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. 2 > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
Examination of the files of the "Leger" throw some light upon those years and justify further extracts. As we see, the edi- tor, almost at the start, has to complain of the irregularity of the mails. On April 24 he speaks of receiving Eastern papers by the Indianapolis mail, two or three weeks after they should have ar- rived. "The postmaster at this place has written to the post- masters at Cincinnati, Hamilton, Oxford, etc., requesting them to send all letters and papers for this place by way of Eaton, but his communications appear to be entirely unattended to." On Sept. 25 there is another long editorial, urging the Postmaster General to interfere in behalf of the citizens of Richmond, as they "have the mortification of seeing the carrier arrive weekly with full mails, without leaving anything for them ; they must wait five days until his return from the west, before they can have their letters," etc. The "Eaton Register" had to travel over 100 miles to reach Rich-
488
MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
mond. The issue of Feb. 5, 1825, has another indignant editorial about the negligence of the Department. On April 30, 1825, the carrier gets a "puff" for stopping one mile out of town over nights and not coming in until next morning. The issue of May 7 an- nounces that "the mail from Brookville to Greenville, via Center- ville, has been ordered to come through Richmond, thus being con- siderable convenience." The editor frequently has to apologize for the meagerness of news, owing to the mails not arriving at the proper time. There seems to be difficulty in the arrangements until Dec. 3, 1827, when it is announced that "After the first of next month two Eastern mails a week will be received at this place from Dayton, in a two-horse carriage."
The "Leger" devotes considerable space to politics, and the communications on that subject are often more positive than courteous. The editor carries on several controversies with the "Emporium," of Centerville, about the health of the two places, business advantages, etc. About the time of the great Quaker "division" appear many original articles on the subject in dispute.
It may be inferred that the force employed on this paper was small, from a notice, April 3, 1824:
"There will be no paper issued from this office next week, circumstances rendering the absence of the editor necessary."
The difficulty to obtain paper was another drawback. The issue of July 8, 1825, announces that "A failure in receiving a sup- ply of paper will prevent the appearance of the 'Public Leger' next week."
Thomas Overman announces a lot of spring goods, on May I, 1824. On June 19, W. M. Leeds advertises his wool carding and manufacturing establishment, and James Johnston and John Meek their tin stores. On Nov. 3, 1824, Robert Morrisson offers five cents per pound, in cash, for slaughtered hides delivered at his tan- vard ; also offers upper leather at reduced prices and "soal" leather at twenty-eight cents per pound. On Feb. 5, 1825, Owen Edger- ton announces himself as a boot and shoemaker. Early in 1826, Achilles Williams had begun the saddling business; Warner & Morrisson started a drug store : William H. Vaughan removed from Centerville and opened a tavern at Lacy's old stand. At this time there existed a "Carpenter and Joiner's Society."
Abel Thornberry was justice of the peace this year. John Wright and Basil Brightwell commenced mercantile business in March, 1826. John M. Laws commenced the watch and jewelry business here in 1826. There existed a public library in those
489
EARLY HISTORY OF RICHIMOND
days, and several calls for meetings of the subscribers are pub- lished. Election for Justice, on Aug. 5, 1828, resulted: Elijah Lacey, 235, over John Brady, 134. A "Cotton Manufacturing Company" was attempted to be organized that year, but met with little success. Several local items are of interest. The issue of May 1, 1824, contains the following of extraordinary interest :
"Friends Meeting House .- We have been furnished, by one of the managers, with the following estimate of the quantity and cost of the material used in building the Friends' Yearly Meeting- house, with a request that it should be published :
"Stone in foundation, loads 225
"Brick 266,000
"Hewed timber, feet 8,473
"Sawed scantling, feet 12,50I
"Shingles
43,200
"Glass panes 1,020
"The walls were built in 1823; whole length, 100 feet ; breadth, 60 feet ; height, 30 feet ; the walls of the lower story are 22 inches thick, and the upper 18. The building is yet unfinished; the hull is complete, the doors made, walls painted and penciled, and two- thirds of the floor laid. Money expended, $3,489.011/2."
The issue of Sept. 4, 1824, contains the following: "An elec- tion was held in this township, last Saturday, for two Justices of the Peace. William Brown and John Finley were elected."
