History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 7

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 7
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 7
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 7

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).

Jesse Gilstrap, 1820; William Clark, 1820; Adam Helton. 1820; William J. Anderson, 1818; Arnold Helton, 1818; E. Terrill, 1820: Heirs of Abraham Martin, 1820; Rene Julin, 1818; R. Brooks, 1820; Samuel Gwathney, 1820; Joseph Dayton, 1816; Joseph Trimble. 1820; E. Parr. 1820; Edmund Garrison, 1820; James Mundell, 1816: John MeClellan, 1820: David Mckinney, 1816; Edward Moore, 1820; Cuth- bert and Thomas Bullitt, 1820; Vana Wilson, 1817; Jacob Woolery, 1820; Edward Tewell. 1820; John N. Nichols, 1817.

This is less than one purchase for every two sections of land. and some of the persons making these were not inhabitants of the township. It must not be supposed, however, that this list includes all the residents up to that time, for it does not. There were then a large number of squatters located here, who made up the larger share of the population. Soon after this time, however, a more permanent and substantial class began to settle here, and not many years elapsed before nearly the whole township was purchased from the Government.

EARLY MILLING.

The early settlers were at first compelled to do a large part of their milling at Lawrenceport, on the river in the southern portion of the county. There were a few early horse-mills in this section, but the work done by them was of such an inferior kind, the task of going a long distance to mill was preferred to that of the shorter route and the poor grinding. On the farm now owned by Lewis Foster there was a horse- mill kept by Mitchell, which for a few years did considerable of the neighborhood grinding. A water mill was built on Leatherwoud Creek, some time prior to 1830, probably by Adam Helton. This was on the farm now owned by Marcus Reid, but after a few years of spasmodic usefulness it was washed away and was not again fitted for work. There were several others along the various creeks in the township, but on account of the scarcity of water they were only able to grind as a thun- der-storm would sweep across the land, and replenish the supply of water long enough to grind out a few grists, after which they would relapse into idleness until the elements again called them into action.

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Early settlers here were all skilled in the hunter's arts. Starting out on a journey to any part of the adjoining country, the rifle was a con stant companion of the pioneer. Even when plodding to and from his daily labor in the fields he took the precaution to have his gun in handy access, lest some unwary animal of the forest should make its appearance upon the scene and he be unprepared to punish it with death for the intrusion. Wild game furnished much of the daily fare that supplied the table of the first and hardy citizens of these woody wilds. Wild game was a considerable article of produce that would be converted through the channels of trade into articles of necessity for the family's use. Deer ** saddles " were staple articles of trade at the country stores, and almost a medium of exchange among the denizens of the forests. They were shipped to the populous cities, where they graced the dining table of the rich, and in this manner brought back returns to the dis- tant inhabitants of the frontier whose skill and labor had combined to rob the forest of its proudest dweller.

Along Salt Creek in more early times. distilleries were an institution of common occurrence. One of the principal in the township was kept by William Clark, familiarly called " Billy." This was the frequent resort of the people, with their "little brown jugs," for in those days whisky was considered an article ulmost as necessary in the household as bread. Another was kept by John Hunter for several years, on the farm now owned by his son John.

A tan-yard was kept by Isaac Cruthers for many years, and consider- able business was done in that line. But from tanning skins, which is something of an unpleasant occupation, Isaac went to tanning souls after the Baptist style. Whether his success is equal to that of his former years and business cannot now be stated in the absence of any testimony on that point from the gentleman himself.

COUNTERFEITERS.

Several years ago a portion of an organized band of counterfeiters was supposed to have their residence, and probably their headquarters for business, in this section of the county. Suspicion pointed to several persons residing in this township as among the ringleaders in this affair. but the actual and positive evidence was wanting. A police organiza- tion of Regulators was made in order to ferret out the criminals, but proved of little avail. At the hands of this organization, however, a man named George Crider was severely punished as being one of the sup- posed leaders in counterfeiting, but this seemed to have no valuable effect, as he remained in the community long after, and with habits unchanged. A large number of stolen horses were traced from Kentucky and other parts to the hills in and around this part of the world, and all further clue was lost. This, however, has long since passed away, and no part

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

of the county is more distinguished for its peaceful and law-abiding cit- izens than is Pleasant Run Township.

EARLY OFFICERS.

