Crawford County, Indiana - Chapter 23: Odds and Ends, 1926

Chapter 23: Odds and Ends

The county commissioners on March 1, 1876, allowed Wilk Huff $1.50 for three fox scalps. Also allowed Joseph Rautforth $1.50 for three fox scalps. The law then allowed men fifty cents for fox scalps. There were so many foxes that they were.a nuisance to farmers and often destroyed many chickens.

In March, 1847, John Waddle was fined $2 for swearing two profane oaths. Later he was fined again for swearing. Zebariah Hawn and John Headers were also fined $3 and $1 for swearing on February 23, 1846, and September 3, 1846. March, 1848, Ben Bullington was fined for working on the Sabbath day.

Ordered that Joshua Pruett of Patoka township be released from paying poll tax on account of his bodily condition and he. being poor and unable to pay the same.

If he ever becomes well then he shall be listed again. Also ordered by the commissioners that Jesse Spears be released from the payment of all taxes on account of his disability ; up to the present time all tax cancelled.

Allowed James Key of Sterling township $10 for caring for a foundling child which some one left at his door step on the night of May 8, 1877. The board ordered him to eare for it at $1 a week till further notice. The child was named ''Little Belle May.''

Board released George W. White from paying tax on the ground that he was wounded in the battle of Stone's River, from which he was disabled.

A list of postoffices of the county, in 1866 contained these names; Alton, Fredonia, Magnolia, Milltown, Pilot Knob, Down Hill, Grantsburg, Marengo, Mt. Prospect, Wickliffe, English, Leavenworth, Mifflin, Padiria

A list of the students who have been sent to Indiana and Purdue Universities as county students are: William Ridge, David Tadlock, Luke Wood, B. F. Reynolds, Allen T. Fleming, Benjamin F. Martin, Oliver Leavenworth, William A. Jenkins, Nathan S. Jenkins, John D. Mansfield,

John S. Mansfield, John S. Whitten, John R. Weathers. Seth M. Leavenworth was a trustee of Indiana University from 1828 to 1840. Seth M. Leavenworth, Junior, was born at Milltown, Indiana, July 30, 1821, and died at Mt. 'Vernon, Indiana, in 1866. He received his M. A. and B. A. degrees from Indiana University in 1839.

A Queer Case In Court

Stephen R. Jenner of Marengo and Arthur W. Ward of Leavenworth were partners in constructing a new plow, the name of which was the convex concave Rotary Mold Board Plow. Ward was sent to Washington City to get the copyright or patent on the plow. On his return Jenner wanted Ward to pay back to him the amount of money which Ward had left over out of the expense money which 'Jenner furnished Ward for the trip. It seems that Ward agreed to pay Jenner the difference, but Jenner then demanded $98. Suit was started in the Squire's court. Jerry Collins was the constable and served notice on the parties to meet February 10, 1858, at ten o'clock. The case was tried before a jury of five men: William T. Williams, John Pleasant, John Bell, Andrew J. Shaw and Henry Doolittle. The jury found Ward guilty, but assessed the damage at $50 instead of $98. .

James Smith and Ella Bowman were married at the home of James R. Duffin Sunday, March 23, 1902. William H. Scott of Grantsburg officiated. Miss Bowman, who was the daughter of John Bowman, was one of the leading teachers of the county.

The canning factory at English had a very successful run during the year of 1914. In October of that year the company had canned 200,000 cans of tomatoes.

The Marengo Light plant was completed October 20, 1914. George W. Churchill, who was the manager, had fifty-five street crossings and sixty-two other lights in the system. Churchill worked well to give the people good service.

Sam Elsby bought W. L. Luckett's interest in the bank at English Monday, March 28, 1902. Plans were made to start a new bank which became the well known Crawford County State Bank.

The people of Crawford County always turn out well to honor a man to whom honor is due. On May 11, 1902, S. E. McFall, W. L. Gregory, J. H. Luckett, C. W. Dotson, G. R. and F. W. Hazelwood, E. R. Gobbell, C. A. Robertson, Robert Tucker and Charles Conn of English attended the funeral of Charles Austin Ross at Leavenworth. Ross, who had been killed in the Philippine Islands, had been brought home for burial.

The famous white sulphur well wag discovered in the 'sixties. Men were drilling for oil when they struck the stream of sulphur water. The water gushed out with terrific force. Men say that the tools were carried out of the hole by the force of the water. For a long time a fine hotel was doing a big business but it burned down several years ago. The well runs about fifteen hundred gallons of water a day. A Chicago company bought it in 1926 and will build a large hotel there.

