USA > Indiana > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Indiana, from its first settlement to the present time : with numerous biographical and family sketches > Part 8
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86
HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
At a meeting of the commissioners as late as 1820, August term, opposition to Centerville was manifested. Julian and Harris voted to adjourn to Centerville, Enos Grave dissented, and entered his protest on the record, on the ground that the law of December 21, 1816, had not been complied with, and that consequently the seat of justice remained at Salisbury ; and he did not sign the proceedings of the commissioners. Wm. Sumner produced a deed for the public square in Center- ville. The commissioners accepted the court-house as com- pleted, deeming the removal act to have been fully complied with by the trustees of Centerville.
WAYNE COUNTY OFFICIAL REGISTER.
County Commissioners.
Prior to the adoption of the Constitution of 1816, duties now devolved upon the board of county commissioners, were per- formed by the county judges. The first board held its first session at Salisbury, and was composed of Thomas J. War- man, James Odell, and Thomas Beard. The term of office was three years, and one commissioner was to be elected every year. Hence the first commissioners were required so to class them- selves as that one should serve for one year, another for two years, and the other for three years, that thereafter one should be annually elected. Thomas Beard was drawn for one year ; James Odell for two years; and Thomas J. Warman for three years. In the following list the names of new members only, and the years they respectively came into office, are given. If in any year the name of no incoming member appears, it may be presumed that some one had been re-elected :
Thomas Beard, James Odell, Thomas J. Warman, came into office in 1817; Enos Grave, in the place of Beard, in 1818. Later, the same year, Beale Butler, (probably in the place of Odell, resigned.) Isaac Julian, 1819. Benjamin Harris, 1820. John Jones, 1821. Peter Johnson, 1822. William Sumner, 1823.
In 1824, a board, composed of justices of the peace from the several townships, was substituted for the commissioners; one of the justices being chosen by the board as president. 1
87
WAYNE COUNTY OFFICIAL REGISTER.
In 1824, Barnabas McManus was president. In the same year, Daniel Fraley, Jonathan Platts, Lot Bloomfield-some of them probably as presi- dent pro tem. In 1826, Lot Bloomfield, Asa M. Sherman. In 1828, Samuel Hannah.
The office of commissioner having been restored, Jonathan Platts, Jesse Willetts, and Daniel Reid came into office in 1829. Achilles Will- iams, 1831. Jonathan Platts, 1832. John Bishop, 1833. Gabriel Newby, 1835. Philip Saville, 1836. Daniel P. Wiggins, 1837. Thomas McCoy, 1838. Daniel Bradbury, Daniel Clark, 1839. David Commons, 1840. Larkin Thornburgh, 1841. Joseph M. Bulla, 1843. Daniel Sinks, 1845. William Elliott, 1847. Thomas Tyner, Dillon Haworth, 1848. Daniel B. Crawford, 1849. Ezra Scoville, John Stigleman, 1850. John II. IIutton, 1852. Andrew Nicholson, 1854. John II. Hutton, 1855. Edmund Law- rence, 1856. Jonathan Baldwin, 1857. Daniel B. Crawford, 1861. Oliver T. Jones, 1863. Isaac A. Pierce, 1865. Andress S. Wiggins, 1868. Will- iam Brooks, 1870.
County Judges.
Wayne county was organized in 1810; and on the 18th of December, Peter Fleming, Aaron Martin, and Jeremiah Meek were appointed judges of the county court, and George Hunt, clerk, who held the office several years.
March 25, 1812, William Harland was appointed a judge. Jan. 3, 1814, Peter Fleming, first judge, Aaron Martin and Jeremiah Meek, judges. April 4, 1815, Josiah Davidson, associate, in place of Judge Mar- tin, resigned. June 12, 1815, David Hoover.
Appointments after the adoption of the state constitution of 1816, were made as follows :
March, 1817, Jesse Davenport, Wm. McLane. February, 1824, John Jones, John Scott. Aug., 1829, Caleb Lewis, Beale Butler. In 1830, Beale Butler, Asa M. Sherman. March, 1837, Jesse Williams. Feb., 1839, David Hoover. March, 1842, James R. Mendenhall. Aug., 1845, John Beard. Aug., 1848, Abner M. Bradbury.
