USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, together with historic notes on the Wabash Valley; gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic sources > Part 60
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PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
The mills of Brown township were among the first enterprises of the primitive days. The first built in this township was situated on the south bank of Sugar creek, known as "Dear's mills," being built by Joal Dear, an early pioneer. Some years following it was des- troyed by high water, to which Sugar creek in those days was subject. It was afterward built by Joal Dear and William Canine, with a saw- mill attached, both of which are being successfully operated. In an early day Vancleve's mills were built on Indian creek, a few miles above Sugar creek, into which the former empties. These mills were built by Samuel Vancleve, who emigrated to this township at an early day from Kentucky. And in a few years this mill was in competition with another having been built by Thomas Glenn and Caleb Conner, who also were from Kentucky. This mill was built on Indian creek, two miles above its junetion with Sugar creek, and was successfully operated until after the reduction of water supply. Although this stream furnished abundant water-power in the early settlement of the township, after clearing up the land in this and adjoining townships, and reducing the lowlands by subdrainage, the supply of water has been so reduced that these mills have been removed.
The first carding-mill in Brown township was built by Thomas Armstrong, on Little Raccoon, one mile above Waveland, as early as 1840, and was worked successfully until the water failed in the stream some years since.
The fair grounds of the Russellville Union Agricultural Society are located in Brown township, on the southern line to the east. They embrace an area of thirty-five acres. This society was organized in the fall of 1855 by the leading farmers of Brown and adjoining town- ships. In the same fall the first public fair was held. The grounds were not inclosed, and admittance was free to the public. Entrance fees were charged for stock and articles for exhibition, which were appropriated to the payment of premiums. Among the members of the society at this time may be mentioned William Nelson, president of the society, Asbery Van Schoyack, on whose farm the grounds were lo- cated, James Evens, Stephen Allen, John Durham, Drake Brookshier, and others of Brown township; James Crawford, William Nelson, and
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others of Putnam county. In the fall of 1856 the grounds were in- closed, after which an admission fee was charged, which fund, with the return of premiums by members of the society, the grounds were improved. At this time the exposition was open to the four adjoining townships. In the fall of 1857 there were further improvements made to the grounds, and it was opened to the four adjacent counties : Montgomery, in which it was situated, Parke, Putnam, and Fountain. It was at the exposition of this fall, 1857, that the renowned pacer, " Red Bnck," first appeared on these grounds, and at which time, by throwing his shoe, when on the track, which fell fifty-seven yards dis- tant, he was beaten in the race and lost the honor of the champion- ship of the turf. These annual expositions became so popular that their ground became too small for their accommodation, and in 1875 and 1876 the area was again enlarged so as to embrace a portion of Putnam county on the south.
EARLY HISTORY.
Prior to the treaty of peace, which was effected with the Indians in 1818, Brown township was occupied by the Shawnee tribes, who were associated with the Miami confederation in their hostility to the white man.
Soon after this, emigration to Brown township commenced ; and not many years elapsed before all the publie lands were entered by men who desired to open up farms for their future home. The tide of emigration to this township set in at a very early day of Montgomery's history. Brown was also settled by a people from a different section of the country than those settling in the townships north. While from the cast emigration was pouring into the central part of Montgomery county, Kentucky was sending her brave sons and daughters into Brown township. In wagons, on horseback, and on foot with knapsack on their backs, traversing the unbroken wilderness, fording swollen streams, encamping at night, and contending with storms and wild beasts, they came to find a new home on a fertile soil, in a healthful clime. The sound of the woodman's axe was heard in the forest before the smoke of the Indian's wigwam had disappeared from the banks of the Indian creek or the head waters of the Little Raccoon; and while the snap- ping of the bow-string and whistling of the tomahawk were yet heard, the crashing of the falling trees before the pioneer's axe thundered in the forest wilds.
