History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 64

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664

USA > Indiana > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships > Part 64

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NOTES .-- August, 1835, there was frost four times; February 28, 1836, at midnight, 10 below; at sunset, 11 below; at sun- rise, 5 below; June, 1839, there was frost six times; July, 1839, frost twice; Angust, 1839, frost three times; June, 1840, frost four times; June, 1843, frost five times.

The above seems strange, since the thermometer indicated not much below 40. How there could be frost with the thermometer at 40 or thereabouts is not easy to understand; but the keeper of the record declares it to have been a fact.

It may be well to say that the highest degree of heat marked may seem lower than has been noted elsewhere.

The place where the thermometer hung in the shade was be- neath the boughs of a thick pine tree, where no sunshine could penetrate, and at a distance from any wooden or other surface of any kind.

Mr. Osborn began the record in April, 1833, and kept it per- sonally about forty years, and before his death he left it in charge to continue the work until at least fifty years had passed. Two years only remain of the full half century, and his son is faithfully continuing the record.

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.

In 1872, the farmers of the county held meetings through- out the region to discuss the merits of that order lately estab- lished in the country.

In March, 1873, Round Top Grange, No. 85, was established. Before the middle of 1874, twenty-seven granges were organized in Randolph County, with from 900 to 1,100 members. The Randolph County Council of Patrons of Husbandry was organized November 8, 1873, with Nathan Fidler as President, and B. F. Willmore as Secretary. The object of the council was to impart instruction as to the inner work of the order, and for general supervision over its affairs.

June 24, 1875, Henley James, Master of the State Grange, met a company of Masters, Past Masters and Matrons at Win- chester, and organized Randolph Pomona Grange, No. 2, in-

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

stalling I. J. Farquhar, Master; Isham Sedgwick, Secretary; William Ruble, Treasurer; the work of organizing, however, being completed August 31, 1875.

In 1876, the statistics of the order were as follows: First grange instituted, March, 1873; twenty-seven granges established; three disbanded; four consolidated; lodges in operation, twenty -aggregating several hundred members.

Since 1876, the growth has not been apparant. In fact, for some reason, many of the granges have ceased active operations. Some of them are still continuing their work.

The objects of the order are certainly excellent-increase of acquaintance and socialibility among farmers and their fam- ilies, growth in intelligence as to business and the farming in- terests of the country, consultation as to the best means of sus- taining the prices of farmers' products and lowering the cost of farmers' supplies, and, in general, the promotion of the welfare, prosperity and success of the farming population of the country, home life training, beautifying and ennobling farm life, sweeten- ing, refining and purifying the minds of the community at large. The establishment of the order would seem, therefore, to have accomplished much good in several ways. In truth, the pursuit of farming lies at the very foundation of all business prosperity in the country and throughout the world; and what- ever tends to enligliten, to elevate, to encourage, to onergize, to strengthen, to purify, to ennoble that class of our people tends directly and powerfully to benefit the community as a whole. And it is to be hoped that the farmers of the land will lay hold with vigor and energy of every sound and wise means of attain- ing and disseminating knowledge, wisdom, friendship and frater- nal love through all the growing masses of our people over the whole wide spread land.

Pleasant Grove Grange, No. 226 (two miles north of Spar- tansburg) .- This grange was organized June 28, 1873, by Thomas W. Reece, with twenty male members and ten females. The officers were as follows: James Rubey, Master; C. F. Alexander, Overseer; James Macy, Lecturer; Levi Snyder, Steward; J. W. Jackson, Assistant Steward; Emsley Jackson, Treasurer; J. F. Middleton, Secretary; Alfred Rubey, Gatekeeper; Jennie Jack- son, Ceres; Mrs. Hannah Wise, Pomona; Carrie Rubey, Assist- ant Lady Steward.

The present officers are: C. F. Alexander, Master; James B. Rubey, Overseer: John F. Middleton, Secretary; Peter Stidham, Treasurer; Levi Snyder, Lecturer; Henry Wise, Chaplain; James Armstrong, Steward.

