USA > Indiana > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Indiana > Part 30
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EXPENSES OF THE POOR.
Nothing more clearly indicates a deep-rooted evil in the or- ganization of our social affairs than the alarming increase of the pauper classes throughout the country. That so large a class of people is unable to earn the bare necessities of life is well calcu- lated to arrest the attention of all thinking men. The poor we are to have always with us, but, at the rate of increase now going on all over the country, it is only a question of time when it can properly be said, All we have with us are poor. Under the early laws of Indiana there were three overseers of the poor appointed in each township to look after the wants of the needy. At that time the children were "bound out," and the older ones were "farmed out." In this manner they were ostensibly looked after until the adoption of the poor-farm system. When a county asylum was instituted, all those helpless and entirely dependent upon public charity for support were taken to that place, and one person superintended them all. Those who only received aid at intervals were usually left to the care of the township trustees, who gave them township orders for what was needed. That system has been continued to the present time. The figures for poor ex- penses during the period of the war have already been given. There are generally two items in the account of public expendit- ures that are entirely for the benefit of the poor. These are headed "County Asylum" and "Poor." Beginning with the year 1879, the following figures will show the increase of expenditures for the poor outside of the county asylum:
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1879
$2,556 74
1880.
2,859 01
1881.
4,456 45
1882.
4,971 23
1883.
4,860 31
1884.
5,553 93
1885
4,782 79
Besides these sums the expenses for the county asylum range from $1,500 to $2,000. For the year ending June 1, 1885, the total of these sums is nearly $6,500.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
Early efforts were made to organize an agricultural society in Jackson County. The county board, in May, 1835, ordered the sheriff to advertise a meeting to be held in Brownstown, on the last Saturday of that month, for the purpose of organizing a county society. The following year another was held, and for nearly twenty years constant efforts were made to create an associa- tion for holding agricultural fairs. Nothing but failure had at- tended such attempts up to 1853. Early in that year an enthusi- astic meeting was held, at which time Gov. Wright was present. The following is an account of the proceedings:
A large meeting of the farmers of the county was held at the Methodist Church, in Brownstown, on Monday, February 28, 1853. John F. Carr was appointed president of the meeting, and John H. Benton, secretary. The object of the meeting was briefly stated by Frank Emerson, after which Gov. Wright was introduced, and he made a long speech on agricultural matters. They then proceeded to organize on the plan recommended by the State board of agriculture. It was decided that the regular fairs should be held between September 1 and November 1 of each year. The following officers were chosen: John F. Carr, president; Samuel P. Mooney, vice-president; John H. Benton, secretary; William T. Dobbs, treasurer. For directors of the several townships: L. C. Shewmaker, Driftwood; John Downing, Grassy Fork; John B.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Robertson, Brownstown; Abraham Love, Washington; Nathan T. Newby, Jackson; John J. Kester, Redding; Henry Foster, Vernon; Curtis Dunham, Hamilton; Josiah Shewmaker, Carr; V. Wray, Owen; Henry Lutes, Salt Creek.
In June, 1855, on the application of John F. Carr, president of the Jackson County Agricultural Society, the county commis- sioners leased, for a period of ten years, a portion of the county poor farm. The society was to erect buildings thereon, which, at the expiration of the lease, was to become the property of the county. The ground leased was along Huff's Creek, and afforded good facilities for water.
This society continued to hold yearly fairs for more than ten years, and some of them were the best in the State. The press- ing times of the civil war did much to impair the vigor of all associations of the kind, and this one survived but feebly. In 1875 a new organization was effected, and fairs have been held at Browstown ever since. A new arrangement was made for the grounds. Fairs are held there now each year that are well at- tended.
COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
The first meeting of the physicians of Jackson County for organizing a medical society was held at Brownstown, April 3, 1852. Dr. S. Wort was called to the chair, and R. L. Roe ap- pointed secretary. Proceedings were at once entered into for perfecting an organization, and the necessary constitution and by-laws were adopted. The preamble was as follows: "Whereas, the vast importance of the medical profession to the welfare of our fellow-beings, and the abuse of so noble and useful a profes- sion is more pregnant with evil to the human family than any other human, inasmuch as the life and health of the confiding sick are placed in the hands and at the disposal of the medical practitioner, for the weal or woe of his confiding and suffering patient; and, therefore, we agree to form ourselves into a society
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
to be known as the Jackson County Medical Society." The first article of the constitution declares that the society shall have constantly in view-first, the association of the profession for the purpose of mutual recognition and fellowship; second, the maintenance of union, harmony and good government among its members, thereby promoting the interest, honor and usefulness of the profession; third, the cultivation and advancement of medical science and literature, and the elevation of the standard of professional education. The election for officers resulted as follows: President, Samuel Wort; vice-president, D. B. Hillis; recording secretary, J. L. Roe; corresponding secretary, E. Williamson; treasurer, A. G. Collier; librarian, E. Long. Others present were Drs. Ford, Morgan and Bain. At the meeting in June following these men were duly elected members: John Williamson, James Green, Dr. Wilson, J. D. Monroe, E. D. Wort, and S. H. Charlton.
In June, 1862, Dr. Samuel Wort, on behalf of the County Medical Society, presented a petition and series of resolutions by that society to the board of commissioners. The county had long been employing the lowest bidder to do the doctoring for the paupers, and the physicians rebelled against this method. They offered to do the poor practice at half rates, but refused to bid as heretofore. The petition was signed by the following doctors: S. Wort, S. J. Stage, C. T. Wilson, L. C. Shewmaker, Jacob Boaz, Dr. Fields, Joseph Hagins, Dr. Smith, Dr. Kimberline, Dr. Max- well, T. A. Wilson, J. H. Bland, J. H. Ramsey, Dr. Wilson, Jr., C. Sapper, Nelson Hatfiel, H. Daniels, Thomas Robertson, James H. Green, W. C. A. Bain, John H. Payne. The resolutions were signed by W. C. A. Bain, president, and John H. Payne, secre- tary of the Medical Society.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
The election returns have been destroyed, as the law does not
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
require them to be preserved beyond a few months. But from . various sources the following have been compiled: NOVEMBER, 1852. .
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRATIC. Pierce and King.
WHIG. Scott and Graham. 68
Driftwood
36
Grassy Fork.
82
49
Brownstown.
202
92
Washington.
93
20
Jackson.
44
50
Redding
167
185
Vernon.
45
88
Hamilton.
93
94
Carr.
106
33
Owen
168
24
Salt Creek.
156
11
Totals
1188
1
614
NOVEMBER, 1856.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRATIC. Buchanan and Breckenridge.
REPUBLICAN. Fremont and Dayton.
AMERICAN. Filmore and Donelson.
Brownstown
276
55
56
Driftwood.
55
16
· 51
Grassy Fork.
115
12
Vernon.
84
23
54
Jackson.
165
50
106
Washington
129
10
6
Redding
160
44
65
Hamilton
180
16
92
Salt Creek.
200
20
14
Owen
226
15
26
Carr
155
15
33
Totals
1693
291
521
"OCTOBER, 1862 (STATE).
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRAT.
REPUBLICAN.
Brownstown
345
142
Carr
125
150
Driftwood.
85
76
Grassy Fork.
117
75
Hamilton
179
72
Jackson.
183
242
Owen.
149
80
Redding.
161
87
Salt Creek
256
46
Vernon.
105
104
Washington
113
29
Totals.
1818
1103
1
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
NOVEMBER, 1872.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRATIC. Greeley and Brown.
REPUBLICAN. Grant and Wilson.
Driftwood
102
83
Grassy Fork.
189
82
Brownstown
389
146
Washington
·116
73
Jackson
438
420
Redding
228
123
Vernon
110
205
Hamilton.
196
98
Carr
168
168
Owen
190
84
Salt Creek
256
92
Totals
2,337
1,578
At this election there were four votes cast for O'Conor and Julian; one in Grassy Fork, one in Brownstown and two in Salt Creek Township.
