History of Jackson County, Indiana, Part 37

Author: Brant & Fuller
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 759

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Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

EARLY CHURCHES.

The pioneer preacher, with no companion save the faithful horse he rode, came across the country without other guide than his knowledge of the cardinal points and made his appearance in the settlement above Dudleytown early in the twenties, and pos- sibly at a still earlier date. It is quite probable that the first sermon ever preached in what is now Washington Township was by a Baptist preacher, from either Washington or Clark County,

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by the name of McCoy. While passing through the settlement en route to some point north, he met some old acquaintance who induced him to stop for the night and preach. Messengers were sent to invite the neighbors, and on that night the first sermon was preached. (The old newspaper from which this was taken neither gives the exact date nor the place at which the meeting was held. ) A few years later a Baptist church was organized, but no house was built until some time in the thirties. This was an old log church which stood north of Dudleytown. The most prominent early families that belonged to the Baptist Church were the Kellars, Cumstocks, Blairs, Collinses, Briners, Bram- mers, Densfords, and some of the members of the Love family. The early preachers were Jesse Robinson, John Bell and William Gillaspy. The last named was the first to proclaim the missionary sentiments in the Brownstown Association. The advocacy of this doctrine brought upon him strong opposition, which at times almost led to persecution; but, ever zealous in support of what he believed to be right, he never ceased to advocate this doctrine until he had converted hundreds. After forty years of continu- ous labor for the cause of Christ he died, December 25, 1878.

Many of the settlers of the southern part of the township were members of the Mount Pleasant Class of Grassy Fork Town- ship. The Methodists had no organization in this township, but frequently held services at the residence of Edward Ballanger, William Anderson or Joseph Brown. The ministers from the Brownstown Circuit, Rev. Rutlage, Waller, Benton and Asa Beck, were the most prominent.

PANTHER HUNTING.

As told by Josiah Shewmaker: "Elisha Ruddick went out for & hunt in the autumn of 1819, on the banks of Horse Lick Branch, about four miles east of Brownstown, in Washington Township. There was a large thicket near the branch in which

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panthers were supposed to have a den. While he was strolling leisurely through the woods, he was startled by the rallying of hogs near the thicket, which quickly turned his course in the direction of the noise. When he came in sight he discovered two large panthers making war on the hogs. He determined to kill one if he could get in easy gunshot, which he did by crawl- ing upon his hands and knees to a log which would conceal him from view. When he reached the log he saw one of the pan- thers crawl up near the bed of a sow and pigs which the mother hog viciously chased for some distance. While the sow was in pursuit of one panther, the other would steal a pig, which they would come together and eat. This was the manner in which they would rob the hog of her brood. Elisha picked the larger panther, and at the crack of the gun it sprang eight feet high, and fell to the ground dead. He was then in possession of a pan- ther which measured, from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail, about nine feet."

DUDLEYTOWN.

Dudleytown was named in honor of James Dudley, by whom it was laid out April 12, 1837. The plat consisted of seventeen lots, 70x140 feet. The first house was built by Henry Leister, which was used for a dwelling and a store. Soon after, James Stephens embarked in the mercantile business, keeping a general stock of goods. Nathan Newby and William Weathers sold goods there a few years later. The first tavern was kept by Hardin Carter. This was called the Galt House, not because of its re- semblance to a house by the same name in Louisville, but was probably applied in derision. Mr. Starks, Peter L. Carter, Henry Otte and Jesse Robinson belong to the catalogue of merchants. The first physician was Dr. James Dudley; then came Dr. J. H. Greene, and at present there is Dr. Greene, Jr.

LANGDON, AND CHESTNUT RIDGE. These are both stations on the line of the Jeffersonville, Mad-

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ison & Indianapolis Railroad; the former is located near where the railroad crosses the West Fork of the Muscatatauk River. A water-mill was built near this place more than sixty years ago, by a man by the name of Langdon, and it was at this mill that the early settlers of Washington Township got most of their grind- ing done. Very little business has been done at this place, al- though there has been a store kept there for many years. Chest- nut Ridge is about two miles further north, near the line dividing Jackson and Washington Townships. The business that has been done heretofore is now practically abandoned. Saw-mills which have been operated in the section were the most important industry, and consequently a great deal of lumber has been shipped from this point. In the early part of the thirties John Love kept a small stock of goods at his residence on Chestnut Ridge, and James Shewmaker manufactured a sufficient quantity of whisky for home consumption.

