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 15
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extensive gardens of E. Y. Teas, the well known florist, was for years the home of Henry Noble, who later removed to Indianapolis Two houses on an elevation north of the railroad, always attract- ing attention of travelers, are notable mansions of the olden time. The one on the west was built by Samuel Hannah. James Fork- ner improved it and occupied it until he removed to Richmond. It is now the property of C. L. Porter and the home of Thomas Clark. On the east of this is the mansion built by- Daniel Strattan. lle was a tanner by trade and a prominent citizen. Beautiful for situation is the fine old mansion south of the railroad, built by Jacob B. Julian. It was the family residence previous to his re- moval to Irvington. On the west of Mr. Seaton was the home of Jesse Stevens, a pioneer of Centerville. Mrs. John Paige, of Rich- mond, and Mrs. Henry Noble, of Indianapolis, were daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens. The house is now the home of Mrs. Nichols. A large brick house on the south side of Main street, the home of Jesse Brumfield, was built by Martin Hornish, a shoe- maker and a prosperous citizen. Judge Stitt lived where H. H. Peelle now lives, and next, on the east, was the home of Judge Jesse Siddall. Farther east on Main street is a substantial brick house, built by George W. Julian, which was the family residence for many years previous to removal to Irvington. Dr. Silas H. Kersey bought the property and made it his family residence for several years. It was in this house that Dr. Kersey died. It is now the residence of 1. L. Ifouck. Opposite, on the north, on the site of George Sanders', stood one of the oldest houses of Center- ville. Mrs. Rebecca Julian lived there at one time. Her husband, Isaac Julian, died and left her a widow with a family of children. She was a sister of Judge David Hoover-a pioneer of Wayne county-and the mother of George W. Julian. Across the street to the east is the brick house that was long the home of Dr. Wil- liam F. King, deceased. The house is now the residence of his daughter, Miss Emilie King. Northeast, on the same square, is an old frame house, one of the oldest now standing in Centerville. It was the residence of James B. Ray, afterwards governor of In- diana. C. Cooney now resides there.
On West Main street, where H. C. Means now lives, was the residence of Martin M. Ray, a brother of Governor Ray. He was a lawyer and a merchant as well. His store was in the corner building occupied now by Tillson's drug store. Frederick Snider, a merchant, had his store where Mr. King now has a restaurant. On West Main street, where Bert Horner now lives, is the house
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built by Thomas Gentry, a tanner and one of the substantial citi- zens. Lot Bloomfield built the house where Isaac Jenkins now lives. Hle was a merchant of the place. His wife was Elizabeth Talbot, a sister of Mrs. Hamm and Mrs. Dr. Prichett. The Simon MeConaba home was built by Dr. Prichett, who occupied it before he bought the Judge Newman place. The old house with dormer windows, residence of the late Alfred Lashley, in the old time was the residence of Henry Beitzell. The old Burbank home was on the south side of Main street, opposite the court house. The house was partially destroyed by fire in later years. Mr. Burbank was a merchant. The parlors and family apartments were upstairs over the store. The Burbank young people were well educated and were prominent in social circles. It was in this home that Oliver P. Morton was married to Lucinda Burbank.
Ambrose E. Burnside, afterward a lawyer at Liberty, Union county, and a general of renown in the Union army, worked at the tailor's trade in a building adjoining, and on the site of Dr. Gable's residence and office once stood a large hatter's shop, where the boy, Oliver P. Morton, learned his trade. Morton was born at Salisbury. He was left an orphan and was brought, when a child, by his aunts to Centerville, where he learned the trade with an older brother. Early in life he attended the seminary here and Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, and was always a profound student. The early years of Morton's married life were passed in a frame house on the northeast corner of south Main Cross street. The homestead known as the Morton mansion, on West Main street, was built by Jacob B. Julian. Mr. Julian was a tree planter and his lawn was a landscape garden, where nature was permitted to rule. When Mr. Julian built his stately home near the railroad he sold this Eden spot to Oliver P. Morton. Here a liberal and unostentatious hospitality was dispensed by Morton and his amia- ble wife. It was while living in this house that Morton was elected lieutenant-governor on the ticket with Henry S. Lane. Judge Wil- liam A. Peelle bought the Morton mansion after his term as secre- tary of state expired. Judge Peelle died there on July 1, 1902. The house is now the home of his daughter, Miss Martha L. Peelle.
