USA > Indiana > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Indiana, from 1822 to 1876 > Part 3
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Noble,
22,484 Brandywine,
13,500 Moral,
22,957
Liberty,
14,611 Marion,
15,278
Addison,
34,965 Union,
16,606
ACRES IN CULTIVATION.
Wheat,
50,000 Oats,
2,300
Pasture,
36,000
Corn,
53,000
Meadow,
9,000
00
LIVE STOCK.
Horses,
8,100
Cattle,
1,600
Hogs,
50,000
Mules,
1,000
Sheep,
6,500
PRODUCE.
Wheat, bu.
580,000
Potatoes,
19,000
Hay, tons,
6,000
Corn,
2,100.000
Barley,
16,000
Lime, bu.
46,000
Rye,
300
Grass & Clov'd
600
Tobacco, lbs
70,000
Oats,
.
17,000
Fruit,
22,000
MISCELLANEOUS.
Pianos, 65
Mel. & Organs, I33
Sewing Mach's, 1,285
v.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
The principal Public Improvements of Shelby County are the following :
THE OLD STATE ROAD.
This was made as early as 1821. It began at Lawrenceburg, ran thence to Napoleon and Greensburg, and passed through our bounds from south-east to
3I
north-west. This was for many years an exceedingly important thoroughfare, as affording communication with the Ohio River.
THE MICHIGAN ROAD.
The Michigan Road originally ran from Michigan City to Indianapolis, thence to Madison by way of Shelby County. It passes through our limits in a west-north-west course. It was constructed in accordance with an Act of Legis- lature, dated January 13th, 1830, and was paid for by a donation of land from the " Chiefs and Warriors of the Potawatamie tribe of Indians."
TURNPIKES.
The projector of our turnpike system was the late Mr. Alexander Cory; Mr. James E. Maguire, then a Justice of the Peace, drafted the first articles of or- ganization før a company; and Mr. Jerry Weakley was the first contractor, and threw the first shovel of earth, upon the first gravel road in the county-the one leading from Shelbyville to Morristown. This was in 1860. At present we have the following :
NAME. MILES.
NAME. MILES.
Shelbyville and Morristown .. ..... IO Edinburg, Flat Rock and Nerist'n 11 1/2
Shelbyville, Smithland & Marietta 71/2
Michigan Road. 6
Mt. Auburn and Lewis Creek .... 9.1/2
Jackson Gravel Road Co. ...
3
Hope and Norristown .. I 1/2
Shelbyville, Fat Rock and Noris- town. 12
Fairland Company.
Shelbyville and Indianapolis. 4
Flat Rock and Waldron. 5 1/2
Shelbyville and Cynthiana.
4
Northern Co .. I
Shelbyville and Chapel.
7
Brandywine Junction .. I
County Line and Chapel.
5
Morristown and Hanover .. 534
Waldron and Middletown
I
Blue River. and Chapel ... 4.
Shelbyville and Columbus.
4 1/2 Marion Township 5 1/2
Shelbyville and Rushville 4
Morrison Turnpike Co
Shelbyville and Marietta. IO
Lewis Creek and Shelbyville 3 Total miles. I54
RAILROADS.
There are at present four railroads in our county. I. The Indianapolis, Cin- cinnati and LaFayette, passes through diagonally from northwest to southeast. 2. The Columbus and Rushville (a branch of the Pennsylvania Central) from south to northwest. 3. The Martinsville and Cincinnati, from Fairland south west, and 4, The Hamilton and Cincinnati, through the northeastern corner of the county, In all 60 miles of railroad.
