Gibson County, Indiana - Ecclesiastical History, 1884 (part 2 of 2)

In 1817, Samuel Boiconrt became a resident, Ho was a cabinet and chair-maker, and also madespinning wheels for the old settlers. He was also a Joca] Methodist preacher, justice of the peace, mörchant, and a very intelligent and enterprising man, After about twenty years of active business. life in Princeton ho moved to Vanderburgh County. A distillery was erected. in the same year, by Sanford Grissim, aud stood at the foot of Hall Hill. It was a small concern, and it was in operation only about two years. On the hill west of the distillery, one Elliott had a small powder mill, for the manufacture of gun powder. In 1819, Richard Allison, Henry Hunter, Charles Harrington, William Brithingham, George H. Rout and Joseph B. Brown were added to the list of "tavern keepers," With tho exception of Charles Harrington's place, these taverns, as they were then called, were nothing more than we now term saloons, although their license allowed them to entertain travelers. Harringtoi's house stood on the Devin corner, east of tho southeast corer of tho square. It was a large two-story frame building, erected in 1818. A deer, painted on a eirenlar sign, hung in front of the door. This and Brown's hotel were the leading public houses for a number of years, and both did a good business. It was about this or probably a little later, that the Vincennes and. ville Stage Lino was established and Prinseton became the " half-way stand." The coaches mot here every day at noon, and the passengers took dinner and a fresh ri lay was had before starting on the journey. In busy seasons there were two stages a day. The New Harmony and Mount Vernon Line was started afew years later. The stages carried the mails and brought the news from the outside world.

James, Alexander Lyle and Thomas J. Evans, brothers of Gen. Robert M. Evans, came to this county in 1810, and were among the early business men of Princeton. Alexander L. carried on the cooperage business here for a number of years; moved to Evansville, and died there in June, 1844. James Evans purchased house stood on what is now Main Crows street in the western part of the city, where he resided until his death, in 1482. In 191% he established and operated a wool-curding machine, in a building on Main Crow street, one block went of the square. The machine wow propelled hy tread power und the wool was carded rolls, Dn 1927, Abrabam Lincoln, then residing with his parents near Rockford, Ind., came on horse: Imek with a suck of wool to Mr. Evan's factory and had iteanlel. He took dinner at Mr. Evan's hi d remained in Princeton over aight. Many years later, when lie beenme president, he was one time introduced to Robert Stockwell, und related to bin the above cir: enstunce, and remembered well of stopped in front of hin store to look at the first gilt sg tant he had ever John M. Lockwood, then and is now president of the First Na- Mt. Vernon, Ind. In 1824 or 25, m Jernuld aud George Bucklin built a frame cotton factory in the worth part of town, in the vicinity fo the present Catholic ehureh. - [t wns quite an important industry, emp ds, and co

James Lesley had a distillery lle enst of the eourt which from 1918 to 1929, He made lure quantities of whisky ud poach brandy. It was also in the your 1819 that

In 1822 Robert Stockwell, Joh Brownlee and Samuel Shannon were the leading general merchants, au Basil Brown and Charles Harrington kept the principal hotels; Shannon's tan yard, Andrew Ralston and Michuel Melton, blacksmiths. Samuel Boicourt, wheel- 'wright and eubinetmaker, Mr. Stackhous, chairmaker, Philip Swith, cabinetmaker, Samuel Hogue aud James Baldwin, wagommakers, James Kirchman, brickyard, Daniel Mills, tailor, Robert Finney, John West, wurd G. Jerauld and Hezekiah Boswell, shoemakers, ert Milbum nud Angustas D. Sturgus, batters, James Evans, canting machine, John Arbuthuot and Enoch Veuters, saddlers, Jobn Warrick, courier, and facture of furuiture was couducted on a large seule, 1t, too, burned about 1859 or 1860, Wool carding and spinning has been carried on to some extent alioxt from the begiuning of the history of Princeton to tho present. The Jessups came from England in 1820 and | Degan work hero at fy-shuttle weaving and spinning your Re A. | Barnes 6 Co. and Stewart & Drake engaged in general 'merchandising, aud Brown & Daniel opened a hotel. | In 1890 Samuel Robinson, Joseph R. and Solon Bro and Burch & Lagow begun general merchandising. One year later John Ludwick and Welborn opened | general stores. Thomas F. and W. H. Stockwell and Jerald, Bucklin & Co. established general stores in 1832. 1t was about this time that the Devin Brothers Joseph and Alexander - commenced business, and were for several years the lenviest denlers in Princeton. They dealt largely in pork and grain, which they shipped by at boat to New Orleans, Iu the winter of 1836-37 they bought and packed near a million pounds | of pork, From this period on the merchants and busi- | mess men of Priucetou became more numerous; frequent.