Judge Charles Il. Test lived on Main street, where the town hall now stands. Mrs. James Rariden was his sister. It was con- sidered that Judge Test, while eminent as a lawyer, was by nature pre-eminent and unequaled. He bore off the palm as the homeliest man in Indiana. Adjoining the school-house campus, on the cast,
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is the old homestead of Stephen Crowe, one of the early black- smiths of the place. Mr. Crowe sold the house to John Peelle, an old settler, and Samuel Boyd, a retired farmer, bought the place from Mr. Peelle and passed the remainder of his days there. The property is now the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Lashley. The house on the east, now the residence of J. A. Commons, was the home of Sylvester Johnson, now of Irvington, and a well known horticulturist.
Many do not know that the substantial brick building on the northeast corner of Main street was, in the palmy days of Center- ville, the court house of Wayne county. It is now the business house of T. C. Dunbar, while the extension to the north, where Mr. Dunbar resides, was once the sheriff's house and jail. The ex- tension on the east was the county office.
CHAPTER XI.
NEWPORT IN ANTI-SLAVERY TIMES.
LOCATION-NAME CHANGED TO FOUNTAIN CITY-EARLY INDUSTRIES- EDUCATION AND RELIGION-IMMIGRATION OF FRIENDS-ANTI- SLAVERY SENTIMENT-ANTI-SLAVERY NEWSPAPER-LEVI COFFIN AND THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD-ELIZA HARRIS AND OTHERS RE- CEIVE ASSISTANCE-DIVISION IN THE FRIENDS' CHURCH-ANTI- SALOON SENTIMENT IN TIIE VILLAGE.
Newport, as our fathers like to call it, is located on the west bank of Noland's Fork, in the south central part of New Garden township, Wayne county, in the State of Indiana. In 1818 the town was laid out, by Solon Thomas and Reden Chance, on the forty acres owned by George Shugart, who lived about a mile east of what is now Fountain City. At this time the northern boundary was a tiny stream called "The Branch"; the eastern the creek ; the southern, the south limit of the present park; and the western, what is now Green street.
Since there was another Newport, in Vermillion county, a let- ter had to be addressed, Newport, Wayne county, Indiana, to reach its proper destination. However, this was not always done and the mail was continually being missent. To make matters more complicated the express office* was called Newport. Whether the Postoffice Department or the express company asked for the changing of the name or not the citizens of Newport agreed to change it. Some suggested the name Fountain City, but others said they would be laughed at, for it was only a town and not a city. Then Fountain Town was suggested, but they found that there was also another Fountain Town in the State. At last it was decided to call this town Fountain City, and all residents who had received letters at that office should be legal voters in making this change. This was one time when women and boys were regarded as legal voters.
*In 1871 the railroad was built on the old grade which was surveyed and thrown up in 1853.
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Not only the name of the town but that of the postoffice and express office were changed to Fountain City. This change was made and the town incorporated in 1879. The "History of Wayne County," published in 1884. differs somewhat from the above state- ment and says that "It [ the town] was first known as New Garden, became New Port in 1834 and Fountain City in 1878;" but the evi- dence is against the latter statement. No doubt the sulphur foun- tains* found in the various parts of the town suggested the name of Fountain City.
It was only to avoid a great amount of trouble that the citizens of Newport consented to the changing of its name. To this day many of the older men and women, who knew the town so well, in speaking of Fountain City call it Newport. It is not an uncom- mon thing to hear them say they wish it had been possible to have the old name retained; that there is so much more meaning in the name Newport than Fountain City.