In former days there existed here an intense prejudice against railroads. To overcome this the late Judge William J. Peaseley had on exhibition in one of the
Shelbyville and Brandywine. 2 1/2
Brandywine, Boggstown and Sugar Creek. 4
2 Fairland and Shelbyville Co. .. Fairland and Brandywine Co. I 14
St. Paul and Norristown 91/2
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stores on the PublicSquare a miniature model of a track and cars, with which he used to enforce his arguments concerning their feasibility and advantage. At last a wooden railroad, one and a fourth miles in length was built and at a grand celebration of the 4th of July, 1834, put into operation. This is supposed to have been the first railroad of any kind west of the Alleghany Mountains. Prejudice has vanished before experiment, and now no county in the State excels ours in railroad facilities. The history of their construction we give in the language of Mr. Jasper H. Sprague, of our city :
" The Shelbyville Lateral Branch, connecting Shelbyville with the Madison and Indianapolis road at Edinburg, was located in the year 1846 and completed in 1849-50. Length 16 miles. Major John Hendricks was the first President. This was the second railroad constructed in the State of Indiana, and the third one in the United States west of Cincinnati -- Madison and Indianapolis being the first and the Louisville and Portland the second.
The second railroad. the Rushville and Shelbyville, 19 miles in length, and also the Knightstown and Shelby ville, 25 miles in length, were located in 1847 and completed at about the same time as the lateral branch. The first President and projector of the Knightstown road was Henry B. Hill, of Carthage. Dr. Helm was first President of R. & S. road.
The next in order of time, located in Shelby county, was the Lawrenceburgh & Upper Mississippi road, now known as the Indianapolis, Cincinnati & La- fayette railroad. The location was commenced at Lawrenceburgh in the fall of 1849, and completed to Indianapolis in 1853-length 90 miles. The projector and first President of this important road was Hon. Geo. H. Dunn, of Lawrence- burgh, from whose indefatiagable industry and perseverance Shelby county has derived more substantial benefit in her material interests than from the labor of any other single individual in our State. To those who will succeed the pres- ent generation, and especially the farmers of Shelby county, it may be inter- esting to know that before the construction of railroads, corn was a drug at 10 cents per bushel; wheat 35 to 40 cents ; pork $1.50 to 2 per 100 lbs net ; good beef steak 212 to 3 cents per pound, and other products in proportion."
BRIDGES.
A few years ago the County Commissioners commenced a systematic plan of bridging the rivers and streams at the principal crossings. Thus far ten sub- stantial and elegant iron bridges, with stone abutments and piers have been put up, and each year one or more are added. They are erected in the most sub- stantial and durable manner, and if properly looked after will last for a genera- tion or more. In addition to these numerous wood bridges span the smaller streams.
COUNTY COURT HOUSE.
Our present Court House was built in 1852, Messrs. John Kern, James F.
33
Rule and Thomas Clayton, being commissioners. Its size is 75x100 feet, dimensions of court-room 60x75 ; its cost was $47,000. It is located on grounds donated to the county by Messrs. Jeremiah Bennett and Edward Toner.
JAIL.
The first County Jail stood upon the Public Square, it was built of logs and cost probably $200. It was erected in 1823.
The second Jail stood upon the corner of Harrison and Broadway. It was also a log structure ; cest about $300, built in 1826.
The third Jail stood upon the square adjoining the present Court House ; cost about $1,000, built of stone, in 1841.
The Jail Building now in use, was erected in the years 1872-74, Messrs. Ed- mund Cooper, St. Clair Ensminger, and Louis Fessenbeck, being Commis- sioners. Its size 50x95. It contains 18 cells and two Hospital Rooms in the prison department, and nine rooms in the Sheriff's residence. Its cost was $52,000.
CITY HALL.
The City Hall of Shelbyville, situated on the North side of West Washing- ton Street, is a handsome brick edifice 30x60 feet in size. It is surmounted by a cupulo for the fire alarm bell. The first floor contains the engine-room and city prison , the second floor, the Mayor's office and Council Chamber, which are comfortably arranged. Its original cost was $2,800; about $300 has since been spent upon it in improvements.
GAS WORKS.
The Shelbyville Gas Works were built in the spring of 1874 by Messrs. Luce & Bro., of Ashtabula, Ohio. The city was first lighted on the evening of April 26th, 1874. The works passed into the hands of the present company, July Ist, 1874. The amount of capital stock is $20,000, and it is held at par. The present officers are Mr. John H. Leefers, President, and Mr. G. W. F. Kirk, Secretary.
STEAM FIRE ENGINE.