By the constitution of 1850, a change was made in the judiciary of the state, as will appear from the following list of officers :
Common Pleas and District Judges.
Nimrod II. Johnson, judge of Wayne Com. Pleas, Oct., 1852. Wm. P. Benton, Com. Pleas, Oct., 1856. Jeremiah Wilson, Judge of 6th Judicial District, Oct., 1860. John F. Kibbey, March, 1865; re-elected in 1868; and is now in office.
Judges of the Criminal Circuit Court.
Win. A. Peelle, appointed by the Governor, April, 1867. Nimrod H. Johnson, Oct., 1867; died in office. George Holland, appointed May 10, 1869, and afterward elected ; term expires Oct., 1876.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Presiding Judges.
Elijah Sparks, 1815. James Noble, June, 1815. Jesse L. Holman, March, 1816. John Test, March, 1817. John Watts, Feb., 1819. Miles C. Eggleston, March, 1820. Charles H. Test, Feb., 1830. Samuel Bigger, March, 1836. James Perry, Nov., 1840. Jehu T. Elliott, March, 1844. Oliver P. Morton, judge C. C., March, 1852. Joseph Anthony, judge C. C., March, 1853. Jeremiah Smith, judge C. C., March, 1855. Jehu T. El- liott, judge C. C., March, 1856. Silas Colegrove, judge C. C., Feb., 1865. Jacob Haynes, judge C. C., elect; term commences Feb., 1872.
Clerks of Courts.
George Hunt, March, 1815. David Hoover, Sept., 1819. Samuel Han- nah, March, 1831. Jolm Finley, March, 1838. Thomas G. Noble, March, 1845. Andrew F. Scott, March, 1852. Solomon Meredith, March, 1860. Samuel B. Schlagle, March, 1864; died in office. Moses D. Leeson, ap- pointed Jan., 1866. Wm. W. Dudley, 1868; now in office.
Sheriff's of Wayne County.
John Turner, March 4, 1815. Elijah Fisher, Dec. 25, 1818. Abraham Elliott, Sept. 3, 1819. Elias Willetts, Oct. 22, 1821. Samuel Hannah, Oct. 22, 1823. Wm. McLane, Feb., 1826. Jacob R. Fisher, Aug. 28, 1829. John Whitehead, Aug. 28, 1830. Solomon Meredith, Aug. 28, 1834. Thomas G. Noble, Aug. 28, 1838. William Baker, Aug. 28, 1842. David Gentry, Aug. 28, 1844. William Baker, 1848. John C. Page, Nov. 4, 1852. Jesse T. Williams, Nov. 12, 1856. Joseph L. Stidham, Nov. 13, 1858. John M. Paxson, Nov. 12, 1862. Jacob S. Ballenger, Nov. 13, 1866. Wm. H. Study, Nov. 12, 1870.
Auditors.
Office established under the constitution of 1850. Francis King; Thomas Adams. Benj. L. Martin, Nov. 1, 1855. Sylvester Johnson, Nov. 1, 1863. Elihu M. Parker, Nov. 1, 1871.
Recorders.
David F. Sackett; James Woods. Henry Beitzell, March 19, 1852. Theodore J. Riley, March 18, 1860. Jonathan R. Whitacre, March, 1864. Jesse E. Jones, term to commence March, 1872.
Treasurers.
Jason Ham, came into office, 1841. Achilles Williams, 1844. Wm. W. Lynde, Aug. 18, 1853. Christy B. Huff, Aug. 13, 1859. Henry B. Rupe, Aug. 13, 1863. John Sim, Oct. 30, 1867.
89
WAYNE COUNTY OFFICIAL REGISTER.
Justices of the Peace.
Prior to the adoption of the state constitution of 1816, all judges and justices of the peace were appointed and commis- sioned by the Governor. In October, 1809, the year before the formation of Wayne county, Jeremiah Meek, Jesse Davenport, John Ireland, Abraham Elliott, and John Cox were appointed justices of the peace for Dearborn county. After the organ- ization of Wayne county, David Hoover, John Ireland, and Jesse Davenport were appointed justices for this county. Probably other appointments were made before the state gov- ernment under the constitution of 1816 was formed, after which justices were elected by the people in their respective townships.
