Fayette County, Indiana - Chapter 17: The City of Connersville, 1885 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 17: The City of Connersville

LOCATION AND ORIGIN - THE EARLY VILLAGE - INDEPENDENCE DAY, 1831 - THE STATUS OF CONNERSVILLE IN 183.3 - THE SUCCEEDING DECADE - REMINISCENCES - THE TOWN IN 1858-69 - STREETS - THE CITY HALL - THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH BUILDING (FORMERLY OPERA IIOUSEj-THE ANDRE OPERA HOUSE. - GRAVEYARDS AND CEMETERY' - CONNERSVILLE A CITY - GROWTH AND PROGRESS - WATER WORKi^J- FIRE DEPART- *MENT - BANKS - INDUSTRIES - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES - SOCIETIES.

CONNERSVILLE is beautifully situated on the west bank of the West Fork of Whitewater River, occupying a natural terrace to the streams and river bottoms. Its western and southwestern limits are fringed by a range of hills, towering, perhaps, 100 feet above the valley, and whose summits are crowned here and there with antique and more modern suburban homes, from which is presented a most pleasing view of the city and surrounding country. The city is located near the center of the county, and is distant by rail 07.2 miles a little south of east from Indianapolis, and 57.1 miles northwest of Cincinnati, Ohio, lying in latitude 39^ 30' north, and longitude 7° 54' west.

The city was laid out in March, 1813, for John Conner, though the original proprietor of the land on which the original plat was made, as shown by a transcript of the original entry book, was A. Tharp, who entered the northeast quarter of Section 25, Town 14, Range 12 east, Ajiril 4, 1812. The original plat comprised only sixty-two lots, which were bounded on the west by Monroe Street, on the east by Water Street, and extended from a little beyond Head Street on the north to a little beyond High Street on the south. The place was laid ont in Franklin County and the plat there recorded, which it seems from the records was not transcribed on tho records of Fayette County until in Oetoljer, 1841. Attached to the plat is tho following descriptive heading and certificate:

Part of town of Connersville first laid off by John Connor. Laid out on the west branch of W^liitewater, on the north side of the river, on part of the northeast quarter of Section 25, Town 14, Ranse 13 east, Second Principal Meridian; course of street running up and- down tho river and north 2.^0 east, commenciufr at the lower end of the town, and the other north dTP west, extending from the river, and all of them four poles wide; tlie alleys are one pole wide. The public grounds contain two blocks or four lots. Tlie lots are five poles front and two poles bacli, each containing fifty square perches of ground, and laid down by a scale of ten poles to the inch by me, Knoch McCarty.

On tlie 1st of Oclobei-, ISKt, personally came before me, Benjamin Smith, a .Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, John Conner, and saith on oath that the within

Early additions to the town were made as follows: In 1817 by Joshua Harlan, embracing lots extending above Boundary (now Second) Street, east of Market and south of the alley above Head (now Sixth) Street; in 1818 by Joshua Harlan, embracing lots v^est of Market Street to Tanner, south of Madison, and to one street farther west north of Madison, extending from Boundary along Market to an alley between Harrison and Head Streets, the northern boundary of these lots consisting of a line from said alley on the south to an alley on the north between Madison and Harrison Streets; in 1819 by Joshua Harlan, embracing lots south of Boundary Street; in 1818 by Dale; in 1819 by Jonathan McCarty; in 1819 by John Conner.

The public square, comprising the ground on which are now located the court house and city hall, bounded by Central Avenue, Market, Court and Fourth Streets, was a part of the Harlan plat of additions to the town.

Mr. Conner, the proprietor of the original plat of the town, some time between the years 1804 and 1S08 had established a trading-post at this point with the Indians. Hence the name Connersville.

The Early Village

That the growth of the village was slow during the first few years of its existence is evident from the following, the authority for which is the late Dr. Philip Mason:

"I came to the valley of the Whitewater in the spring of 1816, and early in the summer of that year I visited Connersville. A small tract of land had been laid off by John Conner into town lots, which lay along the river bank on Water Street and along Main Street, and a few log-cabins had been erected. The most of the land which comprises the present site of the town was then a dense forest. lu traveling up the river to the place there was now and then a small opening to be' seen, with an inhabited logcabin on it. John Conner, after whom the town is named, and who owned the laud on which it stands, had built a mill just above the town, and not far above the site of the present mill now owned by A. B. Conwell. The town had one small retail store."

Joshua Harlan has been credited with having kept the first store in Connersville. This, of course, is excepting the trading- post of Conner, at which a bartering with the Indians had been carried on for years. The first business house built on the town plat is said to have been a log building which stood on the west side of Main (now Eastern Avenue) Street, on or near the corner of the alley on the site of the present dwelling-house of the widow of William Bunnell. It was in this house that Mr. Harlan kept the store. He is remembered as keeping a store in that house or vicinity in the summer of 1815, and it is not unlikely that it was the Harlan store, to which reference is made in 1816 by Dr. Mason. Judge Harlan, as he was styled, having served as a Judge under Territorial Government, was a native of Chester County, Penn., born in 1763. In 1793 he settled in Kentucky and there lived until 1810, when he immigrated to Brookville, and in 1813 to the site of Connersville. He has been described as a tall man, fully six feet two inches. He was a man of strong and clear mind. In about 1820 he built a brick house on the northea.st corner of what is now Eastern Avenue and Fifth Street - the site of the "Buckley House " - which is, in fact, the old house enlarged and remodeled. In this building Judge Harlan kept one of "ye olden time inns" for a number of years. His death occurred at Connersville, September 15, 1827.

In 1817 the Claypool brothers, Newton and Solomon, young unmarried men, came to the village, and perhaps for a time carried on a little bartering trade with the Indians and the few white settlers. Solomon soon engaged in farming, and Newton embarked in the tavern business. The late Hon. Oliver H. Smith, in alluding to Mr. Clayjwol as a landlord, said: " When I arrived at Connersville in May, 1820, I stopped at the hotel of Newton Claypool. He was about my age. I had been licensed to practice in March before, and was looking for a location. My last dollar had escaped from the top of my pocket. Breakfast over, I met Mr. Claypool in the bar room; as we met I remarked, ' Look at me and see whether you will risk me for my board a year.' ' Who are you? Where did you come from? What is your trade and how do you expect to pay for your board?' 'My name is Smith; I am from Lawrenceburg; I am a young lawyer, and I expect to pay you from my practice.' 'Rather a bad chance, but I will risk you' Mr. Smith remarked that at the time it was the only hotel in the village. (The board was paid.)

From an inscription on a tombstone in the cemetery at Connersville it appears that the Claypools were Virginians; that they immigrated with their father, Abraham Claypool, to the Sciota Valley, Ohio, in 1798, thence in 1808 to Clermont County, in the same State, and thence to Connersville in 1817.

Silas Ford, from Virginia, came to the village in 1817. He was by trade a wheelwright, which he followed for a time here and subsequently on William's Creek. He also kept for a time a house of entertainment.

In 1819 Benjamin Berry was having erected for his dwelling-house the building on the northwest corner of Eastern Avenue and Fifth Street, and so soon as completed Austin Bishop opened a store in one end of it. Absalom Burkham built the Heineman corner. Among the early built brick houses of the village which were in process of construction that year and the year following were the hotel building of Joshua Harlan, heretofore designated; the house where Charles Mount resides, by Absalom Burkham; thehouse on the southwest corner of Central Avenue and Fourth Street; the old United States Hotel building, which stood on Central Avenue opposite the court house; and the house of George Reed, next south to the building described, on the corner opposite " Huston House."

Jonathan John, from Kentucky, settled in 1816 on the site of the McFarlan residence, on the western border of the city. The father of Amos R. Edwards) from Pennsylvania, settled in Gonnersville in 1817; and in 1819 Douglas Burton and family, coming from Kentucky here, though previously having emigrated from South Carolina.

At this period those engaged in keeping tavern or merchandising were required to make application for a license for the same. In 1819 the County Commissioners granted a tavern license to Newton Claypool and George Reed, and in 1820 to Joshua Harlan and Archibald Reed. The rate charged per annum was $10.

In the spring of 1821 Connersville from a business standpoint made about the following exhibit: Arthur Dixon kept a dry goods store on Main Street one door south of the Heineman corner. Austin Bishop had a grocery on the opposite corner, where the Murphy Bros, are now following the same business. Joshua Harlan was keeping a tavern on the present site of the "Buckley House." John Sample, Sr. , had an inn on the Heineman corner. Newton Claypool kept a house of entertainment on the east side of Main Street on the south corner of the alley. Archibald Reed a similar house (tavern) in the building now occupied by J. Bailey on the west side of Central Avenue. Absalom Berkham, another inn-keeperi held forth in the building where Charles Mount now resides, on the east side of Central Avenue. Silas Ford, the father of Gayle, kept hotel on the site of the present residence of the widow of William Bunnell, on the west side of Eastern Avenue, on the south corner of the alley. Bartholomew McCleary was carrying on a store on the southeast corner of Monroe and Harrison Streets. Barnet and Jonas Levi had a jewelry store on the east side of Monroe Street between Madison and Harrison Streets. A Mr. Bouton carried on a cooper-shop on about the site of the Widow George Scott's residence. Just south of Bailey's store was located the saddle-shop of Joseph Nelson. Where the First National Bank now is was the blacksmithshop of Martin Remington. One Rankin was the hatter, and carried on the business in a house situated nearly opposite the Claypool tavern. William W. Wick was keeping the old United States Tavern. David Beck was a tailor and held forth on Monroe Street, where yet some of his descendants reside. Jacob Vandegrift carried on a blacksmith-shop.

