USA > Indiana > Harrison County > Indiana's Birthplace: A History of Harrison County Indiana > Part 4
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"Ordered that the Sheriff of Harrison County collect agreeably to law and agreeably to the com- missioners list from each person chargeable therewith on each horse, mare, etc., above three years old, fifty cents, and on each slave one dollar, on each horse the rates of the season, on each Ferry, except George Doups, four dollars, on Geo. Doups' ferry, two dollars, on each tavern licensed four dollars, on each one hun- dred dollars valuation of land ten cents, and pay to the county claimants the sums respectively allowed.
Ordered that the taverns be rated as follows, towit:
For each quart of whisky 37 12 cts
For every quart of bounce 37 72 cts
For every quart of brandy (French) $1.50
For every quart of Peach brandy 37 12 cts
For every pint of whisky 1834 cts
For every pint of bounce. 25cts
For every pint of French brandy
75cts
For every pint of Peach brandy
1834 cts
For every half pint of whisky
12/2 cts
For every half pint of bounce. 1834 cts
For every half pint of French brandy 5octs
For every half pint of Peach brandy 12 /2 cts
For a breakfast and dinner each 25cts
For supper . 25cts
. For a cold breakfast, dinner and supper, each . . 1672 cts
For a horse per night, stabling and hay .25cts
For a feed of grain, per gallon 12 /2cts Lodging per night 12/2cts
Wednesday, April 15, 1809.
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In the Recorder's Office, we find the following records:
Know all men by these present that I, John Elliot, of the County of Knox, and Indiana Territory, have for and in consideration of the sum of four hundred dollars, to me in hand paid at or before the inseating and delivery hereof bargained, and do by these present bargain and sell, unto John George Pfrimmer, of the County of Harrison, in said Territory, a certain negro woman named Betty, with her mulatto child, named Selina, which said negro and child was purchased of my father, Robert Elliott, of said county of Knox; by bill of sale dated on the 7th day of January last past, which said bill of sale with its conditions and assurances I do hereby assign and guarantee unto the said Pfrimmer, his heirs and assigns, and will by these presents warrant and defend.
Given under my hand and seal in the said county of Harrison, this Ioth day of Feb., 1811.
JOHN ELLIOTT. (Seal.)
In presence of the words "Four hundred & Woman"
Being first indented.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON,
HENRY RICE.
Recorder's office, 15th March, 1811. I, Richard M. Heth, recorder of Harrison county, do certify that I have recorded the within Bill of Sale in my office.
R. M. HETH, Recorder."
This indenture made the 11th day of October, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eleven, between Squire Boone of Harrison County, Indiana Territory, of the one part, and Thomas Currance, of the State of Kentucky, and county of Henry, of the other part, witnesseth that the said Squire Boone for and in consideration of the sum of
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fifty pounds current money to him the said Boone in hand paid the reciept whereof he doth hereby confess and acknowledge hath given, granted, bargained, sold and confirmed, unto the said Thomas Currance, his heir and assigns one tract or parcel of land lying and being in Henry County out of a 2000 acre survey made in the name of said Boone seventy-five acres. Beginning at a Hickory, Ash, and white Oak, thence n 45 e. West the old line 72 poles to a white oak and two black oaks, Thence S. 45 E. 167 to a white oak, dog wood & hickory, Thence S. 45 W. 72 poles to a hickory, beach and red oak, Thence n. 45 W. 167 poles to the beginning. To have and to hold the said 75 acres of land be the same more or less with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging unto the said Thomas Currance his heirs or assigns to the only proper use and benefit and behalf of him the said Currance forever, and him the said Boone of himself his heirs assigns the said 75 acres of land with all the appurtenances unto the said Thomas Currance his heirs or assigns against the claim or claims of any person or persons claiming by from or under him the said Boone will warrant and forever defend.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year first above written. SQUIRE BOONE. (Seal)
Recorder's Office, October 11, 1811.
I, Richard M. Heth, Recorder of Harrison County, Indiana Territory, do certify that I have recorded the within deed in my office this 11th day of October, 1811. R. M. HETH.