Members, January 1, 1878-twenty males, sixteen females, and in 1881, about the same, Meetings have been maintained once in two weeks from the first, with interest and profit.

The grange has a neat and convenient hall, which was dedi- cated by a picnic June 27, 1874, as also with addresses by Hen- ley James, Master of the State Grange, and by Messrs. Will- more and Fidler, of Randolph County. A large and interested crowd was present. Several suppers have been prepared at the hall at various times.

Great harmony has prevailed, a good social influence has bern exerted, general information as to prices, the laws of busi- ness and trade, etc., has been diffused, a healthful influence has been spread throughout the community, and, by the general movement throughout the country, much advantage has accrued by the lowering of prices, consequently bringing producers and consumers together by improving methods of production and en- larging the amount of products, etc. The farming population are the strength of the Nation; but they labor under peculiar and heavy disadvantages, and every movement which adds to their knowledge and encourages and increases their activity and prosperity nourishes and strengthens every honorable and useful industry of the Nation. When the farmers prosper, all goes well; when they suffer and languish, every interest de- clines, and every business droops and weakens. "God speed the plow," and Heaven bless and cheer and prosper the farmer.

Well may the poet sing:

" Far back in the ages. The plow with wreaths way crowned ; The hands of kings and sages

Entwined the chaplet round, Till men of spoil disdained the toil, By which the world was nourished ;

And blood and pillage were the soil In which the laurels flourished.

" Now the world her fault repairs --- The guilt that stains her glory. And weeps her crimes amid the scenes That formed her earliest glory. The proud throne shall crumble ; The diadem shall wane ;

The tribes of earth shall humble- The pride of those who reign.

" And war shall lay his pomp away- The fame that heroes cherish ; The glory earned in deadly fray, Shall fade, decay and perish.

Honor waits o'er all the earth, Through coming generations. The art that calls the harvest forth To feed the expectant nations."

GRANGES -- RANDOLPH COUNTY.

A large number of the societies have been suffered to die ont. Some, however, still flourish. Those which now exist (1881) are: Sugar Creek, organized July 31, 1873; New Dayton, organ- ized 1873; Pleasant Grove, organized 1873; Pleasant Mound, South Salem; Jackson, Jackson Township; Parker, Monroe Township; Green Township.

Many persons entered the lodges with extravagant expectations of immediate and striking results. Many had only a dim and shadowy idea of the real nature and design of the institution. Many expected to control the markets of the country and perhaps of the world, and when time and experience taught them a more sober view of things, they blamed the Order of Patrons and for. sook the lodges. Those who entered the order with moderate views and a reasonably clear conception of its true nature, have remained steadfast and found therein increasing profit and de. light.

Some of the objects may be stated thus: Association of farm- ers for mutual advantage, home life training, beautifying farm life, cherishing every possible sweet, purifying, refining, enno- bling influence in the minds of the people at large, especially in the country homes.

Two special points of advantage may be mentioned as among the results of the Grange movement.

1. The adoption of the no-credit system. This alone has been, so far as put in practice, of immense value. In fact, the debt habit, especially as indulged in the purchase of luxuries and finery, has been ovil and only evil, and that continually. Credit will, of course, continue to exist; yet it is filled with dan- ger, and comparatively few know how to handle it largely with safety and success; and he who learns to pay as he goes, has acquired a method of life the value of which can hardly be over- estimated. If the Grange should succeed in fastening this habit of economy upon the country, the result would be worth more than all it would cost.

2. The other result which we mention is the direction of the farming mind to the laws of business, the cost of production, and the means of direct communication between producer and consumer, and the consequent decrease of cost of transfer of commodities, especially of machinery and farming and domestic implements.

COUNTY FAIRS.

At a meeting held at the court house in Winchester April 17, 1852, after an address by D. P. Holloway. of Richmond, Ind., an agricultural society was formed, and officers appointed as follows: President, Ashael Stone; Vice President, David Las- ley; Treasurer, Uriah Ball; Secretary, John Lasley; Directors, George W. Daly, Washington; James Clayton, White River. Elza Lank, West River; James C. Bowen, Greensfork; Daniel Hill, Wayne; James Simmons, Jackson; Joab Ward, Franklin; Philip Barger, Green; J. B. Somerville, T. W. Reece, R. N. Butler.

