Crawford County, Indiana - Chapter 18: English After the War, 1926

Chapter 18: English After the War

At the time of the Civil War English was a cluster of log cabins. There was also a log schoolhouse. Two of the oldest business men were Bry Gregory, who kept a grocery in English for many years, and W. W. Cummins.

At the time of the Civil War Woodson Cummins, the sheriff of the county, lived in English. The people out in that part of the county had many disloyal citizens who had formed ''Castles of the Knights of the Golden Circle.'' Captain Aydelotte made a raid out around Hartford or English and caught a large number of the Knights who were later discharged.

The Air Line railroad went through English about 1883. Then the town began to grow. There was an outlet for the timber and farm products then.

One of the oldest business men in English is Senator Samuel Benz, who is the son of Senator John Benz of Leavenworth, who came to this country from Germany many years before the Civil War. He bought out his brother, who died, and began business for himself. In regard to Senator Sam Benz one may say that he is a gentleman in whom the people have the greatest confidence. If he sells a man a suit of clothes and says ''it is all wool'' that suit is all wool.''

Besides Sam Benz, Burgess and MeCoy had a store in English. There were no sidewalks in the town until after 1887. Gradually walks were built. Wright and Woodmauser had a saloon in Hartford in 1883. Later Joseph Finch and William Wright began a saloon on March 38, 1884. Before 1884 Finch operated alone. Frank Austin took out lense on September 5, 1881, to sell liquor, too. In those early days the good people thought that the town would be better off if it was incorporated,.so an application was filed with the county commissioners March 2, 1884, asking to be incorporated. Daniel J. Paschal made the plat. The petition, map and other papers were posted on the door of Henry Huddleson's bakery where all could see them. The board of county commissioners ordered an election held on March 31, 1884, to see if the majority of people wished to be incorporated. The voters were duly warned of the election by notices which appeared in the English Reporter for ten days before the election. On election day the voters met at 9 a. mM. and elected Henry A. Smith, James Bobbitt and Sylvester J. Louisa inspectors of the election. Each one was duly qualified. The two inspectors chose Louisa clerk. Fifty-eight voted for incorporating and thirty-one against it. Eighty-nine votes were cast in all. The board approved the action of the people and ordered the town incorporated. Henry A. Smith was appointed justice of the peace and Francis F. Taylor constable.

Back in 1873 Peter M. Huddleston filed his bond for license to sell liquor in English. These men were on his bond: John L. Temple, William Toney, Price Criswell, Martin H. Tucker, J. W. Ray, James S. Standiford, James Hughes, T. B. Cummins, J. W. Michael, J. H. Ray and M. P. Smith. His bond was fixed at $3,000 and a license was granted.

W. H. Toney, whose name appeared above, was not very well liked by many people for a long time. He was rather overbearing in his manner. One night the Whitecaps took him out and gave him a tremendous flogging with hickories. At that time there were many Whitecaps in that part of the county.

Samuel Benz built a new store building in 1896. This was the first brick business house in the town. The house is still used by Mr. Benz. When Governor McCray visited the county in 1921 he said that he did not want to leave town without calling on Mr. Benz. So he went to the store and saw his place of business.

That same year Doctor Charles D. Luckett built what is known as the stone building; this was an exceedingly strong building. The writer was unable to find out what these buildings cost. At present James M. Tucker has a store in the building which he bought from Doctor Luckett several years ago.

In the summer of 1887 the old soldiers planned a reunion at English. The beech woods north of town were used for that purpose. Tents were pitched, watermelon stands erected, sideshows, dancing place, red lemonade stands and many other things were there to encourage the boys to part with their dimes. The large pavilion which had been built for dancing was always well filled. The reunion generally lasted three days.

The old soldiers were given free meals of beans, hardtack and black coffee. The week was a great event in English. Congressmen usually came and delivered a touching oration to the ''Old Boys in Blue.''

Since the above date a reunion is held annually in English. At one of the reunions Charles T. Brown delivered an address. At that time he was a mere boy, but now has grown to be one of the best lawyers in Indiana.

