History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 58

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954

USA > Indiana > Orange County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 58
USA > Indiana > Washington County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 58
USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 58

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).

PRESENT BUSINESS INTERESTS.

Dry Goods-A. J. Rhodes, W. F. Osborn, J. M. Andrew, Stout Brothers. These firms also have groceries, boots and shoes, notions, etc. Drugs-L. S. Bowles, Gabbert & Hudelson, J. H. Sherrod. Furniture -B. D. Riley & Son, John R. Simpson & Sons. Grocers-E. H. McVey. King & Bro., Robert White, Braxtan Bros. Harness-B. M. Lingle. Hardware-B. D. Riley & Son. Milliners-Mrs. Rachel Will- iams, Boring Sisters, Mrs. L. E. King, Miss Ellen Dayhuff. Barbers- John V. Noblitt, William McCarthy. Wagon and Blacksmith Shops- Dickey & Stout, Alfred Mc Vey and Jacob Schneider. Contractor-William Johnson. Lumber Yard-A. J. Rhodes. Shoemakers-Sebastian Kuri, W. F. Hoppe, A. H. Love. Marble Shop-Love & Carroll. Livery -- Elisha Braxtan, A. J. Rhodes, T. J. Hunt. Photographer-George Coquilette. Agricultural Implements-B. D. Riley & Son, Stout Bros. Jeweler-J. W. Hollingsworth. Saloons-G. W. Felkner. Tailors- W. L. Worrell, Mr. Swallow. Grist-mill-King & Stucker. Carding- mill-King & Stucker. Saw-mills-John R. Simpson Cox Brothers. Newspapers-Paoli News, Hon. J. L. Megenity, editor; Paoli Republi- can, Joseph P. Throop, editor. Hotels-Sherrod House, Dayhuff Honse, Rhodes House, Hunt House. Lawyers-T. B. Buskirk, M. S. Mavity, William Farrell, Abraham Noblitt, William Throop, Joseph P. Throop, George A. Buskirk, J. L. Megenity. Physicians-U. H. Hon, Laban Lindley. L. S. Bowles, J. H. Sherrod. Dentists-B. T. Rad- cliff, C. W. Pinnick. Restaurant-William Bagley.

TOWN OF ORLEANS.

The town of Orleans, in Orleans Township, claims the distinction of being the oldest laid-out town in Orange County. The original plat of the town was recorded at Salem, Ind., while Orange was a part of Wash- ington County, and Indiana yet a Territory. It was dated March 11, 1815, and signed by William McFarland and Samuel Lewis as owners of the land, and by Samuel Alexander as Surveyor. This plat shows the original town to have six streets running east and west, named Vincennes, Main, General Coffee, Washington, Jackson and Wayne, and seven run- ning north and south, named Cherry, Kerr, Alexander, Sugar, Congress, Lemon and Lindley. There were forty-eight full squares of eight lots 31

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each and one tier of eight half squares, on the north side, making in all 416 lots. The following is a copy of the record:

Plan of the town of Orleans, Indiana Territory. as laid out within the county of Washington, upon the southwest quarter of Section 30, of Township 3 north, of the base line in Range 1 east, of the second principal meridian line, of the lands directed to be sold at Jeffersonville. References: Each lot in the town of Orleans, Indiana Territory. is 80x160 feet, and each street 60 feet wide. and each alley 10 feet wide. Congress Square is composed of Lots Nos. 167, 168, 169, 170, 195, 196, 197 and 198 to remain for the purpose of erecting any building for county, Territory or State. or deemed necessary by citizens of the town. The streets and alleys to remain as open and common highways forever, excepting where they pass within the limits of Congress Square where they become a part. No part of Congress Square ever to be appropriated as a burying-ground. March 11. 1815.

'Test: SAMUEL ALEXANDER,

Surveyor. WILLIAM MCFARLAND. SAMUEL LEWIS.