An editorial of Dec. 3, 1825, contains the following: "Wayne is the most populous county in the State and, perhaps, the best cul- tivated. The number of polls is 2,324 ; 7,857 acres of first rate land, 76,149 acres of second rate, 104,698 acres of third rate, 2,659 horses, 365 oxen, 178 silver watches, 5 gold do., 15 four-wheeled carriages, 16 brass clocks, 30 stud horses, 18,809 dollars valuation on town lots. Amount of State tax, $2,477.92; county tax, $1,858.71 ; total, $4,336.63."
"Lorenzo Dow-This celebrated and eccentric individual will preach in this place, on Tuesday next, at II o'clock a. m., and in Centerville on the day following at 3 o'clock p. m."
At an election on Monday, Sept. 10, 1827, for trustees of the corporation of Richmond, the following gentlemen were elected : Robert Morrisson, J. R. Mendenhall, George Springer, Eli Brown, Matthew Rattray, Levi Griffith, Abel Thornberry, Clement Mes- sick, and John Brady. On Dec. 3, 1827, for justice of the peace, Richard Henderson received 129 votes, against John Brady, 102.
490
MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Until 1834 the government of the village was vested in a Board of Trustees. In February of that year, an address was pub- lished "to the citizens of Richmond," setting forth the difficulties of enforcing the ordinances with the slender authority given to these trustees ; the deficiency of the General Act of Incorporation to meet their case: and their reasons for petitioning the legislature for a special charter ; which charter was now submitted to the votes of the citizens. The address was signed by "Basil Brightwell, pres .. John Hughs, J. P. Osborn, Benj. Fulghum, Wm. Dewlin, Jesse Stetler. Samuel Stokes, trustees; William Cox, clerk."
The special charter was adopted and on March 13, the follow- ing officers were elected to fill the term until May of the above year: First Burgess, John Sailor; Second Burgess, Basil Bright- well : councilmen, John Finley, Daniel P. Wiggins, Benjamin Ful- ghum, Samuel Stokes, William S. Addleman, John Suffrins, Wil- liam Dulan, Edmund Grover, A. C. Blanchard, Caleb Shearon. John Hughes, Joseph Parry, and Joseph P. Osborn ; assessor, Jacob Sanders; treasurer, Eli Brown; high constable, Isaac Barnes. In May, John Brady was elected First Burgess, and several new coun- cilmen and other officers took the places of those who were not re- elected.
The legislature of 1833-34 passed an act establishing a State bank and several branches. Wayne county was to have a director and a branch. A rivalry sprang up between Richmond and Center- ville for the director, and the little village of Milton came into the ring to compete for the location of the branch. But Richmond succeeded in gaining both. Robert Morrisson was appointed the director from Wayne. Books were opened for subscriptions of stock on April 7, 1834. The first installment was paid Nov. 10, and officers elected as follows: Achilles Williams, president ; Eli- jah Coffin, cashier ; Noah Leeds, clerk; Joseph P. Plummer, Lewis Burk, Albert C. Blanchard, Caleb Shearon, William Locke, Ira Grover, John Haines and Eli Brown, directors. Governor Noble issued his proclamation, authorizing the branch at Richmond to commence operation, on Nov. 19, 1834.
Dr. Ithamar Warner died, March 10, 1835. By his will the town became the possessor of the property known as the "Warner Building," which he directed to be used for the benefit of educa- tion. It was used as a school-room and a town-hall for years.
An "Educational Association" of the teachers of Wayne coun- ty and vicinity was formed at Richmond, May 29, 1838. Samuel Hoshour, president, and James M. Poe, secretary.
491
EARLY HISTORY OF RICHMOND
The "Jeffersonian" newspaper was established in 1836 by a club of Democrats. Its first editor was S. E. Perkins (afterwards a judge of the Indiana Supreme Court). Several editors and pro- prietors owned and conducted it until the year 1840, when James Elder took possession and continued to publish it until its close, in 1863.
The idea of a turnpike to Hamilton, via Boston and Fair- haven, was first agitated in January, 1835. Several years were spent, however, before it could be put in operation.
A turnpike from Richmond to Munceytown was projected by the citizens of Economy. in 1837. The next year a company was incorporated to construct such road.
On May 4, 1835, William Cox was elected First Burgess. He was succeeded in 1836, by John Finley.
J. R. Mendenhall was First Burgess from May, 1837, for one year.
James W. Green was elected First Burgess on May 7, 1838. "The vote for a city charter was almost unanimous."
At the May election of 1839 James W. Borden was chosen First Burgess.
