USA > Indiana > Vigo County > Terre Haute > The history of early Terre Haute from 1816 to 1840 > Part 10
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The name of Amory Kinney appears as its editor, and in 1830-2 that of S. B. Gookins. Mr. Osborn after spending some time on his farm, again undertook the role of a pub- lisher, by establishing the Ploughboy at Greencastle. In this he espoused the causes of agriculture, temperance and education. He was one of the founders of Asbury Uni- versity, and one of its first trustees. In 1838 he removed with his paper to Indianapolis, changing the name to the In- diana Farmer and Stock Register. While there he was elected to the position of State printer. When the war of the rebellion broke out he moved to the town of Sullivan, and established a paper which he named The Stars and Stripes. Endowed with indomitable courage and perseverance to- gether with strong convictions of right, John W. Osborn was fitted to become the first pioneer editor of early Terre Haute.
The Wabash Courier was the successor of the Western Register, that is, in 1832 the Register was merged into the Courier by Thomas Dowling. as editor and proprietor. Mr. Dowling was a native of Ireland. He came to the United States with his parents when quite a lad. He was ap- prenticed in the office of the National Intelligencer at Washı- ington City. In 1832 he came to Terre Haute, where as inti- mated above, he published the Wabash Courier. The times were favorable as the town was fast filling up. The great lack was houses to accommodate the people. Everybody was hopeful. There was progress everywhere. Internal
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improvements were the questions of the hour. The great enterprises on foot were the National road, the Wabash and Erie canal, and even Railroads were beginning to be seriously spoken of. The Indiana State Bank and its branches, one of which was established here, were signs of progress. The interest of the Newspaper must not be suffered to lag.
Mr. Dowling, in establishing the Wabash Courier, had the ability, tact, and experience which eminently fitted him to become, as he was soon recognized to be, one of the first editors in the State. After ten years' control of the Courier, he disposed of it and founded the Express. He displayed in the editorship of this paper the same energy and ability in keeping his paper in the lead. In 1836 Mr. Dowling was elected to the State legislature, and proved to be an able debater, and wise legislator in the many important public interests of the day. He was afterwards appointed one of the trustees of the Wabash and Erie canal. As a public- minded citizen none stood higher. He was ready to serve the community and he did serve them as City councillor, and as County commissioner. Like all men, Mr. Dowling was not perfect, but unlike many, he was able, upright, generous, social, and greatly appreciated by his friends. Mr. Dowling died in 1876, leaving a widow and several children, and a host of friends to mourn his loss. In natural gifts Mr. D. was many sided, but in the history of Terre Haute he will be best remembered as a Newspaper editor.
In 1841, Mr. Dowling sold the Wabash Courier to Judge Jesse Conard, who was its editor for some twenty-five years. There was a change in the management but not in the politics of the paper. It continued as an exponent of whig principles. Mr. Conard possessed literary ability, but not the push and open frankness of Mr. Dowling. In holding control of the paper so many years, he proved his editorial ability. He came here from Chester county, Pennsylvania, and not only as an editor but as a public spirited man, commanded the respect of the community. He was elected as a Probate judge hence his rightful claim to the title. As to his literary
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ability it appeared in his paper, and also in his two novels, one of which, Stephen Moreland, was published at Phila- delphia, and the other, Mount Echo, at Cincinnati, after he came to Terre Haute.
In the sale of the Wabash Courier, we are told that the mutual agreement was, that Mr. Dowling should not establish another newspaper in Terre Haute till after a period of five years. In the meantime, however, Mr. Dowling saw clearly a good opening, and his brother John, upon receiving the in- formation, came from Washington in 1842. " After his ar- rival the Terre Haute Express as a weekly paper, was given to the public, with John Dowling as publisher."
This was the origin of the Terre Haute Express in 1842. The paper was run by the Dowlings till 1845, when it was sold to Mr. David S. Danaldson. "The birth of the Express was in a room in the second story of the Linton block front- ing on Main street." From here Mr. Danaldson moved it to an old frame, on the northeast corner of Main and Fourth streets, and then to a one story frame, next to the Old Town hall, on corner of Ohio and Third streets.
It seems too bad to break the story of the Terre Haute newspaper, just at the point where it is growing in interest. There was never any lack of politics in Terre Haute for news- paper purposes ; but previously to 1838, when Mr. J. P. Chap- man on July 4th sent forth the first number of his able paper the Wabash Enquirer, but one fire had been kindled under the political pot ; henceforth. however, not only one, but some- times three and four distinct fires were kept ablaze and therefore there was no lack of heat and fierce political strife.
