USA > Indiana > Pike County > History of Pike and Dubois counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. : together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 30
USA > Indiana > Dubois County > History of Pike and Dubois counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. : together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 30
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To the Honorable County Commissioners of Pike County, State of Indiana:
The undersigned Commissioners, appointed by an Act of the General Assem bly of the State of Indiana, entitled An Act for the formation of a new county out of the Counties of Knox, Perry and Gibson, approved December twenty first, eighteen hundred and sixteen, for the purpose of fixing the seat of justice
336
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
in said county of Pike, consistent and conformably to the Act of the General Assembly of the Territory, entitled An Act for the fixing of the seats of justice in all new Counties hereinafter to be laid off, approved March 2d, 1813, beg leave to report that they have chosen and fixed the seat of justice on a donation of land made to the county by Peter Brenton, Henry Miley, Sr., Henry Miley, Jr., and John Coonrod, containing one hundred and twelve acres, situate and lying north of the base line, in town one, to be taken off of sectious twenty-two, twenty six and twenty-seven, agreeable and consistent with the plat and boud of the said Peter Brenton, Henry Miley, Sr., Henry Miley, Jr., and John Coonrod to convey the same to the county, herewith submitted. In making the selection for the seat of justice for Pike County, your Commissioners have taken into view the present population, the extent of the county and the quality of the soil, together with the natural advantages of the county, and were unanimously of the opinion that it would admit of a future division, and in all probability from the great emigration to the country (judging from the past), will justify a division in a few years by the line dividing Sections two and three, in Range six, running north and south. Previous to fixing upon any site your Commis- sioners examined all the county lying between Patoka and White Rivers, except the extreme eastern part, and would willingly have examined that part of the county south of Patoka had the season and weather admitted of it. But your Commissioners are satisfied of its situation and quality of the soil from the acquaintance of Colonel Hargrove, one of the Commissioners, with that part of the county, and the character given by many of the citizens north of the Patoka and one or two south of Patoka. Your Commissioners have examined the situ- ations near the center of the whole county, and the center of the western division of the county and the country around them, but your Commissioners could not think of fixing the seat of justice on any of the sites in the center of the whole county, because they were of opinion a division would take place in a few years. Nor could your Commissioners, from the present population, tak- ing into view the prospect of a future population in the western division of the county, think of placing it nearer than they have. Although the site fixed upon is not the center of the western division, yet from its eligible and beautiful situ- ation, together with its natural advantages and present population, with a due regard to future population, your Commissioners could not think otherwise than that it would remain and be the permanent seat of justice for the western division of the county.
Pike County, 15th February, 1817.
GEORGE R. C. SULLIVAN. B. V. BECKES. GEORGE W. BOONE. EPHRAIM JORDAN. WILLIAM HARGROVE.
The town site was surveyed by Hosea Smith April 3, 1817. It was laid off into 152 lots one-fourth acre in size, twelve one acre in size, and two consisting of about one-half an acre. The deed from the donors conveying the land to the agent of the county, Thomas C. Stewart, was not made until August 18, of the same year. The consideration mentioned in the deed is $20,000, but of course nothing was paid. It was decided to call the town
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Petersburg, in honor of the principal donor, Peter Brenton. A public sale of lots took place April 14, 1817, with Benjamin V. Beckes as auctioneer. The first plat sold was No. 83. It was bought by Robert M. Evans for $144, the highest price paid for a single lot at this or any subsequent sale. Joseph W. Loan bought Lot No. 84 for $120. John N. Truesdale paid $106 for Lot No. 72, and Thomas J. Withers, $101 for the adjoining lot, 73. Occasional private sales were afterward made, and up to February 11, of the next year, eighty-six lots had been sold for an aggregate of $3,183.87. In addition to those already men- tioned the purchasers of lots are as follows: G. R. C. Sullivan. Bazil Brown, Levi Kinman, Harrison Jones, Peter Brenton, David Hart, Jacob Harbison, James Campbell, John Butler, Archibald Campbell, B. V. Beckes, Robert Brenton, John Ollom, Joseph Selby, Jonathan Walker, Isaac Ogden, John McIntire, Thomas Case, William Wright, John Price, James Kinman, Thomas C. Stewart, John Chapman, Phillip Catt, John J. Neely, John Johnson, Paul Tislow, James Jackson, Daniel Coonrod, David Parks, Nathaniel Huntingdon, Hngh Shaw, John Davis- son, John Childs, Samuel Scott, John Coonrod, John Kinman, Silas Sovereigns, Henry Miley, Ewing Milburn, Henry Coon- rod, George Coonrod, J. Hathaway, David Kinman and Robert Mead.