The first fair was hold October 14 and 15, 1852. The ground was one acre, a beautiful grove northwest of town, near Judge

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY

Colgrove's former residence. It was fenced as follows: The boards were placed lengthwise, edge to edge, the fence being seven feet high, and it was held up by two upright posts at each end, and at the middle also, with the boards between the posts, and the posts fastened together by hickory withes near the top. The cost of preparing the ground was $30. The display was good, with a fine show of horses, cattle, jacks, jennets, swine, etc. The surplus receipts were $150. The number of members was 200.

1853-Fair was held September 29 and 30) and October 1, 1853. The weather was bad, but the show was good. Hon. Samuel W. Parkor delivered an address. Nathan Hinshaw pre- sented proof of having raised four acres of corn, producing at the rate of 1466 bushels per acre, and Thomas W. Reece four acres at the rate of 115 bushels per acre. Receipts, $615.02; outlays -- premiums, $184.25; expenses, $203; total outlay $387 .- 25; surplus, $227.77.

This fair was held near Mr. Pomroy's, northeast of town. The officers of the society were: President, W. A. Peelle; Secre. tary, John B. Goodrich; Treasurer, George W. Monks; Delegato to State Board, Asahel Stone.

1854 -- Officers: President, Thomas W. Reece; Secretary, John W. Cottom; Treasurer, George W. Monks. Fair, October 12, 13, 14, 1854.

The Association rented ground (seven acres) south of town for ten years, and inclosed it with an oak fence eight feet high. The weather was bad, the wheat and corn erops had been light and poor; but the display of animals was better than before, and the exhibit of fruit was fine. Daniel Hill showed a harrow and roller combined, which was considered a great improvement. and Carter Bros. exhibited buggies and carriages of very fine construction. One of them, a rockaway, was sold to Asahel Stone, Esq., and he has had it in use to this day, and it isstill in good repair.

The Carter Bros. first made buggios in Randolph County. They are still in active business in Winchester.

1855-President, N. Kemp; Vice President, Asahel Stone; Secretary, J. W. Cottom; Treasurer, G. W. Monks. Fair, Sep- tember 27, 28 and 29, 1855; large crowd; good display.

1856 -- Attendance small; display only moderato. There were some good horses, cattle and swine. Prosident, T. W. Reece; Treasurer, N. Kemp; Secretary, J. W. Cottom.

Record of weather during the winter and spring of 1856: Jannary 9, thermometer 27 degrees below zero at sunrise: Feb- rnary 5, 23 below at sunrise; March 12, snow eleven inches deep, average: March 22, snow off, except drifts; April 7, some snow drifts still; some sowing oats and flax; April 28, 1856, first cherry bloom; April 29, 1856, first apple bloom; May 19, beech and sugar, full leaf; May 31, killing frost-corn, potatoes, etc., badly frozen: June 30, corn mostly only six inches high; August 16, vegetation drying up, leaves on trees dead in many cases; September 30, snowed smartly. season dry, erops poor; October. smoky throughout.

1857 - Receipts, $712.73; expenditures, $578.11; surplus, $134.62; society prospering: land leased; buildings erected and paid for. The grain crop was good. A field of eorn of five acres yielded 1343 bushels to the acre. Fruit was fine, and the cattle, etc., good.

AGRICULTURAL FAIR-WINCHESTER, 1858.