The first elections were held at the house of Joseph Dayton, with Thomas Henton, Inspector. The poor, who, we are assured. will be always with us, were looked after by William Fish and Drury Mobley as Overseers. Beyond this, both early records and recollections fail to tell who were the township officers.

SHAWSWICK TOWNSHIP.

Perhaps the most important township in Lawrence County is Shaws. wick. Situated in the central part of the county, it is watered on the south by the East Fork of White River, and on the west by the next most important stream in the county, Salt Creek. Flowing entirely across it from northeast to southwest is Leatherwood Creek, along which is the best farming and agricultural land within the bounds of the county. The tract through which this small, yet useful stream courses, is known far and near as the " Leatherwood District." and famed for its abun- dant harvests and prosperous farmers. From the earliest settlement in the county this has been an important and valuable portion. Some of it is hilly and broken, but a large part is more gently rolling and better adap. ted to active cultivation of the soil. Nearly all the land lying to the east of Bedford is in a high state of cultivation, and improvements on farms indicate a prosperity exceeding any other place in the county. Competing strongly with this " Leatherwood District " for the first place in advancement and material wealth is the " bottom" land along White River. Perhaps it even excels in fertility, but later improvements by way of draining have rendered the overflows of the river treacherous and uncertain, and making it more than usually hazardous in raising crops on land subject to be thus flooded. The appreciation of the carly settlers for this land in Shawswick Township will be seen by comparing the fol- lowing list of land entries with those made in some other portion of the county of about equal area, as, for instance. Pleasant Run Township covering the same period of time: Samuel Mitchell, 1818; James Man- dell, 1816; Jacob Hikes, 1820; Cuthbert and Thomas Bullitt, 1520; Dison Brown, 1817 and 1820; T. . McAfee, 1819; Roger Mck night, 1820: Samuel Lindley, 1816; Jacob Geiger, 1820; Bartholomew Thatcher, 1820; Fetler and Hughes, 1820; Michael Johnson, 1S19; R. Bowles, 1819: Phillip Starr, 1820; David Johnson, 1817; Thomas Thompson, 1817: Jobn Horton, 1817; J. Thompson, 1820; Pleasant Padgett. 1818; Lewis Woody. 1818; James Blair, 1819 and 1818; James Allen, 1820; Jonathan Henderson, 1820; Isaac Jamison, 1820; Samuel Gwathney, 1820; Thomas Maffith. 1820; Melcher Fehgelman, 1817; Ezekiel Blackwell, 1816: James Pace, 1820; Hiram Kilgore. IS16; Charles Kilgore, 1816; Preston

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Beck. 1816; William Bristoe, 1816; Andrew Owen, 1818; James Denson; 1819: James Riggins, 1818; Mark Tully, 1818; Thomas Hill, 1820; William Denson, 1818; Stephen Shipman, 1818; Absalom Hart, 1818; Jacob Clark, 1820; Abraham Mitchell, 1818; Robert Whitley, 1817; Vin- son Williams, 1817; Reuben and Simpson Kilgore, 1816; John Spears, 1815; Peter Galbert, 1817; Martin Ribelin, 1817; Joseph James. 1819, David Wilson, 1818; Timothy Ward, 1818; William Dougherty, 1817; John Hawkins, 1817; Arta Garrison, 1818; Thomas McMannus, 1817; Marguis Knight, 1816; Ross and McDonald, 1817; Joseph Glover, 1816; James Gregory, 1816, John Hays, 1816; James Maxwell, 1817; William Thornton, 1816; Samuel Dougherty, 1817; Ebenezer McDonald, 1818; Robert Dougherty, 1817; Alexander Butler, 1817; William Foot, 1816; John Gardner, 1816; Fetler and Hughes, 1818; George Silver, 1817; Peter Harmonson, 1818: James Erwin, 1818; Thomas Elrod, 1817; Roger Mcknight. 1817; Jacob Castleman, 1817; John Williams, 1816; Henry McGree, 1818; James Owens, 1819: Thomas Allen, 1817; William Fisk. 1816.

ORGANIZATION AND NAMING.

Shawswick was one of the original five townships that were created at the organization of the county in 1818. It is said that its peculiar name had its origin in the following manner: There had been an early judge in this portion of the State named Wick, who had in this county many admirers, and who insisted that the township should be named in his honor, Wick. One of the County Commissioners at that time was named Beazeley, who had a comrade by the name of Shaw killed in the battle of Tippecanoe, and he with some others advocated the name of Shaw for the township. As a compromise between the two parties a combination of the two names was made. and the township was named Shawswick.