From the Senate Journal, December 9, 1818, we copy the following:
"The President laid before the Senate a written communication from R. A. New, Esquire, Secretary of State, relative to sundry contracts for printing the
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laws, &c. &c. as follows, to-wit: To the Honorable the President of the Senate of the State of Indiana:
In obedience to an existing law of this State the Secretary thereof respectfully represents, that the following contracts have been entered into for and on the part of the State.
A. & J. Brandon have contracted to print the. bills, laws and journals of the General Assembly for 50 cents per thousand Ms. and 50 cents per token press work; with the addition of 50 per cent for figured and one hundred per cent for ruled and figured work- the paper being a separate charge at cost and carriage. The work to be done in a workmanlike manner, on good type, at the rate of thirty-two octave pages per week, if required; and they will fold and stitch the same, and have them ready for delivery in a week after the printing is done, at the following rates: If the book contains not more than twenty signatures, at six dollars per hundred; if more at 10 dollars per hundred copies. But nothing in this contract is be so- construed as to prevent an application to the Legis- lature for a further compensation, if the money be not paid within thirty days after the work is completed. They contracted also to furnish the Legislature with stationery at the following rates: Letter or post paper at 5 dollars per ream; writing or cap No. I at 5 dollars; No. 2 at 4 dollars and 50 cents, and No. 3 at 4 dollars. Quills, wafers and ink-powder at the current retailing prices-subject to the same provisions as to payment. Ephraim Gwartney has contracted to furnish the Legislature with fuel at ninety-eight cents per day.
Bond and approved security has been given for the faithful discharge of their several contracts.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, R. A. NEW, Secretary of State. 1
(From Senate Journal, December 9, 1818.)
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MURDER OF WILLIAM GRESHAM
In January, 1834, Levi Sipes, a young man of Blue River Township, became enraged on account of a whipping which had been administered to his brother by a school teacher, and run amuck. County Sheriff William Gresham was sent for and when he arrived and attempted to arrest Sipes, the infuriated young man .shot him and afterwards cut him in a number of places with a knife. Mr. Gresham died and Sipes was arrested and tried for his murder at Corydon in April, 1835. Sipes was defended by Hon. John Rowan, of Louisville, Kentucky, and the prosecution was con- ducted by prosecuting attorney Charles Dewey, who was a relative of Admiral George Dewey of Manila fame. Sipes was convicted of manslaughter and his punishment fixed at twenty-one years in the peni- tentiary and a fine of one thousand dollars. In 1840 he was pardoned by the Governor. William Gresham, the murdered man, was the father of Walter Q. Gresham, who was Secretary of State under Presi- dent Cleveland's last administration.
THE "WHITE CAPS"
The first case of "White Capping" in Indiana occured in 1812, in Harrison County. At that time Colonel Posey was a Pension Agent. A pensioner named White came to Corydon to draw his pension and during his stay he boarded at the Spencer House where a stranger named Cooley was also stopping. In the evening the two men went out together and White became helplessly intoxicated. The next morning it was discovered that he had been robbed and suspicion was at once directed toward Cooley. A party of citizens among whom were John Tipton, Judan Vigus, Fred Kintner and other prominent men, accused Cooley of being the thief. Cooley denied that he was guilty of the crime whereupon he was taken out and tied to
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a tree and whipped with switches until he confessed and told where he had secreted the money. A search revealed the money, which was returned to its owner and the culprit was allowed to depart.
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In 1868, James Keen was accused of stealing from his neighbors in Scott Township. He was taken from his home and thoroughly whipped and allowed to return to Kentucky, his native state.
In 1873, there came into existence, a secret organ- ization, under the pretentious name of "Harrison County Regulators." This society is said to have had signs, grips, passwords, by-laws and blood curdling obligations. The official disguise of the "Regulators" was a white hood, worn over the head and face, with holes provided for the eyes. From this regalia came the name of "White Cap." Each council of "White Caps" was governed by duly elected officers and meet- ings were held at stated intervals in secluded barns or spots in the woods or ravines. At these meetings, reports were received from investigating committees and punishment for alleged offenses was voted. The members were then provided with switches cut in the surrounding thickets, and at the command of their ·captain, galloped away upon their mission of vindicating the offended law or custom.
