Greene County, Indiana - Chapter 6, 1875

-IJI' ARLY in the history of Greene Qj; county, there settled in and around Bloomfield, others whose names have not yet been mentioned. Isaac Workman and his sons, John, Noah, Richard and Jeremiah ; J oseph Burcham and sons, David, Andrew,- John and Solomon ; Roland Bennett and his son, John K. Bennett ; Josiah Shields and hi-s family ; Jacob Turley, Andrew Allen, Henry Kelsey, Geo. Milam, John Milam, Anthony Milam, Jesse Franklin, John P. Gallion, Wm, Bannister, Asa Osbon (father of Geo* W. Osbon), John S, Moor, Major George Sarver (a soldier of the war of 1812), Jonathan McCollough (a soldier of 1812), I\elly Heaton and his sons, William and David; James Roach and his sons, Joshua Roach, James M. Roach, John Roach and Heary Roach ; Ayres Goad and his sons, Littleton Goad, Henry Goad and Paj^on Goad, and many others whose names we have not received.

Several of James Roach's sons were probably grown when they came to the county. The old gentleman, " Uncle Jimmy " as he was generally called, was a very singular man. We don't suppose he ever had a personal eaemy. in early times, when he was quite old, he often went to Bloomfield and remained several days on a spree. He always had money, and there were very few boys if any in town then to whom he did not give money, and treat to ginger-bread. ,In that day ginger-bread was regarded as the highest gift that could be given to a boy. He was as honest as "old honesty" himself, and not a business man in town but was willing to leave him alone in his house througk the day or all night, whether intoxicated or sober. When under the influence of liquor he was always quiet, and. talked a great deal to himself. He used to repeat, time after time, these words, '"who wants to make a fuss about nothing ? Peace belongs to every bod^'," Whether intoxicated or sober, he alAvaj-s had j jilcnty of friends. The to-wn boys, vho usually play trieks on persons who Avere drinking, never molested him, nor would they allo^^ any one else to molest or play tricks on him. Men and boys were always ready to espouse his cause, and when necessary, take care of him.

James Harrah, who has resided for many years right at old Burlington, is a very old settler in the county, Lis father having settled on the west side of the river, while *'Jim," as we usually call him, was a boy. He can tejnember nearly all about early times. He has tilled several offices in the county, among which are Treasuret of county and real estate appraiser.

about the place where William Sefgent's house now stands. Joseph A/ Wright afterwards became one of the most popular Governors of Indiana. We do not know how it was before his day, btit since that time no Governor has ever .extended the hospi-- talities of his house so generally to all classes of citizens as he did. In his political campaigns, he always took a pride in referring to his early life as a bricklayer. In all his speeches thathe made at Bloomfield he called special attention to his chimney.

In thinking of Governor Wright, our recollection is called to a convet-» versation between him and Adam Stropes. Mr. Stropes was one of our earliest settlers, and for many years took an aetive part in the business ot the county. He was a man of great courage, and was always ready for any daring undertaking, whether it consisted in arresting some desperagentleman, would hardly believe he i do, or going down in a well to rescue had ever "sowed wild oats." But in ' eafly years, it is said be was a little -wild. On one occasion, when he was young, some men attempted to get a a friend of his into a fight. Mr. Lockwood, thinking the fellow was iiot doing the fair thing, "shed his coat," rushed into the crowd, and told them that if there Avas any fighting to be done, he was their man - that he was the "man that had swallowed the whale." After that he was generally called "Jonah," which name followed him during his life. - "Mr. Lockwood departed this life in some unfortunate person who had either falle'n in, or had been oTer-» come with poisonous gassess after going in. He had been a soldier in the war of 1812, and was severely wounded at the battle of "Horse Shoe." He was also a Lieutenant in the Mexican war. For many years he followed teaming, and hauled many loads to and from Louisville, Kentucky. He had been acquainted with Governor Wright while the Governor was working at his trade in Bloomington. At the time they met Mr. Stropes was keeping a hotel in Bloomfield, and the Governor was canvassing the State as a candidate for Governor, for his second term. While Mr. Stropes was hitching up the Governor's horse, they very naturally were' talking of the olden times. The Governor said, " Well, Adam, j'ou didn't think, when you used to see me laying brick at Bloomington, that 1 would ever be Governor of the State, did you?" "Ko, Jo," answered Mr. Stropes, in his quaint, eccentric style; "we can't always tell froia the looks of a toad how far he ^ill jump." In speaking ofthe hospitality of Governor Wright, Ave do not wish it to be understood that we think a Governor should extend hospitalities to the people to the same extent that he did. It would not be right ; because if he did, in these days, since our State has become so large in population, he would soon be in tlie condition that Thomas Jefferson was in, after he retired to Monticello, from being President. He would soon be "literally eaten out of house and home."