It is claimed for James Long that he cnt the first stick of timber in Brown township, an oak tree, which he cut for boards to cover his cabin for the accommodation of his family, which he moved to this town-
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ship in the fall of 1822. He located his home on the western branch of the Little Raccoon, in the western part of the township. Following Mr. Long, was Mr. Wm. Moore, who entered land in Terre Haute June 27, 1822, before the land-office was removed to Crawfordsville. He en- tered one half of Sec. 30, and eighty acres in Sec. 29. Mr. Moore came into the township in December of the same year, and commenced clearing a place in the dense forest for his cabin, 16×16. It was in this month that Mr. James Long, when hunting his cows in the wilder- ness by sunrise, heard the sound of an axe in the distance, and not know- ing a white man north of the Big Raccoon he started ont to find the stranger, who was dealing rapid blows to the heavy forest tree on that cold, wintry morning, and found Mr. Wmn. Moore chopping logs for his home. This was their first meeting, as they had no knowledge of each other or any other white man in the bounds of what is now embraced in Brown township. When Mr. Long raised his log dwelling in the fall he had to secure help from the settlement on Big Raccoon creek, some miles south. Of all the claims made for the first settlement of Brown township, that of Mr. Long seems the most probable.
Mr. Win. Moore built his cabin during this winter, and removed his family into it the following spring, 1823. He had left his family in the vicinity of Terre Haute while he ent the logs and built their hum- ble dwelling. During the month of January a heavy snow fell, which caused the deer to gather about his winter hut at nightfall to browse from the trees he had felled during the day. The Indians also visited him, and shot the unsuspecting deer that feared not the white man's dwelling. Ile shot and salted away eleven deer for his summer's meat.
Mr. E. Loop and others entered land in the fall of 1822, and moved in the spring of 1823. Mr. Wm. Moore built his hewed log " tavern," 18×24, in the fall of 1823, to which reference is made in another place.
As early as 1823 a number of emigrants from Shelby county, Ken- tneky, settled in the bounds of the territory now embraced in Brown township, among whom we may mention Benjamin Van Cleave, who settled on the Terre Haute road. east of where Brown's Valley now stands, near the center of the township, and about the same time Ben- jamin Gailey settled on the state road a mile and a half north of where Waveland now stands, while Thomas Lockman, in the same vicinity, · broke the forest for a new home. To these may be added P. Mullen- burg, and others, who will live in the memory of the oldest citizens of the township, and some who have left family descendants to enjoy the homes and society they aided in building up out of the wilds of the western forests and uncultivated society of primitive days. About this time appeared in the new settlement in the central part of the town-
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ship the eccentric Canadian, Humphry Finch, and old time Methodist preacher, and entered a farm on the head-waters of Little Raccoon creek adjoining the home of Thomas Lockman, but sold his land in 1826 to Ralph Canine, who came from Kentucky to join the new settlement in the wilds of Indiana.
The spirit of change had already possessed the minds of some of the early pioneers, and in 1825 Thomas Lockman sold his new home to John Brush, who had removed from Kentucky to join the new colony. Accompanying Mr. Brush was his son, Blakely Brush, who has survived his father, and is now a resident of Waveland, having remained in Brown township since his emigration in 1825, when a youth, and has served with honor in public and church offices, of which were two or three terms as township justice. The father, John Brush, was a veter- an of 1812, in which he was inured to the privations of military life and the perils of war, which had well qualified him for the hardships and dangers of pioneer life.
About this time (1825) Jeremiah Stillwell, Benjamin Tood, and others settled on entered lands and began to build homes in the forest.
ORGANIZATION.
At the September term of the Montgomery board of justice it was ordered that the township of Scott be divided, and that the following bound be taken out of said township and be constituted a new town- ship, to be known by the name of Brown township, to-wit: All town- ship 17, in range 5, and so much of township 17 in range 6 lying south of Sugar creek, and within the county of Montgomery ; and that the place of holding elections in Brown township be at William Moore's. Benjamin Galey was appointed inspector of elections; John Kinder was appointed constable for 1827; Benjamin Van Cleave and Josiah Galey were appointed overseers of the poor; and Samuel Galey, Emsley Lopp, and William Moore, were appointed fence viewers. Mr. William Moore was elected first justice of the peace, and was super- se led by Thomas Glenn, who came to Brown township in the spring of 1827, preparatory to moving his family, which he did in the fall of the same year. He, however, was elected to-the office of magistrate during his visit in the spring. He served one term of four years, which was the first term served in the township. While the oldest citizens testify to the election of Mr. Moore, he did not take his seat in the county board of magistrates.
