USA > Indiana > Posey County > History of Posey County, Indiana > Part 21
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The Bozeman-Waters National Bank of Poseyville received its char- ter, which is number 8149, in April, 1906, and succeeded to the business of Bozeman & Waters, bankers. The business was founded as a private institution in 1884 by Virgil P. Bozeman and George J. Waters and was conducted under the firm name of Virgil P. Bozeman & Company until 1888, when its style was changed to Bozeman & Waters. The officers of the institution are: President, George J. Waters ; cashier, A. E. Jaquess, who, with the following, constitute the board of directors: E. E. Lock- wood, W. D. Cushman and S. E. Bozeman. It is one of the strongest and most successful banks of southwestern Indiana and its management has been of the highest standard. Its statement of condition August 9, 1913, shows capital, $50,000 ; surplus and undivided profits, $41,000, and deposits $421,000.
The First National Bank of Poseyville was organized in 1903 and began business in December of that year. Its chief promoters were Isaiah Fletcher, James Cale and John W. Turner. Its charter number is 7036 and its capital $25,000. Its statement of August, 1913, shows a surplus of $12,000, undivided profits of $800 and deposits of $165,000. Its officers are: President, Oscar Cale; vice-president, Wesley Wade;
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
James H. Gwaltney, cashier. The banking office of the institution is one of the handsomest in the county, its business has shown a sound and steady growth, and it has paid satisfactory dividends. The officers and the following constitute its board of directors: William Hume Wil- liams, Joseph J. Davis, J. F. A. Robb, Ellison Cale, Owen Williams, E. D. Fletchall, Joseph F. Schaefer and Mack B. Williams.
The Cynthiana Banking Company, a State institution, was chartered in 1905 and succeeded to the business of the private bank of the same name, which was established in 1899 by Frank and Z. T. Emerson. Its statement of October 21, 1913, shows a capital of $25,000, surplus of $12,500, and deposits of $116,433.28. Its officers are: Frank Emerson, president ; Z. T. Emerson, vice-president, and William O. Boren, cashier, who, with the following, constitute its board of directors: John S: Mc- Reynolds, J. E. Gudgel, H. T. Calvert and L. E. Pruitt.
The Farmers National Bank of Wadesville, charter number 8927, was organized in 1907. Its statement of August 9, 1913, shows a capital of $25,000, surplus and undivided profits, $5,507.96, and deposits of $86,- 020.II. Its officers are: Warren Wade, president; C. E. Miller, vice- president ; Dan Williams, cashier; who, with the following, constitute its board of directors, viz .: Conrad Kolb, Joseph M. Nash, John M. Hunter, G. B. Causey, John Heckman and James A. Cox. The institu- tion owns and occupies a modern building, built of brick, which is one of the most sightly in the county.
The First National Bank of New Harmony. This institution was organized in 1903. Its statement of August 9, 1913, shows a capital of $25,000, surplus of $25,000, and substantial deposits. Its officers are : James N. Whitehead, president, since organization, Ezra Stephens, cash- ier, and Miles A. Perry, assistant cashier.
The New Harmony Banking Company, a private banking enterprise, was established in 1877. Its first president was Eugene S. Thrall and Horace P. Owen its first cashier. The latter became president in 1890 and is still serving in that capacity. Edward C. Ford is the cashier and Clyde Wilson, assistant cashier. The individual liability of the stock- holders is $600,000. The banking office of the company was erected in 1882, is used exclusively by the bank, and is built of stone. This is the third oldest bank in Posey county and its business has been con- ducted upon safe and conservative lines.
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CHAPTER XV.
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NEWSPAPERS.
EARLY NEWSPAPERS-PROGRESS OF THE PRESS-NEWSPAPERS OF TODAY.
MT. VERNON.
The Mt. Vernon "Courier," established by Thomas F. Prosser in the spring of 1838, was the first paper published in Mt. Vernon. Mr. Prosser continued its publication until 1841, when it was discontinued on account of his election to the office of county auditor. During the years from 1841 to 1848 this town was without a newspaper, but in the latter year Mr. Prosser established the "South Western Advocate," which he continued until 1862, when it ceased to exist. The first- named paper was Republican and the latter independent in politics.
In the latter part of 1862 Charles L. Prosser, a son of Thomas F. Prosser, founded the "Union," a folio of four pages and Republican in politics. This paper was published until the spring of 1869, when it was discontinued on account of the proprietor having been appointed United States gauger, which position he held until 1872, when he again entered the journalistic field, accepting a position on the "Republican." Mr. Prosser was one of the ablest editorial writers in the State but never made a financial success in the newspaper business.
