USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > New Ross > History of New Ross and vicinity, 1829-1967 > Part 3
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Before 1916, the True and True Lumber Co. was managed by Leroy Thompson; then in March 1916, George E. Ensign took charge; then Bruce Peters, who left here and went to Sharpsville, Indiana, then the Whitecottons, Walter, then son Robert Whitecotton.
Timothy Miller was a brick manufacturer and a teacher, John Inlow, station agent at Big Four railroad was a teacher of tele- graphy .to several New Ross residents. He died 1900, aged 70. "Tode" (Oscar) Imel became station agent at Midland depot 1900 to 1916, then Noel Oliver from Ladoga took his place.
In 1881, Wills had a butcher shop and in back of his shop, William Voncannon had a shop. In 1910, David Cronin had a restaurant in New Ross; and Mollie Canada Brown also had a restaurant and was later postmaster at New Ross for several years.
They tried several times to have a newspaper in New Ross. In May, 1897, the New Ross-Advance Mail was the newspaper in New Ross. From 1886 to 1907 W. D. Harris, son of Samuel B. Harris, had New Ross News. February, 1916, a "Daddy" Weir had the News.
In April, 1893, they tried for gas in New Ross. Chris Martin was head of the project, or rather foreman. They drilled 700'; and they said their contract was fulfilled, but they had struck rock at 50' and limestone at 700'. Dr. Richard King and Prof. Charles Bacher went to state geologist, and he told them it was limestone they had struck. Finally they prevailed on Mr. Mar-
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tin to drill another 100 and at 800' water gushed out! This was May, 1893. So in June, 1893, gas wells were at rest, as directors didn't want to pay $300 for any additional work, all they had was a big hole! The Warrington Gas Company had the contract, and they kept their gas machine in Joe Harris' barn.
In January, 1891, a Midland freight train ran into a Big Four train at the New Ross crossing. The Midland had been built in 1890, so it may have been that neither train was up on the train schedules as yet! The Central Indiana Railroad (Midland) was started in Brazil, Indiana, and as we see on TV today, a lot of happenings almost prevented railroad being built.
Jeff Wright owned right-of-way on both sides of railroad, so he fenced the right-of-way in, on both sides of railroad, and kept the railroad workers from continuing by holding a gun on them. As Saturday came, he thought the men wouldn't work on Sunday, but they cut his fence, worked all night, laying three ties to each length of rail, and were past Mr. Wright's place by morning ! The judge told him he couldn't do anything about it. Line went from Brazil, through Carbon, Waveland, Pawnee, Ladoga, New Ross, Advance, Lebanon, Anderson and Nobles- ville. (Taken from Crawfordsville Journal).
In March 1899, K of P decided to erect a two story building on corner of State Street and N. Main, with two large business rooms below, and one large room above for K. of P meetings . . This building burned between 1918/20, and a new one was built on same ground, and the lower floor had a grocery store in it. I remember this vividly, for my sister and I were there with our Linn grandparents, and they had done their trading there, but as we were leaving New Ross, my grandfather remarked that they hadn't "bought the girls" anything, so we turned around, near Methodist church, and were almost killed by an inter- urban, it just missed us by inches!, but we returned to store, and they got us ice cream cones, a big treat then! After this grocery store went out of business Arnold and Maud Gray had a poultry business there many years.
There were three depots in New Ross, one for Midland, built 1891, one for Big Four Railroad, and one for interurban. The first interurban station was on E. State St., in IOOF building, then before 1920 they built one across the street from the Metho- dist Church, on W. State St. This is another thing I remember well, for in 1920, the doctor was rushing me to hospital at In- dianapolis, and we had to wait in this nearly-new waiting sta- tion for interurban, and all events of this day were major ones for me! Also in 1919, when I was on my way to Indianapolis hospital, my father had put our horse and buggy in a barn at La- doga, we came to New Ross on Midland passenger train, walked from this depot on Main St., to State St., then went to inter- urban station and took interurban to Indianapolis. (How differ- entit is today, we just "jump" in our car, go right through New Ross to super highway I-74, and are in Indianapolis in about 45 minutes. The big Four station was on Green St., Midland sta- tion on S. Main St., and Interurban on State St.
