USA > Indiana > Posey County > History of Posey County, Indiana > Part 19
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Dr. George U. Runcie was born August 14, 1858, at Cynthiana, Ind. He is one of a family of seven sons and five daughters born to Dr. John W. and Mary N. (Whiting) Runcie, who have resided at Fort Branch, Ind., since 1860. Dr. Runcie received his preliminary education in the high school at Fort Branch and began the study of medicine in 1877. In September of the same year he entered the Chicago Medical College, where he attended the three-year graded course, graduating March 30, 1880. He practiced his profession at Fort Branch, Ind., until July, 1889, with the exception of eighteen months spent at Inglefield, Van- derburg county. In July, 1889, he became the physician and surgeon in charge of the Indiana State Prison South, at Jeffersonville. During the winters of 1889 and 1890 he attended the lectures and clinics at the University of Louisville, graduating therefrom February 28, 1890. He remained in charge of the medical department of the prison until July I, 1895. Resigning his position at the prison he bought out Dr. A. L. Glase at Poseyville, Ind., where he resided and practiced his profession till his death, which occurred in 1910. The doctor was married to Nattie B. Schutz at Madison, Ind., April 8, 1890, Mrs. Runcie being a daughter of Jonathan and Jennie (King) Schutz. There were born to this union two sons, who, with their mother, survive him.
Dr. Edward Murphy was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, in the year 1813. He came to America with his uncle, Dennis Murphy, when the former was not quite seven years old. They landed at Baltimore, where they remained but a short time, and then went to Wheeling, Va. Thence they removed to Louisville, Ky., in 1821. Here Edward made his home
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with his uncles who were engaged in mercantile business. After a brief residence in Washington the brothers returned to Ireland. Young Edward lived for a while in Washington with relatives till he was nearly thir- teen years of age, then ran away and came to New Harmony, where he spent all of his subsequent life, except seven years in Evansville. He fol- lowed various callings to make a living, being printer, tailor,' merchant and laborer. In 1845 he commenced the study of medicine and later graduated from the University of Louisville and located in New Har- mony, where he acquired both fame and fortune. He was married in 1832 to Miss Sophia Johnston, of Vincennes. They had six children, all of whom died young. Mrs. Murphy was a daughter of Gen. M. John- ston, who was a member of the Territorial legislature. Dr. Murphy was for a time connected with the Evansville Medical College, where he held the chair of chemistry. He was an enthusiastic and able teacher. All 'his life he was a hard student, like Paul he never "counted himself to. have attained." He never professed any religious faith, but worshiped God by serving man. His long life was crowded with usefulness and he crowned it at his death by his beneficence. "He being dead, yet speaketh." He built a library building for the city where he spent seventy-three years of useful living, lined its shelves with books, covered its walls with pictures and curios, gave it a park enclosed by an iron fence on a stone base, and endowed a lecture course in which the ablest lecturers on the platform may be heard every winter for a nominal price. Elsewhere in this volume is told the details of his beneficence. He died December 3, 1910, and his wife followed him a few days later.
Dr. George W. Welborn, formerly a practicing physician of Stewarts- ville, Ind., was born March 17, 1844, in Evansville, Ind., where he grew to manhood and received his early education. In 1859 he entered the Asbury University, now De Pauw College, where he remained till the be- ginning of the Civil war. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Sixtieth Indiana infantry, and served three years, receiving his discharge June 30, 1865. For a short time after the war he clerked in a drug store in Evansville, but at the end of six months entered into partnership in Evansville in the boot and shoe business. Two years later he sold out and came to Stewartsville and engaged in farming. October 27, 1867, he married Martha Stinnett, who was born in 1845 in Kentucky. They had four children, all of whom survive him. The doctor began his med- ical studies while in the army and in 1875 quit farming, took a two years" course in the Evansville Medical College, graduating in 1877. The par- ents of the doctor were William W. and Hannah (Walker) Welborn. The father was a physician, who received his medical education in Ev- ansville and died in that city in 1871. The subject of our sketch took a post-graduate course in Philadelphia in 1894. He located in Stew- . artsville shortly after graduation and practiced there until failing health
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compelled him to seek relief in a hospital in St. Louis. He died in that city as the result of prostatectomy in 1895.
