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 31
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 31
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PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Parke give due notice that they will make application to the next court to have commissioners appointed to assign and set off the widow's dower, in the real estate of said deceased. Dr. Waterman gives notice that the partnership heretofore existing between himself and Dr. Small is dissolved. Crawford & Jackson, proprietors of an oil mill, advertise that they will give the highest price for flax and hemp seed, or castor beans. George W. Palmer offers a one- horse wagon and harness cheap for cash. J. W. Downing, justice of the peace, gives notice that an iron gray mare taken up by James Rush was appraised by William T. Dole and A. M. H. Robinson at forty-five dollars before him on November 24, 1838. William Bales, sheriff, advertises the real estate of John Fousdick for sale at public auction to satisfy a judgment in favor of Silas Kellough, William Dunning and I. Dill. Joshua Skidmore, of Clinton, gives notice as follows: "Whereas my wife, Mary, has left my bed and board without just cause or provocation, I do hereby warn all persons, body politic, or corporate, and of whatever name or title, not to credit or harbor her on my account, as I am determined not to pay any of her debts after this date, Janu- ary 1, 1839." The names of Durham Hood and Margaret Craft appear as administrators of the estate of John Craft, late of Eugene. Roseberry & Jewett, dry goods merchants, of Perrysville, occupy about one-third of a column in enumerating their large arrival of new goods. William J. Nichols and James H. Corey, of Eugene, inform the people where to get their saddles and cheap harness. Dr. T. S. Davidson tenders his professional services to the citizens of Perrysville and adjoining country. Hall & Gessie announce the reception of new goods in a neat two-inch card. Jones & Smith call attention in a four-inch card to their stock of fall and winter goods. Nathan Reed and J. H, McNutt request that those indebted to them for professional services come forward and square up by cash or note immediately. Jacob Riley in- forms the readers that he has found a silk handkerchief supposed to be worth a dollar and a quarter, which the owner can have by paying for the adver- tisement. G. W. Palmer, justice of the peace, gives notice that John Fultz has taken up two estray heifers which were appraised at six dollars each, by Samuel Lacy and James Crawford, before him December 15, 1838.
CHAPTER XIII.
BANKING.
The first banking house established in Vermillion county was the First National Bank, at Newport, by Josephus and John Collett, Abel Sexton, Isaac Porter, R. H. Nixon and Clark Leavitt, who opened up in a fine new bank building erected especially for that purpose, at the northwest corner of the public square. It was not long before it surrendered its "national" charter and under the same board of directors, it was changed in title to the Vermillion County Bank, with a paid-up capital of $60,000 and a surplus of over $6,000. In January, 1880, it was again changed, taking the name of Collett & Com- pany's Bank, comprising Prof. John Collett, of Indianapolis, Stephen F. Col- lett, of Newport. Mrs. Henry H. Campbell, of Crawfordsville, and Joshua Jump of Newport. Later. S. S. Collett became general manager and J. D. Collett, cashier, and the capital in 1887 was $27,000. This bank went out of business in 1892.
At Clinton, the Citizens Bank, now located at No. 141 Main street, was organized in April. 1893, with Decatur Downing, president ; W. H. Bonner, cashier. The officers in 1912 were: William H. Robinson, president : Will- iam L. Morey, vice-president ; A. W. Hedges, cashier ; U. G. Wright, assistant cashier. The capital stock is now $40,000, having been increased from $22,- 000. The bank purchased a business block on the west side of Second street (usually called Main street), which they have occupied a number of years ; at first they were located on the east side of the same street. The present direc- tors of this institution are W. H. Robinson, David McBeth, W. L. Morey, M. M. Scott and A. W. Hedges. The total resources of the bank were, in the autumn of 1912, $407.535-93.