Lodges began to "spring up" after 1870. A charter for an IOOF Lodge, No. 397 was granted May 24, 1872, on petition of a group of 12 men. At the organization, J. J. Wren was elected Noble Grand; B. F. Adkins, Vice Grand; Y. G. Myers, Treas. ; M. A. Conner, R. S .; D. A. Myers, L. S. ; J. J. Agee, warden; J. W. F. Brant, Cond. ; William RSS; W. W. Lockman, LSS; Z. Williams, O. G .; J. Werts, IG. and G. W. Lewis was a charter member. They met in B. F. Adkins hall until 1878, then in Grange hall until 1879, then they bought in a brick block build- ing for their meetings. They had 75 members. Some moved away, and three charter members died, William Webb, Gar- rett Vanhorn, and James L. White. Later the membership be- gan to dwindle, and in 1920s it ceased to exist. (My grand- father, James W. Linn was a member), They started a ceme- tery south of New Ross, and when lodge ceased, the cemetery was reorganized, and is now known as New Ross Cemetery. The
gate at east side of cemetery has the IOOF emblem of three links on it, and was used until about two years ago, when gate was removed. The three links were Faith, Love, and Truth, and the wrought iron arch at entrance has IOOF and 3 links on it.
Freemasons started in 1878, and charter was granted on May 25, 1880. Officers were Joseph Cooper, W. M. ; John Bell, S. W. John Spohr, J. W .; M. E. Clodfelter, J. D .; J. J. Wren, S.D. William McVey, treas .; J. S. Mclaughlin, sec .; and Calvin Walker, Tyler. Officers in 1880 were Joseph Cooper, W. M .; John Bell, S. W .; J. R. Etter, J. W .; Issac W. Jessee, S.D .; M. E. Clodfelter, J. D. ; William Minnich, sec. ; William Mc- Vey, treas .; and C. L. Newkirk, tyler . . Charter annulled 1889. Lodge was No. 555.
Charles Ebaugh had a meat shop in New Ross, but he sold it to Mr. Meadows, from Seymour, Indiana. Miss Salome Cox trimmed hats in Mrs. Samuel Smith's millinery store. (She la- ter married Keifer Bonaugh). Mrs. Smith moved her millinery shop to her home in 1911, and William Gray had a repair shop in room she vacated. A Mr. Bartlett tried to start a newspaper in 1911. John Wetherell had a butcher shop in New Ross.
In May, 1911, Johnson Brothers did the excavating for base- ment of A. W. Smith's new hardware building. Building was finished in fall of 1911. (Oscar and Bertie Frederick now have their grocery store in this building.
W. J. Huff, editor of New Ross Herald 1911, sold it to Wal- lace Wade, June, 1911.
Walter Strole bought D. M. Turner hardware 1897, in Oct- ober, then he sold it to W. V. Whitney in November, 1897.
George McVey bought his dray outfit from Mr. Voncannon, and he was in competition with my father-in-law, Frank Wal- ters, who operated a dray several years.
October 1, 1897, Hayton Flour mill burned; total loss, $4, 000 . . October 15, 1897, he began to rebuild.
I do not know when the Rebeccah Lodge was organized, but my sister-in-law, Opal Walters Smith Shoaf joined February 2 1911.
Joseph Ramsey, who died June 10, 1916, lived one mile north of New Ross, (where Martin Miller now lives). Mr. Ram- sey came here in 1914. His children were Paul, William, Eula and Mrs. A. D. Lynch.
Versa Hays McMullen was a music teacher in this area, fol- lowed by Mae Cornelius, then Olive Payton. I took organ les- sons of all three, as I expect others in area did too. Versa was from Whitesville community, and the other two from Advance, Indiana. They came to the homes in a horse and buggy. They only gave lessons during summer months, as 1915/16/17, child ren didn't take on extra activities during school terms.
Quit different today, there are too many extra activities.
Hydrophobia, or rabies, as it's called today, was very pre- valent in early days, and there were many dogs with the dis- ease around New Ross, according to newspaper reports. In Feb- ruary, 1892, a "mad" dog ran rampant in this area, and bit so many animals, sheep, hogs, etc. all of which had to be killed.