In 1874 a first class steam fire engine was purchased together with reel and 1,000 feet of hose, at a cost of $6,000, and it has already more than paid for itself by valuable services. Mr. William Morgan is the engineer.
CEMETERY.
In 1824, at the second sale of the lots comprising the donation of Major John Hendricks, Hon. John Walker and Mr. James Davison, four acres of the ex- treme north-east corner were purchased by Mr. ARTHUR MAJOR, and donated
34
to the city as a Burial Place. He paid the price, but did not call for a deed. In the settlement of his estate, after his death, these facts were elicited and duly recorded; and then the county made a deed direct to the city. Since that time several acres more have been added. This spot has of course, in the lapse of these long years, become the centre of a deep and touching interest and senti- ment, as holding the precious remains of so many of the Loved and Gone Be- fore. Here lie numbers of the First Settlers in their often plain and unmarked graves. Of late years some beautiful monuments of marble and Scotch granite have been erected. It is the cherished intention to place here a Soldier's Monu- ment, inscribed with the names of our fallen heroes of the war of the Rebellion. The grounds are kept in good order, and surrounded by a graceful iron fence.
VI.
INDUSTRIES.
As in the physical constitution of man a variety of organs have each their ap- propriate and indispensable function, so the actual necessities of the body-politic give rise to the several branches of industry-each augmenting the wealth- pro- ducing power of the other, with agriculture as the basis of them all.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first place among industries in our age is occupied by Journalism. The overwhelming influence of the Press is that which pre-eminently distinguishes the civilization of the 19th century. The Orator of the Athenian Assembly and the Roman Forum influenced mainly those his voice could reach; but with us a Speaker has scarcely uttered the last sentence before his exordium is in print. The universal address, which the Press affords, makes the people's heart to vibrate to the skilful touch of the editor; for many a man will read a news- paper article, who would never open the ponderous and recondite quarte. Forty- four years ago, in 1832, the first enterprise in Journalism was begun here, by Mr. W. H. Heslip, under the classic and significant title of "The Argus," the hun- dred-eyed myth of the ancients. After many changes and business reverses the Press of 1876 in our midst is represented by the following journals : THE SHEL- BY REPUBLICAN, Mr. Sim. J. Thompson editor and proprietor. THE VOLUN- TEER, Mr. John Hoop editor and proprietor, and THE INDEPENDENT, Mr. Reuben Spicer, editor and proprietor.
BANKING.
Previous to 1851, all money transactions with the great cities was done by carrying the amount, usually in saddle-bags, to Indianapolis or Cincinnati. In
35
that year the banking business had its origin here in the establishment of a pri- vate bank by Messrs. Elliott, Hill & Co. (John Elliott, James Hill, Samuel Hamilton and Alfred Major.) Out of this in 1858 grew two enterprises, the Shelby Bank of Mr. Samuel Hamilton, which still exists, and the bank of Messrs. Elliott and Major, which continued till 1865; and then sold out to Elliott & Co., who merged their business in the First National Bank. Wonder ful strides have been made in this department since its commencement here. From one depositor, as on the first day, there have been as many as 400 in a single day. The deposits of Messrs. Elliott & Major rose to above $300,000 per annum, and the First National has even exceeded that. Of the Shelby Bank Mr. Sam'l Hamilton is Manager and Proprietor, and Mr. Thomas W. Fleming, Cashier ; and of the First National, Mr. John Elliott, President ; Mr. Alfred Major, Vice President, and Mr. John H. Young, Cashier.
MANUFACTURES.
The Planing Mill owned at present by Mr, Geo. W. Kennedy, originated in a small establishment of the same kind located near the river, and built by Mr. JOSEPH R. STEWART, in 1853. This first manufacturing enterprise of Shelby- ville being destroyed by fire, Mr. Stewart ventured again and this time upon a larger and more perfect scale, until after various viscisitudes, it is now in its ma- chinery and arrangements a model of completeness in every respect. The main building is 50x80 feet, two-stories; attached to it is the engine-room, a two- story brick 22x32, the second floor being a drying-room. The machinery is of the best patterns, and embraces all that can be used to advantage.