A second public sale of lots took place on the first Monday in January, 1825. But it seems that all were not disposed of at that time and another sale was held in August of the same year. The prices paid were much less than at the first sale, and thirty- six lots brought only about $300. Soon after the town was laid off, the sheriff let the contract for clearing the public square to Levi Kinman who received $44 therefor. At about the same time Thomas C. Stewart received the contract for the erection of a pillory on the square. This served also as a whipping post. James Walker was paid $17.75, for clearing Lot No. 107, upon which a log court house was soon after erected. Among the first to build houses and take up their residence in the town were Thomas C. Stewart, Thomas Case, Thomas Mead, James Kinman and John MeIntire. The early tavern-keepers were Joseph Hay, Robert C. Mead, Thomas J. Withers, Thomas Case, James Kin- man, John Finn and Bazil Gaither. A large part of their busi-
338
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
ness consisted in selling liquors, and they were compelled to pay a license of from $1.50 to $2.50. Their rates of charges were fixed by the county commissioners, and the following is the scale adopted at their first meeting:
Each half pint of whisky 12} cents.
Each pint of cider or beer 12} cents.
Each half pint of peach brandy .37} cents.
Each diet. 25 cents.
Each night's lodging.
12} cents.
A horse to hay all night. 12} cents.
At a little later date most of the stores sold whisky, and were licensed under the title of "groceries," to sell spirituous and malt liquors and aromatic and foreign groceries.
McIntire & Stewart were the first merchants. They occupied a small log building where Eisert's grocery store now stands. A little later, James Bryant opened a store in a little frame build- ing near the same site. Neither of these stores was continued long, and in 1820, Vincennes was the nearest point at which goods were sold. The earliest merchant who did business on anything like an extensive scale was Matthew Foster, who began business in 1827, and afterward formed a partnership with Albert Hammond. They handled large amounts of produce which they flat-boated to New Orleans. Other merchants of the "twenties" were Moses Harrell, George H. Proffit, James Kinman, Archibald Campbell and Daniel O'Blenis. The postoffice was removed from White Oak Springs soon after the town was laid out, and John McIntire became postmaster. He was accustomed to carry the letters in his hat, and to deliver them as he chanced to meet those to whom they were addressed. The physician of this period was Abraham Tourtellot, a man of considerable ability. He died about 1835. He was succeeded by John W. Posey, Alexander Leslie and Joseph Davisson.
Manufacturing Enterprises .- The first to engage in this line of business was Thomas Milburn, who built a horse-mill a short distance from town, about 1822. After running it a short time he sold it to Henry Miley, who moved it to a site near the ceme- tery in the east part of town. In 1827, Peter and James Brenton erected a building and put in a carding-machine which they ran for a few years. About the same time William Deadman had a hattery in a log-house on Lot 106. He supplied a large section
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY
of country with hats which would often last eight or ten years Two distilleries furnished "liquid comfort" to the inhabitants of the town. Meredith Howard had one on a lot now owned by Frederick Reuss and Chris and William Miller ran one on the bank of the creek. These furnished a market for a considerable quantity of corn and rye. The Millers also had a tread-mill at which they ground the grain for their "still." Jacob Stuckey built a saw and grist-mill which was run by the same power. It was located in the lower part of town. and was built about 152>. Boots and shoes were made by William Cargle and Aaron Grider. Samuel Stuckey had a tanyard just outside of town. on what is known as the Vincennes road. The above includes about all of the manufacturing industries previous to 1835.
The Business Men of the Thirties .- The leading business men during the decade of the thirties were Foster & Hammond. H. W. & S. W. Kinman, Posey & Withers, Thomas L. Montgom- ery and A. S. Drennen, all of whom carried a stock of general merchandise and were licensed to keep "groceries." George H. Proffit and Mr. Hughs also sold goods during this period. In 1838, John Graham built a saw-mill on the present site of Frank Bros.' mill. He afterward enlarged it and put in machinery for grinding grain.