Two months before this time, on the Sth of January, Gen. Jackson had achieved his famous victory over the British at New Orleans, and in honor of that event the patriotic founders and pioneers of the new town christened it Orleans. The first house on the present site of the town is said to have been built by Samuel Lewis, and as saw-mills had not yet found their way to this frontier, it was made of logs. It was used as a tavern for several years, where the wants of weary pilgrims to this Western World could be supplied, and where at night before the blazing fire they were beguiled with marvelous tales of the new country's wonders and advantages. Soon after this came John Steers, who launched the first commercial bark on this ocean wilderness. And a tiny craft it was, too. Built of logs and stocked with the pioneer's necessities, and gaudy notions to attract the occasional savages that yet lingered reluctant to quit their early hunting ground. what a contrast this first store of Orleans pre- sents to those of the present day. It is said that the first blacksmith was William Redfield, who came among the earliest settlers and followed his trade in all its branches, from gun-mendin ; to horse-shoeing. The first grave at Orleans was dug in' 1816, for a man named Festerman, a Ger- man, whom the icy hand of death had rudely seized. The reign of Hymen extends equally to the remote dwellers on the frontier and to the luxurious resident of the city. The first matrimonial act in the infant town was that of John B. Moyer and a Miss Misenhamer, in the year 1S16, and it was an undoubted case of "love in a cottage." The first schoolhouse was a log one, built it is said, in 1823, and MIr. S. B. A. Carter was the first teacher. In this house and under this instruction many of the chil- dren were educated in the primitive manner of the time, and they after. ward came to be among the best and influential citizens of their commu- nity.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

In 1817 Mr. Lewis built a small brick house and Messrs. Hardin & Kimbley erected the first frame in 1822. Being situated in a happy and

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fertile district the new town grew rapidly, and for a time bid fair to be one of the principal places in southern Indiana. Merchants came with new stores and new goods, mechanics brought their skill and industry, and the professions had here their early representatives. Two men who went far toward building up the commercial interests of the town were Benjamin and Ezekiel Blackwell, two brothers, that were long among the foremost men here. As early as 1823 they were actively engaged in mer- chandising. William McLane conducted an early store. How different was the method of carrying on business in that day from the ways of the present. Then the hunter or farmer brought in his peltry or products of the soil. and received in exchange for them the merchant's wares. Each merchant bought all kinds of produce, and when sufficient was received they were hauled by wagun to Louisville. Now the producers sell their products to men who make a spcialty of a particular kind. and get cash in return. They then go to stores and buy for cash what they want, where only that article is kept. In 1823 Benjamin Webb was doing quite an extensive mercantile trade, and in 1827 Kimbley & Moyer and Burton Sutherland were in business. the latter having one of the old-time " groceries " that bring many pleasing recollections to life's gray- haired veterans, who still haunt their boyhood's scenes and dwell with emphasis on the bygone sobriety of mankind. Another of these groceries was kept by Freeman Wright, from 1829 to 1831, and perhaps longer. Others who engaged in keeping these stores, where liquor was the order of the day, were Abner and Jeremiah Wilson and Samuel Hogen, in 1832, Thomas Busick in 1840 and several years prior, James Ware in 1839 and before, and William Teal in that year. In 1840 were Gabriel P. Busick and William Field. Thomas B. C. Taylor in 1844, and L. J. Kimbley in 1846. A considerable excitement was created in 1848, when one of the Busick men applied to the County Commissioners for a license. Several of the citizens of Orleans remonstrated, but after a hot contest a license was finally granted. Other merchants have been Moyer & Hasler, 1828-29; Henry Lingle, 1831; Charles Glover, 1834; Fulton & Bradley, 1838; Bradley & Allen, 1842; J. C. Busick, 1842; J. &. J. B. Moyer, 1839; B. & J. B. Webb, 1839-40, and many others of prominence, among whom may be mentioned Col. William MeLane, who afterward went to Lawrence County and became one of its foremost merchants; the firm of Walker & Richards, that succeeded Bradley & Allen, about the year 1854: Lynch Brooks and John G. Huff.