SOME OF THE FIRST OFFICERS.

The first elections were probably held at Palestine until that town was abandoned some seven or eight years later. Pleasant Parks was appointed Inspector of the first election, but in the following year Will- iam Kelsey was chosen to fill that position. Joshua Taylor and James Mundle were in the same year chosen as Guardians of the Poor for the township. It was then thought necessary in order to maintain the majesty of the law in the township to have for that purpose three Con- stables to execute its manciates. The first of these were Nathaniel Vanghn, William Dale and John Sutton, who doubtless when abroad in the township and armed with the proper instruments of their office spread terror and alarm to all evil-doers.

EARLY SAW AND GRIST-MILLS.

The various streams and water-courses in Shawswick Township gave

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

rise to numerous small and early water mills, some for sawing lumber and some for grinding wheat and corn. Among the first of these was one built and operated some time early in the twenties by Alexander Butler and Robert Dougherty. This was a saw-mill, and was situated about one mile and a half southeast from Bedford on Leatherwood Creek. This was run by what was known as a flutter-wheel, which was smaller and faster than an ordinary undershot wheel, although not 50 powerful. This mill was kept up for some three or four years, in the meantime doing considerable business with the old-fashioned sash saw which it had. Edward Humpston, a man who in early times in Law- rence County figured largely in milling enterprises, and whose name is elsewhere found connected with the ownership of various mills in the county, built another saw-mill on Leatherwood Creek about one-half mile above that of Butler & Dongherty. Humpston seemed to delight in building and getting these primitive mills in working order and then selling them. After a short time he sold this one to Richard Evans, who kept it up for about seven years, when it finally went down. About one mile above this Humpston built a grist-mill in 1826 which lasted for several years. This was operated by a breast water- wheel, and for a time ran to the full extent of its capacity. This, however, was not great, as it had but one run of stones, with which both wheat and corn were ground. the bolting being done by hand. Farther up this creek, and near the present site of Erie, a grist and saw-mill was built about the year 1832, by Wesley and Michael Johnson. For several years this was one of the · principal mills in this part of the county. and did quite an extensive business. It has been gone entirely for a long time. Besides these there were many others along the small creeks in this township that were built, and after a brief and inglorious career went down, some by a "wash-ont " to a watery grave, and others were permitted to go into natural decay by lack of patronage. One other of importance remains to be mentioned. and that is the Rawlins Mill. It is on Salt Creek. north- west from Bedford, and was built by Joseph Rawlins, now of Bedford, in 1835 or 1836. Perhaps no other mill in Lawrence County has done so large and extensive a business as this. At the time of its building Mr. Rawlins put in three runs of buhrs, and from the beginning it took rank as one of the best in the county. Large quantities of flour were made here and shipped to different parts of the country. By railroad it was sent to Detroit and other cities in the North, while by flat-boats it was sent to New Orleans and different ports along the river route between here and there. The mill continued in the hands of Mr. Rawlins until a few years ago, when he transferred it to two of his sons. Since that time it has been owned by different persons. The present owners are Daggy & Gainey, who are doing a good business with it.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

THE FERRIES.

An important feature in the early settlements of Lawrence County remains yet to be mentioned under the head of ferries. These were ren- dered necessary for crossing White River and Salt Creek in the inter course of one part of the county with another, and some of these ferries became the center of travel and commerce in that part of the land in which they were located. In the history of the county they played considerable importance, and some of the principal of them will be brief. ly mentioned. Beginning on White River at the eastern boundary of the county, and descending with the current of the stream, the first one was kept by Sinclair Cox near where the village of Fort Ritner now stands. After a few years this ferry passed into the hands of a man named Dixon. and was for a long time known as Dixon's Ferry. This was on Section 22, Township + north, Range 2 west. Just when Dixon became the owner cannot be ascertained, nor is it important. Cox. how- ever, was the owner in 1829, and for some time subsequent to that date. The next one was at the site of Bono and was in its time one of the most important, rendered so by the part played in early mercantile affairs by the town of Bono. This ferry was kept for many years by a man named London. and for his name it has always been called. Beck's Ferry was near the present site of Tunnelton, where there was a considerable travel passing from one side of the river to the other. At the month of Fish- ing Creek. where Lawrenceport is situated, was one of the frequent cross. ing.places on the river. and of course a ferry was established there. From this place a State road passed southward to Leavenworth and was known as the "Tater" road. This road was afterward extended north nutil it intersected another State road leading from Bloomington by way of Leesville to Salem, at the place where it crossed Little Salt Creek. Two miles below Lawrenceport was the ferry of William Fisher. main- tained by him for many years and ever since known by his name. A ferry had been kept here before his time by some of the Johnsons, who were among the earliest settlers in this part of the county. Mr. Fisher and his wife are now living in Bedford. enjoying the close of their lives, which have been extended far beyond the allotted time of man.