In February, 1838, the smallpox visited Richmond.
A census taken in January, 1837, reveals the following items : Richmond contained 300 dwelling houses; 75 stores and shops ; 6 public schools; I Methodist, I Presbyterian, I Congregationalist, and 2 Friends meeting-houses ; 16 drygoods stores ; 3 apothecaries ; 4 hatters ; 5 tailors ; 3 tanners ; 5 shoeshops; I merchant mill; I oil mill; I woolen factory; 2 foundries. In Wayne township were 3 oil mills; 21 saw mills : 6 merchant mills; 10 carding machines; I cotton spinning factory ; I paper mill; I woolen factory. During these years Richmond was deeply interested in constructing the means of communication with the "rest of mankind." The National Road had been opened and cleared, but not macadamized or grav- eled. The bridge over the Whitewater at this place was completed in 1836, and several other bridges were built in the county. But the difficulty was to secure appropriations from Congress. Rival interests in various parts of the country were strong and the enemies of the road were successful oftener than its friends. The turn- pike to Hamilton, via Boston, was another "enterprise of great pith and moment." This road elicited much attention in Richmond and along the route. But the greatest undertaking of that time was the East Fork Canal.
The State of Indiana early began to foster a system of internal
492
MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
improvements, of which a most important feature was the White- water Valley Canal, extending from the Ohio river up the valley to Brookville, thence along the West Branch to the National Road in the western part of Wayne county. In 1836 the "Whitewater Canal Company" was incorporated, and the work of construction commenced.
Soon after the contemplation of a canal up the valley, the citi- zens of this place canvassed several plans for obtaining some of its benefits. The first project was a canal connecting the White- water canal, at the west end of Wayne county, with the Miami canal near Piqua, Ohio. Another and more feasible project was a canal down the East Branch or Fork, from Richmond to Brook- ville, intersecting the Whitewater canal at that point. This plan met with general approval and a company was formed, in 1836, for the purpose of securing subscriptions and soliciting State aid. In December of that year the Governor was "authorized to cause a survey to be made of the proposed line of canal from Brookville to Richmond; and the sum of $500 was appropriated." Nearly a year from that time, the engineer made his report, giving esti- mates of the amount of work, cost, etc., and expressing opinions strongly favorable to the undertaking. In 1838, the "Richmond and Brookville Canal Company" was chartered, and great enthusiasm prevailed at Richmond and along the contemplated route. Books were opened at various places and, in one day, $100,000 was sub- scribed at Richmond. The "borough" took stock to the amount of $50,000. A large amount of work was let and actually com- menced. The first installment was paid, when the financial crisis came upon the country and hindered the continuance of the work for a while.
Two years after a city charter had been voted for, one was ob- tained from the legislature, submitted to the votes of the citizens, and adopted. On May 4. 1840, an election of city officers was held. with the following result: Mayor, John Sailor ; councilmen, Basil Brightwell, Benjamin Strattan, William Cox, Henry Hollings- worth, Irvin Reed, William Parry, Nathan Morgan, and Stephen Swain; marshal, Jesse Meek; treasurer, John Haines; assessor, Eli Brown.
The little "city" began its career at a time beset with em- barrassments and burdens, but not without ardent hopes.
The great temperance revival of the years 1841, 1842, and 1843 was felt in this vicinity. However, the citizens of Richmond had long before taken a stand upon this question. As early as 1832,
493
EARLY HISTORY OF RICHMOND
a Temperance Society was in existence; and, in October, 1833, a public meeting was held, of which Daniel Reid was president and William Cox secretary. It was resolved to petition the County Commissioners to grant no license to sell liquor in Richmond. The organization was kept up and frequent meetings were held during the years following. In 1842 the "Washingtons" were formed in Richmond and were followed soon afterward by the establishment of the "Sons of Temperance" and kindred organizations. The enthusiasm was great in that and succeeding years. Mayor Sailor, Dr. W. B. Smith, Lynde Elliott, Rev. W. Boyce, Samuel E. Per- kins, James M. Poe, D. P. Holloway, W. A. Bickle, S. R. Lippin- cott and John Elderkin were prominent in these movements nearly seventy-five years ago. The temperance element carried the elec- tions for councilmen by large majorities. At the April election, 1847, the question of license or no license was submitted to the voters in the various townships, as provided by the law, and "no license" prevailed by handsome majorities in all the townships, except two. The vote in Wayne township stood: License, 90, no license, 416.