As a matter of public interest I cannot forbear giving a condensed account of the first Daily, issued in Terre Haute. For the extended account we are indebted to James B. Ed- munds. a Terre Haute boy, who was the editor and proprietor of the Terre Haute Journal. In 1851. Judge Jesse Conard of the Wabash Courier, resolved to start a daily. His pur- pose was that the appearance of the paper should be a sur- prise. But incidentally Isaac M. Brown, foreman of the
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Express office, learned of the plan of the Courier editor. Ambitious and jealous for his own paper, he at once went to Mr. Danaldson and explained that the Express office was thoroughly manned and furnished so that it could in every way outstrip the Courier in the matter of a daily issue. He soon gained Mr. Danaldson's consent. Therefore the first issue of a Terre Haute daily paper was made by the Express on May 12th, 1851.
Mr. David Danaldson will be remembered by the Press fraternity as the publisher of the first daily paper in Terre Haute; yet we do not forget that he came to Terre Haute in 1835, and engaged at once in merchandizing with his brother, John Danaldson. He was also a member of the firm of Ripley & Danaldson, in which he continued till 1861, when he opened a claim agency. Mr. Daniel Danaldson was a na- tive of Kentucky, and was born in 1809. He died at an advanced age. His widow, Auntie Danaldson as she was familiarly called, survived him for some years. She was beloved by her earliest and by her latest friends. When Mrs. Danaldson passed from us our city suffered loss. Not only her immediate family but friends and acquaintances were conscious that a light had gone out in our community.
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CHAPTER XXIII
STORE KEEPERS AND PORK MERCHANTS
A DIFFERENCE of opinion prevailed as to who opened the first store in our village, till the question was settled by Mr. Lucius H. Scott, who in a letter says in substance: "As an agent for Messrs. Wasson & Sayers of Vincennes, in No- vember, 1817, I rented a room of Dr. Modesitt, and had it fitted up for a store room. Though delayed by the freezing of the river, the goods were received and the store opened for business on the Ist of aJnuary, 1818. These were the first goods ever opened for sale in Terre Haute. John Earle did not arrive till the autumn of that year." This enterprise of Mr. Scott could not have been a success, as the store was closed in May, 1818.
Few men were better known or more highly esteemed in the community than this young pioneer merchant. In 1822 he was employed by Josephus Collett, who was also a pioneer merchant of the town, to start a country store at Roseville, Parke county, where he remained for some four or five years. Returning to Terre Haute he says: " I erected on the corner of Ohio and Market streets a residence which was the first brick dwelling ever erected in Terre Haute." This building still stands as a substantial land-mark of early days. Further reference is made to Mr. Scott in a former chapter. He spent the later years of his life in Philadelphia, where he died in 1875.
The John Earle, to whom Mr. Scott refers, was four or five months behind him, i. e., in setting up his store. He has honorable mention in the list of settlers in 1816, and built a story and a half house, part of logs and part frame on the corner of Water and Poplar streets. The store was in the log portion of the building. How long Mr. 'Earle was en-
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. gaged in store keeping, we are not informed. He was the father of the celebrated Capt. William Earle, who at an early age left his home " to pursue his chosen calling, a sea-faring life." His celebrated letter dated, Bark Emily Morgan, at sea, March 25, 1875, contains invaluable reminiscences of Terre Haute previous to 1823. Capt. Earle enjoys the reputation of being the first male child born in Terre Haute.
Stephen S. Collett and Josephus, his brother, were among the earliest settlers of Terre Haute. They came from Penn- sylvania, and were originally of English and Dutch descent. The exact date of their coming is not known ; possibly it was before 1820. They opened a store on the north side of the public square, midway between Second and Third streets. The building was a " two story frame with a red roof." In 1821, however, Stephen S. Collett was married to Sarah Groenendyke, who was a native of New York. In 1822 the firm set up a branch store at Roseville, under the management of Lucius H. Scott as intimated above. The brothers evi- dently were forehanded and had little taste for the confining business even of a country store, and so they purchased large tracts of land in Vermilion county, and engaged in farming on a large scale, at the same time giving more or less attention to public affairs. They moved from Terre Haute in 1826. Stephen was sent to the State legislature for several terms ; also to the Senate. In 1843 while a member of the Senate, he died.