Shortly after the platting of Newport Edward Kent laid off a town on the farm now owned by John Townsend and then by Israel Hough. New Liberty, as it was called, was from one-half to three-quarters of a mile southwest of what is now Fountain City. Ilere John Ilough worked at clock making and Kent started a tannery. Newport's rival was very short lived, although it too had the advantages of being located near the same creek. This creek was the principal feature in making Newport the industrial center that it was during anti-slavery times. Quite an interesting chapter could be written on Newport as an industrial center, but that is not our purpose, so we will merely make mention of the different industries. There was a saw mill, grist mill, linseed oil mill, a carding factory, a hat shop, a tanyard, some potteries, and other industries. The saw mill was owned by Billy Hough, as he was called; it was located just across the creek east, on his farm, now the Elwood Boren home. Here they used the vertical saw which did not necessitate the hustling, as the same kind of work does to-day. All that remains is the grass covered banks of the race. The grist mill stood about half way between where the Friends' church and the bridge now stands. People came from all around, even from Portland, to get their milling done here. Daniel
*The following story of a traveling man is from a reliable source: It was before the railroad was built and traveling was done in covered wagons. The traveler had reached the tavern late in the evening; after supper they fell to talking about the town and then the fountains. Somehow. the poor stranger conceived the idea that it was hollow underneath and probably the town would sink before morning. Immediately he had his horses and wagon brought and started on for a safer resting place.
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Puckett had a grist mill in 1824. It was used principally for grind- ing corn. When wheat was ground it had to be sifted by hand before it was ready for use.
Levi Coffin began the manufacturing of linseed oil in 1836. Ile also made different colored paints, which many bought to paint their wagons. They would use two or three different colors on one vehicle. The Friends became very much concerned and ap- pointed a committee to labor with him and persuade him to leave off such sinful work.
A steam grist mill and woolen factory was started east of the town, about 1836, by Eli Osborn and Isaac and Jesse Reynolds. Also, Nathan Smith had a carding mill in town which was among the first industries. It was run by horse power.
Robert Green and George Hurt had a hat shop at the north- west corner of Cross Main. They made the hats from beaver, which they got from Cincinnati, Ohio. This came in large sheets, the natural color being white, but they were able to color the beaver black when they were in need of that kind. The old men wore the plain white hats. They never had to trouble themselves about the "latest style," for the style was always the same-that of round crowns and broad rims. The crowns had to be made on a block. The cost was at least ten dollars a hat. When buying a hat for a boy they would get it large enough to last until he was grown. Each man and boy had what they called a Sunday hat and an everyday hat. Samuel Keller, John Hunt, and Thomas Clayton also worked at this trade.
There was a tanyard along the creek, a little to the southeast of where the Friends' meeting house now stands. Vats were placed in the ground, four or five feet deep. Here the hides were soaked in water poured over tan bark. This served the purpose of loosening the hair and toughening the hides. When the hair be- came loose the hides were taken out and stretched in the sun to dry.
One of the potteries was owned and run by Robert Bailey, one square south and one square east from Cross Main, in the southeast corner of the square. Mr. Bailey hauled his wares to all the small towns around. Sometimes he would take a load to Cin- cinnati and bring back a load of fugitive slaves. Abner Dalbey also had a potter shop, one square south and one square west from Cross Main, in the northwest part of the next square, south.
Robert Randle, of Richmond, has written the following article telling how crockery was made during anti-slavery times by his
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grandfather, Robert Bailey, of Newport. Mr. Randle, when a small boy, lived with his grandfather and helped him with his work :
"The old process of making crocks, as it was called, is ex- tremely interesting. The clay bank being selected, the clay was brought to the shop and ground in a mill, operated by horse power. The clay was then made into cubes and pressed through screens to free it of stones and roots. Water was then mixed with it to bring it to the proper workable consistency. The clay was then weighed out into parts of the proper amount to the vessel desired, after which it was formed into round flat loaves, then placed on the wheel.
