USA > Indiana > Posey County > History of Posey County, Indiana : from the earliest times 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 31
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
or at least uncertain, John Givens, in March, 1817, resurveyed and recorded a part of the land previously laid out on the west side by Mr. Wagoner. It is probable that he became the pur- chaser of the land from Mr. Wagoner, to which he laid out an addition. Much of this was vacated in 1833 upon petition of the citizens. Early in 1819 Jesse Y. Welborn, John Burlison, Matthew Williams, William Crabtree, Aaron Burlison, Samuel Gill, Aaron Baker, and Thomas E. Castelberry organized them- selves into a stock company and bought of Aaron Williams seventy-two and one-half acres of the east bank of Mill Creek, comprising the heart of the present town, paying therefor $3,500; and on the 10th of May of the same year resurveyed and re- recorded all that part of the present town on the east bank of Mill Creek, from the river north to Fifth Street, and from Wal- nut Street on the east to Mill Creek, and Mill Street on the west; including the present Public Square. These men, styling them- selves the "Mount Vernon Company," thus became proprietors of the town. On the same day of the resurvey just mentioned, Jesse Y. Welborn laid out an addition; but seems to have done this as an agent of the company, though nothing giving him this authority could be found. April 10, 1822, the company for- mally constituted Thomas Givens their agent to sell any of their lands, etc. November 26, 1822, Mr. Welborn laid out an ad- dition from Walnut to Mulberry Streets and from Sixth Street on the north to Water Street on the south; he also laid out another addition June 29, 1826, extending from Walnut to Main and from Sixth to Eighth.
THE FIRST MERCHANTS, ETC.
In 1825 the county seat was established at Mount Vernon, a full account of which will be found elsewhere. The town took a new lease of life and grew quite rapidly, and was the rival, and even ahead in numbers and commercial importance, of Evans- ville. Shanklin & Moffit engaged in merchandising, as did Dunn & McFaddin, Jesse Y. Welborn, North & Stewart, Richard & James Barter, Aaron Baker, North, Dunn & McFaddin and Rob- ert J. Dunn; Henry G. Luston, tavern; McFaddin & Burlison, merchandise; Barter & Swift, grocery; North, Welborn & Weirberry and others. From 1830 to 1840 the leading business
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
establishments were at times the most of the above, besides Presley Pritchett, tavern; R. Barter & Co., merchandise; Aaron Baker, merchandise; Bacon & James, merchandise; John S. Dunn, grocery; John McMunn, grocery; Baldwin & Hogue, grocery; H. S. Wilson, merchandise; McFaddin & Nettleton, merchandise; T. S. Veatclı & Co., merchandise; William Aldridge, grocery; H. H. Richardson, merchandise; Adam Moffit, merchandise; Hector Craig, merchandise; James & Lowery, merchandise; Barter, Swift, & Barter, merchandise; J. B. Weir, grocery; Dunn & Harrison, merchandise; John Connor, tavern; David Spalding, grocery; Scarborough Pentecost, merchandise; H. B. Dean, grocery; Asa Bacon, tavern; Aaron B. Gill, merchandise; Beniah Moss, gro- cery; Craig & Pollard, merchandise; John Carson, grocery ; Felix Mills, tavern; John T. Gill & Co., merchandise; Daniel Arthur, merchandise and grocery; T. J. Hinch, merchandise; James F. Reeder, merchandise; A. W. Welborn, grocery, and others. These men were not in businesss at the same time, necessarily, and several changed their groceries into general merchandise. The postmasters of Mount Vernon have been as follows: Jesse Y. Welborn, Darius North, Andrew McFaddin, Scarborough Pen- tecost, Hudson Parke, John D. Hinch, John B. Wilson, Harrison O'Bannon, John B. Chaffin, Harrison O'Bannon, W. M. McAr- thur, Joseph Moore, Harrison O'Bannon, George Kincaid, Sylva- nus Milner, Edward Brown, C. J. Hovey.
THE FIRST INCORPORATION.