MILLS OF ORLEANS.

Samuel Lynd is said to have built the first mill in Orleans about the year 1830. It was an old style horse-mill, and was used for some time. He was instrumental in the erection of the first steam.mill, although he was not the entire owner. This continued to do the business for several

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years, and was superseded by the present mill which was built about 1857 or 1858 by Eli Wright & Brothers, who, after operating it for six or seven years, sold out to Mr. John Chenoweth, the present owner and pro- prietor. He has frequently repaired and remodeled it so that it is now one of the best mills in the country, and equipped with all necessary modern machinery. About ten years ago a large steam grist and saw- mill was built by Mr. Newton Turley. This did a very extensive busi- ness in both grinding and sawing, and was considered one of the model mills in southern Indiana. It was totally destroyed by fire in 1883, and has not since been rebuilt.

PRESENT BUSINESS MEN.

The following is a full list of the different persons and firms with their respective businesses now in Orleans, and will give a tolerably accu - rate idea of the present commercial status of the town: W. L. Reed, dry goods and hardware; John D. Carter, dry goods and notions: Walker & Son, dry goods, boots and shoes, and groceries; J. B. Gifford, dry goods and groceries; C. A. Conder, J. T. King & Co. and T. R. Webb, groceries; John Gonichio, restaurant and confectionery; J. H. Bowles and David Hardman, drugs; Mrs. L. C. Alers and Miss Lizzie Webb, milliners; Cox & Taylor and John Oches, furniture; Merriman & Mallory, carriages and agricultural implements; S. J. Glover, wagon-maker; John Ficklin, William Carter and Miller Girkin, blacksmiths; Reynolds & Co., saw- mill; John Chenoweth, grist-mill and wool-carding; Salyards & Son and Albertson & Nugent, marble dealers; J. C. Hattabaugh, Charles H. Keeth and Henry Heil, boots and shoes; Oliver Turley, harness and saddles; J. H. Steers, Union Hotel; W. H. Graves, Phoenix Hotel and livery; J. Stanley, Stanley House; Newton Turley, dealer in general produce; Love Brothers, livery; W. F. Brewer, jeweler; J. Henson and M. A. Ashley, barbers; E. D. Laughlin, R. W. Lingle, B. J. Hon and May, physicians; J. J. Lingle and Thomas G. Mahan, attorneys; Emmett Harris, editor of Eraminer.

INCORPORATION.

Orleans was incorporated as early as the year 1829, and Ezekiel Black. well was first President of the Board of Trustees. The town was too small. however, to support these municipal expenses, and all effort at maintaining its incorporation was soon abandoned. It is said that at this time the town contained only about thirty-five houses. A second incorpora- tion was effected in the fall of 1865. the election to decide the question of corporation or no corporation being on the 3d of October in that year, with David L. Barker, John Laswell and W. B. McDonald Judge and Inspectors. There were seventy-five votes cast in all, sixty-one for and fourteen against incorporating. On the 4th of December following the Board of County Commissioners declared it duly incorporated, and on