"This wheel, on which the crocks were turned, was made up of a stationary table, with a shaft pivoted in the floor, and extend- ing up through the table a crank was attached to the lower part of the shaft, and connected to a pedal, by which the operator could stand on one foot, lean back against a cushioned seat, and with the other foot he was able to operate the pedal and thus revolve the shaft at a high rate of speed, there being a fly wheel connected to the shaft near the floor. A flat wooden head was attached to the upper end of the shaft, revolvable just above the surface of the table. The operator then took one of the carefully prepared loaves of clay, lifted it above his head, and then spat it down solidly on the center of the revolving head. After wetting his hand in a ves- sel of water near by he grasps the revolving loaf, which slides around and round in his hands. Now, by grasping the loaf with his thumbs in the center and fingers on the periphery, he is able to control the formation of the clay as he likes, drawing it up into a vertical or flaring wall or turning the top inward to form a jug. A tool similar to a scraper could be used for smoothing the straight parts of the interior or exterior. After the vessel is formed it is separated from the head by a fine wire drawn between the vessel and head, after which it is set on a board to dry. After being dried the vessel was dipped in a glazing composition which, by the appli- cation of great heat, forms a hard enamel. After being glazed the crocks are again dried and then, when a large quantity was pre- pared, they were put in a large kiln. When it was full it was sealed up and fire applied, the heat being increased daily for three or four days ; by this time all the crocks were heated to a white heat. The kiln was then allowed to cool very gradually; then, after a week or ten days it was ready to be opened and the crocks found to be burned quite hard. By reason of the glazing they will be glassy or enamaled and impervious to moisture."
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Iliram Huff owned a tinshop, which stood where Clement's drygoods store now stands. This was in the 'sos. The pork packing industry was carried on by Levi Coffin, on the southeast corner of Cross Main, where Thomas & Clements have their store. Wagonload after wagonload of dressed pork was hauled from here to Cincinnati, and on return the haulers would bring either gro- ceries, drygoods, or slaves, and often some of each.
"Doc." Reynolds and William Randle had a pump shop near where Abner Dalbey's pottery stood.
Old Billy Bush, a runaway slave, had a blacksmith shop one square and a half north of the center of the town, on the west side. Robert Burrill, another colored man, had his barber shop three or four doors south of the southwest corner of Cross Main; he did hair cutting while his wife managed a bake shop. A cabinet shop was located a little south of the Friends' church. Here Harvey Davis made caskets for all that part of the country. A casket was not made until it was needed, and then it was made of plain white boards, not even stained or painted. If an order came for one to be ready on Monday, the work had to be done on the Sabbath. Harvey Davis learned the trade of Solomon Thomas. The foundry establishment was cast of town, and was run by Job Reynolds and Hiram and Israel Hough. The principal feature was the mak- ing of stoves and castings.
Levi Coffin began the mercantile business in 1826, at the northwest corner of Cross Main. Those following later were Eliezier Hiatt, Caleb Cowgill, Samuel Pritchard, Robert Green, and Joel Parker.
Dr. O. N. Huff's home was the carly tavern, then owned by Samuel Nickson.
A brewery was started very carly by Edward Mason.
Newport did not develop along the line of industry alone, but with the seed of industry was sown that of education. The first school was a private school and next was the first township or public school. A log building was put up, in 1820-21, on the south- cast corner of the lot now owned by Lindin Osborn. The teacher's pay was determined by the number of pupils he had. The re- quirement on the part of the teacher was to familiarize himself with the "Three R's." He who could cipher through the "Double Rule of Three" was considered a brilliant student. The first teacher was Henry Way, who later became a leading physician. lle was a man ahead of his times. Ile made an attempt to intro- duce Physiology into his school by means of an Indian skeleton,
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which he found and prepared. The Friends were horrified at the thought of having the bones of a human being in the school room, and a committee was appointed to wait upon him to persuade him to leave off this unpardonable sin. The first township or public school building also was log and stood just south of where the Methodist Episcopal church now stands. The name of this teacher is unknown. It seems that the public schools were very irregular on account of the difficulty of getting funds to pay the teachers. Later, a second township school was started and about 1840 a third. One subscription school is also mentioned, and in 1845 the town and township joined forces and started a school. The second township school building was a small one, which stood just east of where the butcher shop now stands. Griffin Davis was the first teacher there. The third building was placed on Water street, just southwest of where the Friends' church now stands. Here Levi Jessup taught several years. George Bowls also taught here about 1846.
Lizzie Hooker taught the subscription school in the building now used as a woodshed by Lindin Osborn. The joint town and township school was held in a small frame building, located where the high school building now stands, and the first teacher was . Stephen Venard. Mr. Venard made an overland trip to California, in 1850, and gained for himself national fame by killing the fam- ous gang of stage robbers in California. About 1853 the first town- ship library was established. This building was located where the bank now stands. This township library was part of the State Library System. For further information on this subject see the "Reports of the Public Library Commission."