William Curry was another blacksmith, whose shop was situated on the east side alley on north side of Harrison Street. William Burnett and Julius Whitmer were carpenters, located, the former, where the Presbyterian Church now is. John D. Stewart, who that spring (1821) with family emigrated from Pennsylvania, erected a house for a shoe shop on the corner of Harrison and Monroe Streets (where the Conwell Block now stands). Messrs. Stebbins & Ball carried on a pottery at the south end of the village. Oliver H. Smith and William W. Wick were the resident attorneys, and Dr. Joseph MoflStt the physician. The latter's office was located about where the dry goods store of Theodore Griffis now is. John Conner had in full blast a saw and grist-mill and distillery, and was also interested in other branches of business. A. B. Conwell was just preparing his tanyard for business. Mr.Rees had a tannery located on Tanner Street, west side, not far from the end of the street. Asher Cox, Edmund I. Kidd and Harvey Bates had in operation a carding and fulling machine on the west side of the river, at the end of Fourth Street. At this time there was no church building or schoolhouse in the village, yet the circuit preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church visited the place occasionally.

Thomas Murphy (tavern) 1821; Moses Cox (tavern) 1821; Archibald Reed (tavern) 1824; (Joshua Harlan, (tavern) 1824; Newton Claypool (tavern) 1824; W. & S. Walton (merchandise); George Frybarger (merchandise) 1824; Abraham W. Harris (retail spiritous liquor) 1824; Andrew Wallace (tavern) 1824; John Mcintosh, 1824; John Sample (tavern) 1824;''^Martin M. Ray (tavern) 1824; John Allen, Jr., (tavern) 1824; Joshua Mcintosh (merchandise) 1825; A. Clark & Co. (merchandise) 182G; Robert Swift merchandise) 1826; Andrew Wallace (merchandise),

1826; Hugh Wooster (merchandise) 1826; Abraham Bays (tavern) 1826; Samuel Walton (merchandise) 1826; Meredith Hehn (merchandise) 1826; William Walton (merchandise) 1827; Amzi Clark & Theodore R. Lewis (merchandise) 1828; Daniel Hankins & James Mount (merchandising) 1828; Meredith Helm (merchandise) 1829; Abner Smith (grocery and spiritous liquor) 1829; Robert Cox (merchandise) 1829; Amos Conklin (merchandise) 1829; Benjamin Johns (grocery and spirituous liquor) 1S29; Charles Shipley (merchandise) 1829; John Picket (merchandise) 1829.

Among other business interests of the village up to 1830 were the tin, sheet-iron and copper manufactory of J. Dawson. Messrs. Hull & Fearis were saddlers; John Willey, meat-market; Merrifield & Miller, hatters; later the firm was R. & R. Merrifield. Christian Beck was the gunsmith. H. Goodlander was another of the jewelers. A. Van Vleet for a time carried on weaving, and some time later Hiram Bundy was likewise engaged in the weaving business. An oil-mill was operated by either John Perin or Lyman Carpenter; A. Conklin & W. H. Coombs were carrying on a chair factory. Thomas Rutter was a hatter and one Frisbee a tanner. The Merrifield hat factory was located on Monroe Street, three doors north of the Connersville Hotel; George W. Parks, a blacksmith; George W. Reed was a tailor; Nicholas Baker a shoe-maker. J. Hart carried on a tin-shop. Silas Ford was manufacturing spinning-wheels. Robert GrifSs was in the saddlery and harness trade. John McCoy was another dealer in hats, and on the north end of Monroe Street was situated the factory of Isaac Wood, who was engaged in making spinning wheels.

Up until 1830 there was but one newspaper published in the village, the Fayette Observer. In 1824 was erected a house of worship by the Methodists, the first and only church edifice in the place durinothe decade closing with 1830. The seminary building was not erected until 1828-29, it being the first regular school building in the village.

John Sample was Postmaster in 1826 and requested "all letters and packages to be sent in the mail to be in the office half an hour before the mails closed." That summer the arrival and departure of the mails from the postoffice in Connersville were: Eastern mail arrives on Thursdays 1 1 o'clock A. M. and departs west in half an hour. Western mail arrives on Tuesdays 11 o'clock A. M. and departs east at 12 o'clock M. Southern mail arrives on Fridays at 9 o'clock A. M.jand departs north at 10 o'clock A. M.

As early as 1820 there was a circulating library in the village, and in November, 1825, was opened to the public the Fayette County Library. One year later it contained 151 select volumes and was soon to be augumented by about 125 volumes. It was under the management of a Board of Trustees, of which Daniel Rench was Secretary. The library was open every Saturday afternoon from 1 to 6 o'clock. The Secretary gave notice in the Observer that " there are volumes in the library to suit the taste and inquiries of all. The citizens, we hope, will not be slow in availing themselves of its great advantages, which may be had for 50 cents a year. All citizens over sixteen years may draw books, by giving bond and security for damages, etc. The rules governing drawers are public in the library room.''

Over the date of June 17, 1826, in a copy of the Observer, and over the signatures of Kidd & Cox appeared the following advertisement: "Wool Carding - The undersigned return their grateful acknowledgments for the liberal support they have heretoforereceived, and now inform the public that their machines are in complete operation, and ready to receive wool, which they will card in the best manner, and on the shortest notice.

" Every exertion will be made to accommodate persons living at a distance. The following articles of produce will be received in payment: wool, sugar, linen, beeswax, flax, wheat, tallow, etc."

In the Observer under date of February, 1830, J. M. Ray, as agent, advertised that ' ' on May 26 would be offered for sale Conner's grist-mill, saw-mill, distillery and mill farm adjoining Connersville, the farm below town, the tavern and store stands opposite the court house in said town and some out-lots in the vicinity.

" Mill farm about eighty acres cleared land under good fence. The mills and distillery are in fine operation, and the tavern stand occupied by Capt. Sample, and the store room by Messrs. Hankins & Mount. * * The whole property is now under rent at $600 per annum, cash. * *"

Captains commanrling companies ia tlie Eleventh Regiment of the Indiana Jlilitia, are hereby ordered to attend the following musters with their subaltern ofBcers, First Sargeants and musicians, at the following times and places, to wit: Drill muster, at the town of Connersville, on the 26th and 87th of May next; battalion muster at the house of N. McClure on the 38th day of May next, at the house of Amos G. Pumphrey on the 39th of May next, and regimental muster at Connersville, on the 3d day of October next, armed and equipped as the law directs, at 9 o'clock on each day.

Court of Assessment Id Connersville on the first Monday of November, and Court of Appeals on the first Monday of next, at the house of Archibald Reid.

Having thus far given in a general way a glance of the village up to 1S30, we will return to the beginning of the decade, when it may be said Connersville began to grow, and consider briefly the status of things then with the figuring characters.

Then resided here auch men as Joshua Harlan, Arthur Dixon, Newton Claypool, John Sample, Jonathan MoCarty, James M. Ray, Oliver H. Smith, William W. Wick, Jonathan John, Samuel C. Sample, George Frybarger, A. B. Conwell, and some lateri Marks Crume, Martin M. Ray, Samuel W. Parker, Caleb B. Smith and Daniel Hankins - future Legislators and Senators, a Judge, members of Congress, a United States Senator, a Cabinet officer, a Governor and business men of great capacity. In the hands of such men it is no wonder that the village became progressive and interesting. An anecdote will "serve to illustrate the peculiar talents of the taverns heretofore referredto. An old Englishman, by the name of John Knipe, was asked by a traveler who kept the best hotel. " We'el, hif thee wants good grub, go to Samples; hif thee wants thy 'oss we'll cared, go to Claypool's; and hif thee wants gude whisky, thee will better stop at 'Arlans."

It is only our purpose here to refer briefly to a few of the early business men of the village, who figured conspicuously and largely in the greater business interests of Connersville, and whose advent into her business circles marked an era in her history, leaving men of other vocations for consideration in other parts of this volume.

Of the men in question, Newton Claypool was a native of Virginia, where born in 1795, though at an early day with his father removed to Ohio, and in 1817 settled in Connersville. In 1818 he returned temporarily to Ohio, and was married to Mary Kerns, of Ross County. Rather than one of the early business men of Connersville, Mr. Claypool was a tavern keeper until in 1836, when he purchased and removed to the farm just north of the city limits, upon which his son, Austin B. Claypool, now resides. He was elected to the Legislature, first in 1825, and to the Senate first in 1828, and subsequently served a number of years in each branch.

The late Hon. Oliver H. Smith thus alludes to him in this connection : " He was one of the most efficient men of the Legislature for many years. His greatest forte was in his practical knowledge applied to the subject by his strong common sense. For many years he was closely identified with the banking business of this community." Another writer thus alludes to him : " Luck ^vas not one of Newton Claypool's words. It was not in his lexicon. He did but little on faith either - had his own philosophy, both of church and State. He fought all of his enemies with the same weapon. He was a consistent enemy of the Democratic party, through a life longer than is usually allotted to a man. It can be said of him that he was eminently successful as a financier, in earlier life as an economist and producer, as well as in after life as a banker. In this latter capacity his reputation was brilliant and enviable throughout the State." He died at Indianapolis, Ind., May 14, 1866.

George Frybarger came to Connersville from the city of Dayton, Ohio, in the year 1821, and opened a dry goods store. " Like most of the early settlers he was fearless and self-reliant, and entered itpon the duties of his calling with decided'purposes of usefulness and accumulation. His industry" and energy gave him success, and for many years he ranked among the foremost merchants and traders of the Whitewater Valley. It has been said that, perhaps, there was never a man in Connersville who knew the business as well as Frybarger, none at least who did so much business as he. There can be no doubt but the ruling trait and the carefully guarded ambition of George Frybarger was honesty. Even to the minutest details of ever raging trade throughout a long life of successful mercantile pursuits he adhered in theory and in practice to his passion - honesty. The charity of Mr. Frybarger was in business, that is, he was charitable to those that deserved it. He loaned to the unfortunate honest; he gave, too, and encouraged with his advice and credit and means, stimulating them to all the demands of success. He had an unbounded credit at home and abroad. He always kept safely stored in his vaults coin to put against his credit. He is said to have been the first man in the West in a crisis, well remembered in the commercial world, to promptly pay his Eastern debts with coin stored for the purpose of adversity." From an inscription on his tombstone it appears that he was born in 1797 and died in 1853.

