USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Richmond > Memoirs of Wayne County and the city of Richmond, Indiana; from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Wayne County, Volume I Pt. 1 > Part 14
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Many passengers were carried on the comfortable packet boats and excursion parties were quite numerous. The fare to Cincin- nati and return, including board and lodging was $3, and the trip took the greater part of a week. During the early days of the canal it was considered a great treat to take a trip on the canal to Lawrenceburg and then go up the Ohio to Cincinnati or down to Louisville on a river steamer, and one who took such a trip was looked upon as one who had seen much of the world.
Business flourished on the canal and large warehouses were built at every port for the accommodation of shippers. At Milton four of these were built, respectively. by Daniel Sinks, Hopkins & Hiatt, Jesse Hiatt, and L. C. Chamberlain. The building erected by Hopkins & Hliatt is still standing. It is the north wing of the brick building formerly used by the Hoosier Drill Company and the Dorsey Machinery Company as a factory. Cambridge City had some large warehouses also. One of them, owned by om --
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moor & Johnson, is advertised in the "Free Territory Sentinel," published at Centerville, May 9, 1849. as the largest in the coun- try. The firm bought large quantities of wheat and flax seed and shipped twice a week by their own boats. One of the warehouses at Hagerstown was owned by Henry Harris. From three to six boats loaded and unloaded daily at most of the towns and boat owners prospered, as they often made a net profit of from $200 to $300 on a single trip. The toll was usually $25 per trip for an empty boat and $75 for a loaded one. To be captain of a canal boat was considered quite an honor, and those who were so for- tunate as to get these positions were looked upon as prominent persons in their communities. The crew of a boat usually con- sisted of a captain, two steersmen, a cook and a driver. The boats were drawn by two horses or mules hitched tandem, and accord- ing to a State law could not make more than four miles an hour. Many of the boats had stalls on board where the tired animals could rest by turns. However, some changed teams at certain stations. These places were Connersville, Brookville, Harrison, and Cleves. There was great rivalry between boat crews and there were great times when one boat would try to pass another, although a State law provided that when a boat should catch up with another and desire to pass, the latter should stop, turn to the right hand and permit it to do so. The entire crew often be- came involved in fights on these occasions, and in one circumstance down near Cleves, Ohio, one man was killed.
All kinds of freight were hauled, from wheat to eggs and from salt to building stone. The following is the report of shipments and receipts at Connersville for the week ending Nov. 20, 1845 :
Exports Imports
Wheat, No. of bu.
1,506
. ...
Cider, barrels
13
....
Industries, pounds
6,010
8,993
Merchandise, pounds
8,189
Salt and castings, lbs.
150
Lumber, feet
700
It is interesting to note that the first rails used in construc- tion and also the first locomotive used on the Pennsylvania rail- road, between Richmond and Cambridge City, came up the canal, as well as the timber and iron used in the construction of the old court house at Greenfield, Hancock county.
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MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Caleb Jackson was superintendent of the canal for a time, and an interesting joke on him is related in this connection by George Callaway, of Milton. One of the superintendent's duties was to see that the canal was in good condition and as the banks were being badly damaged by muskrats, Jackson offered ten cents a piece for their tails. Accordingly the boys at Milton arranged this scheme: One of them would take some muskrat tails to Mr. Jack- son, receive his money and go away, but soon turn around and stealthily follow Jackson down the canal to see where he threw the tails. When this was ascertained, another boy would get them and repeat the operation, and so on, until all the boys of the vil- lage had enough spending money to last them several days. Mr. Jackson finally discovered the plot and afterward threw the tails into the canal. Jackson's successor in office was John Limpus.
The canal depended entirely for its supply of water on the west fork of White Water. The water was received by means of feeders from dams at Cambridge City, Lockport, Nulltown, Laurel, Metamora, Brookville, and Harrison. The fact that these dams were narrow, making them easily damaged by high water, together with the unfortunate fact that the canal was placed too low, and was thus easily damaged by floods, were the great reasons for the failure of this costly enterprise. Everything had been going along smoothly and the prospects pointed to an unprecedented growth and development in the White Water valley, when, on Jan. I, 1847, a great flood, which carried away the aqueduct across Sy- mond's creek, near Cambridge City, and also the one across the west fork of White Water, at Laurel, damaged all the dams, and occasioned a loss of $100,000 to the company.