Dr. John E. Doerr, one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Mt. Vernon, was born at Santa Claus, Ind., November 4, 1865. His father, Philip Doerr, a German Methodist minister, and his mother, Margaret (Von Austermueller) Doerr, were both born in Germany. The doctor attended the public schools of Evansville, taught three years in the com- mon schools of Posey county, and then spent three years at De Pauw College, Greencastle. Obtained his medical education at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with the class of 1891. Located in Mt. Vernon in the year 1896 and has resided there ever since, and built up a large practice. He is a member of the City, County and American Medical associations, and the Clinical Congress of Surgeons of North America. While he does a large general practice he pays especial atten- tion to surgery. He was married in 1898 to Miss Anna M. Cole, of Pottsville, Pa. Mrs. Doerr was born in Minnesota, but losing her mother when she was but a child, she was reared in Pennsylvania. They have three children-two girls and a boy.
Dr. S. W. Boren was born April 6, 1867, at Cynthiana, Ind., and at- tended the public schools of that place. Taught school for two years, then attended school at Lebanon, Ohio, graduating in the scientific course thereof in 1891 ; taught school two years more, and then entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., from which he graduated in 1897. In 1896 he married Miss Gertrude Lockund, of Fort Branch, who died in 1899. Began practice of medicine at Stewartsville, Ind., in 1897. Three years later he accepted a position as assistant superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane at Evansville, remaining six months. He then began the practice of medicine in Cynthiana, Ind., remaining one year, when he removed to Poseyville, in 1902, where he still lives. Dr. Boren was married again in January, 1903, to Rosalie Kight. To this union have been born two sons, Paul and Charles. The doctor is a mem- ber of the Royal Arch Masons and of the Knights of Pythias.
CHAPTER XI.
AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE.
CLASSIFICATION OF SOIL-ITS PRODUCTIVENESS-DRAINAGE-NATURAL RE- SOURCES-POSEY COUNTY PRODUCTS-THE FARMER OF TODAY.
It was George Washington who said: "Agriculture is the most health- ful, most useful and most noble employment of man." It is agricul- ture which has made and is still making the United States so great. The farm products of this country have practically reached an amount equal to ten billion dollars annually-an amount equal in value to all the gold and silver mined since the world has been in existence, or equal in value to all the railroads in the United States. This fact, and this fact alone, makes this country feared and respected by all the powers in time of peace and in time of war. So important is this condition that before any power enters into war agents are at once despatched to the United States to know if necessary animals for transportation can be obtained and feed for these animals, also food for the army and navy, and clothing from the cotton, the wool and the hides. All of these are farm products and are necessary for the existence of the army. The entire world realizes more and more the importance of agriculture and as the realization grows its importance advances by leaps and bounds. The increased cost of living means, first of all, increased prices for farm products and these prices must continue to grow until science comes in and "makes two blades of grass grow where one formerly grew." The natural elements for farm products are light, air, sunshine, warmth and soil, and this soil must have the food elements for plant life and grain producing. Posey county, with its 252,000 acres of land, most cer- tainly has all these elements-then, too, it has other conditions most valuable in two large navigable rivers on its south and west borders, three big railway systems, both rock and gravel roads which traverse the entire county, giving it an advantage in marketing its products over any county in Indiana. Seventy-seven miles of river front means seventy-seven miles of alluvial soil-a soil which needs no rotation nor rest. These lands equal in fertility the lands of the river Nile, and extending along the entire river frontage, in width varying from a few rods to a few miles, produce the best corn of the world. The soil of
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these bottom lands, always responsive to the plow and cultivator, pro- duces more per acre than any other soil continuously farmed in one crop. These lands, with the creek and branch bottoms, which are equally as fertile, constitute one-eighth of Posey county's area. Nor is this all- the hills, the valleys and all surrounding country have been so blessed and smiled upon by God that they, too, are rich in plant life elements. Thus it is that Posey county, year after year, adds its millions and millions to make the ten billions of the United States. Let us not think that the corn, the wheat and the hay are the only Posey county products, for the live stock, the poultry, the eggs, the milk and the but- ter all come in for their important positions. The melons, the sorghum and sweet potatoes must receive notice. The nut crop is no small matter-the pecan, recognized as the finest and best nut in the world, has its native home here. No country produces such sweet nuts, with thin shells and plump kernels. The hickory nut and walnut are found in abundance, but the hazel nut and chestnut are very scarce. Add to all these the orchard and garden products, and one begins to realize what Posey county farms produce.