At the close of business November 26, 1912, their statement to the auditor of state showed the following figures :
Loans and discounts $237.233.79 Due from other banks $112,740.00
Overdrafts
129.23
Cash on hand
21.716.00
U. S. bonds 10,000.00
Checks and drafts 494.25
Other bonds and securi-
Premiums paid on bonds_ 722.00
ties
19.500.00
Banking house
5,000.00
Total resources
$407.535.93
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PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Capital stock $ 40,000.00
Demand deposits
$315,254.52
Surplus 30,000.00
Demand certificates 14,488.04
Undivided profits 3.700.00
Exchange, discounts, etc. 4,093.37
Total liabilities $407.535.93
The First National Bank at Clinton was organized in December, 1902, by L. A. Whitcomb. The officers were: James H. Wilson, president ; Ed- ward Shirke, vice-president; J. Clark Smith, cashier. The present and first capital of this institution was $30.000. The present officers are: Joseph W. Strain, president : Edward Shirke, vice-president: O. F. Houston, cashier. The directors are: Edward Shirke, Harmon K. Morgan, Frank L. Swine- hart. B. H. Morgan, Joseph W. Strain, John R. Newton, Hal R. McClellan. The November statement of this bank shows the following :
Loans and discounts $188,373.36
Capital paid in
$ 30,000.00
Overdrafts
146.95
Surplus
I 1,000.00
U. S. bonds
7,500.00
Undivided profits
3.902.49
Other bonds
14,000.00
Circulation
7,500.00
Bank furniture and fix-
Deposits 284.014.39
tures
12,000.00
Due from banks and U. S
94,312.16
Cash in vault
20,084.35
Total resources $336.416.88 Total liabilities $336,416.88
The First National Bank of Dana was organized in 1901, with the same officers as are still serving : S. E. Scott, president ; S. J. Hall, vice-president ; Charles Wolfe, cashier ; S. E. Scott, S. J. Hall, Charles Wolfe, T. H. Catlin, J. Jump. Joel Hollingsworth, S. E. Kaufman, Joseph Jackson and J. H. Fillinger, directors.
This bank commenced with a capital of $25,000, which has been increased to $40,000. Their statement September 4, 1912, reads as follows :
Loans and discounts $192,039.72
Capital stock $ 40,000.00
Overdrafts 2,382.46
Surplus fund
30,000.00
United States bonds
25.000.00
Undivided profits 1.630.89
Other bonds
8,900.00
National bank notes-out
25,000.00
Furniture and fixtures.
1,908.27
Unpaid dividends 262.00
Cash and exchange 118,066.96
Deposits 251,404.52
Total resources $348,297.41
Total liabilities
$348.297.41
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PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
Not receiving the regular data for the State Bank of Dana, the author has gathered the following concerning this institution. This bank was or- ganized in 1885 and incorporated in 1905. Its present capital is $30,000 ; surplus and undivided profits, $14,000.
. The First National Bank of Cayuga was organized August 1, 1908, when they erected their own bank building. This bank was established im- mediately after the failure of the private bank of Malone & Son. It now has a capital of $25,000, with $9,000 additional as a surplus, making $34,000 of a working capital. The first officers were Oscar O. Hamilton and Matthew P. Hoover. The present officials are : Oscar O. Hamilton, president ; Henry C. Randall, vice-president ; Matthew P. Hoover, cashier. The present ( 1912) stockholders are Milton W. Coffin, William T. Coffin, Samuel Collison, Oscar O. Hamilton. Matthew P. Hoover, Monroe G. Hosford. Henry C. Randolph, George L. Watson. William H. Roach. At the close of business June 7, 1911, the following was the statement made by this bank :
Loans
$100,326.99
Capital stock
$ 25,000.00
U. S. bonds to secure cir- culation
Surplus
3,000.00
25,000.00
Undivided profits 4.328.23
Bonds and securities
13.991.47
Circulation
24.990.00
Banking house, furniture and fixtures
8.000.00
Deposits 125,460.55
Cash on hand and due
from banks
34.514.48
Duc from U. S. treasurer
(5 per cent. fund) 1,250.00
Reserved for taxes 304.16
Total resources $183.082.94 Total liabilities $183.082.94
The Citizens State Bank of Newport was organized in December, 1904. in which year they purchased the building in which they are still located. It was organized by the citizens of Newport and vicinity, who felt the need of a second bank at the county seat town. The first officers were: Maurice Hegerty, president ; William P. Bell, cashier. There were originally forty- four stockholders and the capital was $25,000. The present officers are : Maurice Hegerty, president ; V. N. Asbury, cashier. The present board of directors are A. R. Newlin, Guy F. Newlin, C. P. Potts, Silas V. Morgan, M. L. Holt, Maurice Hegerty, E. B. Brown and Charles M. Fultz.
R. H. Nixon & Company's Bank, at Newport, was organized in 1872. with R. H. Nixon as its president. The same year in which the bank was
335
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
started a bank building was erected, and in 1892 the bank was partly burned, causing a loss of $1,500 above the insurance collected. In 1886 the bank had its safe blown open, but the robbers did not succeed in entering the inner chest, hence the loss was only $750. Its present capital is $30,000, with sur- plus amounting to $15,000. The officers now are: R. H. Nixon, president ; H. V. Nixon, cashier; B. R. Nixon, assistant cashier.
CHAPTER XIV.
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.