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the 22d of the same month an election was held for officers. This resulted in electing the following persons as Trusteen for the First, Sec- ond, Third, Fourth and Fifth Wards respectively: A. W. Gray, John Vestal, Henry Lingle, Samuel H. Glenn and Elbert Jeter. David L. Barker was elected Clerk und Treasurer, and Thomas N. Collins, Marshal and Assessor. Immediately after this the Trustees met and were sworn by James W. Webb, a Notary Public, and organized by electing Samuel H. Glenn President of the Board. They then adjourned until December 29, at which time they met and passed several important ordinances, the first one of which was " for protecting public morality, order and safety;" the second "for regulating and protecting streets, alleys, sidewalks, shade trees, etc .; " the third "regulating licenses and providing a penalty for the violation thereof." Forty printed copies of these were ordered, and on January 15, 1866, the Board met to inspect these copies and the record. The meetings of this first Board were held in the shop of David L. Barker. The first annual election was held May 8, 1866, with the following result: Trustees, Thomas Elrod, John Ves- tal. Henry Lingle, S. H. Glenn and G. H. Hon; Clerk and Treasurer, David L. Barker; Marshal and Assessor, Samuel Lingle. Marshal Collins reported having received $34 on license, and the Treasurer reported having received $30, and paid out $69.15, leaving the town in debt to him the sum of $39.15. At the first meeting of the new Board, May 14, 1866. a tax of 25 cents on the $100, and 25 cents on each poll was ordered to be levied and collected " for the purpose of building a lock-up, and other contingent expenses during the ensuing year." The next record of a Board meeting was in October following, when the Marshal reported $91.02 his collections, and the Treasurer was instructed to promptly collect all unpaid taxes, and to "defend in court the suit appealed by Joseph Kauffman from the Justice of the Peace, and if nec- essary to employ an attorney for the same."

At the election in 1867 the same officers were re-elected, excepting S. B. A. Conder in place of Marshal Lingle. About this time a lethargy fell over the municipality, and for a time it seemed that the town organi- zation was about to expire. This continued until 1871, when the next election after the one just spoken of occurred. At that time Jacob H. Stephens, John Chenoweth, William C. R. Kemp, Thomas D. Lindsey and Jeptha S. Jeter were chosen Trustees. John J. Lingle, Clerk and Treasurer, and Charles L. Freeman. Marshal and Assessor. This Board met at the shop of Jeter & Irwin. electing William C. R. Kemp, Presi- dent. F. A. Sears, A. F. Allen and S. B. A. Conder were appointed as School Trustees, but Allen declining. H. Lingle was appointed in his place. In April. 1573, the town was re-districted into three wards instead of five, as before. and each Trustee thereafter elected was to receive 25 cents for each Board meeting he was in attendance. Under the new

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order John D. Carter, Thomas N. Taylor and Volney T. Moore were Trustees. with Taylor as President.

SCHOOLHOUSE BONDS.

On February 27, 1874, it was ordained by the Board of Trustees "that there be procured fifty $100 bonds for the payment of the school building situated on the public square, principal and interest payable at Orleans, Ind. Interest at 6 per cent per annum." This building was erected in 1864 on what is known in the original plat of the town as Congress Square. It was done by a stock company, or it might almost be said, by public subscription, the cost being $9.000. It was generally considered at the time of purchase by the town to be something of a bargain a $5,000. The last of this debt was paid in 1880, amounting at that time to $1,276.41. So rapid and prompt a payment as this is a thing not often noticed in the history of towns. The time was less than six years, which would make over $1,000 yearly, counting the interest -- a large sum for a town of this size to turn off each year besides its other current expenses. The present School Trustees are Thomas R. Webb, J. H. Steers and Thomas G. Mahan.

OTHER PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

There are two wells in the town that are kept up by public money. One of these is at the corner of Mr. Salyard's property in the northwest part of town, and the other is at the southeast corner of the public square. In March 1979 G. W. Sutherland was awarded the contract for putting 100 shade trees on Seminary Square for $35. The wisdom of this is manifest, for the yard already presents a beautiful and alluring scene, contrasting agreeably with the surrounding bustle of business. In June, 1882, Dr. R. W. Lingle was elected Secretary of the Board of Health, and after serving with satisfaction for one year, was re-elected by a full vote of the Board. Benton J. Hon was for several years Clerk and Treasurer, and his signature to the town records is a familiar sight on nearly every page, recording the transactions of the Board while he beld that office. The present Trustees are E. W. Moore, J. J. Cox and E. J. Salyards, the first acting as President. Mr. Charles E. Allen is the efficient and accommodating Clerk.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Orleans Lodge, No. 153. was chartered a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons May 25, 1853. For eleven months prior to this it had been working under a dispensation, with John M Riley, W. M .; John Baker, S. W., and William Craig. J. W., but when the charter was granted, John Baker was made W. M., William W. Manning S. W., and Thomas W. Knocks J. W. In addition to these five gentlemen, J. B. Hamilton, Wolfe Braun, Jolin White. J. J. Salyards and Henry Lingle