The Business Men of the Forties .-- The growth of the town was very slow up to the close of this decade, at which time the population as found by the census of 1550 was only 480. The leading merchants were Thomas L. Montgomery, A. & P. C. Hammond, Warner L. Scott, Goodlet Morgan. Jackson M. Kin- man, James Kinman, Jonathan Wilson, William Hawthorn and Robert MeBay. The postmasters up to 1850 after John McIntire were Albert Hammond, Warner L. Scott and William Hawthorn.
The Business Men of the Fifties .- The decade of the fifties was one of the most prosperous in the earlier history of the town. The building of the Wabash & Erie Canal brought in large num- bers of laborers, and by its completion Petersburg was made one of the best shipping points in southern Indiana. A number of warehouses were built, and pork packing became an important industry, while all kinds of produce were shipped in large quanti- ties. Among the leading business men of this period were Warner L. Scott. P. (. Hammond. Thomas L. Montgomery.
340
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Goodlet Morgan, Jonathan Wilson, William and R. P. Haw- thorn, John B. Hanna, William H. Connelly, Thomas M. Kin- man. E. B. Boone and W. L. Minnick. The leading physicians were Alexander Leslie, J. R. Adams, G. D. Jacquess and Colum- bus Hickson. The hotels were kept by Samuel Benjamin and Jackson M. Kinman.
The Cholera .- In the summer of 1850 Petersburg was visited by that terrible scourge, cholera. The first death was that of the child of an Irishman who came from New Orleans to work on the canal. A few days later the man himself took the disease and died. From these cases the disease spread rapidly among the laborers on the canal, and large numbers of them died. The citizens of the town became panic stricken, and at one time Petersburg was almost depopulated, there being about only twelve families re- maining. Dr's. Leslie and Adams remained bravely at their posts. and did much to relieve the suffering and to prevent the spread of the disease. Only eleven residents of the town died. Among them were Malachi Merrick and two children, Mrs. Emiline Connelly and two children, George Barnett and wife, and William Benjamin.
The Merchants of the Sixties .- At the beginning of this dec- ade, the canal having fallen into disuse, the growth of the town received a decided check, and business men were compelled to go back to the old methods of transportation. Goodlet Morgan con- tinued to deal extensively in produce and live-stock, and also carried a large stock of general merchandise. Among other lead- ing merchants may be mentioned P. C. Hammond, Thomas L. Montgomery, Gus Frank, Moses Frank, S. G. Barrett, Robert McBay and Gus Hisgen. N. W. Thornton and Thomas Zull were druggists; Weedman & White and Custin & King, manu- facturers and dealers in furniture; Elias Osborne, Alexander Moore, dealers in boots and shoes; Fred Reuss and John J. In- graham, harness-makers; C. A. Burger & Bro., merchant tailors; John J. Eisert, groceries; Shawhan & Knight, hardware: David- son & Hopkins, Adams Bros. and Charles Schaefer were the livery men; Charles Schaefer was proprietor of the Pike Hotel. Mrs. John O. Carter of the Carter House, and A. G. Davisson of the Exchange. The postmasters during this and the preceding decade were Warner L. Scott, Samuel Campbell, J. B. Hendricks.
341
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
John Hanna, Darwin Hewins and James Coleman. Those who have had the office since 1870 are Rev. Ravenscroft, his daughter, Mary Glezen and Thomas K. Fleming.
Later Manufacturing Industries .- About 1834 Graham & Connelly built a saw-mill on the present site of Frank's Mill. Two years later it was sold to George H. Proffit, who soon after transferred it to James C. Graham and Fielding Johnson, the latter of whom was succeeded by Fred Meyers. About 1839 a grist-mill was added, and a few years later it was entirely destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt by Graham and Simon P. Frank. The former sold his interest to Snyder, and the mill is now owned by the sons of Mr. Frank. About 1855 Harrison Po- sey built a mill, and put in some carding machines. He sold out to J hn N. Posey and W. H. Connelly. The next owner was Clinton Bruner, who put in a grist-mill. He died, and the mill, after changing hands several times, was burned in 1885. The first planing-mill was built by Marcus King on the lot where Al- fred Buress lives, about 1858. After being run for some time it was moved away. Coleman & King built the planing-mill now owned by E. R. King, in 1866 or 1867. The mill owned by Canady was built by Erb Dickson.