Before the introduction of canals and railroads, or even before wagon roads had been provided, the Wabash valley was the center of attraction, for the Wabash river was the only means of transportation of products and supplies. The towns and villages-along this river were thus made the centers of trade and exchange. All the adjoining region, to the east in Indiana and to the west in Illinois, was compelled to bring its produce to the river Wabash for transportation to New Orleans and other Southern ports and markets. At first flat-boats by hundreds and thousands, forty, fifty, sixty, one hundred and one hundred and twenty feet in length, were constructed, loaded with pork, hogs, beef cattle, corn, wheat, oats and hay and sent down south. Five hundred of these boats were sent out of the Big Vermillion river from Eugene, Danville and other points on that stream in a single season. Scarcely a day in the April, May and June floods but that from twenty to forty of these boats would pass. They were generally manned by a steersman, who also acted as captain : four oarsmen, with long side sweeps, and one general utility boy who did the cooking. Supplies of food were taken along, and no boat was considered safely equipped which had less than twenty gallons of whisky.
To the boatmen this journey was a source of delight and pleasure, and one that even attracted the attention of minds like that of Abraham Lincoln. There was something about the romance of these "down-river" trips that charmed the young and middle-aged. The water, the free open air, the natural scenery and health-giving exercise, all conspired to draw many men and youth into this occupation. Those who made these trips came home with a large fund of interesting stories of the Mississippi river and the cities along its either shore.
Dozens of captains and boatmen lived in Clinton, Eugene and Perrysville. . Sometimes the boatmen would come north through the Cherokee Nation on foot. This trip, however, was considered a dangerous one on account of the noted gang of robbers known as "Murrell's Gang," of southern Illinois and western Kentucky. Many men from southern Indiana, Ohio and east Ken-
337
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
tucky were robbed, but fortunately none from Vermillion county were ever thus attacked.
Mercantile and other supplies were hauled by wagons across the Alle- ghany mountains, taken down the Ohio river in flat-boats and brought by keel-boats up the Wabash by push-poles and cordeling ropes, which were sent in advance, tied to trees and wound up on improvised capstans. The first steamboat made its appearance on the Wabash in 1820, and it was a great and much-talked-of event, creating much public excitement. The peo- ple, one and all, wondered and rejoiced at the steaming monster. The scream- ing fife, the throbbing drum and the roaring cannon welcomed the newly applied power. Soon steamers became more common, as one or more might have been seen passing each day up or down the gently winding banks of the Wabash. Once, when the Vermillion was at its flood-tide and the river at Perrysville was obstructed with ice, as many as eleven steamers sought har- bor at Eugene.
FREIGHTING BY WAGONS.
Before steamboat days, however, especially in the autumn and summer months, goods were brought from Evansville and Cincinnati by wagon. Men usually went in companies for mutual protection and assistance, with five or six-horse teams. One of the lead horses always wore a set of bells. If a teanı got stuck in a mud hole, which they frequently did, it was the custom for any other teamster with the same number of horses to make an effort to pull the wagon out. In case of success the bells changed ownership. In this way the bells were constantly changing from one to another. In a few years the river boats superseded this expensive mode of shipping.
Twenty-five years and more ago it was written of Vermillion county : "The surface of Vermillion county is naturally far more favorable for wagon- ing than most counties in Indiana. In addition to this, the enterprising citi- zens have added the following well-established turnpikes : One from Newport to Walnut Grove and Eugene : Newport to Quaker Point: from a point on the latter to Dana; from Dana to Clinton; from Clinton to the state line. on the Paris road; Clinton to the county line, on the road to Terre Haute; from Perrysville southwest about eighty miles.
THE RAILROADS OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
Here in Vermillion, as in all Indiana counties, the systems of railroads have had much to do with the development of the county, the building and (22
338
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
undoing of long-ago-platted villages. As early as 1847-sixty-five years ago -an east and west line of railway was projected through the county, yet the north and south railroad (now the Chicago & Eastern Illinois) was the first to be completed. The division from Evansville to Terre Haute was built in 1853-4; but the link through Vermillion county, connecting Terre Haute with Danville, was not finished until it was taken up by Joseph Collett, Jr., in 1868-69. This wealthy, enterprising gentleman, assisted by O. P. Davis, Nathan Harvey, William E. Livengood, Joseph B. Cheadle and others, held rousing meetings throughout this county, and thoroughly, honestly explained the advantages of the railroad and the feasibility of building it with a very light tax. But little opposition was met with, nearly everyone desiring such a railroad communication. In 1869 all the townships in this county voted a two per cent. tax, the limit in Indiana for such purposes. It was really one per cent. in addition to the one per cent. tax which the county agreed to give, provided it should be needed.