Scarcely had the repairs been completed when a second del- uge came, in November, 1848, and damaged the work to the extent of $80,000. It seemed that the canal must be abandoned, but by great effort the money was raised, repairs were made and opera- tions resumed. The farmers of the valley had products which they had to get to market or lose, and consequently they readily gave their money to help the company out of the difficulty. A third flood came in 1853, which practically put the canal out of business. Hon. James Rariden, of Cambridge City, was presi- dent of the canal company at this time.
The canal company issued script of various denominations which was used throughout the valley as money. However, it soon depreciated and became finally worthless.
One of the last boats to make the trip between Connersville
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and Cambridge City was taken up by Sherman Schoffield. It is also said that the late Valentine Sell, of Cambridge City, took a load of meat to Connersville in 1864. The last boat reached Ha- gerstown in 1861. It was owned by a Mr. Stevenson, of Milton. Ile was compelled to return at once on account of a washout near Symond's creek.
Judgments to the amount of $63,000 had accumulated against the company ; its stock became worthless; its credit impaired ; and the Circuit Court appointed a Mr. Hamlin as receiver. In 1863 the legislature passed an enabling act which made it possible for the White Water railroad to occupy the towpath of the canal, but it was stipulated that nothing be done to interfere with water power then in use. Henry C. Lord was the active agent in bring- ing about this legislation, and on Dec. 25, 1865, he bought the canal property of the company for $137,348.12. Hon. C. C. Bink- ley, of Richmond, who was at that time president of the com- pany, negotiated the sale.
The act of the legislature, however, provided for the organiza- tion of hydraulic companies to perpetuate the water power for which the old canal company had contracted. These leases were mostly for twenty years with the privilege of renewal.
As a result of this legislation the following companies were organized : The Connersville Hydraulic Company, the Meta- mora Hydraulic Company, the Laurel Hydraulic Company, the Brookville Hydraulic Company, and the Harrison Hydraulic Com- pany.
These companies had the same trouble with floods as the old company and they sustained so much damage that at present only two of these companies are in existence-the Connersville Hy- draulic Company and the Brookville Hydraulic Company. The dam at Lockport, owned by the former company, was damaged in 1867 to the extent of $5,000. From Heron's lock, one mile below Connersville, to one mile below Laurel, and from Brookville south, the canal has been entirely abandoned and water no more flows in its banks.
The Connersville Hydraulic Company was organized in De- cember, 1865, with a capital of $10,000. The following were the officers: President, P. H. Roots ; secretary, Samuel Enyart ; board of directors, P. H. and F. M. Roots and Matthew Pfafflin. A lease was obtained from the canal company, in February, 1866, approved by the receiver and the United States Circuit Court of the Southern District of Indiana, for the consideration of $1 in
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MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
money and the carrying out of the provisions of the old leases for water power. This portion of the canal is in very good condition and yet supplies water to North's Mill at Milton, several mills and factories at Connersville, and also furnishes the city of Con- nersville with water for fire and domestic purposes. The water has been analyzed and found to be of exceptional purity. The present officers are: F. T. Roots, president; M. H. Roots, vice- president ; and E. D. Johnson, secretary.
The portion of the canal from just below Laurel to Brook- ville was owned for several years by Henry C. Kimble, proprietor of the Nickle Plate Mills at Brookville, but is now owned by the Midland Paper Company, of which Mr. Bratt is the head.
The Hagerstown branch, unlike the rest of the canal, has never suffered much from floods on account of the wisdom of John Minesinger, chief-engineer of the section, who placed it high enough to escape high water. The canal is now in excellent con- dition. The banks are almost intact, and even during the dry season there is abundance of water for power.
Thus, we have seen the rise and fall of a great undertaking. Fortunes were lost; hopes shattered; and ambitions foiled. But with all that, the value of the work in the development of the State in general and the growth of the White Water valley in particular, has been inestimable. It furnished transportation at a time when no other means were available, and power which re- sulted in the inauguration of manufacturing in the valley. For instance, it was from the little group of manaufacturing establish- ments started at Connersville and Brookville when the canal was built that those two thriving towns owe their present prosperity. It was the water power at Connersville that attracted the old woolen mill, the flour and saw mills and Root's foundry, and it was from this nucleus that the great factories there to-day have sprung. In general, as a result of the construction of the canal, the farmers thrived, manufacturing grew up, business flourished, population increased, and prosperity reigned. But the canal had its day and it gave way to inevitable progress. The era of the iron horse came and superseded the patient mule, and the canal boat has become a memory in the White Water valley.