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CHAPTER XV.

TOWNS-SEYMOUR, ITS FOUNDING AND EARLY HISTORY-EARLY BUILD- INGS-RAILROADS-EARLY BUSINESS MEN-NEWSPAPERS-PRESENT BUSINESS INTERESTS-SECRET SOCIETIES-CHURCHES-THE RENO BOYS-BROWNSTOWN SELECTED AS COUNTY SEAT-SALE OF LOTS- EARLY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS-INCORPORATION-CHURCHES- PRESS OF BROWNSTOWN-BUILDING AND LOAN-CROTHERSVILLE- SITUATION AND BUSINESS-CHURCHES. SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC .- MEDORA-BUSINESS INTERESTS-NEWSPAPERS-MURDER OF FLINN AND REYNOLDS, ETC.

SEYMOUR* derived its name from the chief contractor and civil engineer, Mr. Seymour, who had charge of and super- intended the construction of the Ohio & Mississippi Railway, from North Vernon, Ind., to St. Louis, Mo. The town was laid out April 27, 1852, by Meedy W. and Eliza P. Shields. The original plat embraced that part of the present city lying north of Cincinnati Avenue, south of Fifth Street, east of Indianapolis Avenue and west of Broadway. Within the boundary lines it was traversed east and west by Second, Third and Fourth Streets, and north and south by Ewing and Mill Streets, the latter running south only to Fourth Street. The plat included ten blocks and 100 lots, and was duly registered at Brownstown, the county seat.

The ground on which Seymour now stands was pre-empted or purchased as follows: James Shields, father of M. W. Shields, founder of the town, was granted by the Government 1,200 acres of land at an early day, about 1812, and placed in charge of the "block-house," a rude fortress erected and maintained for several years, on the ground lying just north of the city and now occu-

*The history of Seymour and the Reno Gang was compiled by Mr. L. M. Boland.

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pied by the Catholic cemetery. This grant included all land lying north of Seventh Street, in the present city plat.

The ground lying directly south, to what is now known as Bruce Street, was pre-empted or purchased from the Government by Joshua Moore. Seeing the advantages that would accrue from railroads, Mr. M. W. Shields purchased from Samuel Moore, his son, this tract of land, which was owned by the latter, about the year 1850. Butler's addition, comprising the greater part of the Fifth Ward of the city of.Seymour, was purchased direct from the Government at a merely nominal price by Charles Butler. The city of Seymour is located on a part of four separate sections, the corners of all meeting at the intersection of Brown and Wal- nut Streets. A parallel line, running south from the east side of the city cemetery on the north to Brown Street on the south, shows the northeastern part of the city located in the west half of Section 17, Township 6, Range 6. All lots and lands west of said parallel and north of Brown Street are located in Section 18, Township 6, Range 6. That part of the city lying south of Brown Street and mainly west of Walnut and known as Butler's addition, lies in Section 19, Township 6, Range 6. The fourth division is best known as Pfingst's addition, though much more than this addition is included in or encompassed by Section 20, of Jackson Township.

THE FIRST SETTLERS.

Among the first, if not the very first, of the actual settlers in Seymour was John Redinger, Sr., a shoe-maker by occupation who was the first person, after the town was laid out, to occupy an old frame building standing in Second Street, after that street was laid out, directly in front of the ground where J. B. Morrison's dry goods store now stands. Mr. Redinger erected a small frame dwelling, which still stands as the north wing to his saloon build- ing and hall. On his departure for his new home the old build-

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ing mentioned above, which had been the farm dwelling of Samuel Moore, was occupied by Thomas McCollum and wife, who kept the first public house or hotel ever kept in Seymour. After Mr .. McCollum abandoned this house for more commodious quarters, having built what is now known as the McLeland House, on Cin- cinnati Avenue, the old house was torn down by a Mr. Griffith, and moved to East Second Street, being a part of the present residence of Mrs. Sophronia Gibson. A small log house stood, in 1852, on the corner of Branch and Chestnut Streets, on the grounds now owned by Mrs. Harriet Ewing. These are doubt- less the first human habitations erected within the present city limits of Seymour. Travis Carter came to Jackson Township in September, 1852, and, until he could build, occupied a small log hut, which stood some distance north of the present city park, and beyond the present city limits. But for this fact he would be entitled to the honor of being the first actual settler within the town. In the winter of 1853 he built an "up and down" house of two rooms on Mill Street, which he occupied the following spring. Mr. Carter, who was a carpenter by occupation, soon afterward erected a building on the east side of Ewing Street, be- tween Sixth and Seventh. In this building was placed wool- carding machinery, which was propelled by horse power. This power was afterward used by Mr. Carter in the same building for dressing lumber, turning, etc.