In the early days, the Board of County Commissioners, v/ere in one respect like early school teachers. - Early school teachers would board around with their patrons. The Board would meet just wherever they could, at the county seat, there being no place provided for that purpose. - In 1828, their first meeting was at the residence of W. D. Lester, and there was no change in the board, since the year before.

The officers for the last year were continued in office, and Ephraim Owen was appointed county Agent. During this year, Willis D. Lester was authorizc'l to keep store, and Samuel Brooks authorized to keep +avern. Isaac Anderson had a ferry established across White river, west of Bloomfield. Thomas Stalcup and I James Parsley had a ferry established ' across Eel river, just above its mouth, but that ferry was not continued' many years. John Kelly had a ferry established. Eel River, Smith and Dixson townships were established. - Eel River township was established as it has since continued. Smith embraced the present Jefferson, Smith and Wright, and the place of holding elections was at Frederick Dayhoff^s. Elias Dayhoff was the first inspector of elections. Dixson township embraced the present Fairplay, Grant and Stockton, and the place of holding elections was at Fairplay. Martin Wines was the first inspector of elections. Richland was extended on the east, to the range line, dividing

In the year 1829, James Warnick was elected Commissioner, in the place of John Crook. The other Commissioners were continued. John Crook was appointed Assessor. The other ofiicers were continued in office. The fee for assessing the county was §45, which was regarded as rather high then. John Inman and Robert Inman commenced merchandising at Bloomfield, and continued for many years. William N. Norris procured license to keep grocery. The first public well was dug. Beech Creek and Jackson townships were organized, the line between them being somewhere near the middle of the present Center township. Hancc Stalcup, who had been surveyor for many years, was appointed by the Commissioners to procure the field notes for the original survey of the county. He procured them, and advanced twenty-four dollars to pay for them, and some years afterwards received a county order for the same.

During this year and the year before, several new comers settled at and near Bloomfield, among whom were Andrew Downing, Alexander Downing, Thomas Patterson, James Boyd, George Boyd, Arthur Hicks, a preacher, and his son, William C. Hicks, who now lives in the county, and is also a preacher. William C. Hicks, in times of meetings, has always kept an extensive hotel, at which every body is welcome, ''without money and without price."

Owing, perhaps, to the influx of emigration to the Bloomfield settlement, (in those days they called what we now call a neighborhood a settlement,) the people were looking hopefully to their county seat, at some early day, being a great commercial emporium. It was then bclteved that White river would be a great com- mcrcial thoroughfare. Railroads had * not then been thought of in Indiana. "With a view to these bright anticipations, Peter C. VanSlyke had donated an additional five acres, lying on the bank of ^\ Into river, about one mile south-west of Bloomfiehl. During this year,Rucl Learned, Cornelius l>ogard and Isaac Anderson, were appointed to view this donation, for the purpose of ascertaining a good landing. This donation was called Van Bayou, and the name was afterwards changed to Bluff Port, and the place was afterwards laid out in lots and sold at auction, but the purchasers neither paid their bids nor received deeds for the lots. The land was many years afterwards sold to the adjacent owner.