The "Umpire," a Republican paper, was established by Rev. Thomas Abbott, a Universalist minister, in January, 1860. It was published here but a few months when the plant was sold and moved to Rock- port, Ind. In July, 1871, Mr. Abbott again entered the field by estab- lishing the "New Republic," also Republican, and in December fol- lowing sold the paper to S. T. Palmer, who changed its name to the "Republican." This paper remained under his management until July, 1872, when Charles L. Prosser became its proprietor. A year later this print-shop was leased to John Mason and Virgil Veatch, and in the summer following Mr. Prosser again took control, continuing its publication until 1877, when it ceased to exist and Mr. Prosser retired permanently from the newspaper field to accept the office of city clerk, to which he was elected, and which position he held almost up to the time of his death.
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In August, 1871, Rev. Thomas Abbott, the Universalist minister, again embarked in the newspaper business by establishing "The Har- binger," which advocated the doctrine of Universalism. This paper was published here but a few months, when it was moved to St. Louis and ceased to exist two years later.
"The Democrat" was founded by James Huckeby in 1861 and soon passed successively into the hands of William Loudon, Van B. Jolly and Charles Legge, the latter publishing it until 1864, when it ceased publication.
In July, 1867, Thomas Collins established the present Mt. Vernon "Democrat," the publication of which was under his control until April, 1879, when he sold the plant to Albert A. Sparks, who continued its publication until January, 1885, when he sold out to his stepsons, Peter W. and John Roche, to accept the appointment of postmaster in Mt. Vernon. In 1912 John Roche sold his interest in the paper to his brother, Peter W. Roche, who is its present proprietor. The Democrat is, as its name implies, Democratic in politics, and in 1891 it was changed from a weekly to a daily paper.
The "Wochenblatt," the first and only German paper published in Posey county, was established by John C. Leffel October 23, 1875, under whose proprietorship it continued until October, 1881, when it was sus- pended, not for lack of patronage, but on account of the scarcity of German printers, there being but few in this section, and they were all employed.
In February, 1877, John C. Leffel also established "The Western Star," Democratic in politics, under whose proprietorship it is still pub- lished. The "Star" was the first paper in the county to install power presses, running its edition off by steam, and the first and only paper in the county to install a Mergenthaler Linotype machine-setting all its type by machine instead of by hand.
The "Sun" was established by James M. Barter in 1878. This sheet was inclined to be in the "blackmailing" order and after an existence of about two years was discontinued.
Howard H. Sarlls established the Mt. Vernon "Republican" in 1879 and is still publishing the same. Politically it is a Republican paper.
The Posey County "Republican," an advocate of Republican princi- ples, was established by C. F. Wertz in June, 1879. In 1889 he sold the plant to A. J. Calkins, who changed the name of the paper to the Mt. Vernon "Sun," and who continued its publication up to the time of his death, in 1892, when the paper passed into the hands of his son, Clinton G. Calkins. In 1909 Mr. Calkins sold the paper to Captain Wins- ton Menzies, the present proprietor, who in 1912 changed its politics, taking sides with the Progressives or "Bull Moose" party. In 1907 the paper also began the publication of a daily, which is still in existence.
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
The Posey "Banner," supposed to be Democratic, was established in January, 1881, by Thomas Collins and six months later was moved to Rockport, Ind., where it was issued in the interest of the Republican party. It lived less than one year, when Mr. Collins sold out and moved to Louisville, Ky., where he died a few years later.
In 1897 A. A. Sparks again entered the newspaper field by estab- lishing the Mt. Vernon "News," Republican in politics. This paper was not a financial success and lived less than one year.
In 1905 B. O. Hanby established "The Unafraid," a weekly six-column folio. This paper was published in the interest of Socialism, but a few weeks prior to the November, 1913, election it joined the ranks of the liberal Republicans and is now being published in the interest of that party.
NEW HARMONY.