A. B. Conwell was born in Delaware in 1796, and at the age of fifteen was apprenticed as a tanner, at which he served five years. In 1817 he, with a brother, walked from Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh, where they separated, A. B. going to Kentucky, and in 1821 he located in Connersville, and began his successful career on an acre of ground which he purchased of John Conner, upon which he put in operation a tannery, which business he subsequently abandoned and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was for years engaged in the milling business, and erected and carried on one of the most extensive flouring- mills in this section of the State. The large mill building on North Eastern Avenue is a monument to his enterprise. For a number of years pork-packing claimed his attention, which business he carried on on a large scale. He is the last of the four Romans of whom we speak in this connection, who still lives as a connecting link between the past and present. A man of wonderful natural intellect and judgment, he has ever been known for his wise forecast as well as for his quiet success in all his business and speculations.

Daniel Hankins settled in ConnersviJle in 1827, six years later than Frybarger and Conwell, yet he figured in the latter part of the decade of which we wi'ite. Col. Hankins, as he was called, was a native of the State of New Jersey, born in 1795 and died in 1860. He commenced as a dry goods merchant in the village and continued so throughout an active business life. He was possessed of great activity and energy. A writer has given as his great powers, "untiring industry, coupled with worthy ambition; a restless eager spirit, he was a fretful business man. Dull times only conquered him." He engaged extensively iu speculation, pork and grain receiving his attention in large investments. His influence is said to have been great because his trade was great. In 1830 he, with Marks Grume, represented the county in the Legislature. His name and power and enterprise will not soon perish. In speaking of his death the editor of the Times said: "He accumulated a vast property. Had a farm of 1,400 acres north of Connersville, which he superintended while his attention was largely engrossed with the extensive mercantile trade and speculations in pork and flour. Perhaps no man of one county has ever managed as much business, and managed it all as correctly and successfully as has Col. Hankins." It has also been stated in print that "he was to Connersville what A. T. Stewart was to New York - a merchant prince. But few men possessed a finer sense of honor, and none surpassed him in mercantile integrity."

Independence Day, 1831

The 4th of July, 1831, was observed by the citizens of the village and county by a celebration at a grove about one-half mile below Connersville.

The day was ushered in by the firing of cannon. A procession was formed in front of the court house, led by the military, and marched to the grove, where some 3,000 persons had assembled. The Marshals of the day were Col. Caldwell and N. McClure, and the ofiicers in charge of the exercises were John Hubbell, President; Allen Crisler, Vice-President; Eev. William Miller, Chaplain; S. W. Parker, Orator; James Ross, reader; prayer was offered by the Chaplain, which was followed by the reading of the Declaration of Independence; next came a volley from the artillery; then music, which was followed by an oration; music and firing of the artillery followed, which closed the exercises of the morning. An excellent dinner was served at the grove by Newton Claypool, where some fourteen toasts were drank. The day was fine, though a shower fell just as the exercises were closing. In the evening a ball was held at the Claypool tavern.

The Status Of Connersville In 1833

In the "Indiana Gazetteer" of 1833 the village of Connersville is given a population of 500 inhabitants. It comprised seven mercantile stores, one drug store, four taverns, had four physicians, four lawyers and two printing offices, besides mechanics of all kinds.

On Saturday, April 20, of the above year, was published in the Indiana Sentinel, edited by C. B. Smith and M. R. Hull, under the title "Our Town" the following:

"This place is truly in a flourishing condition. The citizens are quite as industrious as any others in the great West; and complete marks of their persevering habits are displayed on every street. New houses are in successive building; and the hum and buzz of business is made to resound in the distant valley, and to the approaching traveler bespeaks the industry of mechanics. Our merchants are receiving daily thousands of dollars worth of goods. The spring sales progress with much vigor, which makes the active salesman skip the counter with a businesslike spirit. Our physicians (poor fellows) have but little to do; they droop their heads beneath the influence of general health. Our streets present a lively picture of enterprise and industry. While other presses are falling out with their subscribers, and placing their names on the "black list," the Sentinel still holds an undiminished patronage, and its conductors continue, daily, to place good names on their white list. Ail this prosperity we owe, in a great measure, to the farmers of Indiana - 'the staff of life.' But a few years of such prosperity, and Connersville will become the most flourishing village in the Western country."

The Succeeding Decade

During the following ten years the village kept on in the even tenor of its way, making no particular stir in the way of industries, yet increasing gradually in numbers and business and quietly laying the foundation upon which was to be built a city that occupies a prominent place in the sisterhood of eastern Indiana cities.

diana, at the head of which stood the Whitewater Valley Canal Bill, which was to mark an era in the history of all villages and towns along its proposed path. The date of the passage of this bill was January 16, 1836, the news of which was received at Connersville on Monday, the 18th inst., and as soon as twilight came on, the village, with scarcely the exception of a building, was in a brilliant blaze of illumination. The coi;rt house was lighted up from the basement into the steeple.

About sundown the cannon of the village was hauled out to the canal line and six guns fired - one in honor of the Governor, one to the Senator and one to each of the Representatives of the county in the General Assembly and one to the Whitewater Valley Canal.

In the eveniner a meeting was held at the court house which was addressed by Hon. O. H. Smith and Samuel W. Parker. A number of toasts were drank, after which the whole assembly repaired to the river bank east of the village, which was yet brilliantly lighted up with a number of bon-iires and under the illumination of the buildings. About 9 o'clock an accident occurred by the premature explosion of a piece of artillery, by which four young men were terribly maimed and wounded. Alexander Saxon had one arm torn off and the other so badly wounded that both were immediately amputated above the elbow. His eyes were completely blown out of his head and his death resulted the next morning. Joseph Clark had his right arm blown off, and Abiather Williams and William Worster were severely burnt.

The canal was completed to Connersville in June, 1845, and the first boat to reach the village was the "Patriot," commanded by Capt. Gayle Ford, which arrived in the fall of that year.

An effort for the incorporation of the village seems to have been made in 1834. but it must have proven a failure, as the act of the Legislature incorporating Connersville was approved February 15, 1841, by which act Joshua Mcintosh, Aquila Hattan, George Frybarger, Robert Swift and John Noble were appointed Trustees of the "town of Connersville."

" While standing in the rear of the school building, taking a view of the landscape there presented, the past comes in view to the memory, and many incidents of schoolboy days comes fresh to my mind that occurred forty years ago, and changes are visible at every turn.

" The road leading east from town was then on the high ground north of Conwell's Mill, then down by the old saw-mill directly east, crossing the river a short distance below the railroad bridge, and intersecting the present road at the old McCann homestead. * * * * * * *

" The first grist-mill in the county was erected by John Conner, below the house named, and about 300 yards east of the present mill (or structure). Conner sold the mill to DeCamp, and he to Conwell, who ran the same until it was worn out. That old mill was familiar to all the pioneers for many miles around. Going to mill was a task in those days, and often a trip of forty or fifty miles on horseback. Each grist was numbered, and frequently was several days awaiting its turn, while a number of the customers would be in camp close by. The Saturdays of our boyhood days were spent in ramblings, and as a guest of Lafe Conwell, our schoolmate at that time, that old mill was examined with boyish curiosity, and its mysteries solved. In after years, when there with grists, we wore more interested in seeing the miller manipulate the toll dish. The honesty, of the miller is proverbial, but they were sometimes absent-minded, and would repeat the operation of taking toll, and have been known to forget that important proceeding, as I have received, as the product of grist, a range of from twenty eight pounds to forty-six pounds of flour to each bushel of wheat at that same old mill.

" Mr. Conwell had a lanyard not far from the grist-mill, and for a while furnished quite an object of interest to the boys, as well as the ' children of larger growth ' that frequented the place. A. pet bear was utilized, and labored faithfully by working a tread- mill, thereby pumping water to fill the vats. These incidents may not interest the youth of the present day, or the stranger who may be taking a view of the surroundings, as all traces of the old grist-mill, the saw-mill, the tan-yard, the bridge across the race and the ford are gone, but there are some persons left iu the vicinity with whom the statement will call up pleasant memories.

" The incidents of early days, as related by the original pioneers, always created a lively interest, and often a happy delight. I remember of hearing old

Aleck Hamilton tell about a sneaking, thieving Indian who was regarded as a nuisance, and while out hunting on the hill northwest of town one day he got sight of the fellow and tracked him into a pond in the vicinity of Cal. Burton's. But he never could find any tracks whither the Indian came out, and from the comical expression as he finished his story, we inferred that he helped the Indian to make those tracks, as last seen.

" Col. Frybarger can tell about having witnessed a savage encounter with a wolf by several men and dogs, and the wolf was killed on the street, about opposite Frank Dale's property. That happened about the year 1827 or 1828.