Where I'niestine was formerly located Ezekiel Blackwell owned the ferry for many years, and even after that place was abandoned as the capital of the county. As late as 1827 Le was there with his ferry, and probably for some time later than that. One of the early ferries in the county was kept by Levi A. Nugeut on Section 3, Township 4 north, Range I west. He located there as early as 1821, and perhaps prior to that time. Still farther down the stream at the mouth of Leatherwood Creek a ferry was kept by Drury Davis in 1826, and for some time both before and after that. This was not far from where the present iron bridge crosses the river on the rond leading from Bedford to Mitchell.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

About one-half mile below the mouth of Salt Creek a ferry was estab- lished by Robert Woods about 1823 or 1824. This was too near the Fields Ferry, which was a short distance below. to be licensed. Woods however built his boat and began ferrying, and allowed people to pay or not as they would choose. The strife between Fields and Woods became very bitter, and one night Woods' boat was burned. He at once built another and continued his business of ferrying. For the burning of the boat two men were sent to the State Prison, named Lackey and Taylor. For a time the opposition between these two ferries was so strong that it extended to the people of the surrounding country. The quarrel was finally ended in 1826 by the Fields Ferry being vacated by the County Board. thus leaving the Woods faction in the ascendency. The Fields Ferry was located about one mile below this, and had been established for some time. Continuing on down the river the following ferries were found in this order ere the western limit of the county was reached: Taylor's, Dawson's and Green's, the last of which was at the site of Williamsport, and was of a more recent date. On Salt Creek a ferry was kept by a man named Lee on the land now owned by Levi Bailey. A road that was considerably traveled passed over this, leading from Black. well's Ferry at Palestine to Old Point Commerce at the mouth of Eel River on the West Fork of White River. Further down that creek a ferry was kept where Rawlins Mill now stands, by different persons. prom- inent among whom was William Kelsey. The bridge that was built here in 1836 dispensed with any use for the ferry. A State road from New Albany to Terre Haute crossed Lawrence County by way of Hamer's Mill, Palestine or Blackwell's Ferry, Bedford, Rawlins Mill and Spring. ville. Dougherty's Ferry was west of Bedford on Salt Creek, where the bridge now is on the road to Fayetteville. In the early settlement of the county there was an Indian trace across the western part leading to a Government supply-store, kept by a man named Bigger, in what is now Monroe County. This was called Bigger's Trace and passed near Davis Lick Creek in the northern part, then south about one mile east of Fay. etteville, and crossed the river where Taylor's Ferry was afterward located.

SETTLEMENT OF GUTHRIE TOWNSHIP.

The last township that was formed in Lawrence County was named for one of the oldest and most prominent families in the county from the very first settlement to the present time. This is Guthrie, and was organized some time early in the sixties. The East Fork of White River from where it enters the county to the north of Guthrie's Creek. forms its southern boundary. On the north Shawswick and Flinn Townships bound it. and Jackson County on the east. It is traversed its entire length in a zigzag course by Guthrie's Creek, into which Back Creek empties from the north. At the organization of the county nearly all of

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

the present township of Guthrie was included in Shawswick, but at the time of its creation some of the land was taken from the three townships of Shawswick, Flinn and Bono.

