USA > Indiana > Vermillion County > History of Parke and Vermillion Counties, Indiana : with historical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 14
USA > Indiana > Parke County > History of Parke and Vermillion Counties, Indiana : with historical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 14
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The only mining accident reported during the year 1910 was that at Superior mine No. 3, where an Italian named Carlo Ponti was killed by a premature blast, on July 25th of that year.
Coal was retailing at Rockville in the autumn of 1912 at about three dollars and twenty-five cents per ton, thus giving the population cheap fuel for both domestic and manufacturing purposes.
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BANKING IN PARKE COUNTY.
The first banking carried on in Rockville was by the Rockville Bank, organized in 1853. Besides some eastern capitalists, General Steele, Persius Harris and a few others became stockholders of a concern of which Brock- way and Levings of Cleveland, Ohio, were the chief factors, commencing with an advertised capital of $300,000. A three-ton fire-proof safe was brought from Terre Haute and placed in the Harris building, a three-story structure where Dooley's hardware stands. A force of men and twelve yoke of oxen succeeded in transporting the safe as far as the Armiesburg bridge, when all stood from under and held their breath while the ponderous load went safely over with its burden! It was not long before the capitalists of the East and the Rockville men had different views on finances and bank- ing management, and the Parke County Bank was organized and commenced business September 1, 1855, with a capital of $100,000. The first directors were: Alexander McCune, I. J. Silliman, John Sunderland, P. E. Harris, G. K. Steele, E. M. Benson, Dr. James L. Allen, John Milligan and Salmon Lusk. In July, 1863, the stockholders concluded to wind up their affairs and apply for a charter for a national bank. The board of directors was fixed at nine and the capital at $125,000, and on September Ist the assets of the old corporation were turned over to the First National Bank and the lat- ter assumed the liabilities of the former. General Steele had been president of the Parke County Bank from its first formation; he was now elected president of the national bank, and continued to be annually elected until 1871, when he declined to serve longer. Calvin W. Levings had also been cashier of the old bank from its inception, and he continued in that position in the National bank. In 1864 the capital was increased to $150,000 and in 1869 to $200,000. In July, 1877. the affairs of the bank were wound up, and a new charter was received under the name of the National Bank of Rockville, with a capital of $100,000. The First National Bank of Rock- ville was the sixty-third national bank incorporated in the United States. Their building was completed in 1869, and went through the disastrous fire in 1870, unscathed. The charter of this bank expired May 14, 1897, when the title was changed to that of the Rockville National Bank and a new charter secured. In 1896 the capital of this institution was $100,000; de- posits, $152,000; resources and liabilities, $318,815. Its present capital stock is $50,000; surplus and profits, $78,431 ; circulation, $50,000; deposits in November, 1912, were $424.657, thus making its liabilities $548.439.36.
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Its table of resources as shown in statement of September, 1912, were: Loans and discounts, $221,435.03; overdrafts, $5.12; United States bonds for circulation, $50,000; bonds, securities, etc., $113,151.06; banking house and fixtures, $20,000; cash in vaults, $29,340.69; cash due from banks, $112,007.46; due from United States treasurer, $2,500; total, $548,439.36. This bank belongs on the "Roll of Honor," showing that it possesses surplus and profits in excess of capital, thus giving tangible evidence of strength and security. Of the 7,500 National Banks in this country, only 1,300 occupy this proud position, and this Rockville institution is among the number. It goes without saying that it has been won by merit and worth alone.
In the original bank building, erected in 1869, provision was made for what was long known as the National Hall, a public auditorium, seating six hundred persons. It had a large stage and a handsome drop curtain, well remembered by many now residing here in Rockville. It had dressing rooms and was fully up-to-date. Its roof had a resort place where many select parties were held, and there they surveyed the attractive landscape presented by nature round about the town. Here hundreds viewed the total eclipse of the sun in August, 1869, a rare sight for any generation of men to behold. Concerts were held there, men and women were there united in marriage, and many happy gatherings were there assembled. But, like all earthly things, the building was doomed. On November 16, 1906, it was burned and the present magnificent brick structure was built the following year, and in it the postoffice is kept. This building and its elegant fixtures would do credit to any city in the country.