"I have heard Jonathan John, Sr. , tell about when he came to this county, discouraged and heart sick, they remained in camp for three weeks without unloading their movables, intending day after day to start back to old Kentucky. Finally they became more reconciled, and settled on the hill northwest of town, and never had cause to regret the choice. The excellent spring at the foot of the hill below the John's house was the inducement to create the famous camping ground in the vicinity, and one of the principal Indian trails leading to the northwest passed by there and in the direction of Harrieburg. The principal trail from Cincinnati and Brookville came up the east fork from Brookville to Fairfield, then up Ellis Creek, through by Everton, and crossed the river at the ford south of town, and on as stated. Those Indian trails were used by the early settlers, and improved for wagon roads until the lands were surveyed and enclosed. The rising generation can form but little idea of the unbroken forest, especially in the low lands, where it was almost impenetrable, so thick were the timber, bushes and vines. There was an important trail up the valley with a camping ground on the Larkin Sims place, near the excellent spring of water there.

" I remember when we boys watched down street for the stage coach coming as evening approached, and listened for the notes of the bugle horn. Sometimes we would go down and meet the coach at the ford of the river opposite where Root's foundry now stands, and persuade the driver to let us get up with him to ride into town. He was a good fellow, and how we envied him, and wished we were big enough to drive stage, as he sat so proudly on his seat. The driver prepared for a sensation after he pulled up out of the river and 'rested his team, then let them up lively as he came across the commons, turned into the main street about 'where Jimmie Mount's corner is, then dashed up street and'halted at the postoffice, delivered the mail to Major Tate, at the Recorder's office, which served a double" purpose, as it stood on the southeast corner of the court house yard, and fronted close on the street. (It cost 25 cents postage on a letter then.) The next point was across to the old tavern, kept by Tom Hamilton, which was burned down about twenty years ago, and is now the Huston Block.

" The stage route passed Cincinnati, then left the main road at the cross roads, over by Swift's and Orr's, and came in by old Sol Claypool's, then across the strip of woods in the river bottom to the ford, as stated. The bridge across the river beiag built where it now stands, caused the short route by Claypool's to be abandoned. That was about the year 1839 or 1840, being forty years ago. Alas I what changes in many ways during the comparatively short period. There was a woolen factory and a saw-mill on the edge of the river, east side, just across from Andy Turner's residence. The power was supplied by a mill dam and feeder race. The mill burned down, and the floods have removed every vestige in sight of this once important improvement, and pride of the owner, except, perhaps, a few timbers or brush wood that show where the dam was located. The property was owned by Asher Cox, who is yet alive, and lives with his son-in-law near Indianapolis. He can tell many incidents in connection with the old mill, which eventually broke him up financially, and caused him to 'go West and grow up' again. The old man is remarkably lively and full of vim; is rather small of stature, quite grey, and expects to meet some of his old friends at the next Fayette County fair.

" I remember what a strife it was to locate the site for the bridge across the river. Col. Hankins and others wanted it placed at the end of Third Street, that faces out from the Rushville road. Uncle Abe Conwell offered extra inducements for the present location. The strife was intense and bitter feeling engendered. Silas Woodcock, that good and venerable old gentleman we all remember so well, built the bridge, which was a marvel of immensity to us boys, and we wondered how the old man could get the timbers so straight, with his head to one side as caused by affliction."

Mcintosh, James C, attorney at law. McCleary, William, Coiinty Sheriff. Morris, Han-y, County Surveyor. Marshall, Joseph, attorney at law. Morris, B. F., clergyman. Newkirk, W. & Co., hardware dealers. Parry, L. D., town officer. Powell, I., auctioneer. Pelan, William, clergyman. Parker, Samuel W., attorney at law. Pumphrey, B. M., miller. Payne, Dr., physician and surgeon. Pumphrey, N. R. , proprietor Connersville Hotel. Pepper, W. J., physician and surgeon. Rawls & Morrison, drugs.

Streets

Main, to Eastern Avenue; Monroe, to Central Avenue; Tanner, to Western Avenue; Short, to Fii'st; Baltimore and Boundary, to Second; High, to Third; Madison, to Fourth; Harrison, to Fifth; Head, to Sixth; Maple, to Seventh, and Mill to Eighth.

The City Hall

on the west part of the public square a public building three stories high, to be occupied - the first story for a town hall and engine house; the second and third stories by any moral or philanthropic association of the city or county that are now or may be hereafter recognized by the laws of tlie State, provided that it be with the consent of the President and Trustees of the town.

The building was erected by the citizens, the Society of Sons of Temperance] and the Masonic orders each paying one-third of the cost. Sherman Scofield undertook the erection of the building for 1-1,800. Each of the three parties was to linish their respective portions. The first floor belonged to the town, the second to the Sons of Temperance, and the third to the Masonic orders.

In 1870 the second and third floors of the lai'ge business building then belonging to E. J. Claypool, located on the west side of Central Avenue between Court and Fifth Streets, was remodeled and converted into a neat and tasty opera house, at a cost of $8,000, and was so used until 1872, when the property was sold to the church and has since been used for religious purposes. The building as an ojaera house was opened on the night of October 7, 1870, with a humorous lecture delivered by the " Fat Contributor " (A. M. Griswold), of Cincinnati.

The Andre Opera House

This substantial building is located on the corner of Fifth and Market Streets and bears the name of its enterprising builder. The structure covers ground 48x80 feet and is two stories high; on the second floor is a neat opera room with a stage 21x46 feet and a seating capacity of 600 people. It is fully equipped with beautiful and numerous sets of scenery for plays of all kinds. The cost of ilie building complete was $20,000. It was built in 1876.

As old as the village itself was the first place of burial located on the river bank opposite Third Street and extending above and below. This place of burial was not used much after 1828, the encroachments of the river making it necessary to remove the graves and abandon the grounds. The water now passes through what was once the city of the dead.

The second grave-yard was laid out on Western Avenue, nov? the site of the Methodist Episcopal Parsonage, and was used until the growth of the town was such as to demand another change, when the first tract of laud where is now situated the beautiful cemetery of the city was obtained. This is located in the northwestern outskirts of the city, comprising about fourteen acres of land beautifully laid out and dotted over with choice evergreens, shade trees and many elegant and costly monuments of marble and granite.

Let our burial places, therefore, be beautified with the "greenery of nature," and let the adornments of art be added to please the senses and soothe the feelings of the living.

October 8, 1851, ten acres of the cemetery were purchased by the corporation of Silas Pumphrey, Sr., and laid out into lots the following December - it being the north part of the present grounds. The greater number of the bodies interred in the other yards were removed to the cemetery. The latter has been under the care and management of the town and city authorities from the beginning. R. C. Bratten, the present Superintendent, has held the position for twenty years past.

Connersville A City

In the spring of 1868 steps were taken looking to the change of the town to a city. A petition signed by 301 citizens was presented to the town authorities, the population then being estimated at 2,500.

At an election held June 16, 1869, at which 300 of the voters out of 865 expressed themselves in favor of a city charter, the city charter was procured and adopted, the city ordered divided into three wards, and July 5 appointed as a day for the electiim of city officers. The election resulted in the choice of William H. Beck, Mayor; C. D. Smith, Marshal; Henry F. Kane, Clerk; John Uhl, Treasurer; A. H. Wood, Assessor; Council for the First Ward, Train Caldwell and F. Martin; for the Second Ward, John R. McCabe and Lee Thalheimer; Third Ward, E. F. Claypool and John S. Wilson. The Mayors have since been John P. Kerr, elected in sjiring of 1871 ; W. C. Forrey, 1872; Gilbert Trusler, 1876; W. C. Forrey, 1877; Charles Roehl, 1880; Charles Murray, 1884.

Growth And Progress

Important eras in the city's history may be said to have commenced first with the completion of the canal in 1845; second, with the completion of the railroads in the decade between 1860 and 1870; and the establishment of the several large furniture factories in the fore part of the succeeding decade.

The census of 1830 gave Connersville a population of 500; the estimated population in 1846 was 1,000; and since 1850, as given by the United State census,

Among them was the residence of B. F. Claypool, $35,000 (brick); the brick business house of William H. Beck, $13,000; the brick business block of \V. and J. Huston, $25,000; the brick business house of Alexander Morrow, $4,250; the brick grist-mill of H. L. Wetherald & Son, $13,000; the two-story frame machine shop and agricultural implement manufactory of Marks & Simpson, $2,500; and seven dwellinghouses by J. B. McFarland, $12,500.

Water Works

In September, 1869, the Council of Connersville contracted with the Holly Manufacturing Company of Lockport, N. Y., for the erection of water works for the city, which was intended to furnish a more efficient and reliable fire protection, rather than with a view of a revenue therefrom for water supplied for domestic purposes. The works were completed in January, 1870, at a cost of $47,000, and are situated about one mile from the center of the city, built on ground bought of Wanee and Martin for $500.

The machinery of the Water Works is propelled by water power from the Connersville Hydraulic (formerly Whitewater Valley) Canal. The power is 80 regulated that a pressure of from twenty to twentvfive pounds is always kept upon the mains, which is sufiicient for all purj)oses except in case of fire; and in case of an alarm of fire the power is immediately increased to give a pressure of from seventy-five to one hundred pounds.

Connersville Gas-Light Manufacturing Company

This company was organized in 1875, with a capital stock of $30,000, officered by C. B. Newlands, President, and J. N. Huston, Secretary and Treasurer.

Ground at the south end of the city was purchased of the Indiana Furniture Oomjjany, and the present brick quarters erected. The works were completed, and the city of Connersville appeared for the first time in gas light on Christmas night, 1875.

The company has since increased its stock to $50,000. The present officers are Levin Mcintosh, President, A. M. Sinks, Secretary, and J. N. Huston, Treasurer.

Fire Department

Until some time in the decade between 1830 and 1840 the villagers protected property from fire as best they could without the aid of a fire engine, the old bucket line system being then in vogue. Toward the latter part of the decade the first tire engine of the village was purchased of a Mr. Wadley, of Oxford, Ohio, and was called "Pluto." The "Pluto" is a small engine and consists of a rude device for throwing water placed in a box or bed, the whole being mounted on four small wheels. The water was thrown into the box by a line of men with buckets extending from the nearest supply. From the box the water was pumped by hand brakes and thrown upon the fire.