A study of Posey county is interesting. Its 25,000 inhabitants are composed of whites, excepting a few colored people in and near Mt. Vernon, the county seat. But little authentic information can be ob- tained of this county previous to the coming of the white settlers, excepting that it is known that the Pottawatomie and Wea Indian tribes once lived in this community. In 1809 the white settlers made their appearance here, North Carolina and Tennessee supplying these, closely followed by several German families from Pennsylvania. Today many Germans are found all over Posey county, especially in the eastern half and southern portion. At this early period much of the fertile lands were swampy-it is this old and long passed condition which causes the wag of today to refer to Posey county as a wet waste of swampy land. It is not generally known that since 1860 almost three-fourths of the county has been cleared, stumped, drained and put under cultivation. The Rapps, the Owens and Thomas Posey, for whom the county was named, were the pioneer prominent farmers. The lands of Posey county are broadly divided into upland and river bottoms. What is known as Miami silt loam constitutes five-eighths of the area of this county. This is a very fertile soil, generally rolling, with but little hilly, broken land. It is especially fitted for all grains and forage crops. The alluvial soil known as Yazoo clay or river bottom land, also creek bottom lands, con- stitute another eighth of Posey county's area. This land, due to its . yearly overflow, provides yearly good crops of corn, no rotation of crops being necessary, the alluvial deposits being so heavy that practiced rota- tion is unnecessary. The various sands, sandy loam and clay and black bottom constitute the remaining fourth of Posey county soils. It is
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these lands which produce the watermelon, canteloupe, sweet potato, . sorghum, etc.
The surface soil has a depth of from twelve to forty-eight inches. It is this fact which so materially helps to maintain soil fertility, produce large crops and of the best quality. Add to this the liberal growth of the various nitrogenous gathering plants, such as the various clovers, cow peas, soy beans, etc., and one can readily understand why we have a productive soil. The character of the work of our thrifty, industrious, economical people who cultivate these lands adds materially to our good ยท soiles and makes our resources possible. Our farmers fully realize that agriculture is a science, and as such they study every phase of the farm and farming. The work which is being done in this line in Posey county improves each year. The natural drainages are being bettered, drain tile are being put in and big, open ditches are being dug every day. The houses are modern in every sense, two stories, with water, light and heating systems being established. The telephone, the daily mail, the improved roads and the automobile place these people in better living position than the city people. When you add to this the home library and good musical instruments, one may very justly ask: "Can any home be as good as a country home?" The barns and granaries are modern in every sense, with water supply of the purest-the Wabash river ter- ritory furnishing pure, cool, inexhaustible water at a depth of twenty- five to thirty-five feet, and the hill lands with water almost as good at a depth of thirty-five to seventy-five feet. With the pure air and God's wholesome sunshine, is it strange that good health and long life are prevalent in this county? Each community has its house of worship, and school houses are dotted here and there in such numbers that the child must learn. The schools, too, are of the very best, and thus it is that we pile advantage upon advantage. A community's civilization is measured by its schools, churches and roads-we proudly exclaim meas- ure our civilization thusly-we shall find all our measures piled up to overflowing. Proud? Why shouldn't a county be proud of such advantages? Advantages given by God, advantages made possible by man. Thus could we go on indefinitely showing our good points. These advantages are such that all farm lands have very materially ad- vanced in value. There are but few large land owners here, less than twenty-five in the entire county. The average size of the Posey county farm is less than seventy-five acres. The tenant and the land owner mingle in friendly work and discussion, and thus it is that the very best feeling prevails at all times.