Among the early justices of Brown township were William Carson, Joseph Allen, James Rice, James N. Rice, Caleb Conner, Daniel Gott, Robert Gamble, and William Conner. Others more recent in office :
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James O'Brian, James Davis, Simon C. Davis, John Wrightsell, William F. Rhoads, Samuel Warbritton, and Isaac Andrus. Simon C. Davis served for sixteen years, from 1854 to 1870, and is the pres- ent justice of Waveland. Dr. Isaac Andrus was serving his second term of office at the time of his death, Jannary 1881.
At the organization of the township there was but one trustee, whose name we are not able to give; but in 1852 the law was so amended as to require three trustees, who organized by choosing a president, secretary, and treasurer. The first board was Simon C. Davis, Esq., Joseph Allen, and Benjamin Van Cleave, who continued in office during the existence of that law. The law was repealed, after a number of years, when the business of the township was again invested in one. Mr. William Peterman was elected as the township trustee, and served a number of years. The present trusteeship is filled by Mr. W. T. Glenn.
At the organization of the township the soil was generally covered with the primeval forest ; there being, however, a growing population, as the early pioneers from Kentucky swept northward to open farms on the promising land of Brown township. There were inducements to settle on the Wabash river and Big Raccoon creek, where settle- ments were rapidly forming, but the prevalence of malarial diseases in those localities, where, it is said, "the trne Wabashian was so accus- tomed to the agne and the mosquitoes that he did not feel at home without them," many turned to the more genial clime of Brown. So- ciety at this time was crude, when "the man on the streets of Craw- fordsville who donned a pair of silver spurs and embroidered gloves was stigmatized by the Black creek schoolmaster as an aristocrat."
In this year (1826) there were numerous additions made to the set- tlements within the township, among whom were Levi Van Cleave, Ralph Van Cleave, Rev. Sainuel Van Cleave, and others worthy of note from Kentucky. Before the year 1830 we may note Anderson Service, Alexander Buchanan, Elisha Van Cleave, Enoch Van Cleave, William Reynolds, William Fisher, John Pottenger, Samuel Fisher, Benjamin Galey, Andrew McCormick, Clayton Swindler, Robert Gott, and Hezakiah Vanscoyock.
It is becoming that an acknowledgment be made of the influence of Rev. Samuel Van Cleave upon the early society of Brown township. He was among the settlers of 1827, in which year he built the Van Cleave mills, on Indian creek, by his own genius and efforts, manufact- uring the mill-stones from a large gray boulder, which he split in halves and dressed them to a true face, which did effective work while the mill stood.
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The first store in Brown township was opened by a Mr. Moore, who built a small log store-house on the east bank of Little Raccoon creek, one mile above where Waveland now stands, and opened his store in 1828, through the agency of Jonothan Powers, who, however, re- mained bnt a short time, after which Mr. John Milligan took the store, where he sold goods until he removed his stock to his own building, which was the first in Waveland, in 1834.
The first tavern in Brown township was kept by Mr. Win. Moore, above mentioned. The building was of hewed logs, 18×24, and built in the fall of 1823, and is yet standing. In its paliny days it was a gala home for the forest traveler. But it was not always quiet at Moore's tavern, for the " Kentucky Rye" had already reached Brown township, and the western landlord had no concientious scruples about accommodating such of his guests as thirsted for the sparkling glass. And many times interest was added to the occasion by the presence of the red man, who would indulge freely in the fire-water when he could obtain it, and when under its influence he became an active par- ticipant in a backwoods riot, and a dangerous competitor in their bloody conflicts. In those days an Indian trail passed south of where Wave- land now stands, running from the southwest to the northeast, leading to Fort Wayne. It was by this path through the wilderness that the Indians went to Fort Wayne to draw government supplies. Some- times half a thousand or more would pass in a day, stopping at Mr. Moore's tavern for meals and whisky, trading blankets they had re- ceived of the government, for whisky for one night's debauch. Mrs. Moore, now eighty-eight years of age, has one of those red blankets unto this day. It was at this house where Gen. Harrison and twenty- five or thirty citizens and ex-soldiers of the Indian wars dined when on their way to the old battle-grounds to reinter the remains of the brave men who fell in the battle of Tippecanoe, on November 7, 1811. Mr. Moore made his usual charge for the dinner, which was 122 cents individually. This the general refused, saying he would assess the charges, which would be double that of the landlord's, and made each man pay accordingly. Mr. Samuel Moore, now residing on the home- stead, boasts that he being but a lad at the time, and clad in smoked buckskin, held the general's steed while he was preparing to mount.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
Waveland is the oldest town in Brown township, and is situated in the southwest part of Montgomery county, being two miles from the west line of the township and county in which it is located, and about half a mile from the southern border of the same. It is very cen-
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tral in location, being equally distant from Crawfordsville and Rock- ville; the former being fifteen miles northeast, and the latter the same distance southwest. It is also equally distant from Terre Haute and La Fayette, and fifty miles a little north of west from Indianapolis, the capital of the state. The town stands on a ridge of land elevated between the Spring branch of Little Raccoon and Walker's Run, which skirts the town on the south. It is an important station of the Logansport, Crawfordsville & Southwestern railroad, at the crossing of the contemplated rail-route known as the Anderson, Lebanon & St. Louis railroad.