The officers of this concern have been in part as follows: Presidents, George K. Steele, Alexander McCune, Nathan Pickett; (National Bank of Rockville) J. M. Nichols to January 1, 1894: S. L. McCune from January I, 1894, until expiration of charter, May 14, 1897; (Rockville National Bank) S. L. McCune, until January 3, 1897; S. T. Catlin, from June 3, 1897. to December, 1908, when he died; F. H. Nichols, from December 12, 1908, to the present time, November, 1912.
The cashiers have been: Calvin W. Levings, S. A. Hornick, William Magill, William E. Livengood, S. L. McCune, F. H. Nichols, from 1894 to expiration of the charter May 14, 1897, and under the new charter until elected president in December, 1908; A. T. Brockway, present cashier. The present assistant cashier is W. H. Dukes; also Edgar Teague. M. H. Case is the present vice-president. S. L. and M. H. McCune were former vice- presidents.
The Parke State Bank was organized, as the Parke Banking Company,
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by A. K. Stark, D. A. Coulter and J. H. Tate, as a private bank. The same year they erected their bank building, a two-story brick, twenty by ninety- three feet in size, located on the northeast corner of the Square. In 1875 Mr. Coulter withdrew, selling his interest to his partners. In June, 1886, Mr. Tate resigned as cashier and removed to Omaha, Nebraska; Alfred H. Stark was made acting cashier, serving until i887, when he was made cashier. In 1893 it was incorporated as the Parke Bank, D. W. Stark becoming asso- ciated with the new concern, a state bank. A. K. Stark was elected presi- dent and A. H. Stark was made cashier. The bank was re-incorporated under the banking laws of Indiana in 1902, under the title of Parke State Bank. Its officers in November, 1912, were A. K. Stark, chairman; A. H. Stark, president; W. J. White, vice-president ; G. C. Miller, cashier; H. M. Rice, assistant cashier. The statement of the bank September 4, 1912, shows resources and liabilities to the amount of $538,277.95. The cash capital is $75,000; surplus, $20,000; undivided profits, $12,052.06; deposits, $424,556.07.
The management of this banking house is beyond question among the best in the country. Its stock is owned by some fifty prominent citizens of Parke county, seven of whom compose the board of directors, who participate in the actual management of the bank's affairs. The board of directors is composed of the following representative business men: A. B. Collings, capitalist : W. E. Ferguson, of Ferguson Lumber Company; W. B. Thomp- son, of Thompson Co .; A. K. Stark, A. H. Stark, W. J. White and G. C. Miller. Their work is all checked by an auditing committee, composed of three other stockholders, besides which precaution, the bank is regularly ex- amined by the state banking department. This double check of accounts makes it doubly safe and secure to its depositors and stockholders.
At Montezuma there have been two small banking houses, private con- cerns, of no great consequence, that went down years ago. Aside from those there have never been any banks in Parke county until the present ones were formed, and of which the following is a complete list, with particulars concerning them and their present standing, officers, etc. :
PRESENT BANKS OF PARKE COUNTY.
The First National Bank of Montezuma was established in 1904. Its present officers are : President, S. P. Hancock ; vice-president, J. E. Johnston ; cashier, R. W. Johnston. Its capital is $25,000 ; deposits, $90,000.
The Citizens National Bank of Montezuma, established in 1909, has a
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capital of $16,000, and deposits amounting to $95,000. Officers : W. E. Dee, president ; C. W. Hughes, vice-president ; S. P. Hancock, cashier.
Rosedale National Bank, organized in 1908, has a capital of $25,000 and deposits of $95,000. Officers: Thomas Conley, president; E. R. Bald- ridge, vice-president ; Clyde Riggs, cashier.