On Saturday, November 17, 1832, pursuant to notice, the citizens of Mount Vernon gathered at the court house for the purpose of holding an election to decide whether the town should be incorporated. George S. Green was made president of the meeting and T. S. Veatch, secretary. A plan for the division of the town into five wards was presented by Jesse Y. Welborn, and formally accepted by vote. The election was then held with the selection of the following trustees: E. R. James, Moses Wel- born, Eben D. Edson, Jesse Y. Welborn, and Aaron Baker. Votes were also cast for James McFaddin, A. S. Gamble, William Moore and Arza Lee. The following men polled their votes: Henry Holland, Presley Pritchett, T. J. Duncan, William Hall, John Knight, E. R. James, Asa Bacon, H. G. Luston, Samuel
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
Scott, Jesse Y. Welborn, Adam Moffit, J. N. Hatcher, L. J. Lar- kin, Moses Welborn, Zachariah Baker, George S. Baker, John C. Welborn, Francis De Sanchet, John Carson, Jeremiah Spillman, Levi M. Ricksicker, Mason F. Green, Richard Barter, William Moss, Andrew S. Gamble, James Barton, James B. Finch, H. H. Richardson, George S. Green and T. S. Veatch; total 31, several present not voting. The municipal wheels were set in motion by this town board. In the summer of 1833, Mr. Edson resigned his seat, and was succeeded by John Carson. In November, 1833, the election of trustees resulted as follows: Darius North, 11 votes; W. J. Lowery, 10; William Moore, 10; William P. Hatfield, 10; Samuel Scott, 7; John Carson, 3; John Knight, 1; Elijah Goodwin 1, and Hezekiah Holland, 1. The first five men- tioned having received the highest number of votes were de- clared elected. Votes were polled by J. C. Welborn, J. Y. Wel- born, J. T. Gill, Joseph Gill, E. R. James, William Moore, B. Moss, Aaron Baker, A. S. Gamble, John Knight and Samuel Scott. How long the corporate government was carried on can- not be stated, but probably not over two years, as all traces of it are then lost.
RESIDENTS DURING THE THIRTIES.
Among the residents of the town during the decade of the thirties were the following: John Dunn, Scarborough Pentecost, B. Moss, Feliu Mills, William Trafford, G. B, Green. Arza Lee, Moses Welborn, Thomas Knowles, John P. Davis, James Breese, Asa Bacon, E. R. James, Simeon Moore, James Barter, R. Dan- iel, John Carson, John Connor, John Cooper, William Moore, Presley Pritchett, Mason F. Green, John T. Gill, W. Pollard, W. James, Hector Craig, W. E. Stewart, A. S. Gamble, Isaac Will- iams, W. P. Hatfield, Aaron Baker, Francis Allyn, J. P. McGon- egal, W. J. Lowery, John Noel, J. McFaddin, S. Moss, Yelverton Finch, Hezekiah Holland, J. B. Weir, W. A. L. Green, James Dunn, H. G. Luston, J. Y. Welborn, J. T. and Joseph Gill, Darius North, S. Nersler, A. Jenkins, H. B. Gano, M. Young, Robert Young, R. P. McClanahan, D. McMullen, Jesse Moore, John Cox, H. Nelson, H. Carter, Elihu Moore, Lewis Combs, John R. Evertson, Rheso Knoles, J. T. McKee, David J. William- son, besides those named above and others.
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
EARLY CORN AND PORK SHIPMENTS.