The first paper in New Harmony and in Posey county was the New Harmony "Gazette." It was begun October 1, 1825, and continued till October 28, 1828. It was the organ of Mr. Owen and was widely cir- culated, there being agents for it in every prominent city in the United States. It had able contributors. In October, 1828, it was consolidated with the Nashoba "Gazette," Frances Wright's paper. It was then called the "Free Enquirer" and continued at New Harmony till December 31, 1828, when it was moved to New York. Its range of matter was very wide. The "Disseminator" was founded by William Maclure Janu- ary 28, 1828. It was published by the School of Industry. It was an ably edited paper and was devoted mainly to science and literature. It was continued till May 7, 1840. The Indiana "Statesman" was begun at Evansville by Alexander Burns May 13, 1842, but was moved to New Harmony October 22, 1842, and was continued till 1845. Burns said: "Be just, and fear not." The paper was spicy, Democratic in politics and made war on Whiggery and warned the people against "rag" money and "coons." In 1846 James Bennett started the "Western Star," but it was discontinued the following year. In 1848 the same individual began the publication of the "Gleaner," but ceased its publica- tion the following year. The first number of the New Harmony "Reg- ister" appeared Saturday, July 12, 1858. The paper was published by its present proprietor as an independent paper, with Democratic proclivi- ties. The paper maintained a very consistent course and Wednesday following the fall of Fort Sumter the American flag was hoisted over the office of the "Register." Owing to the "assistant" going to the army the paper was suspended August 18, 1861. It was again revived by C. W. Slater and J. P. Bennett February 3, 1867. It was again run as an independent paper for about one year, since which time it has advo- cated the doctrines of the Democratic party.
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
The New Harmony "Times" was established August 20, 1892, by Clar- ence P. Wolfe, who is still its editor and publisher. The "Times" is a weekly paper and has a distinct individuality and a wholesome influ- ence. Its files are replete with much valuable historic matter and early reminiscences of this section of the State. The political policy of the "Times" is Democratic.
POSEYVILLE.
The Poseyville "News" was preceded by the Poseyville "Times," which was started October 20, 1881, by James B. Berkshire as a six- column folio. Its journalistic career ended in failure after about one year's existence. Whereupon the Poseyville "News" was established December 10, 1882, as a seven-column folio by Joseph A. Leonard and George J. Waters. The paper was independent in politics and acquired a liberal patronage and support and a fair measure of success. In 1884 James I. Brydon became the sole owner and proprietor and the paper became Democratic in politics and has remained Democratic down to the present time.' Mr. Brydon continued as editor and proprietor until 1886, when John S. Williams became his business partner and associate editor. The paper continued under the firm of Brydon & Williams until 1888, when Mr. Williams sold his interest in the paper to Joseph R. Haines. In 1890 Mr. Haines bought out his partner and converted the paper into a six-column quarto publication and made extensive improve- ments in new equipment in the way of presses, power, job presses, type, etc. The paper enjoys the distinction of being housed in its own build- ing. It is a weekly paper and through the untiring zeal and energy of Mr. Haines it has become one of the county's most reliable, newsy and up-to-date newspaper publications.
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CHAPTER XVI.
MILITARY HISTORY.
POSEY COUNTY IN THE WARS OF THE NATION.
Although Posey county was unheard of in 1776 and the territory now comprising it had not yet been visited by white men, a number of men who afterward became citizens of the county fought in the Revolution- ary war. Later when Tecumseh formed his formidable organization, a number of men who had settled within the boundaries of this county took part in the campaign under General Harrison that ended in crush- ing the Indians and driving them from the Wabash valley. Among those who enlisted from Posey county were: Thomas Allman, Thomas Givens, Adam Fisher and Ezekiel Kight, who were wounded in the battle of Tippecanoe. Jumes Duckworth was an ensign in the company of Captain Jacob Warrick and after all the commissioned officers had been killed the command of the company devolved upon the young Posey county officer, who bore himself with honor, and after his return home he was made major of the State militia. John Black was killed by a bullet through his head. Others from this county were William and Hugh Todd, Robert Jeffries, Timothy Downen and Thomas Duck- worth. So far as the West was concerned the War of 1812 was merely a continuation of the Indian troubles, which were only temporarily checked by the battle of Tippecanoe. It is probable that those who enlisted from Posey county assisted in the Indian campaigns which were a feature of the two-years war with England, it being the British policy to harrass the Americans by stirring up the border tribes against them.
After both British and Indians were conquered, the military organ- ization was continued and regular musters were held at stated inter- vals, as explained in a previous chapter. The Posey county regiment was the Thirty-fifth Indiana in the early '20s. There were two com- panies in Black township, commanded by Captains Harshman and Dunn. Other captains in the county were: W. A. S. Green, Alexander Mills, H. G. Lerton and Mr. Ellis. These musters were abandoned about 1833.
In 1836 a few Posey county men took part, notably among them
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
Willis Edson, captain of a company. The War of 1848 with Mexico called out an entire company from this county with Enoch R. James as captain and Alvin P. Hovey as first lieutenant. On account of the quota of the State being filled this company could not get in.