There never has i of a character in its history. improved in wealth and population with the and progress of the com try surrounding it, aud at the Inst census, in 1480, it important town for several miles eastward, and con manded « large portion of the trade for fifty or sixty tat direction, towns sprang into existence and drew the trade away. 'The place did not have a newspaper until 1845, whe John F. Bunton brought au outfit here and published the Princeton throni, which was the first paper printed in the county. Ther: are now three ~The Pri lari, Princeton Democrat and the Gibson County Lawier - published weekly. (See chapter of the Press) The first rilrond built to Princeton ws the Evansville & Terre Haute, 1851. The Louisville, Eva was completed to this point im 1870. like great arteries through the county, furnish splendid shipping facilities for the trades and farmer. There have beu three court

The corner stone of thi was hid with appropriite ceremonies conted by the Masonic fraternity June 17, 1884. It in being constructed of brick with stone trimmings, and when completed will be un ornament to the city. Senoous. - The first school wus held in a vacated log we extending end of the building, with stick and A space was hewed out between two Togs extending along one side, over which greased paper wus fastened to admit light into the door swung on wooden wide of the building. This house bank of the brauch near Main street in the southern part of the city. The first tenclier was Adley Donnell, who begun teuching here before the town was laid out, continued for a year or two afterward. He was icceeded by David Buck, in the same building. A private school was also taught in the second story of the Willis C. Osborn building on the southwest corner of the square, in the winter of 1814715, by Rev. Hickwan, a Presbyterian minister. A log house was erected expressly for school purposes in 1817, near the site of the present U.P. Church. Solomon D. King, Jobu Coursey trustees were appointed by the courts. At the May tenu of the County Commissioners' Court, in 1819, Alexander Devin, William Prince and Robert M. Evans were appointed trustees, "to be styled a Bourd of ler Devin, Robert Milburu and Samuel ctou Academy, aud the court also authorized the county agent to " convey to the said trustees nud their successors in ofice, n title to lot No. 1, in thesecouid survey of Princeton, agreeable toan net of the General Assembly, approved Dec. #1, 1818, entitled au Act for the enconragement of religion and learn: ^ dt docs not appear, however, that any building erected this lot until 1826, On the Sth of May, in that year, the boanl of trustees, Alexander Devin, Robert Stockwell, John I. Neely, Samuel John Milburn, met and appointed + Robert A Hall, a committee ve contracts for the erection of n two-story brick 60x30 feet," on the lot above described, A fund to $608 was raised by private subscription, were paid by subscription, and cast lots for the choice of subscribers They took all kinds of merchantable articles for payment when money was not convenient, 'The salary system was adopted in 1882, and Rev. Hirun A. Hunter was employed as principal for one year, for $250 or 8300, provided that amount could e realized Im 1800, the town anthoritios assumed the munngement of the schools aud organized the present graded school system. The seminary building served for the schools until it was torn down to give place to the present hand: and commodious brick structure, which was completed in 1871, at a cost of over $40,000. It is three thirteen school rooms, neatly will accommodate 800 scholars. The school i» graded, employing fourteen teachers. There is also a graded colored. school, requiring three teachers. During the history of the town there have also been several private and select schools taught at urious times. The most important of these was the Princeton Academy, conducted by Prof. Morton, and Maj. Janice Smith and Dr. Patten' schools. Cnencnes. - The " Covenanter," Presbyterian denoiination built the first honse of worship in Princeton, in 1820. Prior to this tbe meetings were held in the old log Baptist Church north of the fair ground, in the court house aud at private residences. The city now contains eleven churches, of which belong to the different Presbyterian societies, one Methodist, two meeting. The vote was seventeen in favor of incorporation aud four against. March 9, 1818, an election was held at the same place for the purpose of electing five trustees. Johu 1. Neely, William Harrington, David Hart, Johu Arbuthnot, Sumuel Boicourt, John Brownlee and William Stewart were the candidates. The total number of votes was forty-nine. Each candidate was voted for separately; then men arranging themselves in a line aud voting cira The names given below, as taken from the poll book, will show very nearly all the men who were residing in the place: 1 Brown, Robert Stockwell, Rice Emerson, Andrew Culberson, Simeon Lamasters, James P. Hogue, William Beittingham, George Humphreys, Clanuey Pierce, Oliver Matthewson, Henry Curry, Samuel Hall, Alexander Lytle, Hugh Brownlee, Robert Stormont, Tunes C. Alsop, Thomas Polk, Samuel Hogue, David Braselton, James Seates, Jolin Whaley, Samuel Boi court, Robert Milburn, Jobn Kell, Gideon Richey, Churles Harrington, A. B. Sturgus, James Evans, Jo seph Chambers, Morris Birkbeck, William Kent, Sun. wel Shannon, Willian Stewart, Joel F. Casey, Isaac Strain, William Parvin, George Bemus, John Arbuth uot, David Buck, Willium Hummer, George Stipe, Joseph Brown, William MeCloary, Robert Williams, Samuel D. Lowell, Elijah Knowles, Absalom Francis, John 1. Neely und Richard