Within the next few years more than thirty cases of "White Capping" occurred. The punishment inflicted ranged from twenty-five to one hundred lashes across the bare back. On one occasion a citizen sat at home during the greater part of a winter and required his wife to haul logs and limbs from the woods and chop and split them into stovewood, most of which was used for the purpose of keeping this worthy gentleman comfortable. One moonlight night at mid- night, he was called from his bed by the "White Caps" who took him out and harnessed him to an old fashioned wood sled. From midnight until almost dawn he "played horse" for the "White Caps" and hauled
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wood for his wife and children. At dawn he was released and told by the "White Caps'" leader that he could retire. This would have been the extent of his punishment but for the fact that he then informed the leader that he usually curried his horses before he stabled them after hard work. The "White Caps" not desiring him to be neglected, promptly tied him to a convenient sapling and gave him a hundred lashes. with a hickory limb.
The first sacrifice of life in these hazardous expedi- tions occurred in Blue River Township on the night of April 26th, 1880. Henry Long was termed a "Jack- leg-lawyer" and was accused of stirring up strife in the neighborhood. He was a man of well known courage and in order to avoid danger to themselves, the "White Caps" had him arrested on some frivolous charge which they had trumped up and had the trial set at night. The trial was called before Squire Archibald Boston and a long array of witnesses prolonged it until a late hour. Toward midnight the "White Caps" appeared. Long had been disarmed but some friend had secretly given him a revolver. The first man who attempted to enter the door was promptly shot by Long. The man lived but a short time, and proved to be Louis Henriot, one of the leading citizens of the community. After the first shot the revolver failed to. fire. After being shot in the head, Long escaped from the Regulators, but he died in a few days from the effect of the wound.
On Friday, June 7, 1889, James Devin and Charles. Tennyson, of Floyd County, went to the home of James Lemay, four miles northeast of Corydon where they represented themselves to be stock buyers and asked for supper and lodging. They were given their supper and a sleeping room was put in readiness for them. While they were eating their actions aroused Mr. Lemay's suspicions and he armed himself with a revolver. When the men were told that their room
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was ready, one of them drew a revolver and ordered the family, consisting of Mr. Lemay, his wife, his two nieces and a hired man, into a room and closed the doors. When the doors were closed Mr. Lemay attempted to draw his revolver, and one of the men began firing at him. Mr. Lemay fired three shots and was wounded five times, and Miss Lucy Lemay was shot in the arm. After emptying his revolver, Devin ran out the door and Tennyson jumped head- long through the nearest window Miss Matilda Lemay ran out and rang the farm bell for help, but the men escaped. They were captured at New Albany the next day and taken to Corydon where they were placed in jail to await trial.
At midnight on the night of the 12th day of June, 1889, one hundred and fifty mounted men rode into Corydon and after throwing guards about the vicinity of the jail, battered down the jail doors and took Devin and Tennyson to the bridge across Big Indian Creek at the west end of Walnut Street where they were hung.
The closing act of the "White Cap" drama was enacted in "Conrad's Hollow" in Boone Township, on the night of Saturday, August 5, 1893. Samuel and William Conrad lived in a little log cabin here, with their mother and sister. A few months prior to that date, their father, Edward Conrad, had been found in a dying condition a short distance from his home. The two boys were accused of having murdered him, and they were arrested and tried at Corydon, but the evi- dence being insufficient, the trial resulted in a prompt acquittal.
George K. Gwartney, who is still practicing law in Corydon, was their attorney and he received from them two shot-guns in payment of his fee. Upon receiving an intimation that they would probably be "White-capped," Mr. Gwartney returned the guns to his clients. The Conrads returned to their home and
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when a few days later their dog was mysteriously poisoned they realized that they would soon receive a call from the "White Caps." Secreting themselves behind an old fence they patiently awaited the coming of the Regulators, and prepared to welcome them in an unexpected manner.
After several nights of waiting and watching, the Regulators quietly appeared and entered the cabin from the rear. After thoroughly searching the house, they appeared on the front porch when the two vigilant brothers promptly opened fire with shotguns charged with double loads of buckshot. Five men fell mortally wounded and the others fled It was not until eight o'clock the next morning that the bodies were found. In the meantime the Conrads fled to Kentucky where they now live.
The men killed were Edward Huston, Lewis Wiseman, Willis May, John Timberlake and Alfred N. Howe. While all of the dead men were prominent citizens of the vicinity the Conrads were never arrested. This was the last act of the organization that made Har- rison County notorious as "The White Cap County."