The land upon which the original town was laid out was entered before 1830 by Hiram Heddleson, who afterward sold to one Morgan, who transferred the same to John Milligan, in 1834, who was then selling goods in a small building three quarters of a mile above where Waveland now stands. Mr. John Milligan came to the above store, situated on the banks of the Little Raccoon by the old state road, in 1830, where he sold goods until 1834, when, on purchasing the land as above stated, he, in the same year, ent the first opening in the forest on the ground now occupied by Waveland, and built his small store-house, which was the first building on the ground of the town plat, on the corner of Cross and Green streets. In 1835 Mr. John Milligan laid out the original town of Waveland, and on Christmas day of the same year the first town lot was sold at public auction. Mr. Milligan gave the name of the neighborhood post-office to the new village, being the romantie name of Waveland, in honor of a Kentucky gentleman's home. Dr. James Cunningham erected the next building in the town, on the north side of Green street, west of Cross street. Here the doctor resided during his practice in the vicinity. The second store was opened, about this time, by Henry Crawford, of Crawfordsville, who sold goods in a little house east of where the post- office now stands, on Green street, which was probably the third house in the town, and is said to be standing at this writing. This store, however, being conducted through an agency, survived but a few months. This was soon followed by another, opened on the northeast corner of Cross and Green streets by Dr. Cregg, in a small frame building, where he remained in trade for a number of years. About · this time an opposition movement developed in the country above, on the south banks of Little Raccoon, and a meeting of the citizens of the township was called to take a vote to locate a township town. That meeting was held at Benjamin Smith's, where Briles Milligan now lives. There were three locations voted for, Fairview, Brown's Valley, and Waveland. Fairview received the greatest number of votes, and
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a good many lots were sold. So Fairview started with a store, a black- smith shop, and a doggery, all of which have long since passed away, and there is no " view " of any town there. Waveland has since re- ceived three additions to the original town. In 1840 the first addition, by Gen. T. Howard, M. Newal, and J. Milligan. The second and third since, by J. Milligan. About the time of this opposition Joseph Milligan threw his influence for Waveland, and opened a variety store on the northwest corner of Cross and Green streets, where he con- tinned for eight or ten years. Mr. Thomas Talbert, however, took advantage of his withdrawal and opened a variety store in the house built and previously occupied by Dr. Gregg, on Green street. He occupied this building for a number of years, and removed to the southwest corner of High and Green streets, where he remained in the trade until near 1850.
Waveland post-office was removed to the town soon after it was laid out, and placed under the care of Mr. John Milligan, who acted in the official capacity of postmaster for a number of years, when he was relieved of the responsibility by Dr. Cregg. Edwin M. Milligan was postmaster for some years after. The office is now filled by James Scott, who has served for the past six or eight years.
The medical profession was first represented in Waveland by Dr. James Commings, who settled in the town soon after the plat was sur- veyed, and was succeeded by Dr. Cregg, who in turn was succeeded by Dr. Ballid, who is now dead.