The Indiana Gazetteer for 1895 lists these men: S. B. Adams, general grocery; 5S. Benz, general clothing store; Doctor Brent & Son, druggists; A. H. Brown, barber; Brown & Mather, flour mill; Condra Brothers, masons; Joe Finch, saloon; Frank Goldman, hoop man; George Mazelwood, physician; J. M. Hammond, physician; Bell Hubbard, milliner; J. C. Cline, tailor; C. D. Luckett. physician and jeweler; D. 8. Luckett and Lizzie Luckett, hotel; J. V. McCoy, general store; James Miller, jeweler ; W. KE. Moore, livery stable; J. C. Patton, general store; E. Roberson, sawmill; Charles Rosenbarger, grocery; W. JJ. Shopp, notions; IT. A. Smith, saddler; Starr & Son, hard-

A. H. Brown, who is still in the barber business, deserves mention. He has won the respect and confidence of his patrons, of whom he has a large number.

William E. Moore, who was in the livery business, is a lifelong citizen of English. He has seen the growth of the town from a few log cabins to the modern homes on Hast Fifth Street.

About 1884 a new two-room school was built in English. Up to the Civil War an old log schoolhouse graced the town of cabins and frame houses. Early in the nineties a new schoolhouse which had several rooms was constructed in the west end of town, near where the Camp Fork runs into Dog Creek and Brownstown Fork. The teachers for the year 1897 were R. A. Brown, principal; E. A. Weathers, assistant; Guido B. Hammond, grammar grades, and Nettie Gregory, primary.

A fire department, well-equipped with hose, was organized about this time. An electric light plant was established in 1896 and the streets were lighted some. By that time some, too, had sidewalks.

One of the leading business firms in 1897 was Duffin, Gregory & Company. Their large store stood on the corner lot now owned by Doctor Goble.

A very disastrous fire visited English on Tuesday night, January 21, 1901. Duffin & Gregory's large store, which was valued at $11,000 and insured for $7,500, burned to the ground.

W. T. Suthards, Till Luckett, J. D. Fleming, Mallie Land, Fil Rosenbarger, Ben Mathers, J. L. Louis, James J. Longest and Cal Duly worked very hard to save Finch's building, while James F. Jones and Elsby's buildings were damaged.

The town officers for 1897 were W. 8S. Gregory, Charles Rosenbarger and G. I. Shaw, Charles Fitzgerald, clerk, and James M. Bird, treasurer. Thomas Burnett was marshal.

English Akter The War 387

The English News, which is the only Republican paper in the county, was established in English many years before the county seat was moved. For many years James E. Stuart published the paper till he sold out to Arthur H. Flannigan about 1919. Since that date Thomas S. Austin has been the publisher. Although it is owned by the Democrat editor, Austin published the paper as a Republican publication.

In 1902 Thomas B. Sonner and Charles W. Dotson conducted a spring normal in English. Students from all parts of the county were there. For several years there had been normals taught at English, in one of which Louis Turman and P. A. Simons were the instructors. While living in English a son was born to Louis and Mrs. Turman. This Turman now has a Chair of Education in the University of California. With the help of these men English became a center of education. The English schools became the best organized in many respects of any school in southern Indiana.

In 1908 the Turley Brothers began business. Without doubt they have been two of the best business men in the town. Alfred Turley became a lumber dealer and James Turley became a dealer in hardware and farm implements. The men are now successful business men with much capital behind them. Alfred Turley lost his entire stock of lumber in a disastrous fire in 1925. The stock was partly covered by insurance. He rebuilt in a short time and is now ready to serve his many friends and customers.

up the town, improve business and promote the best interests of all the people financially, as well as relieving pain, were Guido Hammond and Felix Hammond. One became a physician and the other a dentist. They have been interested in the schools of the town and the best interests of the people.

The schools grew rapidly in English until the school board found it necessary to construct a new house of a modern type. A fine lot of ground was secured out of town to the east. The house was built of brick and is two stories high. The manual training and domestic science departments are in the basement. The people of English have been fortunate in securing good men to teach their schools the last few years, among whom were Monroe Melton, H. W. Toney, Elmer McCullum and §S. A. Beals. The new schoolhouse was completed for use about 1914 at a cost of about $18,000. C. D. Luckett was the contractor.

In 1921 Mr. Rice of Louisville came to English and organized a company of business men who agreed to furnish capital enough for a basket factory. The building was completed by the fall of 1921 and many men moved to English to secure work. One can not thoroughly describe the factory. The building is located south of the railroad on the Leavenworth and Hartford road.

Lee Cotner, who had married Dora McFall, came to English and built a large hotel. The work began in December, 1901, and was completed in time for the Normal students in 1902. Later he sold out and left. To-day the ''Brick'' hotel is one of the best in southern Indiana.

lish Canning and Manufacturing Company in June, 1906. Now it is owned by Greggs and Company who employ 'about a hundred people during the canning season.