The second and last fire engine introduced into the village was that of the "Ocean," which was contracted for June 7, 1848, between the Board of Trustees of Connersville and D. L. Farnham & Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio. The "Ocean" is what was known as "Farnam's Patent Horizontal Fire Engine," having a row-boat movement, working horizontally without levers. It is a large two-stream suction engine and is worked by men occupying a sitting posture as oarsmen in a boat. The cost of it was $1,200. These two engines are still the property of the city authorities, though not in general use since 1870. On the purchase of the "Pluto" and the "Ocean" volunteer companies were organized and kept up dui-ing the use of the engines.

On the adoption of a city government in 1869 steps were soon taken looking to a better system of protecting property from fire. January 3, 1870, an ordinance to this end was established providing for a Fire Department consisting of sixty able-bodied male citizens, to be divided into four divisions of fifteen members each - three divisions of hose and one division of hooks and ladders, each to be located in a suitable place in the city, etc., etc. In accordance therewith the present Fire Department was organized January 19, 1870. It consists of forty-eight men divided into four sections, a division of twelve men each - one hook and ladder division, and the others, hose divisions located as follows: one hose division on Seventh Btreet just west of the canal; another on Eastern Avenue, south of the railroad, and the remaining hose division, and the hook and ladder division at the City Hall building. There is located at each of the hose divisions one hose-reel, and at the hook and ladder division one wagon with the necessary equipments. The department has about 1800 feet of serviceable hose on the reels and about 100 feet of ladders with the general accompaniments. By an ordinance established in 1875 each member of the department was to receive annually $10, which was increased by another ordinance established in 1881, to 112.50. The number composing the department was reduced in 1881 to forty-eight. Application for membership is made through the City Council. The whole department is under the supervision and management of an officer styled the Chief of Fire Department, whose salary is $50 per year. Since the completion of the water works this system has been in successful operation.

The first banking house established in Connersville was the Bank of Connersville, started in 1852 by John D. Park and B. F. Sanford, of Cincinnati, with a capital of $200,000. The place of business was first in the rear part of Mr. Frybarger's store (southwest corner Central Avenue and Fifth Street). Soon after the institution was opened the proprietors erected the substantial three-story brick building, with stone front, located on Central Avenue between Fourth and Fifth Streets, in which is now carried on the business of the Citizen's Bank, and in it did their banking business during the career of the bank which lasted but a few years. Its Presidents were George Frybarger and A. B. Conwell, the latter succeeding Mr. Frybarger at his death in 1853.

Probably one year after the organization of the Bank of Connersville was started the Fayette County Bank, which was opened in the corner room of what is now designated as the Huston House, southeast corner Central Avenue and Fourth Street. Among the stockholders were' Meredith Helm, Newton Claypool, Henry Simpson, L. D. Allen, Henry Goodlander, Minor Meeker and Josiah Mullikin. Mr. Helm was the first President and Louis D. Allen the first Cashier of the bank. In a year or two Louis D. Allen was succeeded as Cashier by E. F. Claypool.

The latter part of the year 1856 the Fayette County Bank was merged into the Connersville branch of the Bank of the State of Indiana, which was opened in the Claypool Building on the west side of Central Avenue between Court and Fifth Streets, to which the Fayette County Bank had been removed. The latter institution had been known as one of the most reliable and safest in the State. The branch of the State Bank was opened in January,

1857, and on the 6th of that month John Caldwell, Henry Simpson, Sherman Scotield, Amos R. Edwards, Newton Claypool. Thomas J. Crisler and W. W. Frybarger were elected Directors. Newton Claypool was chosen President, E. F. Claypool Cashier andWilliam H. Wherrett Teller. Some years afterward the President was succeeded by his sou, B. F. Claypool. In 1857 it was said that the stock-holders resident in the county owned real estate in the coaoty valued at $340,000.

The Connersville branch of the State Bank was reorganized as the First National Bank of Connersville in February, 1865, with capital stock to the amount of $100,000, under the Presidency of B. F. Clayijool, E. F. Claypool becoming Cashier. The first Board of Directors consisted of J. M. Wilson, H. D. Carlisle, P. H. and F. M. Roots and the President and Cashier. In 1873 P. H. Roots was chosen President and Charles Mount Cashier. In 1879 Mr. Roots died and was succeeded by his brother, F. M. Roots. Messrs. Roots and Mount still retain those positions. F. T. Roots is the Vice-President. From 1873 until his death in October, 1883, G. W. Dhl was the Assistant Cashier. The business of the bank is conducted in a two-story brick building which stands on the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Fifth Street.

At the time Mr. Allen was succeeded as Cashier of the Fayette County Bank by E. F. Claypool, he withdrew from the institution and in September, 1854, opened a savings bank in the building now occupied by Dr. Vance as a residence, on Fourth Street between Eastern and Central Avenues, which had been erected as a canal office. Elisha Vance was chosen President of this bank, which was short-lived, lasting a year or so only.

For some years after the cessation of the Bank of Connersville, in the same building was carried on a kind of a banking business by James Mount and William Merrill, under the title of the Farmers' Bank.

In October, 1870, was organized by James and William Huston, Sylvester Scofield, Chauncy Lyman, William H. Wherrett, Warner H. Broaddus and James C. Mcintosh, the Citizens' Bank, which was opened in the fine banking house erected by the pro jectors of the Bank of Connersville, which building ': had become their property. In 1874 the two Hustons purchased the interest of Messrs. Wherrett and Scofield, and subsequently (after the death of William Huston) James, his son, bought out the remaining stock-holders, and the institution has since remained in his possession and under his management. Since the spring of 1876 Mr. Huston has been assisted in the business of the bank by Levin Mclutosh.

The leading industries of the village and of the later town have been referred to in a preceding chapter, and it will be our purpose to here treat of the more important manufactories beginning with the completion of the canal, which marked an era in the history of the town. The water privileges and hydraulic power afforded thereby being of such a standard as to invite and claim attention, though tardily seized to any considerable extent, they have been the means of developing the slow and quiet village and town of a quarter of a century ago into the bustling manufacturing center of to-day, with its several immense furniture factories, its wonderful rotary blower foundry, its several extensive grist-mills, its stocking factory, with the clusters of minor mills and factories dotting over its surface, and giving employment to hundreds of men, women and children.

In 1846 or thereabouts was built a large flouring mill on the site of the present Counersville Hydraulic Mills, located on the Hydraulic between Sixth and Seventh Streets, and known as the H. L. Wetherald & Son Mill, by H. C. Moore and W. P. Lawrence, engineers on the canal. In 1867 the mill was purchased by H. L. Wetherald & Son, and the following year was destroyed by fire, but again rebuilt at once. The main mill building is constructed of brick, and in size is 45x64 feet, and two and half stories high with basement. In 1883 the mill was equijiped with the roller process system, having twelve sets of rollers and a capacity for making 150 barrels of flour per day. The firm is P. B. Wood & E. R. Wetherald.

Not far from the date of the building of the mill above described H. L. Wetherald erected a saw-mill just east of the present site of the grist-mill of Keller & Uhl (on the river near Root's foundry), and some later was erected by Messrs. Wetherald & Hughes the present large three and a half story frame mill building of Keller & Uhl. This passed through various hands, and in 1868 the firm of Schlosser & Co. was succeeded by Keller, Uhl & Co. , and some six years ago the firm was changed to its present title. The mill has been operated with five run of stone, and having a capacity of eighty barrels of flour per day. It is now (June, 1884,) undergoing a renovation whereby the stones are to be replaced by sixteen double sets of improved rollers of the Stephens patent, which will change the capacity of the mill from 80 to 150 barrels of floiu- per day. The main building of the mill is 40x60 feet.

From 1847 to 1875 a very important industry of Counersville was the old Counersville Woolen Mill, which was located near the Counersville Hydraulic Mills, and was established in 1847 by A. & P. H. Roots. In 1852 A. Roots, the senior partner, retired and was succeeded by P. H. & F. M. Roots, who ran the business until 1871, when the name of the firm changed to P. H. Roots & Co. In March, 1875, P. H. withdrew all of his interests as a partner, making his son, Charles P., principal owner and business manager, and the title of the firm became Roots & Co. The goods from the factory, cassimeres, jeans, flannels, blankets, robes, hosiery, waterproofs, worsted bagging, etc., etc., had a market in all parts of the United States. The factory employed on an average forty people the year round. For twenty-eiglit years it is said that an average of 150,000 pounds of wool per year was used at the institution, and the products of the loom during that period brought into Counersville $4,500,000. The factory was destroyed by fire on the morning of June 13, 1875.

Another of the large flouring-mills erected soon after the completion of the canal was the extensive mill of A. B. Conwell on Eastern Avenue, where the building, though vacated, still stands as a monument to his enterprise. The mill most likely had a capacity of manufacturing from 150 to 200 barrels of flour per day. It was carried on in the Conwell name until its cessation in 1866, when its water-power was destroyed by the great freshet of that year.

For a period of probably twenty-five years following the completion of the canal pork-packing engaged the attention of a number of the citizens of Counersville and the county and several extensive houses for the carrying on of that industry in its various branches were erected, and hog slaughtering and pork-packing ranked with the leading industries. Among the large fifms in operation at the same time during the period named were A. B. Conwell & Sons, George W. Frybarger. Daniel Hankins, Holton, Simpson & Co., Caldwell, McCollem & Co., and the Fayette County Hog Slaughtering & Pork Packing Association, with their various changes.

Mr. Conwell for a time carried on in the neighborhood of his mill and tannery and subsequently on the site of the gas works, and erected the large building still standing on the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Fifth Street. Mr. Frybarger built an extensive building on the site of the Andre Opera House and Caldwell Block, and in these several places the different firms operated.