The fair was held October 13, 14 and 15, 1858. The weather was rainy, but the crowd was large. As one result, the associa- tion got out of debt, with a surplus of several hundred dollars on hand. Among other fine exhibitions were a beautiful Durham cow, by David Heaston; a splendid bull, by H. K. Wright: a superior cow, by William D. Frazee, giving five gallons in the morning and four gallons at night, without extra feed, und upon poor pasture; one yearling by the same, which had never eaten an ear of corn, and was estimated to weigh 1,000 to 1,100 pounds. Exhibitors of sheep were Brotherton & Reed. Pieket. Puckett and Hartman. Swine were shown by Thomas Robison. J. L. Shaw and H. D. Huffman. Fruits, dairy, honey, etc., by William Doty. Carriages and buggies by Carter & Craig. Pre- miums paid that year, amount, $500. President. James Clayton:

Treasurer. Nathaniel Kemp; Secretary, N. P. Heaston; Assis- tant Secretary, W. D. Frazee; one Director from each township. The records have been destroyed mostly up to 1868.

1863-J. A. Moorman and Nathaniel Kemp were Delegates to the meeting of the State Board of Agriculture.

1868 -- Thomas W. Kizer was Delegate to the stune.

A new association was formed February 20, 1867.

ARTICLE I. Object, to encourage agriculture.

Aur. II. Name, Randolph County Agricultural, Hortienlt- ural and Mechanical Association.

ART. III. Stock. $5,000; shares, $25.

ART. V. Officors: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Committee of seven stockholders.

ART. VI. Officors electod for one year.

ART. VII. Stock may be increased to $10,000.

There seems to have been another Association formed in 1871, and by this association a tract of ground was purchased of L. L. Heaston, consisting of twenty-two acres, occupying a part of the old fort of the Mound-Builders, and containing the great mound in the center of the ancient inclosure.

The officers were: President. Pharez Hiatt; Vice President, William Robinson; Treasurer, William Moore; Secretary, Ed. mund Engle; Executive Committee, Joshua M. Johnson, David son Cheeseman, Nathaniel P. Heaston. Moses Lasley, James Barnes, Nathan Fidler, Walter Scott Monks; Superintendent, Asa Teal.

The fair for 1871 was held September 24 to 27: 3,000 were present the second day: tickets sold in all, 5,625; receipts, $2,- 277.87; expenditures, $2,277.87.

1872-Crops poor: wheat averaged eight bushels, badly dam- aged: price, $1 to $1.40; corn, forty to forty-five bushels per acre: price, 25 eents; swine, good throughout the county, many weighing 300 to 400 pounds at twelve months; there was mich fruit; fair held September 24 to 27; second day 3,000 were pres- ent: entries for 1871, 779; for 1872. 888; receipts for 1872, $1,480,35; expenditures, $1,480.35: debt of Association, $1,000.

1878-Officers: President, Asahol Stone; Vice President, Joshua M Johnson: Treasurer, William Moore; Secretary, Ed- mund Engle; Expentive Committee, Asa Teal, Pharez Hiatt, Nel- son Pegg, Nathan Fidler, Davidson Cheeseman. James Barnes, Thomas W. Kizer: fair held September 23 to 26, 1873; 5.000 present the first day: receipts, $2,719,82: expenditures, $2,689, - 00; surplus, $29.92.

1874- Officers: President, Thomas W. Kizer; Vice Presi- dent, George Addington; Treasurer, James H. Bowen; Secre- tary, John L. Stakebake; Executive Committee, Jesse Connor, William Snyder, George W. Hamilton, Andrew Adams, William O. King, Moses Lasley, Lewis L. Heaston; fuir held September 14 to 18, 1874: tickets sold, 5,176.

1875-Officers: President, Joshna M. Johnson; Vice Presi- dent, Richard Bosworth; Secretary, D. E. Hoffman: Treasurer, John Brooks; Exeentive Committee, T. Tharp, Nelson Pegg, John S. McIntyre, Asa Teal, Andrew Adams, William O. King. Marens D. Starbnek; fair held September 13 to 17, 1875; atten- dance good; display fair. Crops had been badly damaged by rain. Farmers are attending largely to draining their grounds.

1876 The fair for 1876 was the best ever held here, up to that time. Total entries, 800; horses, 124; cattle, 38; hogs, 40; poultry becoming an important entry: they are largely dealt in throughout the county; twenty tons were shipped by one firm in twenty days; the crops were fair to good.