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were members at the organization, making ten in all. This lodge was at one time large and flourishing. but owing to many members moving away it has been greatly reduced in numbers and finances. The present membership is twenty-five, among them being the following as officers: Edwin D. Laughlin, W. M .; Jeruel Leonard, S. W .; Jacob C. Woner, J. W .: Jesse A. Irvine, Treas. ; Thomas R. Webb, Sec. The total en- rollment in this lodge is 170, and of these 120 have been made Masons by it.

Orleans Lodge, No. 296, of I. O. O. F., was organized November 29, 1867, with five charter members, W. C. R. Kemp, John D. Carter, S. B. A. Conder, W. F. Cloud and N. W. Britton. Eight persons were ini. tiated on the first night of meeting, and from that time to the present this lodge has prospered in numbers and finances, having initiated 108 persons in all. It owns a nice cemetery and has $1,500 at interest. W. C. R. Kemp was the first Noble Grand, that office being now filled by J. W. Higgins. Mr. H. T. Allen is the present Vice Grand, and W. C. R. Kemp, Permanent Secretary.

About the year 1849 an organization of the Sons of Temperance was effected, and nearly contemporaneous with this was one of the Daugh- ters of Temperance. These existed for seven or eight years, and then expired. Beginning about the year 1855, the order of Good Templars had an up and down life here until 1870, but since that year no temper- ance society has been in existence at Orleans. On this account, how- ever, it must not be concluded that it is not a temperate community, for it is as much or more so than most towns of its size. It now has but one saloon.

An organization of the Grand Army of the Republic was effected October 25. 1883, and was called Custer Post, No. 252. The following were the charter members: Stephen J. Glover, W. H. Pickler, M. V. Mallory. Abel Murray, William Brown, Thomas J. Bringle, Francis M. Johnson, Charles Sutherland, Reed C. Moore, D. W. Lee, Allen E. Tal- bott, John J. Cox, Volney T. Moore, John W. Ficklin and John Moore. Stephen J. Glover was the first Commander, Allen E. Talbott, Sr. V. C., and John W. Ficklin, Jr. V. C. The present officers are the same, except- ing Thomas G. Mahan in place of Allen E. Talbott. In April, 1884, the name of the Post was changed to Spicely instead of Custer. The present membership is seventy five, and it is in a good and healthy con. dition: is out of debt, and has money in the treasury.

NEWSPAPERS AT ORLEANS.

The first newspaper at Orleans was established in 1851 by Giles Smith and John Baker, and was called the Commercial Review. It was neutral in politics with strong Whig tendencies, Mr. Smith being the publisher, and Mr. Baker, a man of bright intellect, the editor. These

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men conducted it with success until 1853 (February), when Mr. Baker resumed the practice of law.

The next enterprise of this nature was in 1854 and 1855, when W. L. Green published the Lost River Bulletin. This, too, was of but short duration here, for it was soon after moved to Paoli. A third effort to maintain a newspaper at Orleans was in 1877, when the Orleans Journal was begun as an Independent paper. Like its predecessors, it came to an untimely end after several changes in owners. The paper now pub- lished at Orleans is the Examiner. This was established in July, 1879, by H. J. Cooper, and has always been an ardent supporter of Republican principles. It is what is known as a five-column quarto, and was con- ducted by its founder until August, 1883. At that time it was purchased by Emmett Harris, who has since that date increased its circulation from 400 to 700, and improved the paper in both matter and "make-up." After so many efforts a paper has at length been permanently fixed as an addition to the enterprises of the town, and its esteemed and gentle- manly editor is worthy of the support of all citizens in the county.