In July, 1892, the Sons of Veterans was organized in New Ross.
In 1892/3 James C. Eddingfield was principal of school. O. E. Kelly had middle room, and Mrs. Mattie had primary.
In July 16, 1892, James C. Eddingfield bought a lot from P. M. Brown and built a house on it.
In 1892 there were several heirlooms in families living around New Ross. A broad axe of 1800; an old plane of 1792; pewte: spoon 1692; an old arithmetic of 1807; a spelling book of 1819; and a mill angle 1812.
James Morrison had a gas well in September, 1892.
June 27, 1891, the Shepherd saw mill was opened.
In 1896, Joseph Stipes bought a phonograph, and I suppose he may have been only one who had one of these, as this was no ted in the newspaper.
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Rev. Francis and Rev. Oakel Hall were ministers at Metho- dist Church. Rev. Francis preached without pay I've been told . . Rev. Hall married my parents, February 28, 1907. Rev. Myron Bleam was a minister here in 1920s. He went to Hobart, Indi- ana from here and was there in 1937. He preached my Grand- mother Linns funeral in April of that year, and in July 22, 1937 he married my aunt, Flo Linn to Roy Robison in his home at Ho- bart. Rev. Linnfield was ministerhere a few months in 1918/17.
In 1874, Susan Fagg, from Whitesville, was a teacher here in New Ross. Also in this year, Sol Merrewether was a sewing machine agent in New Ross ..
In 1894, the Youngs built a barn on the Arch Needham farm, in November, north of New Ross, formerly Isaac Speery farm.
In 1875, a Good Templars Lodge was organized by J. W. Patch. F. M. Packer was elected worthy chief; and Kate Inlow, worthy vice templar. In 1877 this lodge died "out", but on Oct- ober 11, 1878, Rev. I. P. Patch delivered a temperance lec- ture, and the Good Templars reorganized, with the assistance of the Morning Star Lodge from Mace, Indiana. They named their new organization Hope Lodge, No. 151, and named as officers W. F. Edwards, WCF; Virginia Davis, WVF; Alfred L. Peterson WS; Wilson Jessee, WFS; Buella Adkins, WT; C. L. Shaver, WM; Mary Heaths, WIG; C. M. Benson, WOG; with Alfred Peterson representative to the grand lodge. Officers were installed by W. P. Griest.
The Knights of Pythias Lodge organized in Mace in 1874, but I do not know when they organized in New Ross, but as stated before in 1899 they erected a building here, and used upper floor for their meetings. New Ross K of P Lodge was No. 294.
As I stated earlier I didn't know when the Rebecca Lodge was started, but it was organized in New Ross in October, 1892, and was called Lily Temple. Soon after organization of this lodge, two members, Madison and Sarah Anna Josephine Pef- fley Rettinger had a baby girl born to them, and the mother de- cided to let lodge members name the baby, so they gave her the name Temple. They didn't give her the name Lily though, for her name is Ona Temple. She was one of the first graduates of a commissioned school in 1911. She married first, Ray Ed- dingfield, and he died, then she married second, George Layne, and he died. She lives in Indianapolis, but always returns for the alumni banquet here in this township.
Other graduates of 1911 were Willa Baber Bowers; Alpha Mc- Intire, Wilson Spangler, Chalmer Miller, d., Harmon Rogers, Lizzie Evans Hymer, d., Roscoe Lasley, plus Temple Layne, above.
Robert B. Green, borh 1836, Miami Co., Ohio, son of George W. and Mary Hendricks Green, came to New Ross in 1872, and he was a lawyer. He was in Civil War. He married in 1863, Martha Caldwell of Boone Co. Indiana. She died June 20, 1878, leaving three children, Viola M., Fanny R., and Carrie J. Green. They were members of the Christian church.
The first doctor in New Ross was Dr. James Dunbar. Next doctor was Dr. Edward Douglas Routh, son of Jesse H. and Nan- cy Douglas Routh. He married Asenith Wright, May 11, 1826, Preble Co., Ohio. He never studied medicine in any school, but practiced here in 1940s. He died in 1870s. Dr. M. C. Drake came to New Ross from Crawfordsville during Civil war. He died 1880s. Dr. T. C. Roh, born in Switzerland, came here in 1875; do not know how long he was here.