1877-Fair held September 18 to 21; horse entries, 93 -- 18 for speed; sheep and hogs, a fine display. poultry, a large show and a grand success; receipts. $2,032.20; grains good: potatoes splendid; fruits good, though quantity small, owing to over- growth the previous year.

1878-Officers: President, John Brooks; Vice President, Nelson Pegg: Secretary, George S. Fisher; Treasurer, Thomas W. Kizer; Executive Committee. Isom Sedgwick, George Ham- ilton, William Snyder, Aaron Harris, L. L. Heaston, George Addington; fair held September 17 to 20; weather good; entries, 1,500 -- more than ever before; attendance, third day, 5 000 peo. ple. Fruit was nearly a failure, because of a killing frost May

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

13. The wheat crop was the best ever raised. Corn crop was good, but hogs sold largely for $2.25.

1870 -- Fair held September 16 to 19; show of fruits excellent - - the best ever made at this fair; 1,300 entries; 4.700 tickets isold, a reasonable success, though display and attendance not so great as at some previous fairs; balance of receipts, $400; en- tries of fruit alone, 343.

1881 -- Officers: President, Thomas W. Kizer; Vice Presi- dent, William Ruble; Treasurer, William Moore; Secretary, A. R. Hyatt; Executive Committee, I. J. Farquhar, John Frazier, I. B. Branson, J. K. Martin, Nelson Pegg. E. R. McIntyre. Thomas Tharp.

1873-Entries: horses, general purposes; exhibitors, fifty-six; animals, sixty-eight; premiums, twenty-eight; amount. $115.

Horses, light draft; exhibitors, twenty-five; animals, twenty- nine; premiums, ten; amount. $51.

Horses, heavy draft; exhibitors, eloven; animals, twelve; premiums, eight; amount, $44.

Jacks, mules, etc .; exhibitors, four; animals, thirteen; pre minms, six; amount, $29.

Cattle -exhibitors, eight; animals, thirty-five; premiums, eighteen, amount, $93.

Swine- - exhibitors, fourteen, animals, sixty-three; premiums, twenty-one; amount, $87.

Sheep -exhibitors, six; animals, fifty-two; premiums, sixteen; amount, $32.

Poultry -exhibitors, six; animals, eighteen; premiums, four; amount $4.

Grain and vegetables -- exhibitors, thirty-one; entries, eighty; premiums, twenty-six; amount. $22.

Other entries, 320: total premiums, $644; total entries, 650).

1874 -Horses entered, 165; premiums. $933: cattle, 23; pre- miums. $80; jacks, mules, etc., 21; premiums, 837; swine, 30; premiums, $54; sheep, 63; premiums, $71; poultry, 50; premi- nms. $15; grain, etc., 87; premiums, $17; fruits, 48; premiums, $27.50; other entries, 143; premiums, $193); total entries, 630; total premimins, $1, 190.

1875 -- Horses. 106; premiums, $927; cattle, 9; premiums, $42; 'inles, etc., 25; premiums. $65: swine, 78; premiums, $75; sheep. 22; premiums, $58; grain, etc., 55; fruits, 11: sundries, 260; premiums, $258; total entries, 566; total premiums, $1,- 425.

1876 -Horses entored. 113: premiums, $447; cattle, 27; pre- mituns. $100; mules, etc., 25; premiums, 859; swine, 38; pre- miums, 8100; sheep, 54: premiums, $71; poultry, 85; premiums, $35: sundries. 591; premiums, $407; total entries, 933; total premiums, $1.219.

RANDOLPH FAIR- WINCHESTER, ISSI.

The fair for 1881 was held at the usual time and place, and would probably have been a substantial success but for the week of rain, which threw a wet blanket over its affairs and of course greatly checked attendance upon its exhibition, and, moreover. seriously interfered with the amount of its receipts.

The officers for 1881-82 are: John R. Frazier, President: William O. King. Vice President; A. R. Hiatt, Treasurer; D. E Hoffmar. Sceretary; Messrs. Carter, Murray, Heaston, Kizer. Sheeley, Farquhar and Branson, Directors.