NOVEMBER, 1876.
REPUBLICAN. INDEPENDENT.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRATIC. Tilden and Hendricks.
Hayes and Wheeler.
Cooper and Cary. 0
Driftwood.
91
75
Grassy Fork.
147
85
1
Brownstown.
424
178
8
Washington
184
67
9
Jackson
612
508
15
Redding
229
114
4
Vernon.
178
182
18
Hamilton
211
101
87
Carr.
193
158
10
Owen.
209
77
0
Salt Creek
326
102
7
Totals.
2,749
1,647
104
NOVEMBER, 1880.
REPUBLICAN. INDEPENDENT.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRATIC. Hancock and English.
Garfield and Arthur. 88
Weaver and Chambers.
Driftwood
119
0
Grassy Fork
172
87
0
Brownstown.
506
196
0
Washington
158
79
7
Jackson
644
669
17
Reddin
253
111
2
Vernon
212
282
1
Hamilton
281
142
1
Carr.
196
168
24
Owen.
236
94
4
Salt Creek
361
131
11
Totals
.3,138
1,997
67
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. NOVEMBER, 1884.
TOWNSHIPS.
DEMOCRATIC. Cleveland and Hendricks.
REPUBLICAN. Blaine and Logan.
Driftwood.
110
109
Grassy Fork.
171
82
Brownstown
493
210
Washington
141
55
Jackson
704
695
Redding
241
120
Vernon
216
191
Hamilton
261
187
Carr.
203
177
Owen.
247
91
Salt Cree
338
170
Totals.
3125
2037
The presidential election for 1860 cannot be given, but the State election for 1862 is given as being nearest that could be obtained.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
The following is a list of the county officers from its organ- ization down. Efforts have been made to have it complete:
Associate Judges-Abel Finley, - --- -; Jesse Row-
land,
-; William Williams, November 27, 1826; Thomas Ewing, August 30, 1829; E. H. Parsley, August 21, 1837; Andrew Robertson, August 20, 1844; Adam Miller, Octo- ber 4, 1847; James Ireland, August 19, 1851; William Berkey, August 18, 1851.
Probate Judges-Abel Finley, August 29, 1829; Samuel W. Tanner, August 12, 1843; William Williams, August 20, 1846.
Sheriffs-Samuel Standley, August 11, 1824; Richard Beem, August 14, 1828; John Crabb, August 15, 1832; William G. Lux, August 16, 1834; Ewing Durham, August 10, 1838; Wen- dall Poor, August 6, 1842; Harrison Durham, August 20, 1844; Samuel T. Wells, August 20, 1846; James M. Kelley, April 16, 1847; Andrew Franklin, August 17, 1847; James M. Kelley, February 11, 1848; Thomas Hunsucker, August 24, 1848; St. Clair S. Earley, October 29, 1852; Enoch Baughman, November
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
10, 1856; Andrew J. Hamilton, October 29, 1860; William W. Wamsley, November 7, 1862; John Scott, October 31, 1866; Thomas J. H. Bower, October 25, 1870; Samuel S. Earley, Octo- ber 24, 1874; James F. Applewhile, October 30, 1878; Hugh A. Burrell, November 13, 1882.
Recorders-William Crenshaw, September 8, 1830; Walter Benton, August 21, 1837; John Hamilton, August 20, 1844; Rawley Scott, May 10, 1846; William H. Ewing, August 20, 1846; Daniel H. Long, February 23, 1852; George King, Octo- ber 29, 1852; John S. Owens, November 10, 1856; James W. Allen, October 29, 1864; James K. Hamilton, October 19, 1872; James M. Gallomore, October 25, 1880.