The early commercial business of the town was confined to the river. It brought in all supplies needed, and carried away all that could be spared. Flour and meal were obtained from flat- boats; and all needed store supplies from store-boats. The first. product shipped from here was fire-wood to be used on the river vessels. Corn and pork were next sent away on flat-boats, and finally hoop-poles and barrels. North & Robinson, as early as 1820, began to buy hogs and corn to be shipped to southern mar- kets. A large demand for these products came from the large sugar and cotton plantations of Louisiana, Mississippi and Ten- nessee. Corn and pork were bought on credit, and were paid for when the cargoes were disposed of South. The shipments at first were very small, but gradually increased to several flat-boat loads per annum. It is probable that at no time North & Co. packed more than 400 hogs in a year. Dunn & McFaddin, and Richard & James Barter, both of which firms were in business early in the twenties, also packed pork, and, later, on a more exten- sive scale than North & Co., reaching about 600 hogs in a year. William Hatfield manufactured barrels for flour, pork, whisky, etc., and supplied hoop-poles for demand. The old Jordan tan- yard served a useful purpose. It ran for many years, passing through the hands of John McKee, Andrew Moore and others. Darius North is said to have had the first frame house. Richard Barter began as a blacksmith, and as soon as able, bought a barrel of whisky and a barrel of molasses, it is said, and after that. "coined money." Hinch & Leonard were early merchants who packed pork, etc. North & McFaddin were partners for many years and packed pork extensively. Lowery & James, Barter & Swift and Aaron Baker were prominent merchants and pork and grain buyers. In about 1834 North & McFaddin erected a steam saw-mill in town, and as soon as they could saw enough native lumber and do the work, built a three-storied grist-mill and a. distillery, all three mills being attached and operated by steam. In addition to these mills they owned a large store, and bought. pork and grain extensively. Their establishments combined lead the business enterprises of the town. The saw-mill had all it could do to furnish lumber for the frame houses going up in all directions in town and country; the grist-mill had all it could
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
do to furnish flour and meal for home consumption, the greater portion of the meal being used in the distillery in the manufact- ure of whisky; and the distillery had all it could do to supply the local demand for whisky. The grist-mill had two sets of buhrs, one for wheat and one for corn. In 1837, while in the highest state of prosperity, the two mills and the distillery were destroyed by fire, entailing a heavy loss on the proprietors. In 1840-41 Rogers & Moore rebuilt the saw-mill and a two- storied grist-mill, but not the distillery. After a few years they sold to John Baker, who likewise, a number of years later, sold to Mickey & Crowell, upon whose hands they were burned down. James & Mickey rebuilt the mills just before the last war, but after a few years became involved, and the property was sold at sheriff's sale under claims held by A. C. Williams, Milton Black, A. G. Crutchfield, et al. They disposed of it to others and it was soon burned down and was not rebuilt.
THE ORIGIN OF THE TERM "HOOP-POLE TOWNSHIP."
Soon after the removal of the county seat to Mount Vernon (1825), a leading business in the town was that of barrel-mak- ing, in which large numbers of hoop-poles were used. William Hatfield and John Cooper had extensive shops for that day. About 1833 on one occasion, some ten or fifteen flat-boats were at the wharf, while their owners, rough river men, were up in town at the taverns and groceries, drinking and making loud and merry. Several of them, so the story goes, became involved in a quarrel with a number of town fellows, in which the lat- ter were worsted and routed. They rallied, however, and secur- ing heavy re-enforcements, fell upon the flat-boatmen in such numbers and in such fury, all fully armed with heavy hoop- poles from the nearest cooper-shop, that the river-men, though fighting manfully, were forced back with many bruises and wounds, to their boats, and, fearing to return, continued on down the river. Their condition met the notice of residents and others. along down the river and occasioned inquiry, and in the jests that ensued, the term "hoop-pole" was finally applied to a township in this county. The term has since become widely known, and many persons in all portions of the Union, really believe there is such a township in this county as "Hoop-pole," and that its resi- dents are greener than any others on the earth.