In May, of this year, the Treasurer made his report, covering two years and two months. The tax collected amounted each year to five hundred dollars, but there was some revenue collected from sales of lots and from fines, which run it up to a little over S500 per year. During this period, there was collected, from all sources, in cash, only §f)l 01, which was all paid out, except §2 76.

At the June term of the Circuit Court, Samuel R. Cavins, Avho lived in Jackson township, formerly a part of Burlingame township, appeared as associate Judge, to fill the vacancy caused by the retiring of Judge Smith. At this term, John Inraan, who had emigrated to the United States, in 1827, declared his intention of becoming a citizen. AfTey Herrington divorced her husband, Ezekiel Herrington, this being the first divorce granted in the county in favor of the wife. Those who have read the former chapters of this book, will probably remember that this same Herrington was the first man in the county to divorce his wife, and now in turn, he is the first to be divorced. - These divorces were four years apart. If we are nofmistaken, this man was in the. divorce business to a considerable extent, and figured in several, many years after this. This year, the -first man sent from our county to States' prison for larceny, was sent five years, for stealing a horse.

The first Probate Judge ever elected in the county, was AV. D. Lester. He was among the very first settlers in the county, having come here before he was grown. He was elected first in 1829, and held the office during the greater part of the time that there was such an office, having held it about twenty years. He is yet living, and is the oldest man right at Bloomfield. He is universally honored and respected by his neighbors and acquaintances.

In 1830 the Commissioners were same as year before. Cornelius Bogard was Sherifi", having been elected the year before. He was one of the earliest settlers, and took an active part in the county business for many years. He was a man universally esteemed. He has been dead several .years. His two sons, Thomas and William, arc living in the county. - Thomas Bogard, his oldest son, must be about fifty years of age, and has probably resided in the county all his life. He is well known all over the county. Just in the same neighborhood where they first settled, are several other old settlers. Isaac Benham, son of Joel Benham, was probably born in that neighborhood fifty years ago. L^ncle David Ledgerwood, down there, is a very old settler, and although he has several children that are getting along in years, Uncle David is not old in heart or feeling, il we can judge from his jolly good nature that is always cropping out when he is about. Perhaps his being a widower, may make him appear younger - it will sometimes.

Having digressed a little, we -.will return to our history. George Baber, the old Sheriff, was appointed Assessor for the east side of the river, arrd collector for the county. John L. Buskirk was appointed Assessor for the west side oi the river. During tlie latter part of the year, iSiirauel Simons appeared as Commissioner, and took the place of Stephen Stone. Mr. Simons served many years as Commissioner. He was a Very early settler, and one of the best citizens. He is yet living, but not in the county. He is the father of Captain John S. Simons,who was killed at Spottsylvania, and of Price Simons, who now lives in the county. The other officers w'ere same as the year before. - Washington and Stockton townships were organized.

The receipts from taxes, fines, licenses, etc., amounted to §044 46^, of which only §00 was in cash. ' The amount paid out was §591 65, but much of this Avas on old orders. The county expense for this year, for the first ten months, was 3200 02^.

During this year, John Law, formerly Prosecutor, appeared as President Judge, and E. M. Huntington as Prosecuting Attorney. Mr. Huntington afterward became Judge of our Circuit Court, and while yet a young man, was appointed District Judge of the Federal Court, which office he held during life.

About this time a circumstance occurred which created gi'eat excitement in the settlement. Peter C. VanSlyke, who aybs very wealthy, kept a large amount of money on hand, in gold and silver. One day, after returning home, having been absent several hours, he found his chest broken open, and all his money gone. His money was kept in sacks, in the chest. Of course such a great robbery as this spread consternation all over the settlement. The people flocked to the scene of the supposed robbery in great numbers, and volunteered their services to pursue the robber. Immediate search was made to see if any clue could be found io put them on the right track. The money was soon found, about thirty yards from the house, all safe and