During the spring normal at English in 1902 William Patton met Florence Riddle. later the couple were married on Wednesday, August 24, 1902, by Martin J. Brown. To-day Patton is one of the leading business men of English.

During the summer of 1902 Doctor John E. Fetzer of Marengo sold out his office to Doctor L. E. Grant of Syracuse, New York. Doctor Fetzer, who was a leading Republican, was a popular physician.

Otho Mock of Leavenworth and Lou McDonald were married at Corydon Thursday, September 28, 1902. Mock, who is one of the leading business men of Leavenworth, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Mock.

Another popular couple from English were John Temple and Roma Fleming. They were married by Martin J. Brown September 21, 1902. Temple is one of the best business men of English.

H. H. Weathers, who was born in 1806, and spent most all his life in Crawford County, died in 1902. Elder Sampson Cox preached his funeral. The interment occurred in Liberty township October 2, 1902.

Professor John M. Johnson and Roy Jack of Corydon conducted a spring normal in the old academy at Marengo beginning April 13, 1903. This was the last normal in which Johnson took a leading part.

Doctor Felix Hammond, who received his dental license about July 10, 1908, bought out J. B. Blessing's dental office on June 5, 1903, and began dental work. The same year Guido B. Hammond graduated from the Louisville School of Medicine and began practice at English. Both brothers have made a success in their professions.

Alton was visited by a very destructive fire on September 26, 1903, about four a. M. The ware-house of Peckinpaugh, Harrison and Company burned down. The fire probably caught from the ashes in the coal bucket in the blacksmith shop. The loss was estimated at three thousand dollars.

The mussel industry on the Ohio River has its dangerous features. On Wednesday, September 24, 1903, Felix Mode, who was ''musseling'' for shells near the Diamond Rock, not far from Fredonia Landing, was caught by the brail and thrown into the water. The weight of the brail caught in his clothes and pulled him to the bottom where he drowned. Later his body was recovered. Probably this was the first life lost in musseling.

Crawford Lodge No. 470, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized under special dispensation of the rules in 1874. The Grand Lodge dispensed with the rules in 1872 and then gave the lodge a charter. A hall was built and used many years until the members sold the old hall in 1903 and bought over the bank building, Here the Masons met till the new hall was complete in 1922. Then the Odd Fellows bought the old Masonie Hall for their building. Crawford lodge is located at English. Probably one of the most noted masters is Ilenry W. Mock, who has held the position for many years.

The Leavenworth Button Mill was organized with a capital stock of $10,000. The leading stockholders were I. H. Setser, James H. Doolittle, P. M. Overbacker, 8S. D. Alexander, T. P. Ellsworth and J. F. Lindley. Later Joseph Bell became manager of the mill. One of his most efficient men is Lyman Davis. whose duty it is to sort the shells.

The Liberty township pike was let to the Marengo Rock Road Company Saturday, July 7, 1904. The leading citizens of Marengo made up the company. The pike was to cost $10,481.74. W. V. Weathers, who was a major in the Union Army, was appointed superintendent of the road.

Cyrus Gresham, who lived near Taswell, was a soldier in the Mexican War. He died at his home March 15, 1902, and was buried at Mifflin. He drew a pension for disabilities received in the Mexican War.

Citizens, take notice! I shall call on you for your taxes in a few days and shall expect you to have the money ready to pay your taxes. Further indulgence can not be given. J. 8S. McNaughton, collector of taxes, August 16, 1838. The above notice was taken from the Leavenworth Arena. At that time men paid taxes differently from our modern method.

Joke on Senator John Benz. Ife was complaining about the county going dry and his not getting any beer to drink. Senator Hugg introduced a resolution to the effect that a committee be appointed consisting of Senators Goodwine, Moss and Crumpacker to buy Senator Benz a cow so that he would have buttermilk to drink. Committee was appointed February 22, 1907.

From the Leavenworth Arena of July 19, 1838, Abraham Edwards had this article: ''Stop that Thief. Stolen from the subscriber on Wednesday night, two linen shirts, three or four ladies' capes, one shaving box and several other articles. The person who stole these articles is a large man. Ile wears a fur cap, dark striped trousers and a blue coat. I shall give ten dollars reward for his delivery and the return of the articles.''

The Marengo postoffice was robbed July 26. 1907. The person who entered the offiee secured about three hundred dollars' worth of stamps and three hundred and eighty dollars of Anna Turner's money. She was deputy postmistress.