The Bank of Bloomingdale was organized in 1907, and has a capital of $30,000 and deposits of $240,000. Officers : E. E. Neal, president ; Cyrus E. Davis, vice-president ; W. M. Haig, cashier.
Mecca Bank, established 1911, has a capital of $25,000; deposits of $120,000. Officers : William E. Dee, president; Edward Shirkie, vice- president ; S. P. Hancock, cashier.
Citizens Bank of Marshall, established in 1903, has a capital of $20,000; deposits amounting to $80,000. Officers: James C. Swaim, president ; O. W. Burford, cashier.
The organization of the banks at Rockville has been given in full above.
In all the passing years Parke county has never had but one bank failure, that of a small private concern at Montezuma, years ago. The banks of Rockville came through the various panics and today are the business and financial pride of the entire county.
VILLAGE PLATS.
The following village plattings have been made in Parke county :
Armiesburg. platted prior to 1832, on sections 7 and 12, township 15, range 8 west. Plat, as executed originally, destroyed by fire of 1832. It is situated in Wabash township, on the old canal.
Annapolis, on the northwest quarter of section 12, township 16, range 8 west, was platted February 4. 1837, by William Maris, Sr., and John Moulder.
Bridgeton, on section 22, township 14, range 7 west, by James and Mary Searing. March 27, 1857.
Bloomingdale, platted September 30. 1865, on sections 13 and 24, town- ship 16, range 8 west, by William Pickard, H. B. Little and A. D. Tomlinson. Catlin, platted in townships 14 and 15, range 7, in the early sixties.
Coloma, platted on sections 33 and 34, township 16, range 8, January 27, 1876, by fifteen persons.
Diamond, platted on section 34, township 14, range 7, by the Brazil Block Coal Company, December 10, 1893.
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Fullerton (Lodi), platted on section 2, township 17, range 9, by Jesse Bowen and others, April 13, 1836.
Guion, platted on section 7, township 16, range 6, by Robert F. Bruin, January 7, 1882.
Howard, platted February, 1848, by John Gaw, just west of Westport.
Hudnut, platted on section 14, township 14, range 9 west, by Joseph W. Morey, April 27, 1880.
Judson, platted on section 24, township 16, range 7 west, May 4, 1872, by Alexander Buchanan.
Jessup, platted by John Barnes, February 26, 1887, on section 14, town- ship 14, range 8 west.
Klondyke, platted on section 31, township 16, range 8 west, January 15, 1907, by William E. Ferguson, Walter S. Ferguson and Mary Ferguson.
Lyford, platted on the southeast of section 14. township 14, range 9 west, May 14, 1892, by William H. Bonner.
Lena, platted on section 35, township 14, range 6 west, by Robert H. King, February 15, 1871.
Lyford City, platted on sections 14 and 23, township 14, range 9 west, by John B. Shaw, August 8, 1892.
Montezuma, platted on sections 25, 26, 35, 36, township 16, range 9 west. by Ambrose Whitlock, July 20, 1849.
Mansfield platted August 4, 1852, by Samuel B. Gookins.
Marshall, platted on section 9, township 16, range 7 west, by Alfred Hobson and Mary Hobson, November 19, 1879.
Mecca, platted on section 20, township 15, range 8. August 7, 1890, by Samuel L. McCune.
Numa was platted by John Wilson, October 10, 1836, on section 25, township 14, range 9 west.
Northampton, platted on sections 7 and 8, township 16, range 6 west, December 26, 1851, by William and John Aydelott and Jesse Collings.
Nyesville, platted on section 34, township 16, range 7 west, by Martin Newling, October 18, 1872.
Parkville, platted in township 16, range 6 west, October 4, 1837, by Presley Doggett.
Rockville (original), platted February 28. 1825, on section 7, township 15, range 7 west, by William P. Bryant and T. A. Howard.