The brother, Josephus, was a special friend of both Judge John Porter, and Ned Hannegan as he was familiarly called. It is recorded that they entered together into a compact, that the one who died first, should, if possible, return to his friends, and give them words or tokens of what was going on in the other world. Judge Porter was the first to die. Mr. Hannegan at once visited Mr. Collett. The name of Mr. Porter was not referred to till bedtime, when Mr. Han- negan, on being shown to his sleeping room nervously, and abruptly said: "Joe Collett, has John Porter been back to
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you ? " Mr. Collett said: "No; has he appeared to you? " "No; " said Hannegan, " and now I know there is no com- ing back after death. John Porter never broke his word." The name of Collett through the descendants of these broth- ers is an honored name not only in Terre Haute, but through- out the State.
Mr. Isaac C. Elston was among our earliest merchants. His name is mentioned as early as 1818, with the Collets, Blakes, and Whitlocks. In 1823 he appears in a recorded list of Grand jurors. How long Mr. Elston remained in Terre Haute we are not informed, but sooner or later he was with Major Whitlock attracted to Crawfordsville where he was a successful and life-long banker.
Mr. George Hussey was also one of our early pioneer mer- chants. He was a native of the city of Baltimore, and came to Indiana in 1818. He stopped for a time at Vincennes, but in 1820 came to Terre Haute. He at once opened a store in the village, but like the Colletts and most of the early comers, his ideal in coming to the west was the possession of broad acres, and so he soon deserted the little village store for a farm near the town. It is recorded of Mr. Hussey " that having enjoyed the advantages of the schools in Balti- more during his early life, he was well fitted to aid his chil- dren in acquiring an education." While a familiar form on the streets of the village he continued to reside during his life on his farm.
The Linton Bros., William C. and David, engaged quite early in the business of store-keeping. We have no exact date of their first arrival in Terre Haute, but it was some- time previous to 1821. The public records show that at the August meeting of the Circuit court in 1821, William Linton was one of the board of commissioners, having been recently elected. At one time their store is spoken of as located near the southeast corner of Main and Third streets. Again at a different period doubtless, on the corner of Main and Sec- ond streets. They continued in business together till 1835, when they died within a few months of each other.
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David Linton built the Linton mansion, which it really was, at that early date, 1830. The building was located in the center of large grounds on the corner of Ohio and Sixth streets. This building still stands as a land-mark of early days. Some few years ago it was moved forward to Ohio street, and its ample rooms fitted up for business offices. William Linton had more or less taste for public life. He served with credit in the State senate, and at the time of his decease, was on his way to New York as State commissioner on important business. Through such men as William C. Linton of whom there was no lack, early Terre Haute enjoyed a reputation for strict commercial honesty. My good father in common with, shall I say, all the citizens of the town, en- tertained the highest regard for William C. Linton. I recall one story at least he used to tell in regard to Mr. L. and his store, which reflected somewhat upon his clerks and some of the villagers. At the time Mr. Linton was absent in the east purchasing goods. In due time with other merchandise, a large cask was received, and being opened was found to con- tain salted codfish. The clerks and the villagers in the store at the time, from the rank smell, pronounced the fish spoiled, and a drayman was summoned to haul the cask out on the prairie and empty it. The wise Paddy, knowing the rich delicacy of the codfish did not lie specially in its odor, noti- fied some of his friends of the dump on the prairie, and they eagerly shared the prize among themselves. The story lost nothing by being repeated, and remained a standing joke for a long time.
John F. and William S. Cruft were also prominent pioneer merchants. John F. was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1800. Mr. Cruft came to Terre Haute in 1823, and was fol- lowed by his brother William S. in 1824. Their first store was on the corner of Water and Ohio streets. In 1826 the store was moved to a two story frame building with a red roof. half way between Second and Third streets on Ohio. In 1827 the firm established a branch at Carlisle, of which the brother, William S., took charge. In 1828, Mr. John F.
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Cruft was postmaster. For political reasons he was removed by President Jackson in 1830, and was succeeded by Francis Cunningham. In after years he engaged in pork-packing. He was an active member of the Congregational church. He died in 1862.