The Crawford County State Bank was organized February 3, 1905, in English. The stockholders were Elsby, Setser, Bell, Alexander, Boyd, Balthis and Eckerty. John Miller was chosen cashier.

On April 5, 1905, about 2:30 Pp. m. occurred the tragic death of Thomas Cummins. He had gone to get some fertilizer for a man when he became interested in watching a man's team which was trying to run away. So he stood on the railroad track until a fast train hit him. Cummins, who was a leading Democratic politician, had many friends in Crawford County.

On April 12, 1905, Honorable John Luckett, of English, who had been the prosecuting attorney of Crawford County for four years, and Miss Ruth Anna Muir of New Albany were married in New Albany at 4:00 p. m. by Reverend Arch Cree.

On Saturday, May 19, 1906, a very destructive fire occurred in English. It was first discovered about 12:30 A. M. at the rear of Boyd's store. The people responded to the fire alarm and fought bravely, but the fire had gained such a start that it was not controlled till the following business houses were burned out: Boyd store, valued at $10,000; Temple's store, valued at $7,000; Crawford County Bank, valued at $3,000; M. W. of A. paraphernalia, $300; Stewart's postoffice, valued at $150; L. V. Starr's tin shop, $800; Mrs. Mather's household goods, $50; J. R. Leonard's property, $800; Roberts' drug store, valued at $300.

The conductor on the midnight passenger train told Marshal W. E. Cummins of English that two ''bummers'' had set the bridge on fire at Temple. Cummins, who was watching for the tramps, found them near the railroad track. Trouble occurred in which Cummins was seriously shot by one of the men. He was taken to Louisville for medical treatment. The tramps escaped. The shooting occurred at English on April 24, 1907.

During the school vear of 1906-07 L. C. Jones, who had been hired to teach the No. 10 school in Sterling township, had some trouble with one of Woodson Satterfield's sons. Satterfield became angry because Jones punished his son. On April 12, 1907, when Jones had closed his school for the year and was leaving for English, Satterfield came up and assaulted Jones, striking him over the head and beating him severely. Satterfield escaped. Jones sued him for damages, but the records are not clear as to whether or not he received any money.

The good people of English have always been interested in morality and churches. On February 2, 1906, an order was given that saloons should be closed on the Sabbath day. ;

The friends of Arthur Garfield Bobbitt were pleased to hear that he had won the Foster prize on the ''Trent Affair'? in Bloomington, June 29, 1906. Bobbitt was the son of James Bobbitt of English.

On August 25, 1906, the Democrats of Harrison, Perry and Crawford Counties met at English to see if they could adjust the Zenor-Cox muddle. At this meeting John Benz

On June 15, 1910, at the Methodist Episcopal church oceurred the wedding of Cecil Lenore Suddarth of English and Nicholas Harrison of Alton. Miss Ruth Carr played the wedding march. Curran Suddarth, Mansfield Ellsworth and Harry Boyd were ushers. Reverend J. W. Trowbridge officiated. The groom was the son of Lycurgus Harrison of Alton and the bride was the daughter of Jerry L. Suddarth of English.

Another fire threatened to destroy English on July 24, 1912. The building owned by W. E. Cummins, in which Cummins and Toney's store was located, burned to the ground. The building was covered by insurance.

When B. T. Temple came to his store March 15, 1915, he discovered that some one had gained entrance to his store through a rear window. The safe had been blown open and about $800 taken. He secured bloodhounds from Tell City but the dogs could not locate the robbers.

After the county seat was moved to English in 1896 the editor of the Crawford County Democrat moved his paper to English. The Democrat is the oldest paper in Crawford County. It dates back to near the Civil War. VanZante, William Ellsworth and Hal Ellsworth were early editors. Tal A. Ellsworth owned the paper at the time of its moving to English. Ellsworth sold the paper to D. W. Flanigan about 1905. Flanigan, who had been 9 teacher all his life, made a good editor until his death a few years ago. Then his brother, Arthur Flanigan, bought the paper. He has been the editor since about 1916. Flanigan, who is a jolly good-natured business man, has made a suecess with the paper. He is a graduate of the Central Normal College at Danville and is well prepared for his work. While he is a Democrat in polities, vet he is very broad-minded in his views. His leading helper is a Republican. About 1919 he bought out the English News from James Stewart and combined the two papers in a way. The News is run by Thomas Austin as a Republican paper.