While this enterprise was going forward, other men were working on what was styled the "Raccoon Valley Railroad Company," planning to con- struct a railroad from Harmony, Clay county, to a point on the state line, near the roadbed of the old Indiana & Illinois Central railroad, passing through Clay, Parke and Vermillion counties; but it was generally supposed by the citizens of Vermillion county to be a ruse, just prior to the vote to be taken on the north and south line, to defeat the latter. Another discourage- ment arose from other projected east and west lines, notably the narrow- gauge route through Eugene township, in which the people along that line felt much interest. The ensuing election, however, gave a decided majority for aiding the north and south line, then called the Evansville, Terre Haute & Chicago railroad. This, under the management of Mr. Collett, was com- pleted in 1870, to the universal satisfaction of the people of Vermillion county, but not to many of the villages along its line, for the road was con- structed in the interests of the traders at Terre Haute and Danville more than for the local good of these villages and towns in Vermillion county. The road was located a mile or more from many of these towns, except at Clinton, which took on new life and has prospered ever since, while many of the river towns have suffered by reason of this line having been located so far back from the original town sites.
Mr. Collett was elected president of the railroad and remained its exec- utive head until May 1, 1880, when this link or division of the road was leased to the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Company, which corporation still owns and successfully operates it. In Vermillion county there are 34.12
339
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
miles of main track, and as early as 1880 it was assessed at $17,000 per mile ; seven miles of side-track, assessed at $2,500 per mile, and rolling stock at $1,300. The principal stations in this county are Clinton, Summit Grove, Hillsdale, Opeedee, Newport, Walnut Grove, Cayuga (Eugene), Perrysville, Gessie, and Rileysburg.
THE WABASH RAILROAD MISSED THIS COUNTY.
What is now known as the Wabash system was the first road proposed from east to west through Vermillion county. It was projected in 1847 and was designed to run from Toledo Ohio, to Springfield, Illinois. Stock was subscribed in Vermillion county and the route surveyed. The first effort was to build the road to Paris and then on to St. Louis. After much grading had been done, the enterprise changed management, and the result was that the route was changed and Lafayette and Attica obtained the road, instead of Vermillion county. It was finished in 1851-52. The men who worked day and night for this line to be located through Vermillion county were James Blair, J. F. Smith, J. N. Jones, of Perrysville, and Joseph Moore and Robert Barnett, of Eugene. But their work failed to secure for this county the coveted railroad. After struggling and waiting many long years a company was finally successful in obtaining two and one-fifth miles of rail- road and a small flag station, the corporation being then styled the Indianapo- lis, Bloomington & Western, but in the late eighties this was taken over by the present system styled the "Big Four," which crosses the Wabash river at Covington, Fountain county, and simply touches Vermillion territory as above noted. less than three miles in distance of main track.
THE OLD INDIANAPOLIS, DECATUR AND SPRINGFIELD LINE.
This railway was completed in 1874, without much aid from the people. About 1854, when so many roads were projected and so few finished, the Indiana & Illinois Central Railway Company nearly completed the grading of this route. Later the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Company leased the road. It has nine and a half miles within Vermillion county, with station points at Hillsdale and one at Dana, near the state line between In- diana and Illinois. Subsequently, it passed into the hands of what is known as the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Company, and they operated it until the summer of 1912, when it was taken over by the Baltimore & Ohio system. It crosses the Wabash at Hillsdale, passes through the southern portion of Montezuma, and so on through Parke county.
340
PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
THE OLD NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD.
More than any other portion of Vermillion, the citizens of Eugene town- ship were interested in the old narrow-gauge line. They voted a tax, took subscriptions, and aided in all possible ways, but finally the project failed. The link here was then known as the Frankfort & State Line Road. The Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad Company constructed the road, of a narrow gauge, in 1882, but, like the original company, left the village of Eugene a mile and a half away, crossing the Chicago & Eastern Illinois line at Cayuga. In 1886 the company was reorganized under the name of the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City Railway (narrow gauge). They proceeded to enlarge the track to the standard gauge, put on first-class rolling stock and made the highway in all respects up-to-date. The longest bridge on this road is the one crossing the Wabash opposite Eugene, having five spans of one hundred and sixty feet each. There are eight and one-half miles of this road within Vermillion county.
THE ELECTRIC LINE.
Clinton, in this county, is the western terminus of the Terre Haute, In- dianapolis & Eastern Traction Company, that has a line from Terre Haute to Clinton, and runs its interurban trains every hour of the day, making a great convenience for the people desiring to trade in Terre Haute. It is a well equipped electric highway with all modern improvements.