On January 22, 1915, W. B. Deuschar's store building was torn down and moved away to a new location on High Street. This building was built by Rice B. Lease and Peter Claycomb for Nathaniel Holleroft and E. P. T. Iolleroft

The Jersey Cattle Club met at the Red Men's Hall in Marengo May 15, 1915. Congressman Cox and Professor George of Purdue University were on the program. Carrolton Ball tested thirty-nine samples of cream which he said was as good as he ever tested. William Veatch was president and C. J. Tucker was secretary. The Jersey Cattle Club has done much good in Crawford County.

Below is the record of a county normal held at English in 1900: Grover Fleming, Charles Gregory, John Bunch, Earl Boyd, Novy Gobbell, Jesse Whimster, Huldah Beaty, Harry Boyd, Cressa Lomax, George Weil, Harry Beaty, Mattie Bund, Thomas Frick, Ida Smith, Emma Seott, Willie Patton, Blanche Pro, Bertha Moore, Alma Beaty, May Dearborn, Bertha Gregory, Joe Ray, Leonard Cummins, Florence Riddle, G. H. Wiseman, Elmer and Jessie Merilees, J. E. Nolan, Mattie Lane, Maude Newton, Laura Fields, Ira Lamon, Albert Mock, Perry Walts, Owen Duffin, Luther King, Ollie Sanders, Will Snider, Maggie Jacobs, Jane Mandlin and Jesse Brown. Professor Lewis Terman and P. A. Simons were instructors.

The people of Crawford County have always been of a religious turn of mind. Probably the first ehucch ever built was over near English. It was called the Blue River meeting house. Rev. David M. Stewart was one of the pastors.

Another old church was built in Leavenworth in the early days. It was called the Universalist church. One finds the citizens complaining about the boys breaking out the windows of this church in 1838. That same year EK. B. Manes preached in the house. On September 14, 1838, J. Miller advertised that the Methodist people would hold a three days' meeting in Leavenworth. The old Universalist church was used for a school, too. On August 15, 1839, M. J. Woodford opened a school in the church. He charged $3.25 for the higher branches and $2.50 for the lower branches.

The Baptist people were on the ground early in Crawford County. They held services in an old log house near the old El Bethel church. No one knows when the old log church was built. The frame church which now stands at the Pilot Knob postoffice was built about 1890.

The Methodist class at Tower was organized in the old log cooper shop of Gaines Patrick. Many people joined in and built the Tower Chapel church about 1858. Old log seats were used. The old schoolhouse was used for church purposes. The old log church was remodeled about 1870. Long seats were put into it and the old split logs were taken

The Union Chapel was built on Bowman's farm which is now the Everdon farm. The church was moved to the Tower cemetery about 1890. Here the people constructed a new frame church which was called Everdon's Chapel. This was a United Brethren church. Noted men have preached here too, among whom one may name Crawford, Andy Winsett, Patterson, Hobson and many others. The church house was sold to Willie Beals about 1920. At that time no church had been held there for many years.

The Methodist people under the pastorship of Valentine Deich built a new church at Mansfield about 1916. It was dedicated under Reverend Rosier's preaching. Much credit is due to Mrs. J. E. Parkhill and her friends for the success of the undertaking. Reverend Dalrymple, who was born in Scotland and came to America, was the Methodist pastor for several years. He labored hard to build up the church. Later Leavenworth was made a station and given a full time pastor. The Methodist church bought Charlie Scott's farm for a home for their pastor. Reverend Wagoner, who now is the pastor, lives on the farm and holds services at Pleasant Ridge, Fredonia, Mansfield and Tower Chapel.

The old Sheckels schoolhouse, which was built by Abraham Sheckels back in the early days, was used for a church till the United Brethren built their church after the Civil War. The old Sheckels schoolhouse was burned down about 1896. This building had replaced the old log schoolhouse. The Baptists and Methodists built churches on Pleasant

Ridge. The seats in the Methodist church at Pleasant Ridge have been made out of walnut lumber which was very common about the time of the Civil War.

The Latter Day Saints began preaching at Baker's schoolhouse in Jennings township about 18938. Later a class was organized. The church sent elders there occasionally for a two or three days' meeting. George Jenkins, Kelly, Porter, Scott, Isaac Beggerly and many others have preached there. At present the class is not so progressive.

The old-time church service was so different from the modern worship. The Sabbath School came first. Then preaching service. Once or twice a month they had class meeting. All the members were expected to attend. The members were expected to give their testimony. They stood up and testified for the loving Jesus and prayed that God would take care of them. he neighbors were to pray for them, too.

The sermons were long ones. In many cases they lasted over two hours. The ministers of these good old days were excellent speakers. The audience would not tolerate a man's reading a sermon. The more he could quote from the Bible the better men respected him. Not one church in a hundred ever had a piano or an organ.

Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I'll sing thy power to save, When this poor lisping, stammering tongue Lies silent in the grave. - Written by William Cowper.

There J shall bathe my weary soul In seas of heavenly rest, And not a wave of trouble roll Across my peaceful breast. - Written by Isaac Watts.

The above songs are illustrative of many others which were used by the pioneers in the early days. The name of one of the leading hymn books was the Christian Psalmist.

The old-time Christian was filled with the spirit. When he became happy he shouted all over the church house. It was a common sight in the pioneer days to see a dozen shouting during an old-fashioned camp meeting.

located south of Milltown a few miles. The pastor of the church is a prominent priest who lives over near Frenchtown. The writer is unable to tell just when the church was built. Most of his inquiries were never answered so that definite information could not be had relative to any of the churches.

The Indians were still in Crawford County when the white men first came. Chief Ouiska lived up near the Big Springs in Marengo. Later the natives called that little creek Ouiska Run which was corrupted to Whisky Run. That venerable old chief was friendly to the white men. His people were supposed to be Shawnees.

Another settlement of Indians lived in Jennings township. That high ridge of land between Mark Froman's crossroads and Fredonia was called Indian Ridge, while Indian Hollow is hard-by.

On Mitchell Creek, not far from Eckerty, another tribe lived. There is a large flat rock near where the tepees stood. There on that rock one may see the hole where the Indians ground their corn. This hole is cut out of the rock and is about two feet deep. The hole is round. Men say that the Indians put their corn into the deep hole in the rock and then took a rock hammer and beat the corn into meal. The hole is about six inches in diameter at the top and probably twelve inches in diameter at the bottom. It looks something like a vase. It will probably hold a bushel.

The information about the above hole in the rock where the Indians ground their corn was given to the writer by David M. Matherly of Jennings township, one of the teachers of Crawford County.

I embrace this opportunity of informing you that mother, the children and I are all well at present. Thanks be to God for favoring us with such glorious health. None of us ha'nt been sick since you all left home, hoping that these few lines may find you all well.

Thomas B. McDonald is a good boy to do what I tell him and says that he wants you to bring him a Mexican gun and that he wants to see you very much when you come home.

I have gathered and hust my corn about five hundred bushels. I had three wagon loads over a crib full. I sowed some wheat and it looks tolerably well. You wrote to me to sell some of the cattle if I could do so. I sold five head for money and work. There is not so much mast as we thought there was.

I wrote to you that I had made a trade with Elias Newkirk to build a chimney to the loom-house. I inform you that he got it half built when he took sick about five weeks ago and is not able to work any yet.

I sold a heifer to Uncle Abner McDonald for a brass clock. I felt so lonesome of nights when I would wake up and not know what time it was. Let him have the one you got from him back.

I received six letters from you that gave me great satisfaction to hear from you all three by mail, one by Harve Morris and two by Colonel William A. Bowles. This is five letters I have written to you. ;

Uncle Clement and Hawn landed at Uncle Abner Mc- Donald's in 17 days and as it happened I was there when he came next day. They went to Captain McDonald's and the next day they. started home. They were tolerably poorly though they said they were getting along well. Health is good here at this time. It is tolerably cold today.

So nothing more at present but write to me as often conveniently will permit you to. Love to hear from you all. So I will subscribe myseli, yours till death. This from William McDonald, Harriett McDonald, Lavina Me- Donald, William McDonald, Harriett McDonald, Fanny McDonald, Thomas McDonald, Mary McDonald and Louisa McDonald to his father, Eli McDonald. aS

George Teaford he let me have 2 bushels of May wheat to sow and I sowed it and it looks tolerably well. He is cleverer a man than I thought he was. He said form me to give their respects to you and my uncle in my letters he has for me.

your families is-all enjoying good health at this time. Tell Uncle McDonald that we need him here to help skin the Whigs and Tories for they have come to life again and say that the war is unjust and that the Democrats caused it and now the Whigs has to fight it.

Dear Cousin: I take my pen in hand to inform you that your families people are enjoying good health at this time. Give my respects to all my old friends. Nothing more at this time.

Tell Martin Gobble that his fathers and brothers and wife is well at present. Tell him that Hiram is married. So I will say nothing more at present.

The above letter was written to Eli McDonald, who was a soldier in the Mexican War. Mr. McDonald, who lives near Taswell, furnished the writer the above copy from the original letter. Mr. A. W. Stroud copied it for Mr. Pleasant June 13, 1920. The above T. J. McDonald is the grandson of Eli McDonald.