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
FIRST PLAT AND ADDITIONS.
John Wagner's plat laid out March 11, 1816, and bounded by Mill, Water, Mulberry and Fourth Streets. Aaron Williams' plat laid out March 23, 1816, and bounded by Walnut, Store, Water and Third Streets. Jesse Y. Welborn's addition, May 10, 1819, bounded by Mill Creek, and Fifth, Walnut and Water Streets. J. Y. Welborn's addition, November 26, 1822, bounded by Wal- nut, Mulberry, Water and Sixth Streets. J. Y. Welborn's addi- tion, June 29, 1826, bounded by Walnut, Mulberry, Sixth and Eighth; John Given's resurvey in 1840, bounded by Water, Chestnut, Pearl and Second. M. F. Green's addition, June 4, 1841, enlarged May 10, 1851. bounded by Main, Store, Seventh and Ninth. D. T.Kimball's, 1849, addition of Belleville. Robert Dale Owen's addition, November 21, 1836, and also in 1874. James & Hovey's enlargement, March 9, 1851, between Sixth and Ninth, and Mill and Store. W. C. Saunders' enlargement, March 15, 1851. W. J. Lowery's addition, May 25, 1851, from Mill to Store, and from Eighth to Ninth. E. T. Sullivan's addition, January 3, 1851, from Fourth to Fifth, and from Mulberry to Locust. W. J. Lowery's enlargement, December, 1852, from Mill to Main, and from Eighth to Eleventh. W. W. Welborn's enlargement, June 7, 1853, from Second to Third, and from Pear to Munchoff Streets. Lowery & Larkins' enlargement, April, 1860, from Third to Sixth, and Munchoff to Mill Streets. Mun- choff & Wolflin's enlargement, April 22, 1866, from Water to Second, and Munchoff to Pearl. Company's enlargement, Feb- ruary and August, 1866, and February 1868, east of Walnut Street. William Nettleton's enlargement, May 6, 1868, bounded by Wolflin, Nettleton, Second and Fourth Streets. J. M. Barter's enlargement, April 1868, on Walnut, between Eighth and Ninth. J. A. Mann's, May 1869, First to Second, and Wolflin to Barter. N. G. Nettleton's enlargement, August, 1869, Second to Fourth, and Pearl to Nettleton. School enlargement, September, 1869, Fourth to Fifth, and Canal to Locust. Man & Barter's enlargement, First to Second, and Wolflin to Barter. Mann & Barter's enlarge- ment February, 1870, Eleventh to Lincoln, and Canal to Locust. W. P. Edson's subdivision, October, 1871, nine lots in Kimball's part. J. A. Mann's addition to William Nettleton's enlarge- ment, Second to Third, and east of line between Sections 7 and
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
8. Charles Leunig's enlargement, August, 1871, four acres north of Eleventh and west of Main. Benjamin Lowenhaupt's enlarge- ment, 1880, one acre between Fourth and Fifth, and Mulberry and Locust. J. F. Welborn's enlargement, Fifth to Sixth, and Canal to Mulberry. The following is quoted to show the resi- dents of the town at the date mentioned:
MOUNT VERNON, IND., March 5, 1850.
We, the undersigned, would respectfully remonstrate to the board of com- missioners of this county against granting license to retail ardent spirits in this place, or its vicinity.
David Phillips.
S. T. Scott.
John Harrison.
James B. Finch.
J. M. McGrath.
Thomas B. Mott.
W. H. Bypon.
W. G. Redman. Edwin Best.
O. W. Monroe.
A. B. Weir.
Charles Hovey.
W S. Prince.
John Hancock.
James A. Stewart.
E. T. Sullivan.
David S. Martin. J. A. Cope.
James Donovan.
William Quick.
W. F. Phillips.
J. W. Whitworth.
W. N. Dunn.
Samuel Sly.
H. M. Stewart.
J. S. Albright.
J. S. Welborn.
John J. Prather.
Jacob Fisher.
P. T. Martel.
Richard Holland.
Adam Albright.
S. F. Wilson.
J. W. White.
Samuel Kincaid.
D. P. Pitcher.
A. L. Downey.
O. W. Best.
V. Jones.
William Nettleton.
A. C. McAllister.
D. S. Coleman.
Joseph Showers.
Charles F. Leonard.
J. A. Mann.
H. B. Gano.
David L. Patmore.
J. M. Monroe.
J. T. Nichols.
Jesse Kerkendale.
J. A. Constar.
James Barter.
Samuel Woods.
D. Anderson.
Andrew Dunn.
J. W. Server.
James Thompson. James Davis.
J. Givens. Samnel McCoy.
Sylvanus McFarland.
Samuel Davis.
V. Dunn.
Joseph Allender.
W. J. Lourey.
J. M. Wagner.
J. G. Houts.
Charles Alexander.
A. H. McFaddin.
Joseph Spalding.
Noble Craig.
N. Eastman.
William C. Milner.
L. B. Cratty.
Isaialı Noel.
J. A. Routt.
George Dixon.
Thomas Newman.
M. W. Rowe.
Miranda Phillips.
James L. Carey.
S. Scott.
Jesse Dayton.
Jay Wilson.
THE SECOND INCORPORATION.