The year of 1921 was a noted year for building. The Hammond Brothers began work on their new garage building, which is to be 90 x 50 feet. The Masonic Lodge voted to build a hall over the garage when it is complete. The new Motion Picture Theater will be 90 x 40 feet. There will be room in the Masonic Hall for a dining-room besides the other rooms.

The English State Bank, which is one of the best in southern Indiana, began to enlarge its quarters. The work was not completed for a long time.

William Rice of Louisville came to English in May, 1921, and met the business men of the town, who turned out in a body. Rice stated his proposition and made an offer that if the town would subscribe $40,000 for preferred stock he would consider the proposition of locating his hub mill and basket factory in English. Two-thirds of the amount was raised in a few minutes. Before he left English the sum was raised. The hub mill will cost $85,000. The English people subseribed for $35,000 worth of preferred stock. The site for the mill was located south of the railroad near the station. The factory was built during the summer of 1921 and the men began making baskets that fall and winter. A large warehouse, which

On Friday evening, March 25, 1922, the large wareroom of the basket factory, which was 65 x 165 feet and filled with baskets, the value of which was estimated at $15,000, was discovered on fire. No one knows just how the fire started. The fire had gained such headway that it was beyond control. The building was totally destroyed by the fire. Two big trucks were also burned. Reverend C. E. Davis ran into the driveway and drove one of the trucks out. John §. Atkins lost a building which was filled with fertilizer belonging to the Hopkins Fertilizer Company. The blacksmith shop, which belonged to James Dicus, was a total loss. The company had $10,000 insurance on this building and its contents The machinery, valued at $20,000, was covered by insurance.

The Rice Basket Factory in the winter of 1923 was again burned. No one knows how this fire originated. The company rebuilt again. C. T. Brown became the manager when Rice sold out and left.

The town of English was visited by another fire during the winter of 1924. The previous attempt to burn out certain buildings across from Temple's store where Roberts had his place of business had failed in 1923. Men discovered the fire which was soon extinguished. Last winter the fire was not discovered until it was beyond

The Hammond Brothers began to build again. The new house is to have a basketball hall and skating rink. The new gymnasium was opened on Friday, November 13, 1925. Marengo and English met on the floor with a double-header in basketball. English boys won both games.

'Another prominent business man of English is B. T. Temple. He has spent about all his life in English. The Temples belong to one of the oldest and best respected business families of the county.

A brief account of English would not be complete without mention of James Hughes who has a livery and feed stable in English. In 1914 he bought a new automobile to use in his service.

In the summer of 1925 a new bank was organized in English. The office of Doctor Gobbel was secured for the new bank. Ernest Brown became the new cashier and Myrtle L. Meriwether became assistant cashier and bookkeeper. The citizens subscribed the: proper amount of stock easily. The officers were: President, Doctor Gobbel ; vice-president, J. A. Blevins; cashier, E. L. Brown. The board of directors were: J. W. Bird, F. R. Gobbel, Porter Eckerty, O. S. Johnson, J. F. Temple, H. H. Grant and E. L. Brown.

Doctor Gobbel, who has been one of the leading citizens for many years, began building a new cffice building. At the date of writing he has it about complete. The build-

The week of January 16, 1922, was a remarkable week in educational circles of Crawford County. The town of English was visited by the Indiana Survey Commission. The first meeting of the commission was held in the county superintendent's office at the court house where the director explained the method of procedure to the men who were to give the tests. Doctor Childs of Indiana University was the director and Professor Thompson of Hanover College was to assist him. After a careful survey of the map the director ordered County Superintendent Lindsey of Spencer County and Superintendent Sam Scott of Jeffersonville to go to Eeckerty. Superintendent Harding went to Taswell. Clinton Gamble of Scottsburg went to West Fork; Glenn Scott of New Albany and Superintendent Mather of Salem worked out of English. Superintendent Hutchinson of the Salem schools went to Milltown; Professor May of Indiana University went to Alton. The men were to visit two schools each day. The work was so well planned that only one school was missed. This was the Crecelius school where Mae McFarland taught.

The material was packed, the bills paid and the visitors thanked Mr. Walker for his courteous treatment when they were at the hotel. The test sheets were shipped to New York where they were examined by experts and report made later. so said that he was lost on the way to Oak Hill for some time but managed to get back. He asked the teacher where he was when the party shot through the schoolhouse door. He answered that he was not in the house. Superintendent Mather, who made the trip to Mount Sterling, was lost for about an hour till some one came along who showed him the way to the school.