Dr. John T. Shields completed the first new residence in Sey- mour. This house was a one-story frame, and stood on the lot now occupied by the residence of John Jonas, corner of Indian- apolis Avenue and Fourth Street. While this house was being built many other houses were in progress; hence it would be diffi- cult to name other buildings in successive routine. The first storehouse in Seymour was built by Henry B. Wools, and the honor of being Seymour's first merchant belongs to him. His storeroom was built on the southeast corner of Indianapolis

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Avenue and Fourth Street, and the same building, greatly en- larged and improved, is at present occupied as a residence by Joseph Kling. The second storehouse in Seymour was built by Meedy W. Shields, and was located four or five doors south of Second Street, on the east side of Indianapolis Avenue. The third storehouse in Seymour was erected by Dr. Hagens, who, with E. Cobb, conducted a drug store in the building now occu- pied by F. P. Hill's ale-house on Indianapolis Avenue.

SALE OF LOTS.

The first public sale of lots in Seymour took place Novem- ber 11, 1852, and Mr. Shields, the founder of the town, who had nothing to show as an inducement to investment but the projects of railroads (on paper) that were soon to come, was most hap- pily surprised at the eagerness of bidders. At that time the ground where the Ohio & Mississippi and Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis depots now stand, was a pond on which water stood nearly all the year, to a depth of several feet. The now well-known Jonas House corner was then the corner of a field which yielded abundant crops of wheat or corn each year. The greater part of what is now known as the First Ward was a dense forest, which was used as a woods pasture by Mr. Shields, the western boundary of which was de- fined by a rail fence, running about on the present line of Ewing Street.

A saw-mill built by M. W. Shields in the year 1852, and su- perintended by Stephen Adams, furnished the lumber used in the erection of most of the new houses built in Seymour during the years 1852 to 1855. This saw-mill stood just east of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railway and half way between Third and Fourth Streets, beside a ra- vine which is now covered by a culvert. An old dis- tillery, the property of Samuel Moore, which had stood on what

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is now the Ewing property, corner of Branch and Chestnut Streets, had been torn down previous to the laying out of the town.

RAILROADS.

In the summer of 1852 the Jeffersonville & Indianapolis Rail- way was completed north as far as Rockford and rapidly pushed from thence to Columbus. A rivalry had for some time existed between M. W. Shields, whose interests were in and near Seymour, and John J. Kester, who was a large property owner in and about Rockford, a village of 500 inhabitants, two miles north, each having contended for the coming of the then prospective Ohio & Mississippi Railroad through their respective towns. The sur- vey being completed and Mr. Shields being triumphant, it is not surprising that the denizens of Rockford, taking their cue from Mr. Kester, had no kindly feeling for their new though promising rival. Such influence as they could exert was brought to bear on the officials of the road, and, as a consequence trains did not stop at Seymour for nearly three years after the Jeffersonville & Indianapolis Railroad had been completed through the town. "Mule Crossing," as Seymour was derisively called, was tabooed by her jealous rival, and many and bitter were the personal quar- rels that grew out of this jealousy.

FIRST TRAIN ON THE OHIO & MISSISSIPPI.

June 29, 1854, Seymour donned her holiday attire to wel- come the long-wished-for coming of the Ohio & Mississippi Rail- way within her midst. A grand dinner was served by the ladies of the town, under a large wood-shed that stood just south of Cincinnati Avenue and opposite the Ream House, in honor of the officials and others who were to pass over the road that day for the first time. The day's enjoyment was seriously marred by a most sad incident: Upon a flat car, attached to the excursion train, was a cannon, which was manned by six men. On the

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train's arrival, a salute was fired, and an open keg of powder left standing on the car was ignited, when a terrific explosion took place. All the men on the car were blown off, two of them were killed outright, and the other four more or less seriously injured.