SLAVE TROUBLES
Major Horace Bell was born in New Albany, December 11, 1830. When he was two years of age his parents moved to Harrison County and settled a short distance above the Town of Mauckport.
In 1849, Major Bell went to California in search of gold. In January, 1856, he joined the Walker army of occupation in Nicaragua and at the close of the war in 1857, he was in command of a battalion and was one of eighteen left of the original three hundred and eighty-five. In 1858 his father and brother, Charles, were arrested and placed in jail in Brandenburg, Kentucky, on a charge of assisting slaves to escape. Because of the bitter feeling between the north and the south there was no hope for their
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release. Horace and his brother, John, were called home from California and on a day when many of the citizens of Brandenburg were away attending a picnic, they went to Brandenburg, forced the jailer to open the doors and liberated their father and brother. The four ran quickly to their skiff and started to cross the river but they were soon discovered and pursued. Horace stood up in the boat with a revolver in each hand and by keeping up a rapid fire, held the pursuers at bay until they reached the Indiana shore, when the chase was abandoned.
Horace Bell returned to California in 1860, but in a short time he came back to Indiana and joined the Sixth Indiana Regiment at Camp Morton. On April 18, 1866, he was mustered out a Major. After the war he went to Los Angeles and engaged in the prac- tice of law. He is now one of the leading citizens of Berkeley, California.
THE MORGAN RAID
On Tuesday, the 7th day of July, 1863, General John Morgan appeared at Brandenburg, Kentucky, on his way to Indiana. Shortly afterward the steamboat, T. J. McCombs, landed at Brandenburg, and was promptly captured by Morgan's men. The McCombs was taken out to the middle of the river and a short time later the Alice Dean came steaming up the river. A distress signal was hoisted on the McCombs and when the Alice Dean came up to render assistance, she was also captured.
News of the capture of the McCombs and the Alice Dean was conveyed to Lieutenant Colonel William J. Irwin, of the Indiana Legion, who was then at Mauckport. A short time later the Lady Pike landed at Mauckport, on her way up the river and was sent back to Leavenworth after a six pound gun and reenforcements. At midnight the Lady Pike returned with the gun and a handful of men under command of
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Captain Lyons and Colonel Woodbury. At daybreak Wednesday morning, the gunners opened fire on the rebels but the Morgan men had planted a battery at the Court House in Brandenburg and one at the lower end of town, with which they opened fire on the Indiana gun, thereby causing the defenders to beat a hasty retreat.
Under cover of their batteries, the rebels began crossing their troops to the Indiana side of the river where they were met by about a hundred men under Captains Hays, Huffman and Farquar. The enemy soon became too strong for them and they fell back, leaving Jeremiah Nance, of Laconia, and James Current, of Heth township, dead on the field.
Dispatches for help were sent to New Albany, where government troops and artillery were stationed and every effort was made to delay Morgan until reen- forcement could arrive or until General Hobson, who was in pursuit of Morgan, could come up. While the fighting between Mauckport and Corydon delayed Morgan five hours, Hobson was still "four hours behind."
On Wednesday afternoon, the Home Guards, with Colonel Jordon in command, gathered a force of three hundred men and marched south on the Mauckport road about four miles to a point where Peter Glenn lived. A body of rebel cavalry had dismounted at Glenn's house and shot John Glenn, who appeared on the porch with a gun in his hand. Before the war Mr. Glenn had preached at many points in Kentucky, and occasionally he had bitterly denounced the institu- tion of slavery. It is said that by so doing he had incurred the displeasure of a number of Kentuckians who were then with Morgan's command. When the Home Guards arrived the rebels rushed for their horses and Mr. Glenn shot one man who was delayed in his efforts to release his horse. The rebels later killed Mr. Glenn and burned the house in which he lived.
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About 11:30 o'clock Thursday morning the report reached Corydon that the enemy were coming. The Home Guards, under command of Colonel Lewis Jordan, Provost Marshal Timberlake and Major J. S. Pfrimmer, formed a line of battle on the hill about a mile south of Corydon and threw up a temporary breast works composed of logs, brush and fence rails. When Morgan's Advance Guard appeared they were repulsed by the infantry under command of Captain G. W. Lahue. In that fight Harry Steepleton was killed. The rebels had three killed and seven wounded. Before this skirmish was over the enemy appeared in force, when fire was opened by the "Henry Rifles" under command of Major Thomas McGrain. However Morgan's men soon opened fire with three pieces of artillery, thereby demoralizing the defenders and causing them to fall back, each man fighting for himself.