It has been impossible to find a complete record of the jus- tices of the county since its organization. The following in- complete list is taken from the county records. The names of the townships in which they were respectively chosen, do not appear on the records.
The number of the year given is that in which the term of office commenced :
1817-Isaac Julian, Isaac Estep, J. Flint, Jolin Nelson, Adam Boyd, John Marshall, Ira Hunt, John McLane. 1818-Jacob lloover. 1820- Josiah Bradbury, Jacob N. Booker. 1823-Samuel Taylor. 1824-Eli Wright, Wm. Brown, John Finley. 1825-Richard L. Leeson, Levi Wil- letts, Joseph Personett, Wm. Elliott, Lot Bloomfield, Andrew Carrington, (probably.) 1826-Edward Starbuck, Daniel Clark, Benj. F. Beeson. 1827-Jesse Allison, S. G. Sperry, Eleazar Smith, Richard Henderson, Win. Rupey. 1828-Jesse Williams, Edmund Jones, Elijah Lacey, Absalom Cornelius, Jesse Willetts, John Stigleman, Jonathan Platts, John D. Rob- ertson, James Wickersham. 1829-Isaiah Osborn, James P. Antrim, Joseph Curtis, Wm. Wright, James Beeson, Daniel Strattan, Abner M. Bradbury, George Springer, Jehiel R. Lamson, Benj. Beeson, James P. Burgess, Lewis R. Strong, Lot Day, Abraham Jefferis. 1830-James Baxter, John M. Addleman, Rice Wharton, Win. Swafford, Joseph Flint. 1831-John Brady, Samuel Johnson, Edward Starbuck, Rice Wharton, Jesse Osborn, Preserved L. W. McKee. 1832-Jonathan Platts, John Bradbury, Samuel G. Sperry, Thomas Cooper. 1834-Absalom Wright, Corbin Jackson, Joseph Curtis, Abraham Cuppy, Wm. Lambert, Jacob Brooks, Richard Jobes. 1848-George Develin, David Cornelius, Edward Wiley, Miles Marshall, Edward C. Lemon, Richard Jobes, John McLucas, Ithamar Beeson. 1849-Thomas Wilson, Alfred Moore.
90
HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
NEWSPAPERS.
The early history of newspapers in the county is given by Dr. John T. Plummer in his " Historical Sketch " published in 1857. As he came to Richmond before the first paper printed in Richmond was discontinued, he wrote from personal knowledge. His sketch, therefore, is regarded as the most re- liable source of information, and contains the substance of the following history of newspapers in Richmond to the date of his book.
Newspapers in Richmond.
The first newspaper published in Richmond was the Rich- mond Weekly Intelligencer. Dr. Plummer says he had no means of ascertaining when it was begun, but a number was certainly published so early as December 29, 1821. The printing office was on Front street, south of Main. Its editor was Elijah Lacey, who had associated with him as publisher John Scott, afterward judge, and editor of the Western Emporium, pub- lished at Centerville. It was discontinued, he says, in 1824.
The second paper was the Public Ledger, the first number of which was dated March 6, 1824. Its first editor and pub- lisher was Edmund S. Buxton, until November 11, 1825, when it was brought under the firm of Buxton & Walling, and by them continued about a year. It then passed into the hands of Samuel B. Walling, the late-named partner, [1826,] and was discontinued in June, 1828. It was printed in a small one-story frame house on lot 2, Smith's addition.
A third paper, the Richmond Palladium, was commenced January 1, 1831, by Nelson Boon, who conducted it but six months, when it passed into the hands of Thomas J. Larsh, and was conducted by him eighteen months; next by David P. Holloway one year; by Finley & Holloway two years; by John Finley one year. It then [Jan. 1837] passed to David P. Holloway and Benj. W. Davis, by whom, under the firm of IIolloway & Davis, it has been continued to the present time,
91
NEWSPAPERS IN RICHMOND.
though edited chiefly for the last ten years by Davis, his part- ner having been during this time at the city of Washington.