The road had been built from the east, and in its progress westward, which continued, the town profited greatly in furnish- ing supplies for the army of men employed. The "Jeff" Rail- road, as it is still called, persisted in its petty spite toward Seymour, refusing to stop even when flagged, thereby causing passengers to embark at Rockford, or at Farmington, an insig- nificant village two miles south. Capt. Shields found himself equal to this, as to many other trying emergencies. During the next session of the Legislature, of which body he was a member, he secured the passage of a bill compelling trains to stop at all railroad crossings. For this bill many other towns than Sey- mour, in Indiana, have had reasons to be thankful.

After the passage of this bill, the Jefferson & Indianapolis Company built a narrow platform opposite the residence of Joseph Kling, where they made brief halts for passengers, but provided no buildings for the accommodation of freight or passengers, for some years later. The small frame ticket office, still standing, was erected in 1858, about which time the two companies joined in the erection of the freight house still in use.

EARLY PROFESSIONAL MEN, TRADESMEN, ETC.

Dr. John Tipton Shields was the first physician in the town. He was soon followed by Dr. Hagen. Both came from Jennings County. Samuel W. Smith, deceased, was the first attorney. Robert M. Patrick came next. Thomas Whitson, who afterward held the office of mayor, was then also an attorney, but resided in the country. Lee B. Osborn was the first justice of the peace. John Redinger was the first shoe-maker, Travis Carter the first carpenter, Stephen Storey the first blacksmith, George A. K.

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Pomeroy the first harness-maker, and Lee B. Osborn the first tanner. One James M. Smith opened the first saloon in the town in October, 1853; but his success was shortlived. About a month after he opened, holes were bored upward through his floor, through which his "stock" made its escape. Thus ended his business.

A daughter of Jesse Smith was the first born in the town. John A. Carter was the first male child born here. A little daughter of John Redinger was the first to die. She fell into a vat of slacking lime while her father's house was being built, and the inhalation of its fumes caused her death.

HOTELS.

The house now occupied by H. Alwes & Son was the first brick building ever erected in the town. It was first used for a hotel or boarding-house. The McLeland House, on Cincinnati Avenue, was built by Mr. McCollum, in 1854. The same year, the Har- vey House, which stood directly north of the Ohio & Mississippi depot, was built by Joseph Newby. The old Faulkconer House, which was on the site of the Jonas House of to-day, was built by Mr. Jonas, in 1857.

POSTMASTERS.

Travis Carter was the first postmaster, and used an old family bureau for the reception and safe-keeping. Dr. Haynes was the second. Thomas McCollum was third, perhaps, but the office was in various hands, until 1861, when D. A. Kelly was commissioned by the new administration, by Mr. Lincoln. He was removed by Andrew Johnson in 1865, and was succeeded by J. F. Johnson. Benjamin Carter was commissioned postmaster in 1868, under Grant, but transferred the good-will of the same to Peter Platter, who was duly commissioned, holding the office eight years. L. M. Manis succeeded Mr. Platter, and is in charge at this time (Jan- uary 30, 1886).

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ADDITIONS.

The first addition to Seymour was recorded by Meedy W. Shields, August 29, 1854, and embraced that portion of the city lying between the Ohio & Mississippi Railway, and Tipton and its extension, High Street, east of Chestnut Street and west of Broadway. Shields' addition, recorded February 13, 1856, em- bracing three or four blocks lying south of High Street, and east of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railway. Shields' addition, recorded September 23, 1858; twelve blocks west of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railway, and both north and south of the Ohio & Mississippi Railway. Shields' addition, May 15, 1863; six blocks east of the original town plat, and north of the Ohio & Mississippi Railway. Various other minor additions were recorded by Mr. Shields, on the following dates : June 13, 1863; June 17, 1863; June 19, 1863; March 7, 1864; June 17, 1864; November 9, 1864. Butler's addition, September 24, 1863, blocks A, B, D, E, and F. Various other additions have been made to the city.

SCHOOLS.