It is said with truth that the present is built on the wrecks of the past. One of these wrecks, which built better than we can tell, is the old White Water canal, picturesque in its ruin and a monument to past endeavor.
OLD COURT HOUSE AT CENTERVILLE
FIRST COURT HOUSE IN RICHMOND
CHAPTER X.
CENTERVILLE.
WHITE WATER COLLEGE-CHURCHES-PUBLIC HOUSES-SAMUEL H.VN- NAII-JAMES RARIDEN-JOHN FINLEY-AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE- CHARLES H. TEST-OLD COURT HOUSE.
WHITE WATER COLLEGE.
The history of White Water College, founded by the Metho- dist Episcopal church in 1853, might fill a volume, but it can be given only mere mention here. It was a great school and many prominent men were teachers there, among them being Dr. Cyrus Nutt, George B. Joslyn, Dr. Edwards, H. N. Barnes, and Prof. A. C. Shortridge.
Previous to the establishment of the college a county semi- nary occupied the ground. In 1827 the west wing was built, and in 1842, when more room was needed, an east wing was added. The two buildings were connected by a covered passage way, with the former seminary buildings as west and east wings. Rev. Samuel K. Hoshour taught in the old seminary in the west wing. Among the teachers in the east wing were Miss Mary Thorp, Miss Sarah Dickenson, and Rawson Vaile. Among the pupils of after fame was Lew Wallace, and there are those who remember how the future soldier, diplomat, and author, was once roundly flogged by Mr. Hoshour. After the decline of the college the building was sold, in 1870, to the school trustees and became the public school building. It was destroyed by fire in 1891 and was succeeded by the present fine public school-house. At the foot of Main Cross street stands the ruins of a brick school-house, where many of the older citizens received a part of their education.
CHURCHIES.
The first church organized here was the Methodist Episcopal. When the county seat was pulled up by the roots at Salisbury and transplanted at Centerville, the Methodist church came with
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it. There had been no church building at Salisbury, the congre- gation having met in the court house, and prior to the building of a meeting house here the congregation met at the houses of members.
In 1828 a frame church was built. It was situated east of where the Christian church now stands and fronted on the east. Mr. N. Parrott's stable now occupies the spot where the church stood. There was a street north of the county buildings, where there is now an alley, which led to the church from the west. The parsonage was on the church grounds, west of the church, and stood there after the church was torn away. It was moved to Walnut street and is now the home of Mr. Dearth. In 1834 the conference, then comprising the entire State, was held in this church, the venerable Bishop Roberts presiding. In the year 1842 the present brick church was completed. It was at that time not only the finest Methodist church in the State, but the finest one in the State belonging to any church organization. Upon the com- pletion of the new church, in 1842, the conference was again held here. Bishop Simpson dedicated the church and presided at the conference. In 1882 the building underwent repairs and was re- dedicated by the Rev. A. Marine.
It must be remembered that although the Friends were not the first to form a society in the town, they were the first religious society in the township and organized the West Grove Meeting in 1813, three miles northwest of Centerville, and built a log meet- ing house. Thus the leaven of the old church at West Grove has been leavening ever since.
The Cumberland Presbyterian church was organized in 18.12, Rev. LeRoy Woods officiating. Mr. Woods was the pastor for several years and was succeeded by Elam McCord. A Sunday school was organized in connection with the church. For some time after the organization meetings were held in the Methodist church. In 1849 the congregation built a church on the west side of north Main Cross street, which is now the Knights of Pythias hall.
The Disciples or Christian church was organized about 1832. A Baptist church had existed earlier. The old meeting house was situated some distance north of where the railroad station now is. About 1837 the Baptist organization disbanded and a greater part of the members united with the Christian church. The present Christian church was erected in 1878.
The Presbyterian church was organized in 1866. The first
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HISTORIC HIOUSES AND PERSONS OF CENTERVILLE
services were held in Snider llall, the present town hall. In 1868 the congregation erected the brick church on south Main Cross street. Chief among the zealous members of the church was Mrs. Kate U. Johnson-wife of Judge Nimrod Johnson and the mother of Henry U. and Robert U. Johnson-and it was through her efforts as a solicitor and contributor that the church was built. After the removal of the county seat and the decline of the town the church was purchased by the Friends and is now their house of worship.