William S. Cruft, while he engaged in business pursuits, was inclined to be literary in his tastes. In connection with Mr. W. D. Morgan, he established an academy at Carlisle. In 1845 he returned to Terre Haute, where at the early age of forty-three years, he passed away. An obituary in Mr. D. S. Danaldson's paper at the time, speaks in the highest terms of W. S. Cruft. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. One sentence from the obituary reads: " As a citizen, hus- band, and father, virtues so cluster around him, that few ever enjoyed such an enviable reputation." The descendants of these brothers still abide with us, of whom we cannot speak too highly.
The firm of Rose & Warren moved their store from Rose- ville to Terre Haute in 1823, and reopened it on Second street near the corner of Ohio. For years it was among the leading stores of the town. While yet at Roseville with Mr. Chauncey Rose as sole proprietor, Mr. Chauncey Warren was engaged as a clerk. After some three years he was taken in as partner. In 1832, some years after the store had been moved to Terre Haute, he purchased Mr. Rose's interest, and assuming control, associated with himself his brothers, Wil- liam and Levi. Chauncey Warren "was one of the typical, sturdy and self-made men of the county." He was a quiet man, but was known and respected for his unyielding integrity. He is pleasantly remembered by many of his ac- quaintances as full of humor and a great story teller. On ac- count of a serious affection of his eyes, he was compelled in 1842 to retire from the store, which he sold to his brother, Levi G. Warren. He was for years one of the directors of the Terre Haute Branch bank.
Mr. Chauncey Warren came with his father's family to Indiana in 1820. As indicated above he came to Terre Haute
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in 1823. He was born in New Hampshire in 1800. In 1832 he was united in marriage to Miss Frances Elizabeth Mo- desitt, daughter of Dr. Charles B. Modesitt, one of our earliest pioneers. Mr. Chauncey Warren died at his home on South Sixth street, June 18, 1868, leaving a devoted family and many friends to mourn his death. His widow, Mrs. Frances E. Warren, still survives a comfort to her children, and a joy to her friends and neighbors.
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CHAPTER XXIV
STORE KEEPERS AND PORK MERCHANTS-CONTINUED
As indicated in the previous chapter, Mr. Levi G. Warren was a prominent merchant, having purchased the stock of his brother. He afterwards became president of the old Terre Haute Branch bank. He was interested in pork-packing, in real estate, and railroads. Mr. Warren was a prominent member of the Episcopal church. He was united in mar- riage to a sister of D. S. Danaldson. The union was blessed with three children, and to this day children and grand- children rise up to revere the memory of their parents.
Mr. William B. Warren became a partner with his brother in 1834. He was afterwards connected with Dr. J. R. Cun- ningham in the drug business. He then engaged extensively, for some years, in pork-packing. He was elected president of the Gas Light Company ; also served for years as director of the National State Bank. Without strain or haste. but with due care and industry, from a very small beginning he accumulated a fortune. He was married in 1850 to Miss Sue Whitcomb of Clinton. Mr. Warren died from a stroke of apoplexy Dec. 17, 1884, at the age of sixty-eight, leaving a wife, son and daughter to mourn the loss of a devoted hus- band and loving father.
In 1811, Benjamin McKeen emigrated from his native state, Kentucky, into Indiana, and for a time resided in Knox county. In 1823 he came to Terre Haute. He purchased large tracts of land east of the village, and prided himself on. being a farmer. Yet his tastes led him toward traffic and trade, and for years he was engaged in shipping the produce of the country in flat boats to New Orleans. In 1849 he was interested in pork-packing with James Johnson, or "Uncle
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Jimmy," as the flat boat men familiarly called him. In 1852 he was engaged in the same business with Mr. W. B. War- ren and Alexander McGregor. Mr. McKeen was also asso- ciated in the pork trade, for a number of years, with his son Samuel. He was born in 1803, and died Dec. 22, 1866. Through the industry and integrity of the early pioneer, the McKeen name borne by so many of his descendants is an honored name in our community.
The Ross family came here as early as 1824. Their names will appear in the chapter entitled Trades and Tradesmen, since their first business was that of making brick. Russell, Harry and James, however, in due time engaged in mer- chandizing. They were upright and careful men, and highly appreciated for their moral worth. Their store was on the west side of the public square, where like their brother mer- chants they sold calico at twenty-five cents a yard. Russell died in middle life; but Harry and James lived to a good old age. They were life-long members of the Congregational church. The store was a fixture in Terre Haute for some twenty years. Mr. Harry Ross was a director of the First National Bank of Terre Haute. For many years also he served as a member of the City council. He was not only a member, but deacon of the Congregational church. Uncle Harry, as he was familiarly called, lived to the remarkable age of ninety-seven years. He passed peacefully away, leav- ing behind him sons and daughters to the third generation to revere his memory.