In 1846 there were 6,000 hogs packed in the town; in 1856 about 11,000 were slaughtered and packed, the firms being A. B. Conwell & Sons and J. Holton & Co. ; the price paid was $6 per hundred.

In 1858 Conwell & Sons killed for Daniel Hankins, and by all firms there were over 25,000 hogs slaughtered in the town; in 1862 the firms of Caldwell & Co. slaughtered upward of 13,000 hogs which averaged 2-42 pounds.

In February, 1862, the Fayette County Hog Slaughtering & Pork Packing Association was organized with capital stock of $18,000. Bezaled Beeson was chosen President and James Heron Secretary of the Association. They purchased the old Frybarger property, where the business of the Association was carried on while they did business and subsequently by others engaged in the business, which closed with the season of 1873-74, Caldwell & Co. being the last firm engaged in the business, and in 1872-73 they killed 28,000 hogs.

The several largo mills and pork-packing houses required thousands of barrels, which in main were manufactured in the town, adding another industry of no small note.

In 1845 Valentine Michael began this branch of trade along the Hydraulic between Fifth and Sixth Streets and carried it on until 1864, when he was succeeded by John Uhl, who did an extensive business until 1870 and was then succeeded by the present proprietor of the business, Henry Weitsel. Mr. Weitsel now employs four men. Mr. Uhl while engaged in the business made about 18,000 barrels per year.

In 1865 Florentine Michael, a son of Valentine, began the same business and is yet carrying it on in the southern part of the city. He works seven men and manufactures some 12,000 barrels per year.

Not a great deal was done in the way of carriage manufacturing until about 1850, about which time the firm of Drew & McCracken began the manufacture of buggies and carriages on Central Avenue near Sixth Street, but the shops were ot short life.

In 1851 William P. & Andrew Applegate began the same branch of business on Central Avenue near Fifth Street and the firm carried on extensively until in 1870, when owing to the death of William P., the shop was sold to Hemy & Swikley and they in a short time to J. B. Mcl'arlan. The Applegates worked on an average of from ten to fifteen hands the year through.

About the time the Applegate firm commenced business, a firm under the title of Ware & Veatch opened up a carriage manufactory on Sixth Street near the Hydraulic. The firm lasted several years, when Mr. Veatch (Charles) became the proprietor, and the business sto2:)ped prior to 1857.

In 1857 J. B. McFarlan established the extensive carriage and buggy manufactory now doing business under the name of the McFarlan Carriage Company.

The old Veatch shop fell into his possession, which was his place of beginning. He has since added unto his shops, until they now compose quite a clus ter of large buildings, situated on either side of Sixth Street just west of Central Avenue, on which is also a portion of the woi-ks. The company, comprising J. B., C. E., J., W. W. and J. E. McFarlan was formed in 1883. They manufacture carriages and buggies, and employ seventy five men the year round, turning out hundreds of vehicles.

In 1884 was organized the Connersville Buggy Company (successors' to Batavia Buckboard Company), and located in the large mill building on the corner of Eastern Avenue and Charles Street, formerly occupied as a planing-mill. The building is large and commodious, and the company works from forty to fifty hands, and will likely make during the coming year 1,500 vehicles. The officers of the company are J. N. Huston, President; J. D. Larned, Treasiirer; L. T. Bower, Secretary, and John W. Pohlmaa, Superintendent of Manufactures.

The tanning business has been carried on in Connersville from the very beginning of the village. Besides the old Rees, Conwell and others elsewhere referred to, the business was carried on where the hominy mill now is, and in that vicinity for many years. Forty odd years ago Brown & Bundrant were tanners there. The yard tiually passed into the possession of John L. Gilchrist, and has only recently ceased. A year or so ago, in that neighborhood, the Myer Bros, began the business, and are now carrying on in that line on a small scale.

About the year 1846 William F. (iephart, of Dayton, Ohio, erected a portion of the Root's foundry building, and in it started a stove foundry, and after operating several years in one end of the building, John Ensley, of Richmond, began the manufacture of machinery, threshing-machines, steamengines, etc. Mr. Gephart sold to William J. Hankins.

In about 1855 Mr. Ensley, in connection with James Mount and Josiah Mullikin, erected the large brick building on Eastern Avenue near the Cinoiunati, Hamilton & Indianapolis Railroad, at a cost of 14,000, and in it carried on the manufacture of various kinds of machinery, threshing-machines, engines, sorgham-mills, etc.. etc. Mr. Ensley soon went out, and the firm became Erwin, Mount & Mullikin, and under that title the business there ceased, and the building was sold in 1866 to Wetherald & Sons. Previous to the selling of the building Mr. Mullikin had I'ented the old foundry building of Mr. Hankins, and in it carried on the same business as the firm of Erwin, Mount & Mullikin had been engaged in, he having the entire building, Hankius having gone out.

In January, 1864 the foundry building was sold to Messrs. P. H. &. F. M. Roots, who then began the manufacture of a i-otary force blast blower at Connersville, and in connection with the foundry carried on a machine shop. The blower was of their own invention, which was developed about 1860, and until 1864 manufactured at other machine shops. From 1860 to 1870 their patents were covered by fifteen different issues.

Since the death of Mr. P. H. Roots the Foundry has been carried on by the other brother and in the Roots name. It now comprises throe buildings, one of which is three stories high, and the others two stories each - dimensions 75x40 feet, 70x30 feet and 60x40 feet, all well equipped with improved machinery. The works are located in the south end of the city near the river. Some seventy-five men are constantly employed. Since the beginning there have been manufactured at this foundry and sold in this country over 10,000 blowers, and as many more in foreign countries, 5,000 of which are now in use in England. The blower has been awarded first medals and premiums at the Paris Exposition in 1867; Vienna Exposition in 1873, and at the Centennial Exposition in 1876. At the foundry are now manufactured force blast blowers, portable forges and gas exhausters.

The beginning of the manufacture of furniture in Connersville, which has resulted in the four large factories now in the city, dates back to the year 1865. In May of this year A. C. Cooley, a cabinetmaker and furniture dealer, and Warren Wanee, a carpenter, united their business and began the manufacture of furniture in the old factory building still standing near the Water Works. In the October following they dissolved. A month later a company composed of A. C. Cooley, George W. Gregg and William Newkirk, for the manufacture of furniture, was formed, and occupied the factory building, heretofore referred to, by the Water Works, continuing together until in 1869 (manufacturing and carrying on retail business down town), when they dissolved, Mr. Newkirk possessed of the factory building and machinery, and Cooley & Gregg the retail property. Probably six months later Gregg sold his interest to Alexander Morrison, and in 1S70 Cooley, Morrison & Co. began operations as a furniture manufacturing company in the old foundry building on Eastern Avenue. They continued there until July of the same year, when they removed to a shop on Central Avenue, previously occupied by Messrs. Wanee & Martin as a carpenter shop, and

The factory of the Cooley-Morrison Furniture Manufacturing Association is on the corner of Seventh and Mason Streets, the main building being a substantial brick four stories high, and in size is 40x120 feet. The President of the Association is Curtis Wright, and T. J. Rittenhouse Secretary and Treasurer. They employ 100 hands and manufacture walnut and ash bureaus, dressers, wash-stands, bedsteads, and dress case and bureau suits.

At the time Mr. Newkirk came into possession of the old factory he associated with him Herman Munk in the manufacture of furniture, and in 1874 Newkirk sold out to James E. Roberts, and the firm became Munk & Roberts, and in 1884 the present company styled "Munk & Roberts Furniture Co.," manufacturers of suits, bureaus, and wash-stands. The factory is located in the northwestern out-skirts of the city along the track of the Whitewater Valley Railroad. They have two large substantial brick buildings, one of which is four stories high, and in size 60x100 feet, built in 1878, and the other, erected in 1883, is five stories high and is 50x140 feet. One hundred and fifty workmen are employed on an average. President, H. Munk; Secretary and Treasurer, J. E. Roberts.

Mr. Newkirk, on selling his interests to James E. Roberts in 1874, formed the Indiana Furniture Company, with the following named incorporators : William Newkirk, J. B. McFarlan, John W. Ross, J. M. Wilson, B. F. Claypool, G. C. and F. A. Hanson. The company was organized in September, 1874, with a capital stock of $50,000. The officers were W. Newkirk, President; W. H. Wherrett, Secretary and Treasurer. The capital stock has been twice increased, and is now $100,000. The factory is located at the south end of Eastern Avenue. The original building was constructed in 1874, being five stories high, and a second building was erected in 1876. It is four stories high, and each are 120x40 feet. An additional building was erected in 1878. The company employs 160 men, and probably on an average manufacture 120,000 pieces per year. The articles manufactured are confined exclusively to ash, walnut and cherry sets. Present officers: William Newkirk, President; George M. Sinks, Secretary and Treasurer.

The Connersville Furniture Manufactui'ing Company was organized as a joint stock company in February, 1882, with the following officers, who still retain their positions: F. M. Roots, President; Charles Mount, Vice-President; N. W. Wright, Secretary; E. B. Hawkins, Superintendent factory.

six stories high, and in size 50x150 feet. They manufacture walnut and other hard wood furniture, making a specialty of bed room suits. They employ on an average 150 workmen.

On Sunday morning, January 26, 1884, a fire occurred at the factory, by which it was damaged, as adjusted by the several insurance companies, to the extent of $14,500.