The rebels soon planted a battery on the hill south of town and proceeded to make arrangements . to bombard the town. After a couple of shells had been thrown into town a white flag was hoisted, Cory- don surrendered, and the people and property were at the mercy of General Morgan.
Before the rebels entered the town they captured County Auditor S. W. Douglas and State Senator S. K. Wolfe, who had been with the "Henry Rifles," and required them to ride in at their head declaring that a shot from the citizens would be the signal for their death.
Then it was that the noted General Morgan begun the important part of their warfare. The general stores of Douglas, Denbo & Co., and S. J. Wright were robbed of about three thousand dollars each. The drug store of Dr. Reader and several other small stores were also relieved of such stock as could be used by the raiders. A tribute of $500 each was levied upon the two flouring mills owned by Leffler & Apple- gate and Wright & Brown, the payment of which
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was necessary to save them from the torch. A like ransom was levied on Mauck's Mill, about one-half mile west of town. John J. Mauck, the owner, could not be found and this sum was paid by S. J. Wright and Harbin Applegate.
The "Guerillas" robbed Treasurer Hisey of seven hundred and fifty dollars, raided every home, stable and hen-house and all of the ribbon found in the stores was utilized to make streamers and ornaments for the rebels and their horses.
The total Union loss was three killed and two wounded. The dead were William Heth, Nathan McKinzie and Harry Steepleton. The wounded were Jacob Feree and Caleb Thomas. The rebels had eight killed and thirty-three wounded.
After stealing everything that could be found of any value, that was light enough to carry, they left about five o'clock in the evening. The next day General Hobson entered Corydon in pursuit. General Basil Duke, in his History of Morgan's Cavalry, estimates the number of Home Guards in the Corydon fight at four thousand and says "They defended their rail piles manfully." That was certainly an industrious com- pany of men who caused General Duke to see four thousand men where there were but four hundred.
The War Department recognized this engagement by inserting the name of Corydon in the official list of battles of the Civil war.
HARRISON COUNTY TOWNS
Besides Corydon, the county seat, there have been many other towns laid out in Harrison County. The following is a brief history of each.
LANESVILLE.
The original plat of the Town of Lanesville was sworn to by Edward Pennington on December II,
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1817. While the town was not platted until 1817, there had been a settlement there since about 1800. For many years the population of the entire county obtained their supply of salt from a salt spring in the creek bottom below Lanesville on the land entered by James Armstrong. The town was named for Mr. Lane, a Government Surveyor, who surveyed the town. A subsequent addition was laid out on August 11, 1855, by Robert Biggs. Captain Speir Spencer's company in the Indian War was largely recruited in and around Lanesville as was the noted "Yellow Jackets."
ELIZABETH.
The original plat of the town of Elizabeth was sworn to by William D. Littell, before John Tipton, Justice of the Peace, on April 17, 1812. The Town was incorporated March 8, 1819, and was named for Elizabeth Veatch, whose husband gave the land.
MAUCKPORT.
The original plat of the Town of Mauckport was sworn to on April 17, 1827, and recorded May 7, 1827. The town was laid out on land owned by Frederick Mauck, who settled on the site of the present town in. 18II.
LACONIA.
Laconia was platted on March 9, 1816, by John Boone.
PALMYRA.
The Town of Palmyra was leased by Hays. McCallen, November 14, 1810, and was originally known as McCallen's Cross Roads. It was laid out in forty-eight lots in October, 1836, and named Carthage. There being another Carthage in the state, the name of the town was changed to Palmyra, March 25, 1839. It is said that McCallen secured the land
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from an earlier settler who complained that he had become too crowded because Fredericksburg had been settled four mile on one side of him and Greenville six miles on the other.
BOSTON.
Boston was a flourishing town in Taylor township, ·on the Ohio River and a short distance below Evan's Landing, in the fifties. A cut in the river has washed the town away until nothing remains at this time.
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