Mr. Joseph Miller was born in Oswego, New York, in 1796, He was among the early pioneers, coming to Terre Haute in 1817. For a time he followed the milling business ; but when Mr. B. I. Gilman, a pork merchant from Cincinnati, Ohio, built a packing house in Terre Haute in 1824, Mr. Miller ·bought out the establishment, so that he may be said to have been the pioneer pork packer of our town. He continued the business for a number of years, most of the time in part- nership with Jacob D. Early. Their pork and lard were shipped in flat boats to New Orleans; whither, like other pork
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merchants, Mr. Miller was accustomed to journey by stage and steamboat to look after the sale of his goods. Mr. Joseph Miller stood high among the early merchants of the town. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church. He died on July 12th, 1878, leaving a widow and several children to mourn his loss. At this writing the widow, Mrs. Margaret Miller, survives not only as an early pioneer, but as an honored and aged citizen. Mrs. Miller was born in the State of Virginia, Dec. 25, 1805. The hundredth mile-stone will soon be in sight. She is most tenderly cared for at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary M. Morris, the wife of our fellow townsman Richard A. Morris, whose home for so many years has been on Mulberry street.
For many years before entering into the pork trade, Mr. Jacob D. Early was engaged in general merchandizing in the village. After a long and successful partnership with Mr. Joseph Miller he built a packing house of his own. He was the first among our pork merchants to put up sugar-cured meats. Mr. Early was a native of Kentucky. He came to Vincennes in 1817, and thence to Terre Haute, where he continued in the pork-packing business till his death, which occurred in 1869, at the age of seventy years. He left be- hind him not only large wealth, but also an honored name. He was a genial gentleman, and a friend of young men just starting in life. His descendants in this city of whom there are many, are justly proud of the ancestral name, and sa- credly cherish the memory of their first Terre Haute an- cestor, Jacob D. Early.
But space fails for making mention of others, and still others, who were prominent in early days as pork merchants and produce shippers. The list would include such persons as Farrington, Williams and Boudinot, under the name of John Boudinot and Co .; Paddock and Co .; Wilson and Co .; John Duncan, " who was well known to the trade, as a packer of English meats;" Reiman and Co .; Humaston and Co., and James Johnson.
There were others, who were on the ground earlier, who
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were prominent as merchants and citizens. Among whom, deserving of honorable mention, are such names as Samuel and John Crawford. They came from Ireland and soon ac- quired the well deserved reputation of being " model business men." Their store was on the west side of the public square. Mr. Samuel Crawford took an interest in public affairs, and was elected as the first town treasurer, in 1832. In after years he succeeded Mr. Rose as president of the Terre Haute and Indianapolis R. R. Co., which position he held till his death in 1857. There was Henry Rose the brother of Chauncey Rose, who kept a store on the northwest corner of Ohio and Second streets. There was also, Mr. Alexander McGregor, who came to Terre Haute in 1833, and opened the first stock of hardware in the town. His career as a merchant and as a railroad and bank director was a long and honorable one. Mr. John Scott was also prominent among our early merchants. He engaged first in general merchandizing, afterwards in the drug business. Later he was made treasurer of the Terre Haute and Indianapolis R. R. Co. He was a native of Watertown, New York. Mr. Scott died in Terre Haute at an advanced age. John F. King kept for many years a large drug store in the town. In an early day Judge Dewees kept a small store in the center of the village. Judge Elijah Tillotson had a watch- maker's shop on the west side of First between Ohio and Poplar streets, "which had a bow window in which he hung his watches." About the year 1831 Thompson and Condit opened a country store on the northeast corner of Main and Market streets. They were engaged in shipping the pro- ducts of the country to New Orleans. In the Courier of August, 1832, " this firm " advertised for a large number of flat-boats, which they wished to purchase. Mr. D. D. Condit of this firm, was born in Hanover, New Jersey, Oct. 21st, 1797. His father was a Presbyterian minister. On his mother's side he was related to the Daytons of Revolution- ary fame. He was educated in the parish schools, and then learned the carriage making trade. He was employed at
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