The second incorporation of the town took place in 1846, the election to decide the question being held October 1. The first trustees at this time were Thomas F. Prosser, Noble Craig, F. N. Mills, Walter F. Larkin and Thomas Newman. Seventy-two votes were polled, probably not over three-fourths of these in town, indicating a population of about 500. T. F. Prosser was first clerk; Seth M. Leavenworth, treasurer, and Whipple White
8
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
Marshal. As the records from that date up to 1859 are missing, nothing of the acts of the board can be stated. In October, 1859, the trustees elected were Enoch R. James, T. F. Prosser, Charles Haas, W. D. Covington and Turner Nelson; Joseph P. Edson, clerk; E. R. James, treasurer; Harrison Carter, marshal; George W. Thomas, wharfmaster. The receipts from October 30, 1858, to October 19, 1859, were $7,385.82, and the expenses $6,978.82, leaving a balance on hand of $407. About one-half of this expense was in payment of principal and interest of the wharf debt, which had been contracted in 1851, the total amount of the debt at first being, it is said, $20,000. In October, 1859, the debt was $5,164.05. At this time, and for the succeeding two or three years, Main, Store and other streets of the town were macadamized at a large expense, the greater portion of which was paid at the time from special tax levies. T. and E. Schenk, A. B. Galliger, Jean Febre and others were contractors. The officers elected October, 1860, were as follows: Noble Craig, G. W. Thomas, Otto Schaeffer, S. M. Leavenworth and John D. Hinch, trustees; Leavenworth, treasurer; Hinch, clerk, and Har- rison Carter, marshal. The receipts for the year ending October 16, 1860, were $11,390.57, and the expenses, $10,652.18. This heavy expense was on the streets and the wharf debt. The re- ceipts for the year ending October, 1861, were $4,533.41, and the expenses, $3,924.72. The officers elected, October, 1861, were John A. Mann, Charles Haas, Charles Leunig, Otto Schaeffer and Leonidas Cralle, trustees; Otto Schaeffer, clerk; Charles Leunig, treasurer; Isaac P. Lamb, marshal. The receipts for the year ending October, 1862, were $5,544.66, and the expenses, $5,399.07. At this time the wharf debt was $4,500. The officers of 1862-63 were B. F. Server, Charles Haas, J. M. Monroe, F. Schenk and W. P. Daniel, trustees; W. P. Daniel, clerk; F. Schenk, treasurer; J. M. Monroe, marshal. In April, 1863, the board donated $1,000 toward the new schoolhouse. The officers of 1863-64 were B. F. Server, W. P. Daniel, J. M. Monroe, Charles Haas and F. Schenk, trustees; Schenk, treasurer; Daniel, clerk, and H. Carter, marshal. In 1864-65 the officers were Josiah Forth, M. S. Blunt, Aaron Galliger, John Pfeffer and Charles Haas, trustees; Otto Schaeffer, clerk; W. Forth, marshal; Noble Craig, treasurer; James Ferguson, assessor. In August, 1864, upon petition, cor-
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
porate bonds to the amount of $4,000 were sold to pay the wharf debt of $4,500, with what was in the treasury. They were all taken by the First National Bank, then just founded. The re- ceipts of 1864-65 were $5,783.85, and the expenses, $5,509.60_ The officers of 1865-66 were Anton Haas, W. P. Edson, Samuel S. Dryden, John Pfeffer, John B. Gardiner and A. B. Galliger, trustees; J. F. Welborn, clerk; C. F. Leonard, treasurer; Thomas Stevens, marshal; W. H. Larkin, assessor. A pesthouse was built in 1865.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
The first secret society in this county was organized about the year 1826, and was called Philanthropic Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In that year there appears in the commissioners' records an order to the effect that the members of this lodge might have the use. of the garret of the court house for a lodge room, provided they would cause to be made, at their own expense, four dormer windows, with some other slight, but necessary, alterations .. Nothing of this lodge could be learned except that it survived a. short time, and that Jesse Y. Welborn was a leading member: In February, 1848, J. L. Carey, William Nightwine, D. S. Martel, L. H. Lloyd and John Couynston were organized into a lodge of Odd Fellows, by R. W. Dunbar, D. G. M. of this district. The- lodge survived until about the beginning of the last war, having- at one time a large membership. In March, 1867, it was reorgan- ized as Mount Vernon Lodge No. 49, with the following charter members: John A. Mann, M. S. Blunt, W. P. Daniel, H. C .. Chase, John Conyngton, J. D. Hinch, Absalom Mackey, Robert. Whittlesey and Elijah Evison. The lodge prospered, and is now in excellent working condition.
The Masonic lodge here is known as Mount Vernon Lodge No. 163, and was organized in March, 1854, with the following membership: Charles Fitch, Thomas Newman, John Barter, Richard. Barter, Adam Lichtenberger, W. A. Twigg, H. C. Cooper, D. A. Farnsley, William Hubbell, Thomas Poindexter and W. A. McRae. It was organized under a dispensation, but. in May, 1854, was chartered. Charles Fitch was first Master; John Barter, Senior Warden, and Thomas Newman, Junior War- den. The lodge was very prosperous, and in 1867 erected the structure known now as the "Masonic Building," at a cost of
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
$28,000; but became so involved thereby, that the property even- tually passed to others.