Rosedale, platted on parts of sections 25, 27 and 34, township 14, range 8.
Sylvania, platted on section 10, township 17, range 8 west, by David . Hadley, September 6, 1839.
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Tangier, platted by William B. Swaine and Edmund Lindley, March 13, 1886, on section 15, township 17, range 8.
Westport (now Howard), platted by T. N. Burton and James R. Bur- ton, on section 18, township 17, range 8 west, June 20, 1836.
West Union, platted on section 17, township 16, range 8 west, February 18 1837, by John G. Hongham.
West Atherton, platted on section 36, township 14, range 9 west, by Sirena L. Modesett, August 23, 1908.
Waterman ( formerly Lodi), on section 8, township 17, range 9 west.
POPULATION OF PARKE COUNTY.
The population of this county, according to the 1910 United States cen- sus reports, was as follows :
Total population, 22,214; the towns, cities and villages as listed in the census compendium was, Annapolis, 200; Bloomingdale, 528; Bridgeton, 219; Catlin, 185; Colma, 184; Diamond, 1,070; Guion, 50; Jessup, 75; Judson, 141; Lena, 225; Lyford, 100; Marshall 334; Mecca, 1,350; Montezuma, 1,537; Nyesville, 95; Rockville, 1,943; Rosedale, 1,166; Sylvania, 200; Tan- gier, 275.
The total population of the county in 1861 was 15,538; in 1870 it had reached 18,166, and in 1880 it was placed by census reports at 19,406.
From the above it will be observed that of the inhabitants in 1910 there were 9,810 living in the towns and villages, while the balance of 12,333 re- sided in the country, the total being, in 1910, 22,214. (See Township His- tories for present population of each township.)
The above shows an increase in population of three and four-tenths per cent. between 1900 and 1910. The county has 474 square miles and a popu- lation to each square mile (average) of 49.7 persons.
The foreign population includes : Austrians, 176; English, 149; Italians, 163; Scotch, 103; Welsh, 28.
The sex are divided, 11,556 males and 10,658 females.
The per cent. of illiteracy in the county is 5.3 per cent. of the entire popu- lation.
Those of school age are 6,770; of those attending schools. 4,604, or 88 per cent.
The number of dwellings in the county is, 5,349: number of families, 5,414.
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WITNESS TREES.
The late J. H. Beadle is authority that there were in all about three thousand "witness trees" blazed by the United States government surveyors in this county, as shown by the record of the land office. In 1880 there were but a few still standing, the balance either having died from old age or been thoughtlessly cut down by the axeman. At that date there was an effort made to prevent these trees from being destroyed.
RECORDS BURNED.
In the month of November, 1832, the building containing the deeds and other valuable public records of Parke county was burned. All deed records were burned save those recorded in book "D," which was opened November 12th the year before and was only about half filled. These deeds were all recorded with a quill pen in elegant style of penmanship by the recorder, Wallace Rea.
LEGAL EXECUTIONS.
The first legal execution in Parke county was that of Noah Beauchamp, on Friday, February 8, 1843, in the timber southeast of the Rockville ceme- tery, by Sheriff Jesse Youmans. People came from far and near to this execution, even from Illinois and surrounding counties in this state. It was a bitter cold day and several women, with babes on their arms, were present and drank whisky freely, with the men, in order to "drive out the cold."
The second execution in the county was that of Buck Stout, on August 8, 1883. by John R. Musser. This was really a case from Montgomery county, but was tried in the courts of Parke county.
TAXATION LIST OF 1833-
The following shows how property was taxed in 1833, in Parke county :
Poll tax -3772C
First-class land, per acre, one hundred acres. 8oc
Second-class land, per hundred acres 6oc
Third-class land, per hundred acres 40C Each hundred dollars bank or other stock. -25℃
Each town or out lot, one-half cent per dollar assessed valuation.
.