Coroners John Elliott, August 11, 1824; Joseph Brown, August 17, 1826; John Sweany, August 14, 1828; Edward H. Parsley, September 8, 1830; Wendall Poor, August 15, 1832; George G. Parker, August 20, 1834; Jeremiah Tan- ner, August 16, 1836; William W. Peck, August 10, 1838; William B. Taylor, August 11, 1840; Nathaniel Mooney, August 6, 1842; Henry Lowdermilk, August 12, 1843; Henry G. Smith, August 20, 1846; George W. Reynolds, August 23, 1848; Caleb Jarvis, August 21, 1850; William Butler, October 29, 1852; George W. Reynolds, November 10, 1856; William Butler, Octo- ber 29, 1860; David F. Wilson, October 29, 1863; Thomas Cow- ling, October 24, 1867; Martin L. Wicks, October 19, 1872; Daniel H. Brown October 30, 1878.
Surveyors-Bartholomew Burrell, June 9, 1829; John B. Robertson, November 24, 1852; Thomas Carr, October 26, 1854; John B. Robertson, November 5, 1858; George A. Robertson, Oc- tober 29, 1863; James W. Wayman, October 25, 1870; William A. Downing, October 30, 1878; Joshua T. Russell, October 22, 1879; Tilford Jones, October 25, 1880; Fletcher D. Wood, Sep- tember 13, 1881; Thomas Carr, April 21, 1884.
Auditors-James M. Lewis, November 1, 1855; Samuel W.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Homes, October 25, 1859; Ralph Applewhile, October 24, 1867; William H. Hamilton, October 27, 1872; Benjamin F. Price, No- vember 18, 1878.
Treasurers-Alexander C. Craig, May, 1818; John Elliott, August, 1822; David Benton, February, 1823; Charles Crabb, January, 1826; John Elliott, January, 1827; Peter Q. Striker, January, 1829; Samuel Wort, January, 1831; Walter Benton, March, 1833; George H. Murphy, January, 1838; Frank Emer- son, November 24, 1852; Samuel P. Mooney, November 3, 1856; Samuel St. C. Earley, 'October 29, 1860; James H. Green, Oc- tober 29, 1864; Alexander A. Davidson, November 3, 1868; John J. Horstman, October 19, 1872; H. William Wacker, October 27, 1876; William Acker, October 25, 1880; Henry Kleinmeyer, November 17, 1884.
Clerks-William Crenshaw, September 8, 1830; Walter Ben- ton, August 21, 1837; John Hamilton, August 20, 1844; William H. Ewing, August 20, 1846; Daniel H. Long, November 1, 1855; John B. Robertson, October 29, 1863; John Scott, October 25, 1870; Frank Burrell, October 30, 1878.
BRIDGES.
In the early days of the county the crossing of the streams was effected either by fording or by ferries. As society developed and neighborhood commerce increased, the former became im- practicable, and the latter both inconvenient and expensive. Bridges began to be built, but at first they were private bridges and a toll was collected. The first covered bridge in Jackson County is said to have been at Newry. The proprietors were John M. Lewis, Henry C. Foster and John T. Foster, and it was constructed in 1860, at a cost of about $500. The toll rates were:
· two horses and wagon, 20 cents; one horse and buggy, 15 cents; horse and man, 10 cents; man on foot, 5 cents; each extra horse in harness, 5 cents; horses and mules in droves, 3 cents; cattle in
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
droves, 2 cents; sheep or hogs in droves, 1 cent. This bridge was bought by the county in 1865, for $200. In June, 1869, the Crothersville and Grassy Fork Bridge Company was organized for the purpose of building a bridge over the Muscatatauk River, where the line between Sections 17 and 18, Township 4, Range 6 west, crossed it. The amount of stock subscribed was something in excess of $1,200.
BROWNSTOWN AND SEYMOUR BRIDGES.