What was known as the coffin factory, located where the Connersville Furniture Company are now doing business, originated with John Wanee, who along toward the latter part of the decade between 1860 and 1870 began the manufacture of a few coffins, in connection with other business. Subsequently he associated with him in the enterprise T. J. Parry. In October, 1874, J. H. Bailey and Samuel Beck boaght an interest in the business, and in January, 1875, the partnership closed, and a stock company was formed with a capital of $57,000. The factory comprised several buildings, one of which was erected in 1869 by Martin & Wauee, and the other, a fivestory brick, 80x40 feet, in 1874, at a cost of $13,700. In May, 1879, the factory was destroyed by fire, when seventy -five men and boys and fifteen girls were thrown out of employment. The stock at the time of the fire comprised 7,000 coffins, 5,000 of which were ready for shipment. The loss sustained was estimated at from $60,000 to $70,000.

The Western Hosiery Mills are located at the south end of Central Avenue. Their building is a three-story brick 85x35 feet, erected in 1884. The business was established in 1873 by Leonard Bros., with W. H. Caswell as Superintendent. But one or two machines were used in the beginning, which were operated at the house of the Superintendent. Their various places of business in the past have been on the Buckley corner, over the Frybarger store and in the building adjoining the Gentry Livery Stable on Central Avenue. The number of machines used has increased from two to one hundred, the number now in use. In 1881 the Superintendent obtained a patent for driving knitting and other light machinery by power, and applied it to the Lamb machines then in use by Leonard Bros., who transferred the right to Chenoweth & Kalph when they purchased the mill, and the present company secured it at the time of the purchase from Chenoweth & Ralph. From June, 1882, until October, 1883, the firm was Chenoweth & Ralph, at which latter date Mr. Ralph purchased the interest of his partner, and a joint stock company was organized with J. N. Huston as President; Melvin Ellis, Secretary; A. J. Ralph, Manager, and W. H. Caswell, Superintendent. In May, 1884, Mr. Ralph sold his interest to Hub Thomas and retired from the mill. One hundred female operatives are employed at the factory, where a general line of seamless and cut hosiery, mittens, etc., are manufactured.

In 1875 was started, in part of the old Frybarger pork house, a sash, door and blind factory, by D. W. Andre and J. H. Stewart & Co. This finally became the factory of Downs, Ready & Co., contractors and builders, and manufacturers of sash, doors, blinds, moldings, etc. The firm employ from fifty to sixty Lands.

The Connersville Pearl Hominy Company was established in 1882 by C. Ross, Val and J. S. Leonard and N. J. Morrison. In May, 1884, Mr. Ross was succeeded by W. H. Wherrett, who is now President of the company, and Val Leonard Secretary and Treasurer. The mill is located in the southern part of the city along the Hydraulic; its average dimensions 150x40, three stories high, and is fully equipped with improved machinery for the manufacture of the new patent process of kiln dried hominy, grits, corn flour, cream meal, pearl meal, etc.

In 1877 was erected just north of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Indianapolis Railroad a steam saw-mill by L. T. Bower and H. C. Eliason. The two operated it for a couple of years, when Mr. Eliason became the sole proprietor and is now carrying on the business.

Three or four years ago Messrs. Bower & Tatman erected the large frame building in which is now carried on the business of the Connersville Buggy Company, and in it started a planing-mill, sash, door and blind factory. This was only operated two or three years.

Of the early schools of Connersville there is no record. We are reliably informed, however, that the County Seminary building was the first house especially erected for school purposes; in other words, it was the first regular schoolhouso in the village. Prior to this period (1828-29) schools were taught whereever and whenever it was most convenient to find teachers and quarters for the scholars. Among these can be mentioned a school taught by Charles Donovan in a hewod-log-cabin, that stood on the south side of the alley, on the east side of old Main Street, on the site of the Dickson dwelling. This was not far from 1823-24. Subaoqueutly the same man taught in a log building on the east side of what is now called Central Avenue, just south of Third Street. A school is remembered as having been held in a dwelling on Central Avenue, near the old Archibald Reed tavern. A Mr. Gilbert and a man by the name of Gray taught in Connersville prior to the building of the seminary.

The County Seminary was established under an act of January 27, 1827. The lirst Board of Trustees were George Frybarger, Dr. Philip Mason and James Qroendyke, of which Martin M. Ray was appointed Clerk. The ground selected for its site was designated as Lots Nos. 1 and 2 on the original town plat, which was then owned by Oliver H. Smith. The sum of $510.50, was donated for the erection of a building; the contract for the brick, mason and carpenter work was let to Richard^ Miller for $773, and was to be completed by January 1, 1829. It was to be a brick structure, two stories high, with a pediment and belfry. Samuel C, Sample was appointed to superintend its erection. Thomas Alexander was employed to lath and plaster the liouso for $50. Thomas J. Sample and William Burnett were employed to make the desks, seats and otherwise furnish the house for $45, and William McOleary and Julius Whitmore to paint the house at $1.12 J per day (they furnishing the brushes). The building was completed, and school opened in it by Samuel W. Parker, Monday, July 13, 1829. Caleb B. Smith, who succeeded Mr. Ray as Clerk, gave notice "that the establishment of a seminary has been at the expense of the county, and the object of the managers is to afford to the youth of the county an opportunity of acquiring a good academic education."

The year was divided into four terms. There was an elementary school; and English scientific course the latter being divided into two classes, namely ju' nior and senior. In the elementary school were taught orthography, reading, 'penmanship and arithmetic (Pike's system) through the Rule of Practice. In the junior year arithmetic was completed, English grammar (Greenleaf), ancient and modern geography (Worcester), book-keeping through single .entry, elements of history with historical charts (J. E. Worcester), weekly recitations in declamation and composition. The senior class comprised rhetoric (Jameson), logic (Hodge's), natural philosophy and chemistry (Keating), algebra (Bounycastle), geometry (Playfair's), surveying (Gummerie's), mensuration (Bonnycastle).

Latin, Greek and French were to be taught with higher mathematics if applied for. Students that completed course were entitled to diplomas, and those completing it in part to certiticates of prog, ress. The tuition was $2, $3 and $5_ respectively for departments named.

Subsequent early teachers in the seminary were Elder M. Bradley, a graduate of Brown University, R. I , and Harvey Nutting, the latter having taught for a long period in the various schools of the county. The number of pupils in attendance in the seminary in the fall of 133U was 100. Under date of August

10, 1832, it was stated in print, "The citizens of Conneraville and Fayette County, generally, are respectfully informed that Mr. Harvey Nutting, recently from Boston, will open a school in their seminary, on Monday the 13th of August. * * * ]vir. Nutting is a stranger among us; but from what we have seen of his deportment and ascertained in relation to his qualifications as a teacher, we are disposed to recommend him to the favorable regard of our fellow citizens."

On Christmas Day, 1833, a subscription paper was circulated for the purpose of raising means to purchase a bell to be hung in the cupola of the building. The names of the subscribers are set forth below with the amount subscribed:

In the absence of records we can only give a meager account of the schools of the village for some years prior to 1853. Among the early teachers other than those given: J. G. Edgerton. J. B. Tate, Mrs. Qinn, Harriet Mcintosh and Revs. Nelson and Jenkins.

The basement of the old Methodist Church (now German Presbyterian) was used for school purposes. Up to probably 1840 the Trustees furnished the house and teachers generally fixed their own tuition. For the next decade or more there was not much free school, but considerable pay school.

In 1843 it appears from an article of agreement before us that Connersville was styled District No. 7, Town 14, Range 12, of which the School Trustees were Josiah MuUikin and Richard Winchel. They employed John B. Tate to teach the common branches in Connersville for six months, beginning May 17, in consideration for which Mr. Tate was to receive $22 per month.

ber of thatjyear the following was adopted: Whereas, the graded free school presents advantages not to be found in the older systems, it is desirable to have introduced into the corporation schools as soon as possible, bat in view of the expense involved in paying for tuition and other contingences which would follow on the adoption of said system in all its provisions, and in the further consideration that all the means to be used in buying grounds and building schoolhouses are yet to be provided, it is thought advisable to introduce a plan. The corporation School Trustees shall furnish school-rooms, including furniture together with fuel to warm the same, on condition, first, the Trustee must have satisfactory assurance that proper inducement will be presented to secure as many pupils as may be thought advisable. Second, that proper efforts will be made to introduce and carry out the plan in compliance with such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the person or persons whose duty it may be to direct and control the same. All teachers engaging under this management will fix their own price of tuition, and make their own collections. Be it further resolved that to execute the above plan the corporation School Trustees shall appoint an Educational Committee to ba composed of two branches, first, an executive branch to consist of three members, whose duty it shall be to prepare all the rules and regulations necessary in carrying out said system, viz., to receive the application of teachers, and to make all proper arrangements to enable them (the teachers) to enter upon the discharge of their duties, to arrange the division of the grades, to select a series of text-books, and, in short, attend to all such duties as devolve upon the general Superintendent of the district school. They will apply to the corporation School Board for the school room, when wanted, and for any repairs or material of any kind which may be required. Second, an auxiliary branch to be composed of three members from each of the three school districts, whose duty it shall be to assist the teachers in making up their schools, and also to confer with the citizens generally on the subject of the above management, giving all the information necessary to encourage and promote the desired success.

The Executive Committee consisted of Kevs. J. B. Brownlee, E. G. Wood and William Pelan. The auxiliary, Committee was, in First District, Joseph Justice, James Miller and James Mount; in Second District, William Hawk, N. H. Burk and Alexander Morrison; in Third District William Brown, William Tindall and John Farner.

A suitable building could not be procured and the Trustees determined to abandon the hope of opening school for the present. Subsequently a School Board consisting of N. K Burk, J. Justice and E. B. Thomas was elected by the people and remained in office until after the erection of the present school building.