William Harrington, John I. Neely, David Hart, Samuel Boicourt and John Brownlee received the great est number of votes and were, therefore, elected trus. tees. With the exception of a few years the town was managed under this style of government, controlled a board of trustees from the time it was incorportted til June, 1884, when it was incorporated under the general law us a city. The question of incorporation was decided at au election held May 26, 1884, aud on the th of June following, the first oficers were elected Mayor, Jolin W. Ewing; councilmen, rst ward, Henry Soller aud W. L. Smith; second ward, Reuben Emerson and William D. Kendle; third ward, Junes J. Hartin and Henry L. Wallace; treasurer, William L. Evans: clerk, George A. Spitzer; city attorney, Thomas R. Paxton; asseasor, William G. Wright; street commis sioner, Frederick Behne; marshal, John W. Lewis.

Parsicams. - Dr. Thomas Polk, who located in Princeton in December, 1814, was the firat resident Pbysiciau. Dr. Joel Casey came bere in 1816, and remained until his death in 1828. He was a good

Baxxs. - Tho Princeton Banking Company was organized in May, 1869, with $35,000 capital stock, and was tho first institution of the kind in Gibson County. Tt was a private concern, and continued as such until 'December, 1872, when its name was changed to Gibson County National Bank, and it was conducted under the national banking system until November, 1874, when it failed. The officers were Caleb Trippet, president, and B. M. J. Miller, cashier.

The People's National Bank was organized under the state banking laws as a private institution, in May, 1878, with William L. Evans, president, and W. L. Dorsey, cashier. It was then called the Peoples' Dank. October 1, 1874, it merged into & national bank, and continues, with the same officers. It has a capital stock of $50,000 and $25,000 surplus, aud is con sidered a very safe und reliable institution.