PUBLIC HOUSES.
The early hotels or taverns were important institutions in their early days. Rachel Neal is said to have been the first inn- keeper. There are people now living who remember Mrs. Neal, but where her inn was situated we have not been able to learn.
The old Major Gay tavern, opposite the public square, where there is now a livery stable, was fitted up in 1834, by Thomas G. Noble, and it was occupied by him for several years. Gen. Samuel DeLong succeeded Mr. Noble for several years.
In 1830 William Elliott built the frame hotel on the south- east corner of the public square and occupied it until 1835. John Hutchinson succeeded Mr. Elliott and kept an excellent house. In 1838 Daniel Lashley, with his mother and younger brother, Al- fred, purchased the tavern. Among all the hotel keepers of Wayne county none were more favorably known than the Lashleys. They continued in the business in the same house for many years. It was headquarters for many of the prominent men of the legal pro- fession. Judge Perry, of Richmond, always made it his home while attending court. It was a home-like, well ordered, and excellent hotel. Mr. Lashley was the best of hosts. The Lashley house was moved from the public square some years ago to where it now stands, a few squares east of the old location. A fine brick residence occupies the site. This was built for the sheriff's house and is now the residence of the Frazer brothers and Miss Frazer. The old Lashley house is now a private residence. John King was the last to keep it as a hotel. In 1833 John Dorsey fitted up the large frame building, nearly opposite the bank, for a hotel and occupied it for some time. Ile was succeeded by John Allison, Abbott W. Bowers and John Winders. Solomon Brumfield bought the property and occupied it. Under his management it was well kept.
In 1837 Henry Rowan fitted up a small tavern east of the
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MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
public square and kept it several years. lle afterward erected a three-story building adjoining, which is now the residence of Lloyd K. Hill.
Samuel Hannah kept the American House on the southwest corner of Main street. He was a merchant, also, and had his store in the corner room. Later, the American House was kept by Ems- ley Hamm, T. L. Rowan, and others. The building is now owned by Simon McConaha.
The Jones House is the last in the line of the old hostelries. The south half was built by Emsley Hamm. The north half was built by Daniel Shank. Subsequently, Mr. Hamm bought the north part from Mr. Shank and kept a hotel for some years. He afterwards sold the house to Dr. C. J. Woods and moved to Econ- omy, and upon his return to Centerville kept the American House for two years. Norris Jones, who succeeded Mr. Ilamm, gave the name to the house and for several years kept an excellent, though small hotel.
Samuel Hannah, although at one time a hotel keeper and merchant, filled many important places. He was a man of dis- tinction. The young people who compiled a "Who-When-What" book had some trouble not to confuse him with the other Samuel Ilanna, of Indiana, who lived at Fort Wayne. There is a differ- ence in the spelling of the name. The "Who-When-What" book gives a brief sketch of Samuel IIannah: "A pioneer of Wayne county; member of the Society of Friends; conspicuous for oppo- sition to the collection of the fines from Quakers who refused to do military duty. A native of Delaware, born Dec. 1, 1789, Mr. Hannah came to Indiana as a young man ; served as sheriff of Wayne county ; member of the legislature; was justice of the peace and member of the county board; was appointed postmaster at Centerville by John Quincy Adams and removed by Andrew Jack- son, in pursuance of the Marcy proclamation, 'To the victors be- long the spoils.' He was one of the commissioners appointed to locate the Michigan road, the great highway authorized from Lake Michigan to the Ohio river; also a commissioner to select the lands to be ceded to the State by an Indian treaty. Afterward Mr. Ilannah was a member of the legislature and treasurer of the State : removed to Indianapolis in 1847; became interested in rail- road construction and improvements; was first treasurer of the Indiana Central Railroad Company. He died Sept. 8. 1869. Mr. Hannah possessed the rugged elements of strength and manhood
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ILISTORIC HOUSES AND PERSONS OF CENTERVILLE
which qualify men for frontier life; for developing the material resources and building a commonwealth on justice and liberty."
The red brick school-house opposite Mr. Lashley's was the home of Judge John C. Kibbey, who was so well known here and at Richmond. The place is now the home of Andrew Dunbar.