The teachers in 1854 were Elenor Jones, Catharine Farmer, Harriet Mcintosh, John W. McLain, Euphemia Mullikin, L. J. Beach, H. R. Grosvenor, Hannah Ginn and O. Aborn. The enumeration of scholars for the year was 612; whole number enrolled during the year, 429; average daily attendance, 249. The male teachers received $36 per month, and the females |20. The common branches and astronomy were taught.

In September, 1855, the County Commissioners leased the lot on which the seminary stood for a period of ninet^'-nine years to' the School Trustees, and at once steps were taken for the erection of a school building thereon. In December of that year A. Hatton submitted the following plan for building: Dimensions, 86 feet front by 69 J feet deep; three stories high; four rooms, 35x30 in each story, with halls 12 feet wide, extending through the entire breadth of the house. The building was to be built in the following spring, the contractor being Sherman Scotield. It was not completed and ready for occupancy, we understand, until 1858.

From 1858 to 1860 John Brady was the Superintendent, being the first to fill that office of the Connersville schools. From 1860 to 1865 there is a missing link in the/ecords. In the latter year Charles Roehl was elected Superintendent, and served in that capacity for two years. (During this time the term of free schools was six months, and the remainder of the school year was taught a pay school.) From 1867 to 1871 J. L. Rippetoe served in the capacity of Superintendent, the first year of which period consisted of eight months (the greatest length of any year since the establishment of the institution) Pay school pieced out the year. During the four years of Prof. - Rippetoe's management, considerable change was made in the manner of instructing. In 1871 a Mr. Hughes was chosen Superintendent, and remained as such one yeai", when succeeded by a Mr. Housekeeper, who was compelled to resign on account of poor health, just before the close of the school year. In 1873 J. L. Rippetoe, the present worthy Superintendent, again assumed the management of the schools, which position he has since continuously filled. The length of the school year since 1868 has been nine months.

The first commencement exercises of the school were held June 14 1878, when a class of seven were graduated from the institution, Charles Koehl, then President of the School Board, presenting the diplomas.

to the late Harvey Nutting, who for a long period of years was at the head of educational matters in the county, and for more than a dozen years was the pioneer of higher education in Connersville. "Uncle Harvey, " as he was called, was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1808. He received a classical education at Amherst College, and in 1832 located in Connersville, where he resided the greater part of the time until his death, which occurred September 7, 1884.

The Methodist Episcopal Church. - It is said that the first Methodist class In Connersville met and was formed at the residence of Robert Swift and that Mr. Swift was appointed the Leader. (Mr. Swift settled at Connersville in 1818).

In 1821 a circuit was formed by Rev. John Havens, a local preacher, which included the village of Connersville and was styled the Connersville^Circuit, and came in the Conference the following year. This was under the Presiding Eldership of Rev. Alexander Cummins. Rev. James Murray was appointed to the circuit in 1822 and in 1823 Rev. Aaron Wood, who remarks that "when I went to Connersville in September, 1823, there was a society of eight women and two men in town - Robert Swift and Thomas Rutter - until Joshua Mcintosh moved there from Dayton, Ohio." (This was in 1824.)

In 1825 the site of the present church building in which services are held by the German Presbyterian congregation, on the south side of Fourth Street between Water Street and Eastern Avenue, was purchased from John McCormack, Sr. The deed of conveyance bears the date of November 8, 1825. The Trustees to whom the deed was made were Joshua Mcintosh, Thomas Hinkson, David Melton, Isaac Wood and Charles Donivan. During the following summer a brick building 22x32 feet was erected which was the first building dedicated to God as a place of public worship in the city. This building was used until 1840, when it was removed and the present brick edifice now standing on the same site erected. This church edifice served the Methodist congregation as a place of worship until the year 1872, when it was sold to the German Presbyterian congregation. The Methodists then worshiped in the court house until in January, 1873, when they came in possession of the Grand Opera House of the city, which they had purchased in December, 1872, at a cost of $16,500.

In the fall of 1848 the church in Connersville was divided, and two societies formed, one remaining in the old church and the other located on Western Avenue. The western society built a house of worship on Western Avenue, which was subsequently converted into a parsonage, and which continues to be occupied as such. The two Connersville societies became the heads of two circuits known as the East aad West Connersville Circuits.

In 1850-51 the two societies in Connersville were made into stations, and continued as such for three years. The pastors in the Western charge were, in

1852, Lewis Dale; 1853, Joseph Colton. In 1853 S. T. Gillett succeeded to the Presiding Eldership on the district. The preachers and the Presiding -Elders were clearly of the opinion that the two charges should be consolidated into one and under their judicious management the consolidation was effected and the union was ratified by the Bishop of the next session of the annual Conference, and John W. Sullivan made the station preacher.

The Fifteenth Session of the Indiana Conference was held in Connersville in 1846, and the Sixteenth Session of the Southeastern Indiana Conference was held here in 1867.

The Presbyterian Church. - In the year 1824 the Cincinnati Presbytery of the Old School branch of the Presbyterian Church sent Rev. Daniel Hayden^ to Connersville to preach, and, if practicable, to organize a church according to their confession of faith. Mr. Hayden arrived in the village on Saturday, October 2, preached in the court liouse the next day, and on Monday, the 4th, organized a church. A. Van Vleet, Adam Smeltser, and John Boyd were elected Ruling Elders. For a number of years after their o"rganization they were without a settled pastor, but were supplied with preaching from time to time by the Presbytery. In 1833 they built a church on the lot now occupied by Caldwell's Block, facing west. The building was 25x35 feet, and was erected by Sherman Scofield. The lot was deeded to Adam Smeltser, David Ferree and Julius Whitmore, the Trustees, by John Williams. It was dated March 2, 1833. They hero worshiped until about the year 1845, when the Trustees sold the property to George Frybarger, and purchased the j ground where the Christian Church now stands, from

The first regular pastor of the church of which we can find anj record, was Rev. J. M. Stone. Mr. Stone served them for a number of years, when his connection with them as pastor was dissolved, and he was succeeded by Rev. Charles Sturdevant, who remained with the church as pastor until 1848, when his successor became Rev. William Pelan. Mr. Pelan was their pastor for twenty years, preaching his farewell sermon on the first Sabbath of June, 1868. Mr. Pelan was more extensively known throughout this valley than any other minister of that denomination. He was a popular man with the masses, both in and out of the church.

From the fall of 186S until the fall of 1869 the Rev. H. M. Shockley supplied the pulpit. In 1870 the pulpit was supplied by Rev. John H. Link, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of this city.

In 1851 the Hamilton Presbytery authorized Rev. Daniel Tenney, of Oxford, to organize a New School Church in Connersville. Accordingly, on the 16th of August, 1851, the organization was effected in the Temperance Hall. James McCann and P. M. Roots were elected Elders. For a time this church was supplied with ministers by order of their Presbytery.

The following ministers have served this branch, known as the Second Presbyterian Chiirch, in the order in which they are named: Rev. J. Steward, for two years; Rev. James Brownlee, two years; Rev. Eli B. Smith, two years. It was during Mr. Smith's administration, and on the 3d day of September, 1855, that their church building was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. Mr. Smith was succeeded by Rev. B. F. Morris, who served the pastorate two years. He was followed by Rev. Daniel A. Bassett, and the latter by Rev. A. D. Jimeson. Next came Rev. Alexander Parker, who served the pastorate from June 3, 1866, to October 24, 1870. Mr. Parker was a good man and an efficient pastor.

In November, 1869, in the city of Pitt8burgh,Penn., the two schools of the Presbyterian Church of the United States were united, and on the 24th of the following October the First and Second Churches of Connersville became one church. April 6, 1871, the building of the Second Church was chosen by vote as the house of worship. The building was repaired in 1876, and reopened Sunday, August 27, 1876, with a sermon by Dr. Coojier, of Covington Ky.

The Christian Church. - In the summer of 1832 Dr. R. T. Brown, then of Rush County, settled in Connersville, and here engaged in the practice of medicine. In August of that year Gabriel Ginn and wife Hannah removed to town from the Judge Webb neighborhood in the country. These were all members of the Reformed Church, as it was designated; and in October of the year referred to above, they held services in the court house, which were conducted by Elder John O'Kane, a Virginian, though coming to Milton in Wayne County, from Lebanon, O., in the spring of 1832. O'Kane was engaged in teaching at Milton and vicinity, and preached on Sunday in the country schoolhouses. The meeting at the court house in October was of several days duration, and resulted in a number of acce-ssions to the little band. Elder O'Kane made the village another visit on Christmas, and in January, 1833, the church was organized; and shortly afterward the Elder removed to Connersville. In the spring following Elder Jesse Holton removed from the State of Kentucky to a farm some two miles north of Connersville. Elders Holton and Brown served the church in a pastoral relation until the former's death in 1839, and the failing health of the latter caused him to abandon the practice of medicine in 1841.

Among the first membership of the church were Dr. R. T. Brown and wife, Gabriel Ginn and wife Hannah, Jesse Holton and wife, also son, A. C. Holton, and daughter Elizabeth, Mary Helm, Mrs. Jacob Vandegrift, Rhoda McKinney and Elijah West (colored).

For two years the society met in the court house, when their place of meeting became the upper room of the county seminary, which was occupied until the brick building on the bluff on East Fifth Street was completed in January, 1841. This house of worship served them until 1872, when they purchased the church building they now occupy on West Fourth Street, of the Presbyterian congregation, which they remodeled and improved and made of it a neat and beautiful church edifice. This was dedicated June 1, 1873, with a sermon delivered by Elder Isaac Errett, editor of the Christian Standard, of Cincinnati.

Among others of the Eldei's preaching for this people have been Thomas Conghley, Jacob Vail, Charles Evans, Rolla Henry, Samuel Wilson, Robert L. Howe, W. J. Irvin and A. A. Knight. The present Elder of the charge is W. W. Witmer.