In 1865 John S. Stucky built a woolen-mill on Lot 17. It was run for about ten years, when it fell into disuse. John Bu- chanan had a foundry in Snyder's enlargement, between 1850 and 1860. He operated it about two years, but when the canal went down it was discontinued. S. G. Upton & Co. were also connect- ed with it for a short time. The Champion Steam Flouring-mill was built by C. E. Montgomery in 1878. In 1885 the roller pro- cess was put in, and the mill sold to John B. Young and John Crow.
Petersburg has been the residence of several men of prom- inence in State and National affairs. Among the earlier may be mentioned Maj. John McIntire who served with distinction dur- ing the war of 1812 in Col. R. M. Johnson's regiment. Soon after the organization of the county he took up his residence in Petersburg, and from that time for many years filled the offices of county clerk and recorder. John Johnson and Thomas C. Stew- art were both men of ability. The former organized the county, and represented it in the State Legislature for the first eight
7
342
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
years. Stewart was agent of the county for several years, and was a member of the State Senate from 1835 to 1838. During the "twenties" George H. Proffit came to Petersburg, and en- gaged in merchandising. He later turned his attention to law and politics, especially the latter. He was a shrewd politician and an orator of great brilliancy. He served two terms in the State Legislature, and two terms as Representative in Congress. Upon the accession of Tyler to the presidency, he championed the President's cause and was made minister to Brazil. He died in the prime of life, and is buried in the old cemetery. Hon. John W. Foster, United States minister to Spain, is the son of Judge Matthew Foster, and it was here that he was born and spent his early years.
ADDITIONS TO PETERSBURG.
No. of Lots.
1836 Canalport by Peter Brenton 43
1853 Snyder's enlargement. 65
1854 Adams' addition to Canalport 6
1854 Withers' addition.
1869 Hawthorn's addition. 77
12
1870 Harrell's addition 25
1872 Proffits' addition 42
1883 Morgan's addition. 33
1884 Eisert's addition. 21
1885 Schaefer's addition 25
The Municipal Government .- June 4, 1855, Alexander Leslie presented to the. county commissioners a petition signed by ninety-eight voters of the town praying for an order of incorpora- tion to include the original town and the addition which had been made up to that time. It stated that according to a census taken by W. R. Scott the town had a population of 589. An order for an election to determine upon incorporation was issued, and the election was held June 23, 1855, resulting in a vote of sixty-three for to sixty-one against incorporation. Accord- ingly at the next meeting of the commissioners the town was ordered incorporated. An election of officers was held and the government organized. H. B. Custin was elected president of the board. G. H. Scott, clerk; and James Barr, marshal. The other members of the board were J. P. Glizen, George D. Mitchell, Thomas M. Kinman and John Hutchins. One of the first ordinances passed provided for the laying of a pavement
343
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
eight feet wide on each side of Main Street. At the election held in May. 1858, D. W. Horton was elected clerk; A. Leslie, treas- urer; R. R. Rainey, marshal, and Marcus King, John S. Stuckey, John McIntire, Samuel R. Snyder and Henry Knost, trustees. In April, 1860, an ordinance regulating the liquor business and requiring dealers to pay a tax of $100 per annum, was passed. The officers at this time were Thomas Knight, John S. Stuckey, John J. Eisert, William Barr, R. M. Case, trustees; N. W. Thornton, clerk: Alexander Leslie, treasurer and R. R. Rainey, marshal. At the next election Marcus King, James R. Adams, Simon P. Frank, Robert McBay and John Washam were elected trustees; Thomas L. Montgomery, treasurer; John E. Phillips, clerk, and William Shaw, marshal.