After a great deal of labor and many discouragements, the Boston turnpike was completed in 1849. This was the first graded and graveled road coming into Richmond. The fate of the National Road seemed uncertain. For years no adequate appropriations had been obtained. The work already done was going to ruin for want of repairs. The friends of the road were unable to overcome the sentiment of the majority in Congress in opposition to internal improvements at the expense of the Government. At one time the citizens of Richmond, Centerville, and along the route between, were nearly resolved to finish that part at their own expense. But the "railroad fever" delayed action in this direction, and the Government soon afterward relinquished the road to the States through which it passed. The State of Indiana in turn portioned it out to companies of stockholders who would accept charters to complete it and keep it in good condition. Under this arrange- ment, the "Wayne County Turnpike Company" was incorporated Dec. 5, 1848, and commenced operations the following spring. The part of the road in Wayne county was finished in 1850. The Rich- mond & Newport turnpike was begun in 1845 and completed four years later. The Williamsburg pike was finished in 1850; the Lib- erty and Middleboro pikes, a few years later. A telegraph office was opened April 17, 1848, connecting this place with Dayton, Ohio. Noah Leeds was elected first operator.
494
MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
The continuation of the work on the East Fork Canal was contemplated in 1841. The success of the proposition was doubt- ful. In May of that year the city council, considering the impos- sibility of the city to pay its installment, instructed the mayor to cast the vote of the city for suspension. Several other efforts were made to recommence the work, and as late as 1845 the legislature granted an extension in the time for completing this canal. The agitation of railroads began to detract from the interest in the canal; and after the freshet of Jan. 1. 1847, had wrought such a destruction in the Whitewater Valley Canal, the project was finally abandoned. The freshet alluded to did much damage to property about Richmond, as well as throughout the entire extent of the Whitewater valley.
In February, 1847, several meetings were held and means were raised for the relief of Ireland, then suffering with a famine.
During these years Richmond had several flourishing Literary Societies in successful operation, and affording entertainment to the citizens-the "Franklin." the "Young Men's Literary Associa- tion," and the "Library."
Ex-President Martin Van Buren passed through Richmond, while on a visit to the West, in June, 1842. On Oct. I, of the same year, Henry Clay arrived here on his way to a grand banquet in his honor at Indianapolis. These statesmen were then the recog- nized leaders of the two great political parties of the day and were rival aspirants for the Presidency. Their visits, as might be ex- pected, caused a great stir among their friends and admirers, and large reception meetings were held. There was held a grand Whig Encampment at the State line, east of Richmond, on Sept. 27 and 28, 1844. Nearly 50,000 persons are said to have been present.
A few items may be added in regard to the religious societies. As has been stated, the Friends were organized here before the town was laid out, and the Methodists were established in 1825. The Associate Reformed (now United Presbyterian) Society was formed about 1830. Rev. William Boyce was pastor and preached in the old frame church on South Fifth street. The African Metho- dists were next organized, in 1836, having fifty-four members and using a frame building on South Sixth street. The First Presby- terian (O. S.) Society was established in the latter part of 1837. The St. Paul's Episcopal Church was founded in 1838, with Rev. Charles Sturdevant as pastor, and Rev. George Fisk as rector. The German Evangelical Lutherans were organized in 1845, and the next year erected the brick church on South Fourth street. A par-
495
EARLY HISTORY OF RICHMOND
ish of the Catholic church was founded here in 1846, and a small brick edifice was built that year on the site of the present St. An- drew's (German) Catholic Church. A society of Congregationalists existed during these years, under the charge of Rev. Peter Crocker. These were all the religious societies existing in Richmond in those days.
Cholera made its appearance again in this county in 1849. The first breaking out was in the village of Boston, where it was very severe and resulted in depopulating the place for a time. The epi- demic commenced in Richmond on July 14, and continued until about Sept. 11. Seventy-six deaths occurred in and near Rich- mond. The event checked the enterprise of the place for awhile. but it soon rallied.