The Jeffersonian was established in 1836 by an association of Democrats called "Hickory Club," and edited principally by Samuel E. Perkins, afterward a judge of the Supreme Court, and one Talcott, a young lawyer. In the fall of 1837, Lynde Elliott purchased the establishment, and published and edited the paper until 1839, when its publication was suspended, and the printing materials became the property of Daniel Reid. In the same year, Samuel E. Perkins bought the property of Reid, and revived the Jeffersonian, which he edited and pub- lished till 1840, when James Elder became its proprietor, by whom it was published until 1864, from which time its publi- cation was for several years suspended. In 1870, Mr. Elder revived the paper, or rather, perhaps, established a new one, entitled Democratic Herald, which, in 1871, was purchased by Wm. Thistlethwaite, its present proprietor.
The Indiana Farmer was commenced, in 1851, by Holloway & Dennis, and was soon discontinued.
The Broad Axe of Freedom was established in 1855, by Jam- ison & Johnson, journeymen printers in the Palladium office. It soon changed hands, and, by a succession of proprietors, it was continued until the close of 1864, when the press and type were purchased by Isaac H. Julian, and the paper merged in the Indiana True Republican, previously published by Mr. Julian at Centerville, and removed by him to Richmond, Jan. 1, 1865, when its name was changed to Indiana Radical. It is still published by him.
The Lily, previously published in New York city by Amelia ' Bloomer, was transplanted in Richmond, in 1854, and was continued by Mary E. Birdsall, a few years, and subsequently, for a short time, by Mary F. Thomas, at present a physician in Richmond.
The Independent Press was commenced by Geo. W. Wood, in 1861. It was issued as a daily three months, and weekly about six months. In 1862, Calvin R. Johnson, Thomas L. Baylies, and Robert HI. Howard, bought the Press and started The Telegram, July 4, 1862. In the fall of 1863, Johnson retired, and Baylies about six months after. Howard continued it until
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
1867, after which Dr. James W. Salter published it about a year and a half, and sold it to Alfred G. Wilcox, who took into partnership James M. Coe. After about six months, Daniel Surface, from Cincinnati, became a partner; and the proprietors assumed the name of the Telegram Company, under which name it is still published by Messrs. Surface and Coe, Mr. Wilcox having retired soon after the company was formed. Mr. Surface, since his first connection with the paper, has been its editor.
The Humming Bird was started by J. E. Avery & Co., May 5, 1866. It was sold a few months after to A. J. Strickland, from whom it passed, in March, 1867, to Crawley & Maag. In August, 1869, Crawley retired, and Maag has since been its sole proprietor.
A small quarto literary paper, called the Family Schoolmaster, was commeneed in Richmond, March, 1839, by Holloway & Davis, and ended with its 34th number.
Newspapers at Centerville.
In the year 1824, John Scott, who had been associated with Elijah Lacey in publishing the Weekly Intelligencer in Rich- mond, commenced the publication of the Western Emporium at Centerville. How long it was published, we are not in- formed. Scott subsequently committed suicide by hanging himself, at Logansport.
In or about the year 1832, the Western Times was started by Septimus Smith. He was a lawyer and for a time probate judge; a man of literary taste and attainments. He was a brother of the late Oliver II. Smith. Andrew Bulla, son of the late Wm. Bulla, was for a while associated with Mr. Smith in the publication of the Times. They both died nearly at the same time, of consumption. They were succeeded, it is be- lieved, by J. A. Hall and Giles C. Smith, the latter being then a teacher in the County Seminary, and since a Methodist min- ister. Their successor was Nelson Boon, from Eaton, Ohio. He, too, died soon after, or in the latter part of 1834.
About the year 1835, Samuel C. Meredith started the Peo- ple's Advocate, Democratie in politics, the previous papers hav- ing been very moderately Whig. It was edited for a time by
93
NEWSPAPERS IN CENTERVILLE.