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SOLDIER'S REUNION, 1875.
The greatest military gathering in Parke county was in 1875, when a reunion was held of the old soldiers. At least fifteen thousand people gath- ered at Rockville, and the occasion was graced by the appearance of Gen. William T. Sherman, one of the two great heroes of the civil conflict.
MARKET QUOTATIONS.
In 1854 the True Republican, of Rockville, had the following local mar- ket quotations in its columns : Flour, $7.00 per barrel; wheat, $1.10; corn, 48 cents ; oats, 40 cents : rye, 45 cents ; molasses, per gallon, 25 cents ; coffee, 43 cents : sugar. 5 cents ; rice, 6 cents ; butter, 28 cents ; bacon, 7 cents ; ham, 15 cents ; eggs, 10 cents ; tea, from 60 cents to $1.00; cheese, 10 cents ; honey, 15 cents ; chickens, per dozen, $1.50.
The quotations at Rockville in October, 1865, a decade later, and after th close of the Civil war, were as follows: Wheat, $2.00; apples, $1.00; Irish potatoes, 40 cents; butter, per pound, 35 cents; eggs, per dozen, 15 cents : lard. per pound, 20 cents ; bacon, 20 cents: feathers, per pound, 60 cents.
The present year, 1912, papers give the following in their September issues, as being the going prices: Corn, 69 cents ; wheat, 85 cents; oats, 40 cents ; barley. 53 cents ; rye, 70 cents ; flax-seed, $1.62 ; potatoes, $1.13; hay, $14.00; butter, 23 cents; eggs, 18 cents; hogs, $7.1I; clover seed, $9.80: wool, 18 cents ; coal oil, 15 cents ; gasoline, 20 cents : nails, 3 cents ; calico. 6 cents ; muslin, 10 cents ; sugar, 6 cents.
DAYS OF MOURNING IN PARKE COUNTY.
The news of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, on the night of April 14, 1865, at Ford's theater, Washington, D. C., by the shot fired by J. Wilkes Booth, and from which wound he died at 7:22 the follow- ing morning, was received at Rockville just as the citizens were making out a program for a great jollification meeting over the news of the previous day of the surrender of Confederate General Lee to General Grant, which meant the close of the war. The jollification meeting was turned into one of mourn- ing, and Governor Oliver P. Morton, who had announced by proclamation that April 20th would be observed the state over by the loyal Union citizens as a day of jubilee and rejoicing, recalled his proclamation and that day was
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set apart in Indiana as a day of mourning for the fallen magistrate. At Rockville no large demonstration was held, but the citizens met at the court house the day following the receipt of the sad news and arranged for a public meeting on the following Sabbath at the court house, at which Rev. McNutt was called to serve as chairman and Samuel Magill, S. F. Maxwell and Thomas N. Rice were appointed a committee to retire and draft a set of resolutions, which had five sections and which were soon presented and passed by the assembly, after which the Doxology was sung and the bene- diction pronounced. The hour seemed too sad and sacred to make speeches and none were made, at length. It was a blow which struck to the very heart of all, and it was many weeks before the people of Rockville and Parke county could rally from the terrible shock of real grief.
GARFIELD'S DEATH.
Wednesday, September 21, 1881, memorial services over the death of President James A. Garfield were held in Rockville, at the Presbyterian church. The business houses were tastily draped and all places closed during the exercises that afternoon. Flags were hung at half mast. At two o'clock the bell tolled its solemn tones, in memoriam of the death of an assassinated President, the second in this country. The audience within the church sat in quiet and hushed attention. The McCune Cadets marched with draped flags and reversed arms from the armory and, upon invitation, took seats near the stand. The church was appropriately decorated under direction of Capt. J. F. Meacham, Dr. Wirt, and Misses Mary McEwen and Maggie Thompson. A large portrait of the deceased President, in a shield embellished with the flag, crepe and flowers, hung on the wall behind the pulpit. Above this were in large, golden letters of beautiful design, the then memorable words, "God reigns." Hon. Thomas N. Rice was president of the day and spoke touching- ly. Rev. W. P. Cummings offered invocation and Rev. William Y. Allen read the Scriptures. Short addresses were made by A F. White, Rev. John L. Boyd, Rev. McSmith, Dr. Gillum and J. T. Johnston. At the close, the Cadets fired their military salute and marched back to their armory.