The records of the proceedings of the town council having been destroyed by fire in 1883, but little is known in regard to them previous to 1870, but it is safe to say that no business of great importance was transacted. The officers elected were as follows in 1861: Thomas Knight, Goodlet Morgan, Robert McBay, S. R. Snyder, Robert M. Case, trustees; Thomas L Montgomery, treasurer; J. E. Phillips, clerk; John Hawkins, marshal. 1862, Thomas Martin, Simon P. Frank, Robert McBay, William Barr, Reuben Case, trustees; James L. Mount, marshal: O. F. Baker, clerk: Thomas L. Montgomery, treasurer. 1863, Thomas Knight, J. B. Hanna, H. B. Custin, S. R. Sny- der, R. M. Case, trustees; Thomas L. Montgomery, treasurer; William H. Donahue, clerk; William L. Shaw, marshal. 1864, Alexander Leslie, Goodlet Morgan, J. J. Eisert, John M. Ham- mond, John O. Carter, trustees: William H. Connelly, treasurer; William Hawthorn clerk; Thadeus Withers, marshal. 1865, Alexander Leslie, William Hawthorn, H. B. Custin, Samuel R. Snyder, John O. Carter, trustees; William H. Connelly, treas- urer; W. T. B. McIntire, clerk; John Tislow, marshal. 1866, N. W. Thornton, Reddick Harrell, William Davisson, James R. Adams, Abraham Case, trustees; Thomas L. Montgomery, treas- urer; J. D. Boon, clerk; A. Palmer, marshal. 1867, Thomas Knight, William H. Connelly. H. B. Custin, Robert H. Stewart, John O. Carter, trustees; Thomas L. Montgomery, treasurer; John H. Miller, clerk: William Davisson, marshal. 1868, Alex- ander Leslie, R. Harrell, F. M. Scales, J. F. Hoffhine, Abraham
344
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Case, trustees; A. J. Snyder, treasurer; A. G. Davisson, clerk ; William Selby, marshal. 1869, Alexander Leslie, Hiram N. McGowan, George Whitman, Levi Ferguson, William Barr, trus- tees; Robert McBay, treasurer; Thaddeus C. Withers, clerk; David Tyler, marshal. 1870, N. W. Thornton, William H. Posey, James Shawhan, Charles D. Alexander, Zachariah Troyer, trustees; John J. Eisert, treasurer; F. B. Posey, clerk; Robert Beazley, marshal. In July, bonds to the amount of $6,000 were ordered to be issued for the purpose of erecting, a school build- ing. The bonds were each of the denomination of $100, due in one, two and three years. The officers elected in May, 1871, were John Hammond, H. C. Adams, William L. Merrick, William Barr and Zachariah Troyer, trustees; Thomas L. Montgomery, treasurer; J. D. Boon, clerk; Samuel Coonrod, marshal. At their last meeting, the trustees and clerk donated their services for the year to the town.
At the September meeting of the county board a petition was presented praying for the incorporation of all territory included in Sections 22, 23, 26, fractional Section 16 and the greater part of Sections 21 and 27, Town 1 north, Range 8 west. A remonstrance was presented and the prayer was not granted. The officers for 1872-73 were C. E. Montgomery, John H. Miller, John J. Eisert, William Barr and C. H. McCarty, trustees; W. L. Merrick, marshal; William H. Posey, treasurer ; J. D. Boon, clerk. In June, bonds to the amount of $15,000 were ordered to be issued for the purpose of funding the bonds outstanding and to provide for the completion of the school buildings. The bonds were each of the denomina- tion of $500, and drew interest at the rate of 10 per cent. They were sold at 6 per cent discount. Eight bonds were made due in four years, five in six years, seven in eight years, and ten in ten years. The officers elected for 1873-74 were Alexander Les- lie, J. B. Hendricks, A. R. Snyder, Thad. C. Withers, John O. Carter, trustees; W. H. Posey, treasurer; F. B. Posey, clerk; D. C. Hutchins, marshal. For 1874-75 the officers were J. P. Martin, John F. Trofzer, A. R. Snyder, William Siple, John O. Carter, trustees; W, H. Posey, treasurer; E. P. Richardson, clerk. The officers elected for the next year were Alexander Leslie, J. F. Trafzer, A. R. Snyder, J. W. Richardson, C. F. Boonshot, trustees; William H. Posey, treasurer; Oscar Hammond, clerk.
345
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
For 1876-77 the officers were Elias Osborne, S. P. Frank, A. R. Snyder, M. M. C. Hobbs, C. F. Boonshot, trustees; William H. Posey, treasurer; Oscar Hammond, clerk.
In August, four bonds of $500, each bearing 10 per cent inter- est due in three years were issued to pay other bonds then due.
The next officers elected were Thomas S. Tull, John Ham- mond, Abraham Seebern, Levi Ferguson, E. S. Ely, trustees; J. W. Gullick, treasurer; Charles H. Burton, clerk. For 1878-79 the officers were Alexander Leslie, J. B. Hendricks, C. W. Cham- bers, E. R. King, C. F. Boonshot, trustees; J. W. Gullick, treas- urer; Emmet M. Smith, clerk. In July, bonds to the amount of $1,750, drawing 6 per cent interest, due in three years, were is- sued to pay outstanding bonds then due.