The first schoolhouse erected for the accomodation of the children of Seymour, was built by Meedy W. Shields, at the cor- ner of Ewing and Fifth Streets, on the lot now owned by Mathias Freidman. This building was a frame, and contained three rooms, one above being used for church purposes, and two rooms below for schools. This town's progress being rapid, and its pop- ulation increasing apace, several other rooms were rented through- out the town for school purposes, between 1853, when this house was built, and 1860, when the first national census of the town was taken, which showed a population of 924. The old school building was destroyed by fire June 9, 1859, and a new, two-story brick school building was at once erected on the lot now occupied by John Sansterer's residence. Even this building, which was

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then regarded as commodious, was soon found to be inadequate to the demands, and after ten years of waiting, attended by more or less annoyance, in having to adopt any room attainable for the use of ward schools, the main portion of the present Shield's High School building was erected, being opened for the admis- sion of pupils from all parts of the city, in October, 1870. It con- tained six large and well-equipped rooms, and, despite past ex- perience, those were not wanting who were ready to censure the board for their extravagance in building so costly and extensive a structure, when there was no apparent requirement for such outlay. Their judgment was proven to be sadly at fault when, five years later, an addition of six large rooms, the south portion of the present building, was erected at a cost aggregating about $10,000. The same year a large and comfortable school build- ing was erected on the south side, for the use of colored children and is still found ample for their use. Good as the school facili- ties appeared, they were still found inadequate, with added years. In 1872 the enumeration, between six and twenty-one years, was 875; in 1876, 1,231; and in 1881, 1,528. It will now, doubtless exceed 2,000. In 1881 the Laurel Street building, situated in the southern part of the town, was erected. This house contains four large rooms. The Park School building was begun in 1885, and is almost ready for occupancy. This is similar in size to the Laurel Street building. Another building, of like proportions, is already in contemplation, to be erected in the southeastern part of the city.

The present school board consists of F. M. Swope, Albert P. Charles and Christian C. Frey. The corps of teachers consists of sixteen persons, with William S. Wood as superintendent. The financial affairs of the schools are in a sound and prosperous state, and the management throughout gives universal satisfaction.

TOWN AND CITY GOVERNMENT.

June 7, 1862, when Seymour contained a population of 1,158,

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a petition, signed by 103 persons, was presented to the county commissioners, praying for a special election to decide upon incor- porating the village. The election was held in Justice McCol- lum's office June 30, but the incorporation party was defeated. In March, 1864, a like petition was presented to the board, signed by 130 persons. The town then contained 1,553 souls. An elec- tion was ordered and held at Dr. S. H. Charlton's office, April 6, 1864, when the proposition for incorporation was carried almost unanimously. The board of election was Maj. J. J. Cummins and Phillip Langel, judges, and Francis W. Brown, clerk. The town was duly incorporated June 22, 1864, the following officers hav- ing been chosen: Robert Pattison, president; James L. Gardi- ner, Asa B. Carter, F. Duhme, John J. Frey, trustees; Smith Crabb, clerk; George E. Greene, marshal; James A. Thompson. A town election was held May 1, of the following year, resulting in the election of the following officers: Clerk, S. H. Huffman; treasurer, James L. Gardiner; marshal and assessor, John Steg- ner; board of trustees, R. Pattison, Thomas L. Ewing, John J. Frey, H. Thomas and Asa B. Carter.

June 24, 1864, a city charter was obtained and the first off- cers to serve were George Greene, mayor; Stephen Storey, mar- shal; A. A. Davison, clerk; Abel Findley, treasurer; Andrew J. Hamilton, assessor; E. S. Berry, Thomas L. Ewing, Christian Frey, John J. Frey, Dr. Hollingsworth, Thomas Hanley, Henry Massmann, Robert Pattison, G. W. Parsley and Simeon Stock- dell, councilmen. Alexander A. Davison was the second mayor of the city. Thomas Whitson and S. W. Holmes, deceased, served as mayor, as did also Albert P. Charles and D. W. John- son, each three terms. Reuben F. Everhart was elected in May, 1884. Among the present residents of the city who served as councilmen since its incorporation, and who are not already men- tioned, are John C. Groub, John Staudt, James Kennedy, Frank Williams, J. H. Andrews, Charles Leininger, D. W. Johnson, J.

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T. Shields, John Humes, James H. Robinson, John A. Goodall, Joseph Balsley, Louis Schafer, William Christopher and others. Phillip Langel served as treasurer and George Slagle as mar- shal. Benjamin F. Price, present county auditor, served as city clerk for a number of years.

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History of Jackson County, Indiana, Part 37

Author: Brant & Fuller Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Number of Pages: 759

Author: Brant & Fuller
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 759