Mawcracromwo Inpustates. - The Gibson County Brick and Tile Works, located in the southern part of the city, was established by Dr. W. 6. Kidd, in 1872. Tt occupies about ten acres of ground, and has eleven hundred feet of drying sheds. The machinery, which is of the latest and most improved pattern, is propelled by steam power, has a capacity of two million bricks und about fifteen thousand rods of tile per annum. It is one of the most complete yards in the county for the manufacture of common and pressed brick, and also all kinds of drain tile of the finest quality. Tt furwishes employment to about twenty-five men.

'The Zenith Steam Flouring Mill was purchased by Witherspoon, Barr & Co, the present owners, im August, 1881. 'The machinery is of the Stephens gradmal reduction process, consisting of fourteen sets of rolls and three bubra, with a capacity of 800 barrels per day, and consumes about 400,000 bushels of wheat per annum, It also bas a coopershop in connection, and employs in all about forty men. The firm also own an levator of 40,000 busbels capacity, situated on the Line track.

The Garden City Mill was built in 1871 by Samuel Greek, the present proprietor. Until the fall of 1883, it was operated by the old system of bubre. At that us, se double set of rolls, with a m barrels per day. dt manía tures several of un excellent quality of Amar, h find a market both at home and abroad. ill, north of the E, & T.

is done, employin abot 'There are also about 150 buggies and carriages mule m by the following parties engaged in that - W. L. Snapp & Co., J. 3. Hartin, George Baber, H. C. Tichenor and James Watt. They also » general blacksmithing.

Heru Haut was erected in 1881 by W. D. Downey sand W. P. Welborn. It a brick building two stories high. The hall occupies the second floor, and is 50 by MO feet, with a stage 50 by 30 feet, fitted with a fo net of scenery.

Vis Association was organized in 1841, hy stock subscription of $10 a share, t now con aha s. and is managed by a board vol hy the stockholders. Jul Cemetery is ales . Mary Boyd, mother of Mes. Nancy S first person buried there. Tt was originally the Archer family grave yanl, but it is now controlled by the United Presbyterian Church.

"The OM Fellows' Cemetery is owned and managed hs Princeton Lodge, L O. O. F. purchased March 22, 1976, It is open to the public for burial purposes-

Leis House, Henry W. Laguw, proprietor. Bonald House, Mrs. N. K. Donald, proprie tress: American, Preston Branham, proprietor; Gibson House, B. MeDaniel, proprietor. There ure oue or two sinall hotels and several boarding, houses, ix a station the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad three nnd n half miles south of Princeton, and contains twa churches, a general store, four mill, hotel and a Mac und cooper shop.

This society was organized Sept. 19, 1897. The first officers were E. Embree, president; A. Harrison, vicepresident; G. B. Graf, corresponding secretary; W.

'The first fair, however, was held square in the fall of 1852. It was gotten merchants and farmers, and John Hargrove, presidi A. Lewis, secretary, and W. Kurtz, were the vllicers of the temporary association. The pr to $90.00, «ud no admission fee was charged. The second fair was held in 1853, and $70.00 were pu hind fair was held, and the premiums sud there were 410 entries. The fair grounds were purchased and in 1867 the entries swelled to over 700, the proceeds upward of $700, In 1900 the prem is amounted to $850 and receipts $1,500. Fuirs have been held every September singe, and 1881 will utube the thirtieth anal session, The grounds are situated at the northwestern limits of the city of Princeton, and contain twenty-three neres, with n on third mile track, and fitted complete with all the modern conveniences for conducting a successful county fair. It contains a commodious amphithentre, two floral balls, power hall, implement and grain roo sheep aud hog stalls, 800 stalls for stock and borses, box stalls and good tenant house. The grounds are also well supplied with good water and shade for the con- 'venience and comfort of both man and beast, The property is valued at over $7,000. The prerinmy paid at the fair held in September, 1889, amounted to $2,000, and there were 2,400 entries. The society is in splendid financial condition. The present officers are W.

M. Cockrum, president; W. H. Evans, vice-president, James Warnock, treasurer; B. Vet. Strain, secretary, and A. G. Markemsou, general emperintendent.