At the election in 1879, the officers chosen were: William Berry, J. W. Gullick, G. S. Eisert, F. B. Posey, George King, trustee; O. A. Hammond, treasurer; D. A. Sherwood, clerk; J. F. Hoffhines, marshal. For 1880-81, the officers were Charles Boonshot, John H. Miller, Daniel White, George W. Pinney, J. M. Craig, trustees; J.W. Gullick, treasurer; William H. Thomp- son, clerk; Thomas J. Reed, marshal. In November, a bond for $4,200 due August 1, 1882, was issued to pay bonds then due. The officers for 1881-82 were John Crow, Morris Frank, H. C. Adams, George Miley, Arthur Palmer, trustees; J. W. Gullick, treasurer; John M. Hammond, clerk: Thomas Tislow, marshal. The officers for. 1882-84 were Solomon Snyder, J. B. Young, H. C. Coleman, H. C. Adams, Morris Frank, trustees; E. M. Smith, treasurer; F. J. Patterson, clerk; George W. Miley, mar- shal. In August, bonds to the amount $7,000 were issued to replace all outstanding bonds. The officers for 1883-84 were J. B. Young, Reddick Harrell, Sr., Thomas Smith, Frederick Smith, James Shawhan, George Miley, marshal: E. M. Smith, treasurer ; Harry Fowler, clerk. For 1884-85 the officers were A. K. Selby, John Tislow, Frederick Smith, Morris Frank, Thomas Smith, trustees; E. M. Smith, treasurer; Harry Fowler, clerk ; Jerome Borer, marshal. For 1885-86 the officers are: Frederick Smith, A. K. Selby. John F. Trafzer, J. P. Martin, Joseph Lowery, trustees; E. M. Smith, treasurer; Harry Fowler, clerk; E. S. Martin, marshal. The lists of officers are those elected, others have been, from time to time, appointed to fill vacancies.
346
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
The corporation is now practically out of debt, as there are suf- ficient funds on hand to pay all outstanding bonds.
Fires .- December 2, 1882, occurred the first of a series of fires which were to destroy the best part of the town. This fire originated in Alexan ler Moore's saloon, and the entire block was laid in ashes. The heaviest losses were: W. P. Knight, $2,000, Henry Rickrich, $6,500; M. H. Frank, $2,000; J. R. Adams, $1,500; Alexander Moore, 81,700; William McBay, $1,500. Many others lost smaller amounts. Only eight days later, at an early hour in the morning, the alarm of fire was again sounded. and the postoffice was found to be in flames. The office had been burglarized and afterward fired to cover up the rob- bery. Among the losses were: Augustus Frank, $20,000; Shawhan & Boonshot, $1,000; George King, $1,000; Glezen & Carson, $1,500; J. J. Eisert & Son, 81.200; D. W. Horton, $200. Mrs. Knight, $1,500; Frederick Reuss, $700. The third fire, which was more disastrous than either of the preceding, oc- curred August 29, 1883. The aggregate losses were estimated at $71,000, with an insurance of about $28,000. The sufferers from this fire were numerous. Moses Frank lost $10,000; P. C. Hammond & Son, $7,500; Hammond & Parker, 85,000; Barrett & Son, $6,000; N. W. Thornton, $3,500; Edwards & Ware, 85,000; Bergen & Adams, 84,500; J. W. Gladish, $1,000; Will- iam Hawthorn, $2,500; Billmeyer & Young, $5,000; Emmet M. Smith, $1,500; C. A. Borger & Bro., $800; Ely & Townsend. $2,000. The fourth fire occurred May 15, 1884. It origi- nated in a building occupied by Ware & Latshaw, and spreading rapidly, destroyed an entire block. Among the buildings burned were two hotels, two dry goods stores, a grocery, drug store, saloon, butcher shop and several offices. The office of the Demo- crat was a second time destroyed. The loss was estimated at $50,000 partially insured. Immediately after the first fires, the work of rebuilding was begun, and in less than three years near- ly every one of the old buildings is replaced by handsome brick structures that wouldl do credit to any city.
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