The industrial and educational features were quite marked, but Newport will be remembered longer as a religious center. The strongest element that settled in and around the town was that freedom loving class-i. c., freedom from war and slavery-that came from the Carolinas and Virginia. They were a positive, de- termined class, who in the main defended and maintained the right. They were intensely temperate and no saloon for the sale of liquor ever found an abiding place among them. Their feelings against slavery were very strong, "hence, with unfaltering zeal and earnestness, they denounced it and refused to give, by word or act, the accursed institution directly or indirectly any aid or com fort."I
This kind of an element did not fit in with the slavery-loving 1. Vol. II. Ilistory of Wayne County, Indiana, 1884.
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element of the Carolinas and Virginia. Going back some genera- tions, this Quaker element came largely from New Jersey and Pennsylvania to North Carolina, and thence here. Early in the history of the Nation (1750-1700) the Friends were agitating the question of war, their early impressions being influenced by George Fox's teaching. They often had to suffer for this, either by fines or imprisonment.1 and during the Revolution their peace policy caused them to be regarded by many as hostile to. American Inde- pendence, which was a draw back to America but a help to Eng- land.
As to slavery, the Friends first engaged in the importation of slaves, but early in their history a few became opposed to the practice. Many early slave holders were honest in believing that it was a Christian act to bring the colored people from their regions (Africa) of ignorance and superstition to those (America) of in- telligence. The Friends had the feeling that they could better care for the slaves, and that their buying them would bring them under better influence. For further light on this subject see a paper written by Professor Hodgin, of Earlham College, entitled, "The Moral Influence of Friends on American Slavery."
One of the few who probably did more than any other man was John Woolman.2 It is said of him that after drawing up a bill of sale of a colored man his conscience smote him and ever after he refused to engage in the slave trade. He then took up a per- sistent struggle against it, but in a wise, tactful, loving sort of way. Ilis argument was that all nations are of one blood, quoting Gen. 3: 20. His opponents admitted this, but contended that they (the white people) were in a "higher station and enjoyed greater favors than they" (the colored ones). Then he said that the Father in- tended that these favors should be used to uplift humanity. He told them to put themselves in the place of the colored people. He admitted that some fell into good hands, but these were few com- pared with the many who were ill treated. He said they did not come here of their own accord, but were brought here and that we were responsible for them. It is our duty to do by them as we would be done by. "Sincerity of heart and upright walking before God and freely submitting to his Providence is the most sure remedy."3 This spirit of agitation was deeply rooted by the time
1. For a full account of their struggles and suffering see Week's. "Southern Quakers and Slavery," Chap. 8, pp. 1 and 2.
2. See Chap. 2 of his "Journal," for his life.
3. For fuller account see his "Journal," pp. 182-221.
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of his death, 1772. The Society of Friends became united in for- bidding the practice of holding slaves by the members. A query required to be answered at that time (between 1750-1800) was: "Are Friends clear of purchasing, disposing of, or holding man- kind as slaves?" (See "The Furnas Family in America," written by Eli Jay, 1901.)
As this Quaker element against slavery in Carolina and Vir- ginia became stronger and stronger, so the element favoring it became stronger and stronger, and gradually came to look upon the Quakers with suspicion, also refused them a part in the govern- mental affairs, and later inflicted punishments upon them. This state of affairs was not to be and could not be continued.
How fortunate for them that there was a way to escape. In 1787 the Northwest Territory was to be opened up and invited settlement. This proved the place of refuge for the persecuted Friends in the South. They began leaving, a few at a time, and settled in what are now the States of the Northwest Territory, particularly Ohio and Indiana. We are just now concerned only with those settling in and around Newport. We have an account of some coming as early as 1811. Jonathan Hongh (grandfather of Angie Hough White, deceased) married a Virginia woman, came from North Carolina to what is now the Marquis Thomas home, in that year. They camped at the roadside until they could get their log cabin built. The Indians were still near. For further account see Angie White's Paper which was read before the Wayne County Historical Society, entitled "My Two Grand- fathers."
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