The Civil war opened with a great division of opinion in Posey county as to the right of the government to coerce a State, but from the outset Posey county was loyal to the Union and remained so during the entire war, sending all the able-bodied men to the battle field and enduring hardships at home for the old flag. Before the firing at Fort Sumter mass meetings were being held in all parts of the county and these were addressed by Union orators, so that when the call for men came from the President the Posey county boys were ready to take the field.
On April 22, 1861, the county board met in special session for the purpose of preparing the county for the emergencies of war. The gov- ernor was requested to deliver to the county its quota of arms, a sum of $2,000 was ordered paid to Enoch R. James, chairman of the vigi- lance committee to be used in protecting the citizens and their property by the purchase of arms and munitions of war. The county board at that time was composed of the following gentlemen: A. C. Williams, Josiah Forth and R. G. Thomas. They held another meeting on May 2I and a committee composed of Robert Dale Owen and Alvin P. Hovey was authorized to go to Indianapolis at the expense of the county and offer to advance $10,000 for the purchase of arms for Posey county and take State bonds for the amount. The Bank of Mt. Vernon was ordered to be indemnified for any moneys drawn by Owen or Hovey to make this advance to the State.
On April 15, 1861, Governor Morton, called the "war governor" of Indiana, had offered President Lincoln 10,000 men for the defense of the nation. On the same day the President issued his call for troops. The quota for Indiana was six regiments, comprising in all 4,683 offi- cers and men. This quota was filled so quickly that only those near Indianapolis, the place of rendezvous, were able to get there in time to be accepted. Twelve thousand men were tendered in less than a week. In May the six regiments were transferred to the United States service under the call of the President May 3, for 42,034 volunteers for the regular army to serve three years. Posey county did not get in on this first quota of troops on account of its remote location from Indian- apolis.
The first full companies of men from Posey county were in the Twenty-fifth regiment. These companies were A and F and they were mustered into service on August 19, 1861. Upon its organization in July Company A had the following men as its commissioned officers : George W. Saltzman, of New Harmony, captain; Enoch J. Randolph, Mt. Vernon, first lieutenant; Absalom Boren, New Harmony, second
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
lieutenant. Captain Saltzman was killed at the battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. The following men subsequently became captain of this com- pany in turn : Enoch J. Randolph, April 10, 1862; Absalom Boren, Jan- uary 22, 1863; James P. Bennett, August 18, 1864; Gilbert M. Smith, August 25, 1864; George W. Ham, March 1, 1865. Captain Bennett was commissioned three days after his death at Atlanta, Ga. Gilbert M. Smith was never mustered as captain, and was discharged as second lieutenant November 8, 1864. Those commissioned as first lieutenant during the entire service were: Absalom Boren, April 10, 1862; James P. Bennett, January 22, 1863; George W. Ham, August 25, 1864, and James P. Black, May 1, 1865. The second lieutenants were: James P. Bennett, April 10, 1862; Gilbert M. Smith, January 22, 1863; William Todd, May 1, 1865. The original enrollment was 100 men and the whole number of recruits was sixty-nine. Thirty-two died or were killed and four deserted. John Hugo was killed at Fort Donelson February 15, 1862, and Jacob Jordan and Henry Myer at Shiloh.
Company F was organized with the following commissioned officers : Victor C. Larkin, captain; Robert G. Shannon, first lieutenant ; Miles Wilsly, second lieutenant. Robert G. Shannon was commissioned cap- tain on August 21, 1864, and John H. Oaks March 20, 1865. John H. Oaks was commissioned first lieutenant March 20, 1865, and Nathaniel Henderson June 5, 1865. For second lieutenant Rufus F. Larkin was commissioned September 4, 1862; John H. Oaks January II, 1865 ; Jo- seph Barrett May 1, 1865. Robert G. Shannon was the only commis- sioned officer that was killed in the company. He was a veteran of the Mexican war and was wounded at the battle of Chapultepec. In the Civil war he was wounded at Hatchie River October 5, 1862; at Snake Creek Gap October 15, 1864, and at Bentonville March 21, 1865, dying March 23, 1865, from his latest wounds. The original enrollment of this company was 100 men. It recruited fifty-four men and lost six- teen. Albert Norcross and Seth Johnson were killed at Atlanta August, 1864, and John Ellis at Snake Creek Gap, October 14, 1864. Captain Larkin was commissioned major August 5, 1864.