The next Sunday memorial services were held in the Christian church.
M'KINLEY'S DEATH.
Again the hand of the assassin laid low another beloved President, Will- iam Mckinley, who was shot in Buffalo, New York, while attending the
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Pan-American Exposition, and who died September 14, 1901, from the wounds inflicted upon him eight days earlier. A befitting tribute was paid to the dead President by the city of Rockville. The entire population devoted Thursday, September 19th, from two to four in the afternoon, to the honor of the beloved magistrate. When the hours for the exercises at the opera house arrived the auditorium was filled with truly sorrowing and reverent people. The decorations were in keeping with the occasion. A large picture of the dead President was quite prominent, being beautifully mounted, and underneath was the inscription : "God's will, not ours, be done." The meet- ing was called to order by S. D. Puett; invocation by Rev. J. C. Christie; a memorial sermon was delivered by Rev. H. N. Ogden; a short address was given by Hon. James T. Johnston, who was introduced as a personal friend, a comrade in the days of Civil war on the tented field and a colleague of his in Congress four years. He naturally spoke with much feeling of the la- mented President. Next, Elder O. E. Tomes followed Mr. Johnston with a brief tribute, in which he discoursed in a most masterly manner and compared Mr. McKinley's assassination with those of the lamented Garfield and Lin- coln.
PRESIDENT GRANT MEMORIAL SERVICES.
The Rockville Tribune, on July 23, 1885, contained this item: "We stop our press, after a part of the edition is printed, to publish the following : 'Western Union Dispatch-New York, July 23, 1885. General Grant died at 8:08 a. m.'"
Saturday, August 8, 1885, was observed in Parke county, and especially in Rockville, as well as generally through the United States, in honor of ex- President U. S. Grant. By common consent all business took second place in people's minds, in city, town, village and country, all parties and classes uniting in public testimonials to the memory of General Grant, as he was best known. Rockville had services not soon to be forgotten by the younger gen- eration. It was stated at the time that perhaps no town of the size in all the broad land observed the day so worthily and well as did Rockville. Before noon, a large concourse of people was on the streets; the proprieties of the occasion (that being the funeral day of Grant in New York City) were well preserved. Soon after noon all business was suspended. The Opera House Band took its place in the west balcony of the building and played a sweet and plaintive air, which music touched the heart of every one in hearing, more than all the words spoken on that occasion could possibly have done. The Grand Army of the Republic issued from their hall and marched in step
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with the music to the opera house, faced outwardly and gave the order, "Salute the dead," then dispersed among the audience. The body of the house was completely filled and a portion of the large gallery. Chaplain Rev. B. P. Runkle offered prayer, solemn and impressive ; Hon. Alfred F. White, chairman, announced the order of exercises; Capt. John H. Lindley read the memorial address; Hon. Thomas N. Rice followed with the regular oration. It will long rank as among the local classics. He traced thoughtfully and tenderly Grant's every step from Cadet Grant and Lieutenant Grant, to the great commander over millions of men. Next Capt. Frank M. Howard spoke in behalf of the Grand Army of the Republic, emphasizing the "uncon- ditional surrender" and "fight it out on this line if it takes all summer" theories of Grant, and wound up his remarks by these eloquent words: ' 'But, we comrades would love to believe that since the day he died, somewhere on the Elysian plains, the boys each night have bivouacs around the old com- mander. The G. A. R. salutes the dead comrade and general! Men shall not look upon your like again, Old Soldier, hail and farewell!"
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