Dr .. Homer Bowers, born August 20, 1845, Vienna, Rush Co., Ind., to William and Sarah Chenoweth Bowers, started prac- ticing in New Ross around 1866, and continued until his death November 5, 1902. Dr. Bowers was well known for his interest in Scientific research on botanical subjects. He wrote many botannical articles for the Botannical Gazette and Smithsonian Institute. He married Emma Walker, daughter of Calvin Walk- and they had six children, four boys, two girls; Herbert, Au- brey, Edgar, Virgil, Ethel and Stella Bowers. In 1868, he built
a nice home in New Ross, same time that George Dorsey did.
Dr. John Adkins also came to New Ross after Civil War, from Shannondale, Indiana, north of New Ross. He left here and went to Marion, Indiana. Dr. Frank Adkins, Dr. John's brother, came to New Ross in 1860s. Both were born in Aurora, Indiana. Dr. Frank had a very good practice. He married Matilda How- ard in 1869. She was born 1851 to John and Letitia Lafollette Howard. Dr. Frank Adkins had two children. They went to Medford, Oregon shortly after 1869.
T. A. Adkins and B. F. Adkins were brothers, sons of Mar- tin, and second wife, Nancy Drake Adkins. T. A. and B. F. were also born in Aurora, Indiana, too. T. A. born March 7, 1835. These two had a store here. Do not know how the Doc- tor Adkins' and these two were related, may have been broth- ers, as they were all four born in Decatur Co., Aurora, Indiana, T. A. Adkins married on September 25, 1856, Mary L. Taylor, daughter of George W. and Nancy J. Milborn Taylor of Aurora, Indiana. Mary was born in Aurora, too. They had five children, Walker B., Buella L., Harriet L., Pearlie, and Guy Adkins, who married Bess Golliday, daughter of Isaac Golliday.
Dr. Columbus L. Myers, born August 5, 1849, Fountain Co., Ind., three miles west of Alamo, to William and Susannah Livengood Myers . . He was a doctor in New Ross, and on De- cember 30, 1877, he married Lizzie Copner, daughter of J. W. and Sarah E. Wineland Copner, of Covington, Indiana. Dr. Myers left here May 21, 1881.
Dr. W. J. Hunt came to New Ross 1874, then he moved to Jamestown, then Waynetown, Indiana. (Que bottom of page)
Dr. William W. Kelly, born and raised in New Ross, was a major in Civil war, took up medicine after the war. He doc- tored in New Ross two years, then went to Jamestown, then Knox, Indiana, and died there from a leg fracture incurred when he saved a child from being killed by a train.
Dr. J. R. Etter, born Putnamville, Indiana, March 6, 1852, married Linnie ( or Minnie) Clodfelter on September 23, 1878. They had two children, Morris and Floy Etter. Dr. Etter and Dr. Myers were in partnership in Doctoring, but due to ill health, Dr. Myers took up telegraphy while in New Ross.
Dr. Charles Atkinson was here from 1904 for 1 1/2 years, in partnership with Dr. Charles Tinsley Bronaugh. Dr. Bronaugh was born in Garrard Co., Kentucky, March 19, 1854, son of Robert N. and Mary Taylor Bronaugh, who were both natives of Hendricks, Co., Indiana, married there, then had moved to Kentucky. Dr. Charles Bronaugh graduated from Indiana Col- lege of medicine in Indianapolis 1884, and he began to prac- tice in New Ross then, and continued there until his death. He married Sadie Everson in 1889, daughter of James K. and Han- nah (Everson) Everson. She died 1890, was born Dec. 6, 1870, had no children.
Dr. May was here practicing for some time, and also a Dr. Bennett. I remember Dr. Bennett very well, for when I was six years old my sister was born, with our regular Doctor King in charge, but for some reason, we needed a doctor for her, and couldn't get Dr. King, so my parents called Dr. Bennett. He didn't have a pencil, and as I was using one, he asked to bor- row it. When he finished with it, he just put it in his pocket. To me it was a beautiful black and red striped pencil, so child- like I began to cry and I finally told them what was wrong, and he gave me back my cherished pencil! This was in 1913.