The Blue River Furniture Factory, owned by Messrs. Conrey, Wallar and Deprez, occupies a large and commodious brick building for office, sales-room and packing. The factory itself, 40x80, three-stories high, is one mile west of the city. Its machinery is propelled by a never-failing water-power. This establishment does a wholesale and retail business of $100,000 per annum, and gives steady employment to a large number of mechanics.
There are three Flouring and one Saw Mills in Shelbyville and many of both throughout the county. A Mineral Water Factory has been established. ; One mile from town there is a Distillery, not in operation. There are two Tan- neries here and a number of them in the country. Also Brick and Tile yards, two Coopering Shops, and the carriage making is represented by three firms, Messrs. McGuire and Jennings ; M. Carithers and James Smart.
The " Pine Hill Nursery," of Mr. Noah Milleson, the " Blue River Vegetable Garden " of Jacob Buescher, three Dairies and the Hot House for ornamental flowers, of the late Fountain G. Robertson, are in and around our city.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Many years ago the farmers of Shelby were deeply concerned in the objects of an Agricultural Society and had Fair Grounds, but the organization ceased
36
in 1863. In 1872, the present "Shelby County Agricultural and Joint Stock Association " was founded. Forty-five acres of ground admirably located for the purpose, well shaded, with abundance of pure water accessible, one-half mile east of our city, was purchased and fenced. Since then the necessary build- ings and improvements have been made. The track, one-half mile in length is one of the finest in the State. Floral Hall, 50x80, is light, airy and graceful. Agricultural and Mechanical Halls, each 30x50, are in good taste and well adapted to their purposes. John Blessing is President and Albert J. Gørgas, Secretary.
THE GRANGE.
In 1873 the first lodge, Pioneer No 152, was organized. There are now 30 granges. The increase of membership has been at the rate of 600 per annum. Five Halls have been erected and more are in propress. The Shelbyville Pomona, or fifth degree grange is located in our city. Its object is the highest elevation of Husbandry, and it has also the powers and functions of a High Court. Total membership in the county 2,000, representing a capital of from from three to five million dollars.
VII.
BENEVOLENT.
Under this general classification, we propose a survey of our schools, churches, and other educational and humane institutions.
CHURCHES.
In Shelbyville there are the following eight churches : The Methodist Episco- pal, The Second M. E., The First Baptist, The Second Baptist, The Catholic Church of St. Joseph, The Christian, The First Presbyterian, The Second Presbyterian German. Throughout the county in every school district, there are one or more ecclesiastical organizations.
SCHOOLS.
Indiana has a larger invested school fund than any other State in the Union, and we have shared abundantly in its beneficent influences. The first report from Shelby County to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is dated 1855. The statistics since are as follows :
e
37
Number of
1855
1860
1865
1870
1875
School Days,
60
65
69
93
123
Teachers, .
40
90
II5
I29
178
Scholars.
1790
4440
5563
6398
6489
Dollars Expended,
1933
7517
I2290
23263
3747I
SCHOOL HOUSES.
1865
1870
1875
Løg,
6
2
-
Frame,
98
97
94
Brick,
7
15
36
Value,
5688
89500
I39905
The total number of persons between 4 and 21 years during the year ending May Ist, 1876, was 8,399, and the amount distributed to the various school cor- porations, $14,147.10.
For a complete and valuable history of the schools of Shelbyville, we refer to their last Annual Report, by Prof. Wm. A. Boles, the Superintendent. The first teacher here was William Hawkins, and the first public school house a plain log cabin, on the south-east corner of the Public Square. Our present Seminary is massive and commodious, and was erected at a cost of $35,000. The school has both the Higher and English departments. Upwards of 800 children are in attendance.
The Sisters of St. Francis conduct a school under the auspices of the Catholic Church.
We have also a Classical Academy for Youths and Misses, where the music of the Great Masters and the Ancient and Modern Languages are taught. Prof. J. Martin is the Principal and Proprietor.
MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETIES.