In June, 1868, the county board offered to take $10,000 stock in each of two bridges, to be built at Brownstown and near Seymour, over the East Fork of White River. In response to this the Seymour and Brownstown Bridge Companies were or- ganized, each with a capital stock of $20,000. The Seymour bridge was completed by the early part of the following year, Robert Pattison being the contractor. John Bowman was ap- pointed toll-keeper, and the receipts from the bridge amounted to about $1,000 a year. J. J. Daniels was the contractor of the Brownstown bridge, and it was not completed for more than a year later. In June, 1870, the county treasurer reported over $9,000 in bridge bonds, having been redeemed during the year then closed. Bonds to the amount of $11,000 were then out- standing. Both of these bridges are yet standing and are among the best in the county. Since then a number of first-class iron bridges have been erected, and it is estimated that the county now contains at least $200,000 worth of good bridges. These are all paid for or nearly so, thus showing a judicious manage- ment of the public revenues.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
CHAPTER IV.
BROWNSTOWN TOWNSHIP-SURFACE AND SOIL-ORGANIZATION-SETTLE- MENT-FORTS AND BLOCK-HOUSES-MURDERS BY THE INDIANS- EARLY MILLING-MANUFACTURERS-ELIZABETHTOWN-SHIELDS- GRAVEL ROADS-CHURCHES, ETC.
T. HIS township took its name from the county seat, which, as elsewhere stated, was named in honor of Gen. Jacob Brown, who was distinguished for his many acts of bravery in the war of 1812. The character of the soil and surface adapts it to the growth of a variety of products. Its broad valleys yield large crops of the cereals, while the higher lands are well adapted to the growth of watermelons, and on the summit of the highest hills thousands of fruit trees have been planted which yield large crops annually. The farmers are well advanced in the methods of tilling the soil; the implements are the inventions of modern civilization. The self-binder, the self-rake, the sulky-plow, and other modern inventions, when contrasted with the reaping-hook, mowing-scythe, the hand-rake, the wooden pitchfork, and the wooden plow of sixty years ago, readily show what invention has done for this generation.
ORGANIZATION.
On the 10th day of February, 1817, it is shown by the record that Abraham Huff, John Ruddick and Thomas Carr, commis- sioners elect of Jackson County, met at the house of John Mil- roy, in Brownstown, and organized the first Commissioners' Court of Jackson County. The first business transacted was ar- ranging the boundaries of the townships of Driftwood, Flinn and Brownstown. The township at this time included a considerable
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
portion of the land of the adjacent townships. Its boundary lines have been changed five different times since its organiza- tion.
SETTLEMENTS.
The first settlement made in Brownstown Township, was in what was since known as the " Hutchinson neighborhood," in the year 1811 or 1812; but as to who the first settler was, is a matter that is quite uncertain. The following are the names of those who were here among the first : Abraham Miller, James Hutch- inson, Adam Miller, Abraham Huff, Aaron C. Day, John Weath- ers, Colby Tuell and others. James Hutchinson lived near where Christian Derr now lives; further north was John Ketcham, whose cabin stood near the residence now standing on the old Woodmansee place, near Brownstown. On Hough's Creek, about two miles south of Brownstown, John Springer had built a small log hut and had cleared considerable ground. William Ruddick settled in Section No. 6, near the old Indian boundary line. He built on land that is now owned by the Finley heirs. By some he is thought to have been the first settler in the township. James Mitchel, John McCormack and Abel Finley settled north of Brownstown. The last named built near where Mrs. Bridget Hamilton now lives. Daniel Reynolds, Robert Burge, Mathew Tanner, Lewis Ritter and many others were among the first.
The following are the land entries made prior to 1825: George Goss, 1821; Mathew Tanner, 1820; Lewis Ritter, 1821. John Beggs, 1820; A. C. Durham, 1825; Absalom, 1814; John Ketch- am, 1816; Abraham Huff, 1825; James Seirs, 1814; Aaron C. Day, 1824; Vincent Lockman, 1824; James Beggs, 1821; Jones & Pugh, 1817; John Newton, 1818; William Davenport, 1811; Adam Miller, 1816; Jacob Peironger, 1811; James Hutchinson, 1813; James Beaty, 1818; Thomas Sincleaes, 1821; I. G. Richards, 1819; Joseph Wheedon, 1817; Thomas Bullell, 1820; Abel Fin- ley, 1817; Thomas Finley, 1821; John Weathers, 1821; James Hutchinson, 1822.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
FORTS AND BLOCK-HOUSES.