Dr. J. B. Burkle practiced here from 1906 to 1913. In 1908 at IOOF hall, at a Christmas party, I had a spasm, and Dr. Burkle was called. He said to give me ice cream but no banan- as! Today they consider bananas a very good health food, and ice cream bad for one who is having stomach trouble! How times change. Dr. Burkle died in 1962 in Lafayette, Indiana. He married Elizabeth Williamson, who was born in New Ross.
Dr. Richard King, born 1855, came to New Ross in 1885, (officiated at my mothers birth same year). His second wife - Page 35 - Dr William Johnson Hurt married
Susan Clara Thomas
Luna
.T. Thompson, born October 19, 1868 in Pittsboro, Indfand daughter of Robert and Dillon Thompson. She taught school in New Ross, He left here January 1899, for Thorntown, Indiana, but only was there one month, then he returned to New Ross, February, 1899, and he remained here until 1920s when he went to Jamestown, Indiana. He died there September 12, 1948, age 93, and she died 1953, age 85.
Dr. William Nelson Menefee, born October 18, 1867 at State Line, Indiana, son of Edward and Helen Menefee, died January 12, 1932. He married Grace Estelle Byrd, born February 15, 1875, died January 5, 1931, in 1894. He started doctoring in 1909, and remained here until his death. They had three child- ren, Edward Raymond, born 12-31-1897, married 11-20-1941 to Lois Bean. He is head of Poultry Department at Purdue Uni- versity, W. Lafayette, Indiana, has a daughter Linda; Jessie Mildred born May 17, 189? died 1967 at Waveland, Indiana. married July 14, 1923 Adlai Clyde Moore, born 7-26-1896, and they had two children, Barbara Ann and James Nelson Moore; and Meredith Menefee, born 5-19-1911, married Robert Stewart Thompson born 12-19-1907, live in Indianapolis; have two children Frank Menefee and Mary Jayne Thompson.
Today there are no doctors in Walnut township, or near the New Ross area, but Drs Menefee, King and Bronaugh were all here at the same time for many years, and they all did well. My in-laws preferred Dr. Bronaugh; my family preferred Dr. King, but both families also did doctor with Dr. Menefee, if their own doctor wasn't available.
There may have been other doctors and lawyers here, but I have found no records in my limited research.
There was a Mr. Epperson, who had a saw mill in New Ross, to which my father-in-law, Frank Walters, and my Grandfather James W. Linn worked together and hauled logs there. In later years Morgan Johnson had a saw mill here. My Grandfather on- ly lived in New Ross from sometime around 1886 to 1893, in February, when he moved 2 1/2 miles west of New Ross, near place of his birth. In 1897 Franklin Walters was a fireman at the saw mill. Thenhe started a one-horse-dray, and with three railroads coming into New Ross, this was a thriving business. Later he bought a truck, one of the first around New Ross, and then he branched out, and not only hauled New Ross freight, but also for other towns nearby . . George McVey started (or rather bought one) in competition, but he didn't continue very long. In 1925 Frank Walters bought a farm six miles west of New Ross, and moved to it, but still continued trucking for quite a while, assisted by his son, Harold Walters.
In June 17, 1910 Joseph Stipe and Mr. Booher were appointed to see about putting acetyline lights all over town, and in July it was decided they would get them, and they began to look for a place to put the power house. In August, 1910, they began setting poles for the acetyline, and also in this month Johnson Acetyline Gas Co. installed gas plant at New Ross. The New Ross plant was to be done by October 1, 1910; a big improve- ment for the town. The New Ross Light company was J. A. Morrison, J. W. Sipe, and W. A. Stavels. They were incorpora - ted, had stock of $3, 000 to manufacture and sell acetyline gas for lights, etc. . . . (They got electricity later, in New Ross).
July 30, 1892, the New Ross Opera Company was organized. They gave excellent plays. It only cost 10g admission.
In August 1916 issue of Crawfordsville Journal it said in 1866, the first band was organized in New Ross. John Brucks was the leader. Others in the band were Wilson Jessee, solo alto; J. N. Routh, B flat cornet; Will Peterson, Alto; William McClure, B flat cornet; Garnett Vanhorn, tuba; Miller Lockman, baritone; Thomas E. Evans, snare drums and James Lockman, snare drum.