It is a fact worthy of remark that Clarkson T. Pickett has (fall of 1881), two watermelon vines having a growth of 330 feet of vine, and the mefons weighed 706 pounds 12 ounces. Some of the melons from that kind of seed have weighed eighty- two pounds each.

UNION AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION, UNION CITS, IND.

This Association was created about January 10, 1870. The record of the first meeting does not appear, but the officers elected for the second year (chosen in November, 1870), were: 1. N. Couverse, President; J. M. Janes, Vice President; E. Starbuck, Treasurer; W. C. Johnson, Secretary, The first Pros- ident is not known; the others were as follows: Vice President. J. M. Janes; Secretary, C. J. Van Andy; Treasurer, Edward Starbuck.

The Directors, chosen November, 1870, were: L. Arnold, J. S. Johnson, J. McFeely, John Griffis, J. D. Smith, H. Debolt, James Woodbury.

L. D. Lambert has been Secretary for ten years; E. Starbuck was Treasurer until his death and Henry Stockdale succeeded him and holds the position still.

The society was accommodated with suitable and commodions grounds for their annnal fairs by a generous act of Dr. Joel N. Converse, securing to their use a tract of land containing forty acres by a free lease for the term of twenty years from April 1, 1870.

The original capital stock was $2,000, in $10 shares. The stock was some years afterward enlarged to the limit of $10,000. All the old stock and 213 shares of the new stock has been taken.

The territory embraced by the association is Randolph and Jay Counties, Ind., and Darke County, Ohio, and the Constitu- tion provides that the Directors shall be chosen from the two States in proportion to the stock held in each, with not less than three, however, in either State at any election.

Betting, gambling, traffic in intoxicating drink, and all im- moral shows are expressly prohibited. The fairs held at Union City grounds have been mostly free to all the world.

The first fair was held in the fall of 1870, and was a reason- able success; and a fair has been held each year since that time. The interest has varied from season to season, yet the stock- holders and managers have felt satisfied that the enterprise that they have in hand is a good and praiseworthy one, and that a healthful effect has been produced upon the community through their ineans.

The Presidents have been Messrs. Converse, Janes, Bran- ham, Smith. Reeder and Parent, and possibly others. The Vice Presidents have been Messrs. Janes, Elston, Smith, Reeder, Morris and Jaqua, and perhaps others. The Managers have been Messrs. Johnson, Arnold, Woodbury, Griffis. J. D. Smith, McFeely, Debolt. Turner, Parent, Trine, Buckingham, Wiggs, Stockdale, Mills, Trine, Grants, Morton. Hamilton, Shockney, Kunkle, Hall, and perhaps others.

The receipts for tickets and disbursements in various years for premiums have been as follows:

Tickets -1870, 82,195.40: 1871, $2,525.25; 1877, $2,279.02; 1878. $2.185.50; 1879, $2,520; 1880, $1,835.84.

Premiums -1870, $1.269.50; 1871, $2,145.50; 1877, $1,752 .- 75: 1878, 81.621. 72: 1879, $1,629.25 1880, $1,381.50.

The association was in debt January 14, 1881, $2,247.95. Besides the use of the fair ground for the annual gatherings of the association, they furnish an excellent opportunity for large meetings of various kinds -- picnics, camp-meetings temperance assemblies, political mass-meetings, and what not, find ample ac- commodations within its shady retreats.

In 1876, an immense Republican mass meeting assembled at the fair grounds to listen to O. P. Morton. Camp-meetings have been held there for three successive years-1879, 1880 and 1881. The first was under the auspices of the Holiness Band, the second under that of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the last in 1881, was addressed mostly by colored clergymen from Ohio and Indiana.

The ground occupied by the association is well suited to its purpose; being reasonably rolling and largely covered with thrifty shade trees, which every year become more and still more delightful, while several abundant wells yield a grateful supply of healthful water for the use of man and beast.

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History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 64

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman Number of Pages: 664

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664