Glenn Scott met with some narrow escapes on the road to Burkhart, the roads being almost impassable. Scott and Harding were much pleased with their drivers, B. T. Me- Fairland and J. R. Crews.

One Saturday night in January, 1926, as Rudolph _ Parker with a car full of friends was driving out of English about 10:10 p. m., a fast freight train was approaching from the east. Parker drove the sedan on the track just right to be hit by the train. Arthur Bird heard the freight train coming and tried to warn the driver as he crossed the track, but was unsuccessful. Bird ran up town and called for help. The freight train stopped as soon as it could after the terrible affair. The car was demolished outright and its occupants were scattered up the track for some distance. The train blocked the track till the crossing was cut. In the meanwhile many climbed over the couplings to see what had happened, for the car and its occupants were scattered on the south side of the track. The occupants of the car were: Rudolph Parker, Mrs. Parker, Eunice Parker, Mrs. Curtis Lone, Bessie Roberson, Bethel Roberson, Lura Parker and Kenneth Ferguson. Of the above, Rudolph Parker, Mrs. Parker, Bessie Roberson, Eunice Parker and Mrs. Lone died during the night. They were carried to Doctor Gobbel's Hospital and medical aid was rendered by Doctors G. B. Hammond, Charles Luckett, Felix Hammond and F. R. and N. E. Gobbel. The doctors of English are to be commended for the help rendered. Mrs. Mayme Moss and Mrs. Mae Bird acted as nurses Saturday night until they were relieved. The three who were not killed were taken to New Albany for treatment.

The crossing has been considered a dangerous one for some time. Harrison Sarles, who was driving across the track, was killed about noon, February 4, 1922. Joseph Miller, an old Union soldier, was killed in 1918.

The Order of the Eastern Star was organized in English on July 24, 1913. There were thirty charter members. The Leavenworth degree staff came over and conferred the degree. The officers of the chapter were: Mrs. Joel Melton, Worthy Matron; Henry Mock, Worthy Patron; Mrs. J. E. Stewart, Associate Matron; Mrs. H. W. Mock, Conductress; Mrs. Oliver Belvins, Associate Conductress ; Nellie Thornbury, Secretary; Mrs. Harris Brown, Treasurer and G. W. Cuzzart, Sentinel. Refreshments were served at the Commercial Hotel. The officer sent from Indianapolis to inspect the work arrived late on account of a railroad accident.

Probably one of the largest land sales which ever occurred in English was held on Saturday, May 15, 1926. The addition to English was known as the John Temple addition. About 1,500 people from all parts of the county were present. The lots were sold with brisk bidding. Prices on the unimproved lots ran from $20 to $520. The addition was part of Joseph Enlow's farm which was adjacent to the schoolhouse.

The auction was under the direction of Charles Cook, formerly of Marengo, head of the Cook Auction Service of Louisville. Ie was assisted by six other members of the company. Music, which was furnished by a ten-piece band of Louisville, entertained the people during the sale.

The lots purchased by the people are situated as follows: On East Fifth Street, lots one and two and a threeacre tract south of the creek. North of East Fifth Street, lots three and four, Ed. Velcein of Sulphur. Lots five and six on corner of Fifth and Meridian Streets, E. L. Brown of English. West on Meridian Street, lots seven and eight, Leonard Cummins of English; lots nine and ten, Benton Pierson of English; lots eleven, twelve, thirteen and fourteen, Ode Eaton of Sulphur; lots fifteen, sixteen, seventeen and eighteen, Sherrod King of English.

ie of English and Marengo pike road, lots 19, 20, 21 and 22, G. C. Stokes of English; lots 41 and 42, 8. A. Lambdin; lots 43 and 44, English Publie School.

West on High Street, lots 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28, G. C. Stokes of English; lots 29 and 30, John Tucker of English; lots 31 to 40, Denzil Cummins; a forty-acre tract on High Street to Claud Brown.

Kast on Meridian Street, south and west of the school, lots 51 and 52, Carl Conn; lots 53 and 54, Sam Lambdin; lots 55, 56 and 57, Kelly Batman; lots 58 and 59, Ed. Veleeim of Sulphur; lots 60 and 61, Henry Knight; lots 62, 63 and 64, Owen Johnson of English.