Game is almost extinct. Some water fowls, rabbit, squirrel and quail are hunted here every year, also the raccoon and opossum, which were formerly hunted for their pelts alone, but now their flesh for food is fully as important. The waters abound in fish-perch, carp, buffalo,
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cat, sun and bass are found. Hovey's lake, the largest body of water in the county, is considered the ideal place for the fisherman, and the hunter, too, finds sport here. Mussel fishing or digging in the Wabash river is very profitable, the shells bringing $25 a ton. Many valuable pearls are found in this work, frequently bringing hundreds, yes, thou- sands of dollars. Their beauty and luster are such that a ready market awaits the fortunate finder of a pearl.
The sandy loams in and about Poseyville, New Harmony and along the Wabash river produce the famous Posey county canteloupes and watermelons. No place produces better nor more to the acre. A few years ago these lands were considered valueless. Today they are valued with any of the lands, as their revenue equals that of the rich bottom lands and the valuable hill lands. The sweet potato and sorghum are rotating crops with the melons, and they are as fine and good in their class. At one time Posey county had timber of unusual growth and value, but here is where man has been wasteful and extravagant. Black walnut-there is no finer lumber in the world-has been cut for rails and sawed into lumber for pig sties and stables. Poplar-the beautiful yellow poplar-is now extinct. The immense trees, one hundred feet high and five to ten feet in diameter, are unknown to the youth of today in this county; the sweet gum is no more, and ash of size is scarce. The various oaks-white, red, black, burr, water, etc .- alone remain to tell our children's children that at one time we were a wooded country, and even these lack majesty and height, circumference and symmetry, the best of these having been assigned to the saw dog. Why dwell upon this? Were the trees here the farm lands would be prim- itive. Perhaps it is best to rejoice that things are as they are.
Posey county ranks first in the State of Indiana in the production of wheat, the quality being high and always good. In corn, no county can compare with Posey in high class and big yield. This corn bears ship- ping to any southern country, no weevil affecting it. The St. Charles corn in Missouri bears this proud distinction with the Ohio and Wabash river corn. The quality of both clover and timothy hay are unexcelled. Much is shipped to the markets where premium prices are paid. Live stock is beginning to assume the importance that it should. The north- ern half of the county prides itself upon its fancy cattle, fine sheep and high class horses. The entire county has several types of hogs of very high class. The southern half of the county is today looking after im- proved breeds of all live stock, and in a few years we can sing the praises of fine live stock all over Posey county. Poultry and eggs, milk and butter, "the woman's part of farm life," bring in thousands of dol- lars every week. The table is not complete without these or their prod- ucts. The sick and the well always enjoy them, and they alone make country life well worth seeking. The farmer is broad and magnanimous,
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unwilling to unite to dictate prices, or form a trust, but willing at all times to do his share towards human betterment and advancement. Imagine a farmers' combine and trust! The sick, the poor, the hungry would be the sufferers, and for this reason alone let us be willing to praise his good qualities. For all of this did George Washington speak of agriculture as "the most healthful, most useful and most noble em- ployment of man," and for all this is exactly why he was known the world over for his truthfulness.
Well, I know many of my readers are disappointed in this article because it is free from statistics. Mark Twain said there are three kinds of lies-plain lines, d -- n lies, and statistics.
JACOB CRONBACH.
POSEY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The present Posey County Fair Association was temporarily organ- ized July 17, 1858, and permanent officers were elected and directors appointed soon after. M. T. Carnahan was elected first permanent president ; John Cooper, vice-president ; J. C. Miller, corresponding sec- retary, and Samuel Arthur, treasurer.
The first fair was held October 25, 26 and 27, 1859. The next fair was supposed to have been attended by 5,000 visitors and left a balance in the treasury of $1,500. The purpose of the society is to promote the agricultural, horticultural, live stock, manufacturing and mechanical art interests of the county.
