or the " Pan-Handle" proper, one of the most important through lines in the State.

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

The Connersville & New Castle Junction Railroad, from Cam- bridge City to New Castle, was completed in 1867. It was at first operated under the name of the Cincinnati & Indianapolis Junction Railroad. The building of the Union Depot in New Castle was undertaken the same year, the town pledging its aid to the amount of $3,500.

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History of Henry County, Indiana, Part 36

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 996

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 996