The ancient and honorable fraternity of MASONS that has enacted so dis- tinguished a role in the History of the World, was established in our midst by some of the earliest settlers. In the year 1820, the Hon. Abel Cole came with his family and settled in the northern part of the county-being the fourth family located here. Shortly after him followed David Tracy, M.D., Justice Ferris, Joseph Adams, Chandler Huntingdon, Percy Kitchel, John Walker and Nathan Johnson. In June, 1825, these eight Honored Brethren joined in a petition to the then Grand Master of Masons of Indiana, His Excellency Jonathan Jen- nings, for authority to organize a lodge at Hanover, in Shelby county. Their request was granted, June 17th, 1825-the day upon which the Corner Stone of Bunker Hill Monument was laid with the Masonic ceremonies by General La- fayette. The lodge was then duly organized and worked regularly until the meeting of the Grand Lodge on the 5th of October, 1825 when their work was approved and a charter granted by which it has continued to the present time.
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The strength of the order now may be judged by the large number of lodges in our own and adjoining counties that have sprung from this beginning. In the county : Farmer's Lodge No. 147, at Morristown; Morristown Lodge, No. 193 at Morristown; Waldron Lodge No. 217, at Waldron; St. Paul Lodge No. 218, at St. Paul, and Sugar Creek Lodge No. 279, at Boggstown. In Shelbyville : Shelby Lodge No. 28, W. Hacker Lodge No. 360, Shelby Chapter No. 20 of Royal Arch Masons, Shelby Council No. 3 of Royal and Select Masters, Bald- win Commandery No. 2 of Knights Templars.
These lodges are all in successful operation and faithfully at work in carrying out their moral and benevolent objects. The venerable Brother William Hacker, whose profound researches in the lore of Masonry have a national reputation, resides in our midst.
ODD-FELLOWSHIP was introduced into Shelby County, November 13th, 1846, by the organization of Shelby Lodge No. 89, upon the petition of Brothers John L. Robinson, William Hacker, John Cartmill, John M. Woollen, Joseph L. Silcox, and Hiram Comstock. Just 30 years ago to-day there were but three Odd-fellows in the entire county, and yet in all these years the regular weekly meeting required by their laws has only in one solitary instance been omitted, and that was in July, 1850, during the cholera, when this faithful little band were so engrossed in ministrations to the sick, that it was impossible to assemble a lawful quorum. The funds accumulated and invested by them now amount to $10,000, augmented annually by 15 per cent. of the entire revenues. There are also lodges at Smithland, Hiawatha No. 193; at Waldron, Waldron No. 197; and at Fairland, Dove No. 258; all of which are earnestly at work in carrying out the humane objects of the Brotherhood.
In addition to the above, there are in Shelbyville organizations of Young Men's Christian Association, Temperance, Red Men, and Harigardi.
THE COUNTY FARM.
The care of the unfortunate and the poor was attended to and provided for at an early day. The present County Farm is five miles south of Shelby ville, upon the Norristown pike, on the banks of Lewis Creek. It contains 160 acres, pur- chased of Mr. John Lemaster, July 3d, 1847. The present building was erected in 1851 at a cost of $15,000. It is 60x100 feet in size, of brick, two-stories high, with a central part and two wings; and is well arranged and adapted to its ob- jects. There are 51 inmates now.
LIBRARIES.
As early as the year 1824, a Public Library was begun in Shelbyville. It grew to considerable size and value; was long known as the " Mechanics Library;" had connected with it a thriving Lyceum in which the citizens of that day expatiated upon the exciting topics of the times and some trained them- selves for eminence in the Bar and Forum. In 1852 the Library was destroyed in the conflagration of the Seminary building. At present there are in Shelby- ville the following Public Libraries: The Township, the Methodist Sunday School, The Presbyterian Congregational, Robbins Circulating, and The Public School Library. Besides these, there are township libraries in every township of the county.
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MUSICAL.
In Shelbyville a Philharmonic Society, under the direction of Edward Carlyle, is in successful operation. Private Musical Instructors : Miss Amanda May- hew' Miss Lizzie Maxwell, Miss Ella Mayhew, and Mrs. Joseph H. Kent.