Some parts of Guthrie Township were among the earliest settled localities in the county, although the record of land entries made up to and including the year 1820 shows but a small number. Some of the land in this township is very good, but it is generally rough and broken. Land entries to the above date were as follows: Israel Hind, 1819; Ambrose Carlton, 1817; Edward Johnston. 1820; William Barnhill, 1819: John Kerns, 1820; Robert Millsap, 1820; Solomon Bowers, 1817; Conrad Hoopingarner, 1818; Daniel Guthrie, 1816; Thomas Butler, 1820; J. Edwards, 1820; Preston Beck, 1820; Elisha Simpson, 1820; George W. Mullis, 1817; Cuthbert and Thomas Bullitt, 1820. Some of the other and principal early settlers were: William Shadrach and Thomas Dixon, John Allen, William Holland, Sr., Robert Millsap and his sons James and William, Abner Walters, William and Samuel Foster, Isaac and Benjamin Newkirk, John Dowland and Jacob Mullis.

James Connelly is said to have been the first actual and permanent settler in Guthrie Township, but if so he was one of the squatters, of which there were many in that time. He had come from North Carolina and settled at first in Orange County, Ind., but after a short stay in that county he settled in this township on the river. This was in 1815. When he came he brought his family along and built a double log-cabin. The following year Ambrose Carlton came with a large family, among which were his two sons, Thomas and Robert, who both became prominent men in their communities. In 1816 Pleasant and Ambrose Parks came from North Carolina and settled first in Bono Township, but after a short time moved to Guthrie Township. Edward Johnston came in the year 1816 and raised a crop that year, and in the fall returned to his native State for his family, which he brought with him in the following year. James Connelly as early as 1817 or 1818 built a small horse-mill with which he used to do some grinding for whoever would apply, but this did not last long. James Heron had a mill on Guthrie's Creek some time in the twenties. It was run by water-power and lasted about ten years. One of the best mills that was built in early times was by Robert and Thomas Carlton. This was on the same stream about three miles from its month. It was a good flouring.mill for its day. having been built about 1820 or 1827. and continued in operation until 1840, when it was burnt down. The Carltons soon after rebuilt it and ran it for six or seven years. After them it changed hands many times, but of late years has been allowed to go into disuse. A saw mill was run in con- nection with this mill most of the time. Besides these there have been several other mills of minor importance. Here, as elsewhere in the county, distilleries were of prime necessity and a number of them were

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

kept. Large quantities of pork were shipped from this part of the country in flat boats to New Orleans and other places along the rivers between here and there. Much of this pork was obtained by killing the wild mast-fattened hogs that were everywhere so abundant along the rivers. That was ranked among the sports then, for the hog when wild and untamed is decidedly a gamy animal, and is one of the few brutes that will band together for mutual protection when attacked by a foe.

DIXONVILLE.

[In the northeast corner of this township a town was platted and laid out by William and Thomas Dixon, April 8, 1853. It was called Dixon- ville, and comprises twenty- four lots. Washington Street ran north and south, while Jackson and Lawrence Streets ran east and west. This was in the center of Section 10, in Township + north, Range 2 east. For some time prior to this time there bad been a mercantile trade done here by Thomas Dixon. It is probable that he began about 1831 or 1832, and continued for some ten years. After him Elder T. N. Robertson did a trade for three or four years.

CHAPTER IV.

BY WE-TON A. UNIPPLED

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY-THE ACT OF CREATION-FIRST OFFI- VER -- REPORT OF THE LOCATING COMMISSIONER -- NOTES BEFORE THE CREATION-THE COUNTY BOARD-THEIR IMPORTANT ATT- TO THE PRESENT - BOUNDARY ALILEATION -- RELOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT-STATISTICS-THE COUNTY AGENCY-COURT HOUSE AND JAILS - LIBRAIRIE -- THE PAUTER -- THE ASYLUM-ORIGIN OF THE SCHOOL FUND. - COUNTY OFFR ERS -COUNTY AGRICULTURAL. SOCIETIES-THE FINANCES-POPULATION - RAILWAY ESTREPEDE- BRIDGES-MEDICAL SOCIETIES-LOCAL POLITIC -- STATISTIC ..

T' HAT portion of the present Lawrence County west of the meridian line was part of Knox County until the creation of Orange, Decem. ber 20, 1815, when it became part and parcel of the latter, and so remained until the creation of Lawrence County. That portion of the present county of Lawrence east of the meridian line was part of Clark County until the creation of Washington. January 17. 1814. and was then part of Washington until the creation of Orange as above, and was then part of Orange until Lawrence was created by the follow- ing enactment:

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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 7

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