The weary traveler has ever found a place of rest and refreshment in Waveland. Before a hotel building was erected in the town, the hos- pitality of private citizens was extended to the stranger within their borders. The first hotel was erected by Andrew Harris in the early his- tory of the town, on the ground occupied now by the Central House. In a few years later Epperson Drew erected a frame building on High street, which he occupied some years as a house of public entertain- ment. This was followed by Jack Collier's hotel, on the southeast cor- ner of Main and Cross streets, which burned down a few years since.
The insuppressible editor has made his debut in Waveland. "The Waveland News," edited by Mr. Boswell, of Ladoga; Monroe McCor- mick, corresponding agent in Waveland. This paper, however, was not printed in Waveland. After a life of two or three years it gave up the field, which was occupied by " The Waveland Item," a small paper published and edited by H. M. Talbert and F. M. Foley, who, at the time of the establishment of their enterprise, were but small school lads, but exhibited remarkable genius and enterprise, and to the honor of this young firm " The Waveland Item" was the first paper published
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in the town. They have recently transferred their interests to Messrs. Crowder and Tracy, from Crawfordsville, who are, at this writing, pre- paring the first issue of " The Waveland Call," which will be issued from their printing-office, now opening in E. M. Milligan & Brother's Block.
At the present writing the town of Waveland has a population of about 800; an intelligent, sober, and prosperous people. All the com- mon departments of trade are well established.
In 1850 Thomas Talbert and Thomas Owens built a steam saw-mill in the southwest part of the town. The boiler was drawn from India- napolis on two lumber wagons, by a six-horse team, requiring one week to make the trip. After eight or ten years the building was removed, during which the falling timber caused the death of Morgan McClain.
In 1878 Mr. William Geiger built a grist-mill in the south part of the town, and is first in importance in this part of the country. A saw- mill stands on the northwest of the railroad depot, and was built in 1878 by Jacob Willcox.
Waveland has had its scourges as well as its prosperity, and the for- mer have to some extent resulted in enhancing the latter. In 1873 the town was swept by a sea of flame, in which the east side of Cross street, from Howard to Green, and half a block east on Green street, was con- sumned in two hours. Seven business houses, one dwelling, and one cabinet-shop fell before the flames, driven by a strong wind. The buildings being wooden, the midnight darkness fled as before the rising sun. Though the scourge was great, as nearly the entire business part of the town was destroyed, she arose, phoenix-like, out of the ashes, bet- ter than before; for, on the smoldering ruins a fine brick block was erected, by combined unity of means and effort, upon the part of a number of the leading citizens, and mostly by those who suffered in the great fire. It was the popular opinion that a party of burglars and petty thieves were infesting the town and vicinity, and the peaceable citizens felt insecure in their homes, because of burglary and arson. Following the above fire was the burning of G. W. Boswell's steam saw-mill and the railroad depot, the work of an incendiary. The depot had been burglarized, and a commercial trunk removed at a heavy loss to the owner, who was a sojourner in the town. This led to the break- ing up of the party of incendiaries, resulting in their conviction and punishment.
In 1875 the Thornton hotel burned, but being well covered by in- surance there was but little loss incurred by the proprietors. Though Waveland is nearly fifty years old, the burning of the older buildings and the rebuilding of new ones in their place, with the general and
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constant improvements of late years, give it the appearance of a young and sprightly city.
SECRET ORDERS.
Waveland Lodge, No. 300, of Free and Accepted Masons, was or- ganized under dispensation granted by the Grand Lodge of Indiana, May 27, 1863 ; given under the hand of John B. Flavel, Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Indiana, and the seal of said lodge, the 27th day of May, A.L. 5863 and A.D. 1863 .- Signed, John B. Flavel, Master ; Francis King, Grand Secretary.
The above dispensation was granted on the petition of the follow- ing citizens of Brown township: Thomas Kelso, S. T. Whittington, Samuel Belton, Adam Hanna, Caleb Conner, Wm. J. Davis, and Win. Kelso.
The first meeting of the lodge was on June 26, 1863, at which time the lodge was organized in accordance with the dispensation. At the same lodge meeting the following applications were made on dimits for membership: T. G. Whittington, A. J. Reed, A. B. Davis, Washing- ton Rice, J. L. Whittington, H. C. Ellis, P. C. Millikin, J. Y. Dur- ham, Simeon Clark, and R. Carson ; all of whom were duly elected to membership.
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