SCIENTIFC.
A Telescope of great size and power is in the possession of one of our citi- zens, Dr. Fitch, of Morristown. The Shelbyville Graded Schools own a large amount of Chemical Apparatus, and in our Private Academy for Youths and Misses, besides a large Microscope, there is a cabinet of 120,000 specimens of Coleoptera.
CONCLUSION.
We have now completed this comprehensive view of the past and present of Shelby County, Indiana. We have taken an historical retrospect of the begin- nings of settlement here; and by accurate description of the physical features then, especially in its unbroken and trackless forests, as compared'with the cul- tivation, verdure and beauty of to-day, we have exhibited the great and striking transformations and improvements, that the truly heroic industry of the farmers of Shelby County have wrought. In the tabular portion of our report, we have carefully sought to embalm the Memory and Good Name of the Founders of this County, and those to whom its government and interests have since been chiefly committed. Let us cherish and venerate those who bore the heat, and burden of those early days of privation, and let us congratulate ourselves upen the pleasing recollection of such excellent and worthy predecessors. In the Statistics we have shown our remarkable growth. The census of two or three hundred in 1822, has grown to a population of at least 24,000 in 1876. While in some portions of the Old World that have been populated for thousands of years. as for example in the parts of Turkey where war is now imminent, not more than one-tenth of the land is even yet in cultivation, in our County, out of 261,120 acres-150,000 were last year in actual cultivation. The less than 100 horses of 1822 have increased to MORE THAN 10,000 in 1876. Compare the six acres of corn raised by James Wilson in 1821, with the 2,100,000 bushels of last year! As to prices and values-the walnut trees that then were burned by scores and hundreds in order to get rid of them, would now bring on an average at least $50 each, and be in great demand at that. The land that was then sold for $1.25 is now coveted and sought after at from $40 to $100 per acre. Think of the day in 1822 when a few hundred dollars would have been a good price for
Hanover College Library
40195
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all improvements in the whole county, and compare it with the $15,000,000 of taxable property of to-day ! Our Statistics certainly prove PROGRESS AND PROS- PERITY. Our Exhibit of Public Improvements, Industries and Intellectual and Moral features, will, we have no hesitancy in claiming compare well with other counties. We have thus demonstrated that we have within our bounds every element of Prosperity and Progress. Shelby County is not a dead but a live com- munity. It is not a decaying but an improving place. It is not going back- wards but forwards. As in the past so in the time that is to come our motto shall be : Ne Plus Ultra !
Let us ardently and sacredly remember this Glorious Day in order to observe it properly.
A few weeks ago a great orator of France, in referring to our National Centen- nial Jubilee, uttered these remarkable words: " To unfurl a banner to the wind, to beat the drum, to parade guns, infantry and cavalry, in order to frighten the peaceable citizens by this image of war-such is the fashion of celebrating great events in France; but it is not equal to the American idea, which consists in celebrating the festivals of peace by the pacific spectacle of universal industry."
We are carrying out this grand American idea to-day. In compliance with the wise provisions of Congress and the Proclamation of our Chief Magistrate, we have recounted the annals and condition of the place we live in.
Two years ago the whole world stood by admiringly when Iceland celebrated her,1,000th year. To-day we celebrate our 100th.
Truly our festival is superior. Our festival of Liberty is a festival of Industry. and of the achievements, improvements and progress that have been made during the first Century of our Nation's Life!
In the constellation of States Indiana holds no mean position. While she is the 24th in area, she is first in her invested school fund, which amounts to $8, 799,191 ; fifth in population and in the number of her schools; sixth in churches ; and the seventh in wealth !
In the counties of this gaeat commonwealth-SHELBY holds no unimport- ant position. She is THIRD in the average value of her lands and in every other respect THE PEER AND EQUAL of all the rest !
In such contemplations, would we recall the signing of the Declaration ot American Indepencence, that ushered in this era of Liberty and civilization-on this great National Holiday that we mean never to permit to be forgotten or slighted, as long as Time endures !
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