The German Aid Society was organized in 1857, the first offi- cers being John Schiszley, president; Henry Brinkman, vice- president; W. L. Stritter, secretary, and John Pfeffar, senior treasurer. Since its commencement to the present the society has been fairly prosperous.
The German Benevolent Society called Harugari Lodge No. 244, was organized in 1871, by H. Sittel, D. G. O. B., with the following charter members: John Pfeffer, Sr., Emanuel Wolf, W. L. Stritter, J. D. Dieterle, Charles Wasem, Phillip Fraudt, G. Brill, C. F. Tente, Charles Rosenhauer and Adolph Matzdorf. The following were the first officers: John Pfeffer, Sr., O. B .; Charles Wasem, U. B .; W. L. Stritter, secretary; C. F. Tente, treasurer; Phillip Traudt, Conductor; E. Wolf, Warden; A. Martzdorf, R. S. O. B.
The Black Township Cemetery Society was organized in 1880 with the following first officers: John Schiszley, president; W. L. Stritter, secretary; Charles Haas, treasurer. In February, 1860, the society bought of Valentine Shryock, two acres of land, and in April, 1863, bought two more-all about two miles north of Mount Vernon. The grounds are in good condition and the society is prosperous.
THE PRESS OF MOUNT VERNON.
The first newspaper in Mount Vernon was established early in 1838, by Thomas F. Prosser, and was called the Mount Ver- non Courier. It was a, small five-column folio, subscription $2 per annum, and was conducted until 1841, when it was suspended, owing to the election of Mr. Prosser to the county auditorship. From 1841 to 1848, the town though a lively and rapidly improv- ing business place, was without a newspaper; but, at the last named date, Mr. Prosser founded the Southwestern Advocate, a paper which was conducted with unusual ability and prominence for that period, until about 1862, when it was permanently aban- doned. It is said to have been, in many respects, one of the best, if not the best, newspaper ever published in the county. This paper had no sooner died than Charles L. Prosser, son of T. F., founded The Union, a stanch and loyal sheet, Republican in poli-
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
tics, which, through the remaining years of the war, did more than any other one cause to encourage the enlistment of men. It was abandoned in 1869. A Republican paper called The Umpire was established by Rev. Thomas Abbott, in January, 1860, and after about a year was removed to Rockport. In 1861 a Mr. Huckeby founded The Democrat, which was owned successively by William Landon, V. B. Jolly and Charles Legge. After a few years it became defunct. Late in 1867 Thomas Collins be- gan to issue the Mount Vernon Democrat, a six-column folio, subscription price $2 per year. It soon became the leading pa- per of the county, and was the organ of the Democracy. It was well conducted by Mr. Collins until April, 1879, when it passed to the present editor and proprietor, Albert A. Sparks, under whose management it has prospered. It is an eight page quarto, is newsy and ably conducted, and has a large circulation, and a profitable job and advertising patronage. In July, 1871, Rev. Mr. Abbott founded the New Republic, but in December of the same year, sold out to S. T. Palmer, who changed the name to The Republican, and conducted the sheet until July, 1872, when it passed to Charles L. Prosser, and was soon leased to John Ma- son and Virgil Veatch. The lease was relinquished in the sum- mer of 1873, and the paper was then conducted by Mr. Prosser until 1877, when it was discontinued. In August, 1871, Rev. Abbott founded The Harbinger, a religious sheet devoted to the doctrine of Universalism. It was soon removed to St. Louis. A German paper called the Wochenblatt, was founded by John C. Leffel, in October, 1875, and conducted until October, 1881, and then abandoned, In February, 1877, J. C. Leffel established the Western Star, and soon afterward disposed of an interest to S. J. Williams. This paper is still issued, is prosperous, being well patronized, and is the only sheet ever printed here on a steam- power press. The Weekly Sun was established in 1878, by James M. Barter, who is yet its owner, manager and editor. It is an eight-column folio, is well conducted and is well patron- ized in all departments, . The Posey County Republican made its appearance in June, 1880, under the editorship of C. F. Wertz. The Posey Banner was founded by Thomas Collins, in January, 1881. It was an organ of the Democracy.
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