A railroad from this place to Dayton was first considered as early as 1845. For a time it remained a question whether it should be a canal or a railroad that was to be built from Richmond. Dur- ing the year above mentioned the project of a railroad to the south or east from Richmond was contemplated, and also one to enter Richmond from the west. On Dec. 10, 1845. a large meeting was held in Dayton and resolved to build the road. Another large meeting was held in Warner Hall, Nov. 3, 1845, followed by a series of meetings, and early in January, 1846, a charter was granted by the legislature. A year after this the surveys were made and the route was decided upon. For three years follow- ing the subject was being agitated and the subscriptions of stock was being raised. In May, 1850, the contracts for constructing were let, and on March 18, 1853, the first locomotive entered Rich- mond-an event of much interest.
Meanwhile, steps had been taken to raise subscriptions for a continuation of the road to Indianapolis, and another to Hamilton, via Eaton, thus connecting with Cincinnati. A road out of Rich- mond was constructed at this time to New Castle, thence to be ex- tended to Chicago. With these railroad connections the little city of Richmond was permanently interwoven into the great iron net- work of commercial intercourse.
HENRY CLAY'S VISIT TO RICHMOND.
The fact that Richmond was one of the earliest settled com- munities in Indiana, was on the National Road, and on the only railroad that connected Indianapolis with the East, together with the character of her citizens, made her the center of many stirring
496
MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
political events in the early days. Politics in this locality were al- ways, as they are now, very exciting. The Friends, who had a lib- cral settlement here, were important factors, and their vote was courted. The county, in its early history, was strongly Whig. When the slavery question came to the front, however, there was a division of sentiment in the county and party lines were broken by a great many, and the fight between the Abolitionists and Whigs became extremely bitter and personal. So intense was the feeling among the Friends that their church was split into two factions. What is now Fountain City, then Newport, was the center of the Abolition element of Wayne county and was a central station on the Underground Railway. The most exciting incident of the ante- bellum days in this vicinity occurred in the fall of 1844. It was on the first Saturday in October, 1844, that Henry Clay, the candidate for President on the Whig ticket, arrived in Richmond on his way from Dayton, Ohio, to Indianapolis, he then being on a speech making tour in his own behalf. While here he was the guest of Elijah Coffin and Stephen B. Stanton. His appearance here was known ahead of time and the town was the scene of a wonderful multitude of people, greater than ever before in its history. The Abolitionists had determined to petition him for an interview rela- tive to the freeing of his slaves. A petition with over 2,000 names had been prepared and had been signed by the committee having it in charge-Daniel Worth, Peter Crocker, Hiram Mendenhall, and Samuel Mitchell. They had come to Richmond for that pur- pose, and it was known to the Whigs. Excitement ran high and threats of violence were made against any man who would insult Henry Clay by offering him such a petition, for so the Whigs called the action. The privilege to privately present their petition was denied the Abolitionists, it not being supposed that they would have the courage to do it openly. The speaking occurred from a temporary platform, erected where the properties of Doctors Hib- berd and Weist later stood, on North Eighth street, between A and B. James Rariden presided and, upon the meeting being called to order, asked that anyone having petitions to present to Mr. Clay would please bring them forward. This was done to force the Abolitionists to either back down or else incur the anger of the hostile crowd of bitter partisans. In this announcement it was also made known that any petition would be replied to by Mr. Clay at that time. When this announcement was made the Abolitionists. through Hiram Mendenhall, a fearless and stalwart farmer, sent their petition to the stand. When he started with it, cries of "Mob
497
EARLY HISTORY OF RICHIMOND
him!" "Stab him!" "Kill him!" arose from the crowd, the vast majority of whom were Clay partisans. Seeing the seriousness of the occasion, Clay stepped to the edge of the platform and impor- tuned the crowd not to resort to violence. It is said that only his plea saved Mendenhall's life. The petition was handed to Rariden (Clay refusing to touch it) and was read by him. Then Clay made answer. For over an hour he poured down upon the heads of the Abolitionists in general and the petitioners in particular a storm of eloquent sarcasm, ridicule, and argument, such as was probably never heard in Richmond before or since, because it was only such as Henry Clay could give. He even became abusive, and finished by telling the petitioners to "Go home, go home, and mind your own business." Of course the speech was a strong one in the eyes of the crowd, but it is said that this very same Richmond speech defeated Clay and elected Polk. As fast as the mails would carry the news of the meeting it was sent to the Abolitionists of New York, where the speech was taken as a text and stirred the friends of Abolition of that State to such activity that it went against Clay. It was pivotal State and decided the day. After Clay's defeat the Abolition press, remembering his closing words to Wayne county Abolitionists, said gleefully : "We are at home, Mr. Clay."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.