THE CHICAGO, TERRE HAUTE AND SOUTHEASTERN.
This railroad was generally styled the "Walsh road" on account of its having been built largely through the capital furnished by that noted capital- ist and Chicago banker, John R. Walsh, who finally was arrested for mis- management of the people's money and, after serving in the government prison in Kansas for his ill-doings, was pardoned after several years, and soon died. This line of railroad, in its course from Chicago to the great coal fields of Indiana, runs through Danville and Terre Haute sections and, en route, traverses the western line of Vermillion county, with a station or two. including West Dana, where it crosses the old Cincinnati, Hamilton & Day- ton road. It was projected and completed early in the first decade of this century, about 1905. It transports immense quantities of coal. The length of its main track in this county is a fraction over seventeen miles.
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PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
PRESENT RAILROAD MILEAGE IN THE COUNTY.
According to the latest official returns to the state authorities, the fol- lowing is the mileage for the various railroads within Vermillion county :
Clinton City-Chicago & Eastern Illinois, eighty-nine one-hundredths miles.
Dana (town)-The Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western ( now Balti- more & Ohio), one-half mile.
Newport (town)-Chicago & Eastern Illinois, twenty-four one-hun- dredths miles.
Cayuga (town)-Chicago & Eastern Illinois, ninety-eight one hun- dredths miles.
Clinton City-Chicago & Eastern Illinois, eighty-nine one-hundredths miles.
Highland Township-Chicago & Eastern Illinois, eight and eighty-seven one-hundredths miles. Peoria & Eastern, two and nineteen one-hundredths miles.
Eugene Township-Chicago & Eastern Illinois, six and nine one-hun- dredths miles. Toledo, St. Louis & Western, five and seventy-nine hundredths miles.
Vermillion Township-Chicago & Eastern Illinois, six and seventy-three one-hundredths miles. Chicago, Terre Haute & Southeastern, two and twen- ty-nine one-hundredths miles.
Clinton Township-Chicago & Eastern Illinois, one and eighty-five hun- dredths miles. Chicago, Terre Haute & Southeastern, six and three one- hundredths miles.
Helt Township-Chicago & Eastern Illinois, nine miles. Chicago, Terre Haute & Southeastern, nine miles. The C. I. & W. line, eight and seventy- four hundredths miles.
Total mileage in county, seventy-two and sixty-five one hundredths miles. Main line tracks only given.
GRAVEL ROADS IN THE COUNTY.
In 1910 the following gravel roads were listed by the county as having been constructed and then in use :
In Highland township there were sixty miles.
In Eugene township there were twenty-three miles.
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PARKE AND VERMILLION COUNTIES, INDIANA.
In Vermillion township there were fifty-one miles. In Helt township there were seventy-six miles. In Clinton township there were sixty-six miles.
The average number of miles per township was fifty-five and sixty-eight one-hundredths miles. The total mileage in Vermillion county was at that date three hundred.
CHAPTER XV.
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
Indiana is a farming state, and among her small, but excellent, agricul- tural districts is Vermillion county, washed by the western shores of the famous Wabash river. Indeed it has been long ago remarked that "every foot of this county is good farming land." Originally, one-fourth of its area was prairie and three-fourths timber land. The most of the prairie land is a rich black soil, while the remainder of the county is rich bottom land of the first and second variety. The entire county is easily drained and available to good cultivation. Especially the lower bottom lands are rich, much of it being subject to inundations, which leaves a sediment equal to the soil found in the celebrated valley of the Nile in Egypt. Here corn is supremely en- throned as king of the crops produced. Also as high as sixty-five bushels of wheat have been raised per acre, while one hundred and ten bushels of corn have been raised in Vermillion county.
At an early day, flax was grown in inimense quantities. The flax pro- duced was mixed with cotton purchased, and woven into cloth. Then every house was a miniature factory. The machinery used for manufacturing flax consisted of a brake, a wooden knife to swingle out shives with, a hetchel or hackle to remove the tow and straighten out the lint. They also used the small spinning wheel ("jenny") to twist it into thread. For cotton. a hand gin was used, and hand cards were employed to make it into rolls, which were spun into thread upon a large spinning-wheel. A day's work for a woman was to card and spin from six to eight cuts. Ready-made clothing was not then known in the markets of the world. Nearly every man was his own shoemaker. Some of the more busy settlers employed an itinerant cob- bler, who usually made his trips from house to house in the autumn months and winter season, having with him his little kit of shoemaker's tools, with which he took the measure and made by hand the boots and shoes needed in the family. If the leather ran out before the youngest child was "shod," then he or she had to go without shoes, which often happened.
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