The only fort built in this township was on the land now owned by Christian Derr, and was known as Hough's Fort. This was a rudely constructed affair, enclosing something less than one acre of ground. The stockades were long slabs or posts, so set in the ground as to make an impenetrable wall. It was built in the form of a parallelogram, and at the northeast corner was a block-house which was built of hewed logs and extended several feet above the tops of the palisades. Port-holes were cut in all sides, through which they would fire in case of battle. In times of great danger, such as were experienced in the years of 1812, 1813, the settlers for miles around would repair within the fort for safety. Often all the domesticated animals were brought within the inclosure and for months were kept there beyond the reach of the plundering savages.
It is claimed by a few of the old settlers that a fort was built near Brownstown, on the farm of John Ketcham, but this is con- tradicted by a great many of the best informed, who claim that no such a fort ever existed.
KILLING OF BUSKIRK.
Even after the war had practically closed in this section, the Indians continued to commit many depredations, stealing horses and other stock, and in fact anything they could carry away. They added murder occasionally to their many crimes, and from among that class of outrages, the killing of a man by the name of Buskirk and the wounding of Ketcham, stand out conspicuously in the bloody annals of those perilous times. This crime has been so often and so variously told that the writer cannot vouch for its correctness. The facts as they have been handed from father to son are about as follows: In the early fall of 1813, not far from the present site of Brownstown, two men, one by the name of Bus- kirk, the other was either a Ketcham or a Ruddick, authorities
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
differ as to which, had been to the field to gather a load of pump- kins and were returning home, Buskirk walking behind the wagon, while his companion was driving. As they were passing a dense thicket by the roadside, they were fired at by a party of Indians, concealed in ambush: Buskirk was instantly killed and Driver wounded. The horse took fright and ran home, thus sav- ing the life of the latter. The Rangers who were at the time sta- tioned at Fort Vallonia, were immediately notified, and on the fol- lowing day visited the scene of the tragedy, where they found the body in a badly mangled condition, having been scalped besides otherwise mutilated. The remains were said to have been buried on the hillside, just north of Brownstown, but there was nothing left to mark the spot, and it was soon lost beneath leaves and grass.
EARLY ENTERPRISES.
Various milling enterprises, besides a few tanneries and dis- tilleries, have at different times been operated in this township; but since the development of the towns, all these enterprises have cen- tered there, except here and there a portable saw-mill may be found in the well wooded districts.
Probably the first grist-mill was a small corn-cracker, hardly worthy the name of a mill, that was run for a few years by James Hutchinson, in the south part of the township. A man by the name of Springer built a water mill on Hough's Creek, as early as 1816, but after a few years sold out to old Squire Morrison. After this Springer built a saw-mill on the same creek, and by permission of the board of county commissioners, built a dam which caused an overflow that inundated a large area of land. This caused the decay of a luxuriant growth of vegetation, which it is believed by many contributed largely to the disease and death of so many of the inhabitants of that vicinity. Whatever the cause, it is said that at that time more than one-half of all the inhabitants of Brownstown and vicinity died. John Ruddick
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
was probably the next to own a mill. This was a horse mill and stood about one hundred yards south of the new cemetery: he had but one set of buhrs and did the bolting by hand. This mill had a capacity of about fifty bushels a day. In 1818 the farm on which the mill stood was bought by Jacob Benton, and he thereby came in possession of the mill, which he operated for several years. The most important mill in this township, if not in the county at that time, was Crane's Mill, that was built at Elizabethtown, in the early part of the twenties; it was patronized by people from all parts of the country; there was a saw-mill run in connection for a short time. At various times in the history of this township there have been distilleries started to supply the home demand. The first was built on the Robert Weather's farm and had a capac- ity of about four or five barrels a year. In 1831 Dr. Wort built a large still house near the road leading from Brownstown to Vallonia. The grain was ground by a tread-mill, and about sixty bushels were consumed daily. It is said that the doctor lost about $2,000 in the enterprise.
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