The Twenty-fifth regiment was organized at Evansville July 17, 1861. In October of that year it marched with Fremont 240 miles in sixteen days. December 19 it assisted in the capture of 1,000 rebels on the Black Water, taking charge of the prisoners the next day and escort- ing them to St. Louis, where it remained until February, 1862, when it left to join the expedition against Fort Donelson. On February 13 it lost sixteen killed and eighty wounded. It occupied the fort after the surrender and remained there until March 5, when it went to Fort Henry, embarking at that point on the eleventh for Pittsburgh Landing, where it arrived on the eighteenth. It was actively engaged in the battle of Shiloh on the sixth and seventh of April, losing twenty-seven killed
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
and I22 wounded. It then took part in the siege of Corinth, going from there to Memphis, where it was on guard duty till September 6. On October 5 it fought at Hachie river, losing three killed and seventy-six wounded. Six companies under Colonel Morgan were attacked at Davis Mill in Mississippi by General Van Dorn with a large force of mounted infantry, but the rebels were repulsed with a heavy loss. On February 29, 1864, the regiment reënlisted and soon after came home on a fur- lough. Its next engagement of consequence was at Atlanta, Ga., where the loss was three killed, six wounded and four prisoners. On October 3 it left Atlanta in pursuit of Hood's army and engaged the enemy at Snake Creek Gap on the fifteenth, with a loss of nine killed and four- teen wounded. Returning to Atlanta, it was with Sherman on his march to the sea and on December 9 to 14 participated in the battle of Savan- nah, losing nine of its number. On January 4 it was transported to Beaufort, S. C., whence it moved to Pocotaligo, and on the thirtieth started for Goldsboro, N. C., and on the way was engaged in the battle at River Bridge on February 3 and 4, losing ten wounded and one cap- tured. At Bentonville on the nineteenth it lost two killed, twelve wounded and two missing. It arrived in Goldsboro March 24, having completed a 500-mile march in fifty-four days. It marched to Raleigh, where it remained until the surrender of Johnson's army. The regiment was mustered out at Indianapolis in July, 1865.
The First Cavalry regiment of Indiana volunteers contained no less than three full companies of Posey county men. They were C, D and H, and were organized in the months of July and August, 1861. The first captain of Company C was John K. Highman, who was killed at Fredericktown, Mo., in November, 1861. Following him were Julian D. Owen, November 12, 1861; William W. McReynolds, January 13, 1863; James L. Carey, July 6, 1863. The first lieutenants were Josiah Forth, August 20, 1861; William W. McReynolds, November 12, 1861 (resigned) ; Mark McCauley, January 15, 1862; William W. McReynolds, January 13, 1863; James L. Carey, January 13, 1863; Charles S. Ran- dolph, July 6, 1863. Second lieutenants : Julian D. Owen, August 20, 1861 ; Mark McCauley, November 12, 1861; James L. Carey, January 15, 1862: Charles S. Randolph, January 13, 1863; George W. Richards, July 6, 1863. All these officers were from New Harmony and the entire company came from the northern part of the county. The original en- rollment was seventy-seven men. Julian D. Owen was promoted lieu- tenant-colonel, Josiah Forth and Mark McCauley, majors of the First cavalry regiment. Lieutenant Randolph was murdered at Carrollton, La., in February, 1864, Alexander M. Fretageot died September 7, 1862, on the field, Elihu Robinson died in New Orleans in September, 1863, and John Williamson at Greenville, Mo. Four deserted.
The commissioned officers of Company D were as follows: Captains :
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY
Lyman W. Brown, August 20, 1861; George P. DeWeese, March 25, 1862; James B. Talbott, October 17, 1862; Orrison J. Kyler, April 2, 1864. First lieutenants : George P. DeWeese, August 20, 1861; James B. Talbott, March 25, 1862; Orrison J. Kyler, October 17; 1862; John D. Krousch, April 2, 1864. Second lieutenants : James B. Talbott, Au- gust 20, 1861; George W. Brown, March 25, 1862; Orrison J. Kyler, April 30, 1862; John D. Krousch, December 22, 1862. The original en- listment in this company was seventy-six men, eleven of whom died and eleven of whom deserted. It was recruited with twenty-five men in the time of its service. Charles Pabst, Thomas Asbury and Thomas Sny- der died at St. Louis; Lemuel Asbury, Charles Hinson and John H. Scott died at Pine Bluff, Ark .; Samuel Atkins died at Pilot Knob; John Goarty and William W. Marshall died at Helena, Ark .; Dorastus Ruple died at Cairo, and Peter Winterath died at Indianapolis in 1864.
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