There was a Powell school, 2 miles north of New Ross, and another one, Greenwood school, 2 1/2 miles west of New Ross. The Green wood school was on an acre of ground owned by Rob- ert and Margaret McCoy Lytle, who had bought the land in Ju-
ly 23, 1857. First school there was built in 1857, first school held 1859. Sunday school and church were also held in this building, and in the next building, which was built in 1873. In 1881 Martin Hosier was the minister for the church held here. Also in 1881, James Carey Eddingfield, a former pupil, was the teacher, and was visited by an inspector, and his report said there were "39 enrolled in the school; 32 in school day of in- spection; 12 had geography; 7 grammer, 24 history; 24 physi- ology; and there was no whispering, discipline good. Recita- tions were good. Method of instruction was good. Teacher and students doing good work. " Enoch Barnett, early teacher at the school, named the school Greenwood, because there were so many green bushes at the back of school yard . . The 1873 building was used until the school was disbanded in 1925. In December, 1927, Arthur Brown bought the land, but it is now owned by Willis and Pauline Hubert. Kenneth Davidson bought the building in 1928, moved it to his farm, 1/4 mile north of site, (on old Eddingfield land) and used the building on top of a barn base, but in 1954 it was destroyed by a tornado. In 1967 only two trees are left on the site of the Greenwood School. This was a one room, one door, six windows, 8 grades school. Charles Minnich had a Bible given him in 1871 at Sunday School here. Jesse H. Routh had a singing school at Greenwood in 1870. The 1870 newspaper said he not only liked to sing, he liked the check. (Don't we all!)
In January, 1915, when the teacher, Opal Rhoades Shewey was standing in front of room, a bullet exploded, which had been placed on the stove in middle of room by an 8th grade student. It hit her in the eye, putting her eye out. Homer Mil- ler and Forest Baber Tolle were the substitutes the remainder of the year. Opal returned the next year and taught the full term. Earl Smith, son of Monroe Smith had put the bullet on the stove. He thought there would be a loud explosion, never dreaming it would cause such dire consequences. It's been 110 years since the first Greenwood school was erected. My grand- father, James W. Linn, my mother, Dora E. Linn Randel, and me, all attended this school. I went there 4 years 1914 to 1918, My grandfathers' brothers and sisters, Isaac, Joseph, Evaline, Nancy, and Mahala Linn went there, as did my uncles, Earl and Floyd Linn and my aunt Flo Linn Robison. My great aunt and uncle, Clara Randel McDaniel and George Randel, also at- tended.
Teachers in the 1857 building were Wesley Beck, Enoch Bar- nett, Jennie Britts, Charles Ruggs, Mary Kirk, Melissa Powers, Madison Kelsey, Garrett Vanhorn, James Barnett, Taylor Peter- son, Hickman Hall, Alice Shaver Foxworthy, Dorsey Martin, William T. Eddingfield, J. W. Miller, and George Buell. Teach- ers in the 1873 building were Tilghman Brown, W. B. Walkup, James C. Eddingfield, Frank Hobson, Johnnie Miller, Clarence Burroughs, Aubrey Bowers, Charles Johnson, Jennie Callahan (or Clahan), Josephine Imel, Edith Lindley Hendricks, Minnie Nar- shall, Maud Moss Sperry, Vinnie Hosttetter Bradley, Carl Smith, Romulus D. Minnick, Walter Vanscoyac, Mabel Alexander, Lola Ward Boertz Scott, Mabel Bushong Glover, Letha Elliot Proctor, Opal Rhoades Shewey, Frances Minnick Farrow, Clif- ford Davis, (these last three were mine), Georgia Shannon Jones, Lawrence Surface, (last teacher), Beulah Wingert, Ruth Nees Ivey, Helen Hays Hughes Evans, Mabel Linn Myers. Also a mu- sic teacher, Jean Springer Spencer, and manual training teach- er, Thomas Rickett. These subjects were taught near the end of this school. A large pot-bellied stove was the method of heating, and this was enclosed by a high tin sheet, to keep those sitting near the stove from getting too hot. We learned more of the fundamentals of education in this type of school than they do now in a room with 40 or more students, all in one class.
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