For the first ten years the receipts were usually a little in excess of the expenditures. In 1867 the receipts were about $3,000 and in 1881 they amounted to about $4,500. In that year the society donated $300 to aid the Peoria, Decatur and Evansville railroad and paid $2,242 in premiums. The next year the receipts dropped to $3,500. In 1883 and 1884 the receipts were something over $4,000. For the next few years, owing to increased cost of attractions, improvements and other expenses, the expenditures exceeded the receipts. This society is incorporated under the laws of Indiana and is one of the substantial agricultural soci- eties of the State and owns the fair grounds property at New Harmony, which consist of about twenty-four acres, with all modern equipment for exhibition purposes. The annual fair held by the association is an event that has proved of great value to the agriculturists from an educational standpoint and the association distributes about $3,500 annually in pre- miums, which has proven very effective as a stimulus to competitive exhibitors. The institution has always been under capable manage- ment and is on a sound financial basis. The present officers are Edwin Gentry, president; Mrs. Carrie Miller, secretary, and Edwin Ford, treasurer.
CHAPTER XII.
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES-NAVIGATION AND RAILROADS.
Posey county is crossed by three lines of steam railway and one electric line, and is bounded on two sides by navigable streams. The Illinois Central enters the county in the northwest corner, runs south and east across the county, through Poseyville, and continues into Van- derburg county, connecting at Evansville. The Evansville & Terre Haute road enters the county in the northeast corner, runs south and west to Mt. Vernon, where it terminates. The Louisville & Nashville railroad enters on the west side of the county in the central part, runs south and east to Mt. Vernon, thence north and east, leaving the county in the southern part and continuing to Evansville. The electric line enters the county on the east, running parallel with the Louisville & Nashville railroad from Evansville to Mt. Vernon. New Harmony is reached by a cut-off or spur of the Illinois Central, running south and west from Stewartsville.
The steamboat line on the Ohio river connects Mt. Vernon with all the river towns both east and south and brings the markets of Cincin- nati and Pittsburgh into easy access. Smaller boats connect with the towns up the Wabash, making transportation cheaper than by railroad.
The history of railroads in Posey county begins in 1869, when a peti- tion signed by one hundred freeholders was filed with the county board asking that an election be held to determine whether the county should appropriate $100,000 for the construction of the Mt. Vernon & Grayville railroad. The election took place July 27 of the same year and the bonds carried by a vote of 1,686 to 922, Black township registering 973 votes for and only nine against the proposition. A levy of 80 cents on each $100 worth of property was then ordered by the county board and all of the amount was collected. The railroad company was soon consolidated with another corporation and the combination was known as the Chi- cago & Southern Illinois Railway Company. Upon the completion of five miles of road the sum of $20,000 was paid over by the county. The contractors then filed suit to secure their claims and further pay- ments to the railroad company were stopped. The work was stopped and the company went into the hands of a receiver. Mt. Vernon had
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pledged $200,000 besides that pledged by the county and had paid $30,000. In 1875 the receiver sold the iron and one locomotive belonging to the defunct company to satisfy a mortgage held by New Jersey parties.
The first railroad to be completed through the county was the Louis- ville & Nashville railway, running east and west through Mt. Vernon, which was constructed in 1869 and 1870. It has twenty-three miles of track in the county and has from the beginning been of the greatest possible advantage to the section through which it runs.
In 1872 a proposition was submitted to the voters of the county to aid the Cincinnati, Rockport & Southwestern Railway with an appro- priation of $125,000. It lost, by the narrow margin of 1,257 to 1,22I. Another vote was held on the same proposition, December 31 of the same year, and this time it carried, by a vote of 2,045 to 1,416. However, the road was never built and the county was released from all obliga- tions.
In 1880 the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company leased the tracks built by the St. Louis & Southwestern Company in 1869-'70 and has operated it ever since. In 1881 a 2 per cent. aid was voted in Smith township to assist in the construction of the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad extension from Owensville to Cynthiana. The line was completed immediately and the tax amounting to $8,468.30 was paid. In October of the same year Black township voted a 2 per cent. aid, amounting to $48,102.20, and Center township voted the sum of $7,191.60 for the pur- pose of having this line extended to Mt. Vernon. This extension was immediately made and the money paid.
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