James B. Haile, a teacher in the Seminary. Meredith, finding it did not " pay," changed it to a whig paper under the name of Wayne County Chronicle. It was edited about a year by Elder Samuel K. Hoshour, when, Meredith having removed to Illinois, the paper was succeeded by the National Patriot, owned by somebody " down East," and edited by Richard Cole. Not succeeding well in the enterprise, he soon discontinued the publication. He was afterward elected, with another, state printer; and has since been a missionary to China.
Meredith, having returned, began, in 1841, the Wayne County Record. Hampden G. Finch was for a time associate publisher. John B. Stitt became its editor.
Early in 1846, the News Letter, a literary paper, was started by C. B. Bentley, since, and for a long time, conductor of the Brookville Democrat. H. G. Finch soon associated himself with Bentley. Many of its leading articles were for some time writ- ten by George W. Julian. It was continued but about a year.
About this time, a monthly religious publication, called, it is believed, The Reformer, was issued by Elder Benjamin Franklin. The term of its existence is not mentioned.
In 1848, the Free Territory Sentinel was started as an advo- cate of the Free Soil movement of that year, by R. Vaile and P. Smith. In less than a year its name was changed to the Indiana True Democrat. About the time the Sentinel was started, Meredith having gone to California, the Record be- came the Whig, under the charge of D. B. Woods and Stitt. Woods being afterward killed in California, a printer named Millington took his place with Stitt for a short time. Meredith returning, he resumed its publication; but after a few months, finding it a losing affair, he sold out, in 1852, to D. P. Hol- loway, of the Richmond Palladium. At the close of that year, the True Democrat was removed to Indianapolis and took the name of Free Democrat.
Nathan Smith then started the Independent Press, a small paper, which survived but a few months; and Centerville was for about a year without a newspaper.
In April, 1854, Hosea S. Elliott started the Wayne County Journal, and published also the Class Mate, a religious monthly. Both soon died. The Weekly Chronicle was then started by R.
94 .
HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
J. Strickland and G. W. B. Smith, and continued to June, 1858, when they sold out to W. C. Moreau, who bought a new press and started the True Republican. In about three months he sold out to Isaac H. Julian, who, as has been elsewhere stated, removed it to Richmond. [See p. 91.]
In 1859, R. J. Strickland commenced a new paper, (or re- vived the old one,) under the name of Wayne Chronicle, which was published at intervals, until 1863, when it was removed to Cambridge City.
ANTISLAVERY HISTORY. Log Convention; its Results.
Although the early settlers of this county were principally from slave states, the antislavery sentiment strongly predom- inated. They were mostly of the Society of Friends, a people who were generally opposed to slavery. Indeed it was this sentiment that induced many of them to seek homes in a free state. But scarcely three years from the building of the first cabin in the county, the settlers came into conflict with this institution.
The state of Virginia, as has been stated, claimed a right, under the first British charters, to the principal part of the lands south-west of the Ohio river, and emigrants from that state settled very early in the southern border of the territory now composing the state of Indiana. The introduction of slavery into that part of the state, and the attempt to procure the suspension, by an act of Congress, of the antislavery pro- vision of the Ordinance of 1787, have been already noticed. [P. 24.] Hence it was not strange that the friends of slavery should favor the election of a delegate to Congress to repre- sent their views, if occasion should require. In this originated the convention here described.
A meeting called " Log Convention," was held in the summer or fall of 1808, in the south-west quarter of section 17, town- ship 13, range 1 west. [Our venerable informant wishes the place thus particularly designated.] The convention, he says, was
٥
Strobridge & Co Lith tin 0.
Joseph Holman
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ANTISLAVERY HISTORY.
so named from the fact, that hair eloth sofas and easy chairs were unknown to the pioneer fathers, who had no softer place on which to rest than the logs in the forests. Notice of the proposed meeting was given at log rollings; and at the time appointed, the whole neighborhood appeared on the above- mentioned spot.
After a unanimous denunciation of slavery, the convention, without a dissenting voice, selected George Hunt, conditionally, as their nominee as a delegate to Congress, in opposition to Thomas Randolph, spoken of as the candidate of those then called by the people of this part of the territory, the " southern aristocracy," in the towns of Vincennes, Charleston, and Law- renceburg. The convention also appointed Joseph Holman, then but twenty years of age, as messenger to go down and confer with the settlers on Clark's Grant ; and if their views coincided with the views of those whom he represented, and an acceptable candidate was there nominated, Hunt's name would be withdrawn.