PHYSICIANS AT ORLEANS.

Probably the first physician at Orleans was Dr. Lynch Brooks, who came sometime in the twenties, and was for many years one of ita lead- ing citizens. Besides his practice, which was of the regular backwoods kind, he did considerable business in merchandising. Those old-time whims about " bleeding " for every ailment of humanity, and animality, too, for that matter, are gone and now considered among the things to be classed in the list of the "twin relics." Instead of the old style pocket lance with which every "doctor" was armed, and which answered every use of both cathartic and emetic, the modern "physician" comes with a fever thermometer and a bottle of quinine. That the earlier way was the easier on the patients there can be but little doubt, for then it was either get well or bleed to death-in either case getting rid of the doctor for a time. Now the feeble are not so fortunate, for by the skill of the physician they neither get well nor get sick, but that indispensable individual they have with them always. After Dr. Brooks came Drs. Prosser, Riley, Henry Lingle, Hoover. Wakefield, Charles and James Pearson, Tucker, and those of the present time who are elsewhere men. tioned in this work.

THE RAILROAD.

The only railroad at Orleans is the Louisville, New Albany & Chi- cago. This was built through the town in the winter of 1851-52, and was at that time called the New Albany & Salem Railroad. That was a time when railroads were comparatively in their infancy and ere many of the modern inventions were known that now hurry the commerce of a nation along with such impetuous velocity. The rails were of the old

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fashioned flat bar kind, and a trip to Louisville in a half day was then thought to be swift traveling. To secure the road at Orleans the citizens gave $40,000, all by private subscription, which, considering the time and size of the town, was a remarkably large amount. The largest donor to this sum was Benjamin Blackwell who gave $3,000. Many others gave liberally. among whom was the firm of Bradley & Allen, at that time doing the largest trade, it is said, that was ever done in the town. On account of having this railroad, Orleans is the most important town in Orange County in a business point of view. Being the only station of any consequence it is the real outlet for nearly all the produce in the county.

ORLEANS AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Under this name a society was organized at Orleans in 1880. It is a stock company with a membership of sixty and shares at $25 each. The objects of the organization were "to improve the breed of live stock and the quality of seed sown, to cultivate a spirit of rivalry or rather emula. tion among the farmers and mechanics, and to educate the people to appreciate the advantages of our goodly country and to make it blossom as the rose." Among the prominent and active founders were Benjamin F. Turley. Dr. E. D. Laughlin, Gen. W. T. Spicely, Newton Turley and John J. Lingle. The association has held four successful annual fairs, and the gross receipts for each year have been about $2,500. It is in a prosperous and flourishing condition and bids fair to be one of the last- ing and beneficial institutions of the county. The present officers are: S. R. Tegarden, President: J. T. Monyhan, Vice- President; Henry T. Allen, Treasurer; Henry Reed, Secretary, and G. T. Wright, Superin - tendent.

NEWTON STEWART.

The third town in the county, both in size and in business impor- tance. is Newton Stewart, in the extreme south of Jackson Township near the county line, on the northwest quarter of Section 27, Township 1 south. Range 2 west. Patoka Creek flows by this town, and furnishes abundant water.power for the mills that have occasion to be built there. The grist-mill now in operation is owned by Samuel and Reuben Brown, who bought it in 1879. This is the same one built by the Fosters in 1856, on the site of the old Lewis Allen mill. It is now valued at about $2.000. The town was laid out April 17, 1839. by William and Henry Stewart, at that time having sixty eight lots, but in December, 1868, seventy-two lots were added, and are known as Shoulder's Addition. To theirown name the Stewarts are said to have added the name of their birthplace in Ireland, making the full name of the town Newton Stewart. They were the first merchants of the place, and are said to have begun about 1835 with a stock of general merchandise. Stephen Elkins was their immediate successor, and remained in trade for some time. As

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History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 58

Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 199-?] Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.] Number of Pages: 954

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954