The brick house on the corner, west of the Trumbull residence, was built by Rawson Vaile, a teacher in the old seminary and also a teacher in Richmond. lle was a brother of Dr. Joel Vaile, of Richmond, a prominent physician and public school trustee, after whom one of the school-houses of Richmond is named.
Judge Nimrod Johnson bought the Vaile property and this was the Johnson homestead for many years. Here Henry U. and Robert U. Johnson spent their boyhood. Judge Johnson was not only eminent in the legal profession, but he was a man of vast lit- erary knowledge. Mrs. Johnson was Miss Kate Underwood and was a native of Washington, D. C.
The quaint old house, now the home of Mrs. Jennie Savage, was, in the old time, the Doughty home. Samuel Doughty was a merchant. Ilis store was where Jacob Wolfe's is now. Mr. Doughty had his home in Richmond in later years, and died there some time ago.
The house where Mrs. Gibson lives, on Walnut street, was the Dill home. It is an old-time place, with Colonial pillars to the portico. Mr. Dill was a cabinet maker, and went to Richmond many years ago.
The large white brick house on north Main Cross street, known as the Prichett property, was built by Judge Williams, or rather the south end was. Judge John S. Newman built the north end. This was a grand mansion in its day. Judge Newman was a Quaker lawyer and for ten years a partner of Jesse Siddall. He was of the Hoover stock. His wife was Eliza, daughter of Samuel Hannah; his daughter, Gertrude, married Ingram Fletcher, of In- dianapolis. He was the first president of the Indiana Central rail- road and held many other responsible positions. He removed to Indianapolis in 1860. Dr. Prichett bought the house of Judge Newman. It was the Prichett homestead for many years. Here Dr. Prichett and his estimable wife passed their declining years. The house was inherited by the daughter, Miss Mary Prichett.
Opposite the Prichett house, on the east, is a frame house where Jeremiah Wayne Swafford hved the last thirty years of his life, and there he peacefully died at the age of eighty-four. Mr.
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MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Swafford was a pioneer of Wayne county and justice of the peace nearly all his life and up to the time of his death. Ile was widely known as a business man in Wayne and adjoining counties.
In the early days, before this large house was built, there were two small frame dwellings on the lot. One was the home of Rev. Mr. Rupe, the father of attorney John Rupe, of Richmond. The other frame building was the home for a while of Dr. Rose. llis wife, Henrietta Rose, was a lady of attainment and a writer of some note. She was the author of a small volume entitled "Nora Wilmot; a Tale of Temperance and Woman's Rights," published in 1858. The frontispiece is a quaint old wood cut-"The Ladies' Knitting Party at Tradewell's Saloon." The thread of the story runs through that period when Indiana had a prohibitory liquor law, which was declared unconstitutional by Judge Perkins of the Supreme Court of Indiana.
James Rariden, one of the eminent men of his time, lived where Mrs. James M. Hill now resides. The grounds included the lot where the Christian church now stands. A summer house, covered with vines and flowers and shrubbery, gave the spot an air of rural retreat. But this lovely spot was too much retired and Mr. Rariden moved into a brick house on West Main street. It was in this house that Mr. Rariden entertained Henry Clay when that gentleman made his tour through Indiana. A reception was held in the evening for the great Kentuckian. The children as well as the older people attended. Mr. Clay was very fond of children and kissed them all. Mrs. Ensley was then little Sarah Hamm and remembers being kissed. Mr. Clay said to little Gertrude New- man, now Mrs. Ingram Fletcher: "My dear, you have a pretty name, but it ought to be pronounced 'Jertrude.'" And to a boy he said: "You have a very large mouth, but that does not matter, in a boy." As Mr. Clay had a large mouth this remark caused a hearty laugh all round. It was in this house that Mr. Clay author- ized a committee to offer freedom to his body servant, the petted slave Charlie, who declined to leave his master. The house has changed owners several times in recent years and is at present the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Eliason. After Mr. Rariden left the rural retreat Rosswell Elmer and wife occupied it. They were the parents of Charles N. Elmer and Mrs. James Forkner.
John Finley, the poet, and for many years the mayor of Rich- mond, when clerk of the Wayne county court resided in a small house on Plum street, near the Elmer house. The cottage and
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