Young Holman prodeeded forthwith on horseback through the "trails" to Charleston ; and on his arrival found that a meeting had been held, and Jonathan Jennings had been selected, who had some days before gone to our settlement. Holman remained several days in consultation with the people in that section, and, having found the views there entertained in harmony with those expressed in the log convention, re- turned home. In the meantime, Jennings had made his ap- pearance here, but had met a rather cool reception. He was called by some a "beardless boy,"-who " could n't find his way to Washington ;" by others, a "cold potato." At the same time, Gen. Dill, Capt. Vance, and other aristocrats in Randolph's interest, from Lawrenceburg, the county seat, had been here and poisoned the minds of the people against Jen- nings. But finding that Randolph would not do, they substi- tuted Vance as a more available candidate ; and our nominee, Hunt, gave way for him.
Matters were in this condition on the return of Holman. He found the settlers assembled in a little log hut, which Jen- nings had entered by stooping, where he was squat down by the side wall, when Holman entered to report the result of his
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
mission. Jennings, without any previous introduction, ad- dressed him by name, and asked, " What news from Clark's Grant ?" Holman was surprised, not knowing the man, and did not think proper to tell. One of the company then took Holman outside of the house, who gave a satisfactory account of his mission, and was there told that the beardless youth sit- ting by the door was the nominee of Clark's Grant, who "had n't sense to take him to Washington." They then re- paired into the hut. The facts having been whispered round, all departed without a word to Jennings, who was treated with a most withering indifference. Holman conferred with his father; and they both concluded they had " got their foot into it," and felt a growing coolness toward Jennings. After talk- ing over the matter awhile, they hailed Jennings, who was some 300 yards ahead, and behind the rest of the party, who had kept aloof from him; and, coming up with him, young Holman showed him his circular, and also the charges against him. Jennings "riddled up" these so effectually, and demon- strated his own merits so clearly, as entirely to dissipate the Inkewarmness of the Holmans, and enlist them in his favor; and in a few days young Holman, assisted by Jennings, revolutionized the sentiment of the entire neighborhood. And at the election Jennings received all the votes but one -- the vote of the nominee of the log convention. The subsequent career of Jonathan Jennings has given his name a conspicuous place in the history of the state of Indiana.
The Abolition Movement.
Subsequently to this early contest, there seems to have been no special occasion for an expression of the sentiment of the people of this county on the question of slavery, until after the commencement of the abolition movement.
Prior to 1830, (the year not recollected,) Benjamin Lundy established at Baltimore, Md., a paper or periodical, styled, " Genius of Universal Emancipation," advocating the abolition of slavery. He was succeeded, either in the publication of the same paper, or a new one, by Wm. Lloyd Garrison. Garrison's antislavery sentiments being obnoxious to the people of that city, his establishment was broken up, and he was for a while
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ANTISLAVERY HISTORY.
imprisoned. After his release, he established the " Liberator" at Boston. Other papers soon followed in advocating the im- mediate abolition of slavery; and antislavery societies began to be formed. The American Antislavery Society was formed in 1833.
The Abolitionists believed with their opponents, that slavery in the states could only be abolished by their respective gov- ernments. Their chief object was, by the discussion of the subject, in all its bearings, social, moral, and political, to con- vince slaveholders that it was their duty, and that it would be for their interest, to abolish slavery. They hoped also, that a general expression of northern sentiment against the institu- tion as morally wrong, might serve to hasten action on the part of the slave states. And as the power of Congress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia and the territories of the United States, was generally admitted in the North, petitions in vast numbers, praying for the exercise of this power, were sent to Congress from all the free states. Town and county societies were formed throughout the North. This movement alarmed as well as exasperated the southern people; and the excitement soon became general. In the North as well as in the South, meetings were held, and resolutions passed, bit- terly denouncing the abolitionists. Antislavery meetings in many places were broken up by violence, and several anti- slavery presses were demolished.
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